Indulgence - Blog 5 - OEIRAS to SINES

Oeiras to Sines
We were treated to a fine day for our arrival in Lisbon with the sun shining brightly enough to convince us that we were nearly far enough south for the butter to melt. Some of the crew freshened up with a swim at the beach next to the marina, but others only made it as far as the bar at the head of the pontoon.
After celebrating our arrival, our thoughts turned to the subject most discussed by yachties: weather food. We did some more celebrating at a restaurant in town where we were greeted by Manuel’s Portuguese cousin who translated the comprehensive menu to us. After 15 minutes discussion and further translation and inspection of the fresh fish available, we all went for the first two choices offered and had a thoroughly good meal.
We spent the next day “fixing” things on the boat. Cleaning the heads lead to an interesting debate on the “position” favoured by the 5 male crew members. The skipper had been urging us to adopt a sitting position, but one of the crew advised kneeling and our Dutch crewmember recommended ho(o)vering.
That evening, our resident “Masterchef” contestant took great delight in using every pan and utensil in the previously spotless galley, but everyone was impressed with the results produced: nachos with fresh dips, fajitas and chilli with rice. Somewhat diverting from the Mexican theme this was followed by chocolate marble cake.
After a day spent sightseeing in Lisbon we decided to make an evening departure on the 500 mile passage to Porto Santo. Our get-away was delayed when the shore party sent to the nearby supermarket for supplies reported back to say that one of the group had been lost. Eventually we got away shortly after dusk and found the conditions outside the marina not to our liking. With wind on the nose we decided to bear away for Sines and arrived there early the next morning in heavy rain. A quick inspection of the butter convinced us we were still not far enough south.
The fear that we might run short of food due to our unexpected stop at Sines was soon allayed when we were offered a lift to the supermarket (and when it was discovered that they had no marmalade to a second shop) followed by a quick tour of the town.
As a “part time” crewmember jumping ship in Madeira, I can only say that the craic aboard Cork based (Over) Indulgence has been everything you could wish for. Watch out for them in Las Palmas!
Stuart
OVER