Bob's gap years

Hi. We said goodbye to Sines at 0630 on the 1st August for the 75 mile run to Lagos. For most of the run to Cape St Vicente we motorsailed in calm seas and light winds. Early afternoon we saw dolphins and what followed was (bar one) the most extraordinary display I have ever seen. They streamed past from the NW to the SE for nearly 3/4 of an hour and were visible all around us at a great distance and for much of the time were too many to count. There must have been hundreds of them. Although none stayed and played around the boat, which is common, the closer ones came at us from the side, diving under the keel, staying alongside for a short while then continuing their journey. It kinda leaves you feeling quite privileged. If only they had been the circus variety doing leapy things all the time.
Rob, friend from Plymouth, (master filmmaker extraordinary!!) took a video on his phone and attempted to WhatsApp it to his wife and son in law. He had problems working out how to do it and, holding it in his lap, managed to send both of them a video of his crotch! (Sorry Rob)
Once round St Vicente the wind increased significantly to 20 - 28 knots but fortunately since it was coming from the north and we were now heading east and close to the Algarve shoreline the sea was very choppy, not rough but still with lots of spray flying around. It was very exhilarating. We then found ourselves inside a fish farm, having not seen what were very slim yellow corner markers. The fish 'buoys' were small horizontal black barrels connected with strong lines hundreds of metres long and only about 20 metres apart and barely visible in the chop. Seeing these immediately ahead I steered away and followed the narrow channel between the barrels (doing over 7 knots) hoping that other small round black buoys were not connected. We eventually popped out Into clear water with a huge sigh of relief. To have tangled would probably have meant calling for outside assistance and being in a lot of trouble!
We arrived safely in Lagos (very shallow entrance) where the full force of the Algarve in tourist mode hit us. We only stayed a short while and had a brief look round what is a lovely town before heading for Portimao.
I've rambled on for long enough so cheerio for now and Happy Birthday to EDWARD.
U Robert