Yesterday we were just relaxing onboard without even going on shore. -Zephyr- left in the morning for Lagos, where they are to meet some friends. We just wanted to be at peace, by ourselves, in this remote and beautiful place another night. Most of the night and the day was windy. Around 25 knots probably a bit more in the gusts. Nortjerlies though, so we were well sheltered and snug at the anchorage.

A clear blue sky was the first thing I saw when I looked out the companiinway hatch in the morning. 14 degrees outside after a full moon night. Soon enough the sun warmed our little world to above 20 degrees. Still No rtherly wind around 25 knots and very gusty.

We took off after morning coffee and the other 'rituals'. Double-reefed main and full jib flying but the mizzen stayed furled. We were heading 77 degrees towards Punta do Piedade 14,5 miles to east, and then some 7 miles more to Portimao. Splendid close-hauled sailing, with some spray flying over the cockpit now and then. Since we sailed under land (about 40-50 meters high shoreline) the sea was almost flat. Quite much like crossing a large 'Fjärd' in the Stockholm Archipelago in Sweden.

Just before we arrived at Punta do Piedade, the wind decreased. We shook the reefs out and hoisted the mizzen and kept speeding towards Portimao. We anchored just opposite the marina in the quite narrow Ria.

Portimao is a quite big town, or even a city. I would guess the biggest one at the Algarve Coast. We have made an arrangement here to have a sprayhood/dodger made for Röde Orm, and also order some 'bits and pieces' i e spares over the interneet and have them shipped here. So, we will probably stay in the area for at least a couple of weeks. After that, we'll see. We still like to take it one day at a time, and improvise along the way. we are in no hurry, and we want to explore as long as it is interesting at the places we arrive.