Well, I decided that it was best to make for Mindelo and take on fuel as we had been doing a lot of motor-sailing. So, at 10:30 local time, we arrived at the Mindelo Marina and tied stern-too. There are not many boats in the marina at the moment and the rate charged is half that of the “in season” fee. We are staying two nights, giving the crew time to relax a bit and also do some maintenance on board.

The marina is quite modern with very clean ablution facilities, diesel at Euro 0.85c per litre and water, which works on a pre-paid meter. Security is pretty good with both the port police hanging around as well as a security company doing patrols. There is a floating bar, where we have all tried the local brew, which has quite a high alcohol content of 6.7 percent.

I plan to leave on Wednesday morning and start the leg up to Gibraltar – we will decide where we may stop next as we get closer to the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.

Regards from Dave, Josh, Mathys and myself, John