Best Porto!
13 October 2013
Andrew
Baiona was the last of the Rias, which had provided such excellent shelter and so many options to anchor or berth. The rest of the way down this coast the ports of refuge are well spaced out meaning long days at sea or indeed overnight trips.
Our first step into Portugal was typically a long motorsail of almost 70 miles to Porto. On route we removed the ragged Spanish red and yellow courtesy flag which had flown for two and a half months, to be replaced with the green and red of Portugal, for how long?
Our visit by car had confirmed that the relatively new Marina was indeed just .3 miles up the River Duora not 3 miles as detailed in Reeds almanac. A rare but potentially dangerous misprint in our navigation bible!
The entry was nevertheless exciting with the river running through the marina making parking awkward to say the least. We had called in by VHF and were met by a fast RIB who escorted us in and took our lines. This was our first experience of the staff who were outstanding for their customer service throughout our stay. Yvonne was on the helm as has been our routine more recently, leaving me free to make the glorious leap ashore! The berth we had been given was very tight and with the stream running it was an all or nothing manoeuvre. Great relief when all tied up secure.
We met up again with "Pilgim", on board Ulrika and Sven with Freda the big Puppy. Since we last saw them in La Coruna they had driven back to Germany to sort affairs to allow their onward adventure and also hoped to winter in Portimao.
We cycled all over town the next couple of days, tried the Port wines and did the touristy thing. Great city to visit, lots to see and still very busy in early October.
We were invited onboard Cariad a 53ft aluminium ketch to meet the self christened "Cornish smugglers" Chris and Julia with Alice and Hattie (9 and 7). Delightful interesting people, a wealth of knowledge having done an Atlantic circuit 10 years ago and now doing it all again. This time with the children and a bigger boat. Talk about inspirational! after speaking to them a few times Yvonne floored me by suggesting we should maybe consider crossing the Atlantic someday!
We had to wait until the complimentary morning rolls were delivered by the Marina staff before setting off South again. Duoro Marina wins best Port, o for service and staff effort!