Heading for the bridge and still having problems finding a level place for my camera!

Sunday 22nd September
A long motor south awaited us for the trip from Peniche to Lisbon; 60nm to the marina up the rivet Tejo. If we didn't leave today it would a headwind slog south as the winds are blowing from that direction for the next week, strong at times. But it was sunny and warm and we were motoring in company with the Ostryga's and Pimentao's along with a French boat.

We were close enough to the coast to see it unlike our long passage south from Povoa where we stayed well offshore. The land is more craggy here, cliffs and sandy coves rather than the flat, continuous sand of the north of Portugal. We aimed to keep an average speed of 6kts to reach Parque dos Nacoes at high water.


Belem Tower

Once we rounded Cabo Raso we picked up good tide that swept us along past Cascais and into the mouth of the river Tagus. From here the trip became fabulous, passing along some of Lisbon's sights such as the Belem Tower and underneath the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge which looks like the Golden Gate bridge. Colin had had to get up last night to check the clearance for the bridge as my 'plenty' didn't ease his worries - when he found it was 70m he could go to sleep relaxed!

The noise of the bridge needs special mention - it sounds like a huge swarm of bees buzzing angrilly around your head. A noise that would drive me mad within a short space of time. I'm sure it's not so bad at Alcantara docks, one of the marinas we considered, but we were still glad we were heading a little further up river.


Monument to the Navigators

There was very little other river traffic, just a few other yachts. The tide was really scooting us along, up to 4kts of positive tide, and we arrived at the marina shortly before high water. As we were 4 boats arriving at once the marina asked us to wait whilst each one went in so we could be helped in. We were second boat in so had a 5 minute wait, the tide had eased by now so it wasn't difficult to hold station. In through the lock gates and help to take our lines.

Ola Lisbon!