And this is the view on my right - the Fort of São João de Arade
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I left Tavira on Saturday and had a pleasant sail in warm sunshine down the coast to the entrance to Faro and just anchoring inside for the night. On Sunday it was a 33-mile leg to my destination Portimao. Left in a flat calm at about 10ish and motor sailed on and off for the first 3 hours, the wind then built up until it was a good 21 knots. I was close hauled (as close to the wind direction as Warrior will go) all the way and at anchor at about 6 pm opposite Ferragudo near Portimao. Fantastic Monday really hot went shopping and then just lazed in the warmth. At about 4ish the sun starts to go down and so does the temperature. No heating at the moment as the hot air system has broken - so old not able to get parts any more - still its not that bad for a rufty tuffty!!
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On the way and a completely different landscape
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Antonio the manager of the Clube Nautico Tavira invited us to their party night, food, good wine, karaoke and dancing - what a night everyone young and old really enjoyed themselves including me
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Karaoke time - I did not participate - I wonder why ....!
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And we all had a dance - that did include me
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My port lazy jack parted a few weeks back so I took advantage of having Nigel around and he winched me up in the flat calm - some view as well.
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On leaving the Rio Guadiana I headed east for a little place called Tavira. Its just 10 miles down the coast and I have anchored there before but just overnight on route. I took a walk into the town and what a surprise its lovely. The following day it rained for a full day and a half and I got 20 litres of water from the dinghy but I am please to say it improved. There is a great sailing club with a very friendly manager who just can't help you enough. There is only one other occupied yacht here Aqua Regia owned by Nigel & Yvonne who invited me on-board for a meal. She is a 42ft Southerly with a lifting keel which as you will see makes her very handy for shoal waters.
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The weather did improve and Nigel let her dry out to do some maintenance. It's a little strange to see a monohull upright on a beach like this but very handy. It was back to 72 degrees again and we were back in our shorts
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Looking down on Tavira
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Looks as though I am going to be here until the 2nd December - no wind until then but no hurry it's a great place to be.
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A view through an old building window with the Guadiana river Warrior and Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the background
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I had a great fish soup with John on his trimaran on the night before leaving the Guadiana.
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I am heading off for pastures new - more about this soon. I arranged with friends Tony & Jan to have my 'farewell to the Guadiana' BBQ at their place on the bank of the Guadiana.
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The dinghy park was getting rather full
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Martin - he isn't an alcoholic honestly
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Gabriella baby sitting - well after a few red wines she didn't notice that the baby had been transplanted!
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Chris handing out some goodies
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Later that evening - Tony & Jan's new puppy trying to get at Tony's grub. L to R Jan, Jay, Tony & Elle
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Robert Black, musician, artist and autopreneur - just one cool dude with his partner Monica in their hideaway pad on the banks of the Guadiana. They have wined and dined me royally on numerous occasions and here I am again getting ready for the party - thanks.
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Roberts's studio with a couple of his paintings on the way
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The lovely Monica & me, I have been giving her some photography tutorials as she has been trying to get her head round Photoshop.
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Chilling-out with some very good wine at Roberts pad near Sanlucar on the Guadiana
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As you can see - the night just got better and better
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Monica and Diana during the evening do.
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Another occasion at Robert & Monica's
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I have been scrubbing off and antifouling the last 4 days absolutely knackered but job well done me thinks and back afloat. I found a great way to stop the antifouling sticking to me - oiled all exposed parts with a combination of sunflower oil and sugar the only problem was that I smelt a little like a chip.
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The little bit of an exaggeration but the shower did run red!
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Yesterday most of my friends from last year reappeared at Alcoutim so as you can see we all gathered to swap stores and tell tails, it was good to see them all. The weather has just changed, colder in the mornings but it soon warms up. I am planning to do my antifouling next week but there is a forecast for rain so will have to see.
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Here I am at Gail's in Rugby with Ozzy. I got back to Warrior on September 13 with the new water pump for the engine and a few other bits and pieces ready to do some antifouling on the next spring tide and then head off. I am going to explore some of the Portuguese coast and then - will say later.
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