This years cruise has been dominated so far by my need for a replacement dingy and outboard, both of which had to be scrapped before this years cruise started. I sailed via Culatra, Ayamonte, Rota/ Cadiz then down to Gibraltar, where I hoped to be able to get a new dingy and outboard, well it took longer than planned and I have ended up buying them in the U.K. And shipping them down to Gib hopefully vat free. I initially stopped in Alcadesia marina in La Linea in Spain but have now moved to Ocean Village marina in Gibraltar, I hope to set off into the Med this weekend.

The Alcoutim fiesta was amazing with several top bands on each night followed by fireworks at around 2am after which the disco started until 8 am only problem is it does not really start until 23.00 which plays havoc with your sleep pattern.
This years fiesta took place between the 11th & 13th of September, which made my birthday celebration easy and memorable.

The Alcoutim fiesta was amazing with several top bands on each night followed by fireworks at around 2am after which the disco started until 8 am only problem is it does not really start until 23.00 which plays havoc with your sleep pattern.
This years fiesta took place between the 11th & 13th of September, which made my birthday celebration easy and memorable.

Another fiesta in Alcoutim took place between the 11th -13th of September, I was on the south pontoon furthest away from the bands which were very loud, but I still managed to get some sleep after the fireworks finished around 2 in the morning, although the disco went on until 8 am on Sat & Sun.

As this is my first entry in my new blog I thought I would give a short summary of my Algarve Adventure to date.
Purchased yacht in September 2013 in Olahao Portugal.
Moved yacht to Nave Pegos yard in Faro.
Renovated Yacht over next 20 months and launched late June 2015.
First trip was down to Ayamonte and back with Stephen my mate from Morley, after that first week I spent several weeks fixing various items and getting used to single-handed sailing.
My first trip single-handed was from Cabo St Martin to Ayamonte, after a few days in the marina I moved up the river Guardiana to Alcoutim and Saint Luka de Guardiana. After A two weeks at anchor sorting out a problem with my engine and getting to know the local area, I moved with Pete on Salara up to Penha de Aguia. We spent five days on the pontoon and visited Mertola and Beje, and many superb and cheap restaurants with Tony off Lewona. On the way back down river we stopped at the vascou river and the continued down to Alcoutim next morning.
After a very pleasant week in Alcoutim mainly on the south pontoon, I moved down river to Alcoutim arriving just in time for the towns Fiesta, that brings me up to date.