Cabo de Sao Vicente
09 June 2016 | Sao Vicente
David and Andrea
Diomedea had a lovely sail from Lagos to anchor (yes, again) in the pretty bay under the old fortified Cabo Sagres. From there it was on to the formidable Cape of Saint Vincent. Its holy status goes back to Neolithic times as evidenced by standing stones. The ancient Greeks called it the Land of Serpents but the Romans considered it a place where the sun set hissing into the ocean, marking the edge of their world. In the 4th century, the body of St Vincent was apparently buried here, in a site always guarded by ravens. The body was removed to Lisbon in 1173, along with the ravens. Piracy and naval battles occurred with alarming frequency in later years.
So, it was with some trepidation that we approached this cape at the end of the world. Fortunately, the weather gods were smiling and we rounded just before daybreak in slight seas and only 12 kts of headwind. Compass course now 350 M. We are going north.