Azores > Portugal - Day 6: Getting Close

After 36 hours of slamming, the seas are now relatively calm as we approach the coast of Portugal. It is 12.10am and I am staring my shift. Thia is good timing as we are just approaching the shipping channel, Better have a second coffee!

The other boats we see are all commercial vessels, tankers or freighters that travel at speeds up to 20 knots. There is a continuous stream of them in each direction, typically two or three miles apart You want to time the crossing to pass behind one of them.

We are now 65 nautical miles from Faro and at current speed (average 7 knots) we should arrive at the dock at around 10.00am this morning (1st June).

I was planning to take a slip at the Marina in Lagos, but when I contacted them they said that they did not have space for us. We will be able to come into the registration dock, but it is not clear how long we will be able to stay there. Hopefuly long enough to do crew transfers.

Gill and Diorbhail will depart on the 1st, back to the realities of work. Seamus leave on the 2nd, back to check on his major home renovation, before heading off on his next sailing adventure. Seonaid, Cristine and Cairen will arrive from Scotland on the 3rd. Depending on where we end up (at anchor or tied to a dock), they will either stay on the boat or take up residence on something more stable on land! Cheryl returns to the boat on the 8th June. The next update should be coming to you from terra firma.