The day for the boat trip was glorious sunshine with a little wind and we were told by Terry, who has been on many such trips, that this was the best yet as we even got to sail for a while along the coast towards Portmao (often there is no wind - what a surprise!).

The boat was a replica of a Caravel, a ship built in the 15th and 16th century with a distinctive shape, a gently sloping bow and single stern castle and it carries a mainmast and a mizzen mast that were generally lateen-rigged. Caravels had already been in use for hundreds of years and developed into fast, easily manoeuvrable ships and were well known through their use during Portuguese and Spanish voyages of discovery. Indeed Columbus’s ships Niña and Pinta were supposedly caravels.

Portuguese Boa Esperanca and has been on “tour” all over the world including Brazil. Of course this one had a few mod cons like an engine and pump able loo! A large crew was needed to raise the sails and about half the party did the honours. Folk took turns on the tiller which needed 2 people and as it was situated in an area below the bridge where you are unsighted and you need someone to shout down the course to you. A trip not to be missed.