The anchorage we have chosen here off Faro turns out to be really odd. We were told about some of this before we came, but it is amazing to experience it first-hand. As the water drains off the Rio Formosa into the estuary it channels across the marshes down streams and creeks towards the main drag, which in turn drains into the sea through narrow coastal entrances. This causes eddies and swirls and cross-currents all over the place, and we left our first anchorage because Barracuda hated having the wind, the tide and the cross-tide all pushing her in different directions. There were six boats in the second anchorage and most of the time we would all be pointing in difference directions and rotating in different ways., including full 360 degree spins at times. Add 20 kt winds to that and it’s quite unsettling. However, the wind does still drop in the evenings, so it was a calm night. We had visitors from a neighbouring Belgian yacht, bringing wine, so after a social evening we had a store-cupboard supper of Thai curried eggs and so to bed.

This morning saw the first rain we’ve had for a month – just for five minutes, but it means it’s time to go south. Bibi arrives today and husband Steve, who is currently storm-bound in Belfast, will follow tomorrow, fingers crossed. Then we will pick our window for jumping off towards the Canaries.