Yesterday we didn't even leave the boat. Admitted! What we did, beside just relaxing during this VERY hot and wind-less day, was Isabelle cleaned the whole interior of the boat, to get the salt out and I made a better version (Beta 1.01 for computergeeks) of the brackets and straps that s supposed to FIRMLY hold the life raft in place just aft of the main mast.

Regarding the salt it is reallly discouraging how quick it enters the boat. First i form of a fine mist/spray wjile at sea. In fact it's mostly so fine that ine cannnot take notice of it. Secondly it moves into the cabin with us eveery time we go down below decks. ON our feet, foul weather clothes and not to forget our hands. We have a non-negotiablle rule onboard to ALWAYS wash our hands in fresh water beofore touching anything sensitive. (read computer and other electronical gear). The issue with salt penetrating everything onboard was also a main reason for rebuilding the chart table thus providing better protection for the navigation computer and better functionality.

Enough ranting about that. Today, we really took a day off, and took the train to Lisbon, a thirty minute trip. We intended to start with the Maritime Museum in Belém, which is said to be the largest in the world. Just to find out that they are closed all Mondays. We should have thought of that. Many museum are closed on Mondays so no sensation.

Well, we had no problems spending a day walking from Belém to the old town and 'Castelo Sao Joao' on the highest hill. Here, Vasco da Gama went to see the King after his return from the Far East. The castle was here already 600 BC though and the Phenicians reportedly had it built. Later on, during the long period when the Moors held most of the Iberican Peninsula and Lisboa was an important stronghold and Port for them.

We ate Portugals national dish #1 for lunch - Bacalhao frita with french fries.

Bacalhao is cod, or at least in the 'cod family' and is sold in every supermarket in large quantities. It is dried and salted and comes in big 'flakes'..

It was well prepared and very good - but extremely salt according to our preconceptions. That could largely be cured with generous intake of the local beer.

We also managed to find a couple of hard ware stores and chandleries to visit. As usual.

Pictures uploaded in the Gallery from this charming and unpredictible city that feels very laid-back.