Lagos - Faro
Sopromar did a fantastic job and so we now have a new working bow thruster fitted. We also have a new life raft and we were carrying on deck a replacement gas strut. The launch was actually at 10:30 but by the time we were in the water and had walked around to Brizo and back to collect our frozen food it was 12 noon and the marina were anxious for us to vacate the waiting pontoon. Soproma is the most amazing facility but I do not understand where there isn't more provision for temporary berthing.
We left and were on our way but it is 68 miles to Faro so we knew we would not get there in time to go to a restaurant. We followed instructions to keep within the 20m contour so as to minimise the possibility of an Orca attack.
The entrance to Faro is amazing, it is so deep as there is a huge flow of water in and out of the narrow entrance. We arrived around slack so there was no drama. The pilot books were fairly vague about where you can anchor but once inside it is obvious you can just anchor anywhere! There was a lovely anchorage near the entrance which was very popular and close to the amazing beach, however we were heading for the main anchorage.
Once we arrived it was wonderful, lots of space and really good holding…. We soon opened the fridge and everyone was re-hydrating. Oh did we need it… Linda looked at me and I looked and Linda and we were both thinking the same thing, this was just like St Petersburg (Central River Yacht Club) except that in addition to all the traffic on the water, we were also under the flightpath. It was like the wild west, there were fast motorboats, jet skis and RIB's going full pelt everywhere. It was not a peaceful place to be. This madness went on all evening even in total darkness and many of the boats (jet skis mainly) were displaying no lights at all, there is no way they could have seen or heard each other.
After a few drinks and something to eat we were getting some respite from the heat it had been 37 degrees throughout the day, so I put in the deck lights and Graham and I fitted the new gas strut. The mini re-fit was complete and so were are for the first time fully ship shape… (well if you ignore the random bilge pump and light in my wardrobe and broken floor catch…).
We left and were on our way but it is 68 miles to Faro so we knew we would not get there in time to go to a restaurant. We followed instructions to keep within the 20m contour so as to minimise the possibility of an Orca attack.
The entrance to Faro is amazing, it is so deep as there is a huge flow of water in and out of the narrow entrance. We arrived around slack so there was no drama. The pilot books were fairly vague about where you can anchor but once inside it is obvious you can just anchor anywhere! There was a lovely anchorage near the entrance which was very popular and close to the amazing beach, however we were heading for the main anchorage.
Once we arrived it was wonderful, lots of space and really good holding…. We soon opened the fridge and everyone was re-hydrating. Oh did we need it… Linda looked at me and I looked and Linda and we were both thinking the same thing, this was just like St Petersburg (Central River Yacht Club) except that in addition to all the traffic on the water, we were also under the flightpath. It was like the wild west, there were fast motorboats, jet skis and RIB's going full pelt everywhere. It was not a peaceful place to be. This madness went on all evening even in total darkness and many of the boats (jet skis mainly) were displaying no lights at all, there is no way they could have seen or heard each other.
After a few drinks and something to eat we were getting some respite from the heat it had been 37 degrees throughout the day, so I put in the deck lights and Graham and I fitted the new gas strut. The mini re-fit was complete and so were are for the first time fully ship shape… (well if you ignore the random bilge pump and light in my wardrobe and broken floor catch…).
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You can see the relief on Graham's face. -
This came out better than expected! -
What a sunset - prize winning I think!