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Webster - Log 8 Figueira to Peniche and Peniche to Oeiras



We were delayed by a day due to poor weather in Figueira but the sun came out and we had a really lovely day with no pressure and no plans so we went for a long walk along the seafront into the next town , came back and had the most fantastic fish platter for lunch.

The leg to Peniche was 55 nm again with wind forecast to be 12-15 knots NNW, it blew a bit more than this but not too bad. We were not quite powered up enough with one reef and the wind was to much on the quarter to pole out the jib but we still managed to finish third in class with Abraxus and Quirine ahead on corrected time. We didn't spend long in Peniche to make up for the extra day in Figueira so set off the next morning for another 55 miler to Oeiras with max 20 knot winds forecast.

Managed to get the start right this time and first across with our one reef in and this time with the jib boomed out. We go well with this configuration and headed the fleet for much of the leg. Getting towards the entrance to the river Tejo we had to round the head land which generally means an increase in wind strength and boy did it come up! 35-40 knots recorded true! I had managed to get he pole in after a fight on the foredeck and the boat gybed twice under the auto helm - useless in these conditions. Had to lay the boat across the wind for it to steer reliably and to allow me a stable platform to store the pole. Having done that we gybed around the headland in a full gale and were flying. We had Casamara with us also having broaching fun and she is 55 ft! The sun was out and the water a fantastic turquoise colour and the sea flattened off in the river. Finished at 1510 and won our Class A. Kate did really well given the wind strength having to dump main sheet and winch it back in again during gusts. The marina entrance has a 3 knt tide running across it so was more than interesting coming in sideways!

Oeiras is a lovely town and a really nice marina. Had two days here so used one to visit Lisbon on the train and yesterday to watch the Lions smash the Aussies 21:23! Happy days as there are a good few Aussies on the trip.

Off to Sines today and the wind is much the same. Blowing! Boy did it howl last night - had to get up to put extra lines on.

Suns out, wind is up, here's to another great day!

Charlie (Webster)

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