On Saturday we did a tour of the castle in Sines and wandered around the town. Whilst other sailing friends have been very positive about the place (possibly because of the camaraderie of spending the winter there) we thought it was fine but not a place to spend more than a few days. They have clearly invested heavily in the promenade and area surrounding the front and there was a lots of activity in hobie cat sailing, sea swimming and scuba competitions going on but the town itself was rather uninteresting.
On Sunday we left the marina at 3.45am intending to sail to Lagos. After two hours we decided to return to Sines as the seas were very uncomfortable. The forecast had been 10-15 knots from the west, we got 20--23 knots and the 2 metre north westerly swell was mixed with the remains of a south westerly swell - recipe for discomfort as the boat corkscrewed about in very irregular seas. Given the trip was 12-13 hours overall, that wouldn't have been fun. We had a sleep, read and relaxed for the rest of the day.
On Monday the world was different. The NW swell had dropped to less than a metre and the wind was more north westerly at 12 knots making it a comfortable motor-sail down to Cabo de Sao Vincente in about 8.5 hours and then a fantastic sail along the coast of the Algarve. You read about how the seas here flatten out and it's true. After weeks of Atlantic swell, as soon as you pass the Cape the seas flatten and with a strengthening wind we shot along to Lagos at over 7 knots in 15 knots of wind with the sun shining.....that's how it's supposed to be! Overall the trip took 12 hours so we made good time.
Lagos is entered via a short canal and it was packed with canoes, tripper boats and small fishing craft. Carolyn helmed us onto the reception pontoon as you have to register and wait for the bridge to open. The prices here were just about to rise for the summer, night 1: E53 - night 2 and on E85 and that's with a 10% Cruising Association discount. We won't stay here long.
The marina is not full and there are lots of British boats here, more than we have seen elsewhere. It's pleasant with a lot of cafes, restaurants and bars on the overlooking prom. The predominate language you hear is English, quite a change from the Atlantic coast. The older part of the town is quite attractive, we found a reasonable place to eat - piri-piri chicken with chips or rice! (not both... clear British influence!) We all slept solidly, two early starts at 3.00am had been a bit wearing.

A stocking up session in the local supermarket took up the remaining part of Tuesday morning after a good lie in. The weather here is warm and sunny. We will have a relaxing day before moving on tomorrow, probably to Portimao for a few days as it will be easier for Alan to manage the transport back to Lisbon on Friday.

The photo shows Sines Marina with the prom in the foreground and the cargo port behind