We made it!!

Today was to be a fairly long sail of about 75 nm to Lagos and our final destination with World Cruising Club and Rally Portugal.

We had an early start, in fact it was just getting light when we motored out of Sines. Once again we started well but with such a long way to go we needed to keep our average speed to around 5kn minimum. The wind was behind us and light so we motor sailed at first. Then we got the cruising chute out again so as we could keep up our 5kn.

John was hoping to see dolphins again before he went home .....and they didn't disappoint us. They were swimming in our bow wave while the cruising chute pulled us along. It doesn't get much better than that.

The wind was building throughout the day and when we reached Cape St Vincent we had 25kn from behind, We had a great sail for the last 17nm with wind on the port quarter and flatish seas. For a while we managed to keep a steady 7.5-8kn....... the best sailing for some time.

The entrance to Lagos marina is about 1/2 a mile up a river. There is a long pontoon of about 80 meters to tie up while you are allocated a berth. The rally portugal team were waiting for us and took photos of us arriving. The wind was now blowing at around 25-30kn...... Typical...... when you have to moor up! However we managed to get in OK and had a group hug.....we had done it!

Rally Portugal had organised an end of rally dinner the following night. It was a great atmosphere as everybody knew each other now and the banter was great. They also gave everybody commemorative plaques and small keepsakes!

Overall I would say that the rally is terrific value, and really well organised. I can see why people sometimes do it more than once.

After a few days most crews were dispersing off to other parts of Portugal or off home. It seemed an anti-climax as Peter and Nicky would also be going home soon and we would be on our own. BUT....... we had Emily aqnd Nicky coming out in mid July with Barney and Dave. So that was something to look forward to.