One of the sights of Lisbon seen from the river

Thursday 3rd October
We were champing at the bit to get gone from Parque das Nacoes but had to wait for high water at 3pm. At 2:30 the first of the fleet departed leaving room for us to turn around the end of the pontoon to give us a chance of getting out in the tight space. It didn't go exactly to plan, but we got out ok. We motored back down the river enjoying the sights again, a F4 wind on the nose making a slight chop.

Off Oeiras the swell increased significantly and was all over the place with Emerald rising up on a wave and slamming into the trough beyond. The swell period was too fast for us to do much to avoid them so we ploughed on through whilst being rolled and bounced around. We said farewell to one of the fleet as they went into the marina there; hopefully we'll meet up again in the Algarve.

On past Sao Juliao fort the swell decreased and we were hopeful to be able to anchor at Cascais. There were a couple of boats out anchored already so we went to check out how much they were rolling - too much for us so the marina it was. This was the first marina where we had to check in first before being given a berth = extra faff! At least the reception pontoon was clear and check-in was smooth and fast, we were even given a complimentary bottle of wine.

On to our berth which turned out to be a very tight turn around the end of the pontoon and then tight again into the finger, too tight for Emerald's turning circle. I got the nose against the finger but as soon as I reversed to stop us it pulled the stern away due to the prop walk. A nice German man came to help us get Emerald in enough for one of us to get off, however the 6 people on the French boat one finger over all just stood up in their cockpit and stood watching us. An audience never helps, especially one so obvious and it took a lot of willpower not to give them an Agincourt salute! The marina had lots of big boats and there was obviously a lot of monied people around. But now that we were into winter rates, Cascais was one of the cheapest in the area but still high for winter at €27 a night.


Emerald anchored at Cascais

Friday 4th October
The swell seemed to have eased by the next morning so we decided to go out to anchor. A few other boats had the same idea but there was plenty of space. There was still a bit of swell and the regular comings and goings of the fishing boats didn't help but it would be good to get some sealegs ready for the trip down to the Algarve.

We went ashore for a wander around, tying our dinghy to the bridge to the fishermans pontoon. Cascais seems to be quite afluent with lots of big houses lining the sea front. There are plenty of pedestrianised streets to walk around with the black and white mosaic pavements we'd seen elsewhere in Portugal. Lots of bars and restaurants including a 'British'theme pub - ugh! We walked out to the Boca de Inferno, a blowhole 15 minutes walk west of the marina which wasn't blowing (probably a good thing or it would make our journey a bit grim), I could imagine it's very impressive when it is.