A little bad weather won't stop the fun!

The unusual low pressure systems that have generated the high winds currently blowing through the UK may have delayed Rally Portugal's departure to Spain, but they certainly haven't stopped the fun ashore! Crews have been keeping busy with the Rally team organising various get togethers each day from their current base in Falmouth, on the southern coast of Cornwall.

The fleet are now based in Pendennis Marina, nestled right in the heart of the bustling fishing town of Falmouth. The town is really alive despite the wind and occasional rain, with this week's Fal River Festival taking place, and several other local events providing plenty of opportunity to explore and keep busy.

Last night the fleet set off together for a slap-up meal at one of Falmouth's best known - and best located - restaurants, 'Indaba on the the Beach'. The Rally team had invited Fowey-based wine experts Ellis Wharton Wines down to Falmouth to give the participants a fantastic educational hour of wine-tasting before their meal, and Director Charles Wharton produced a selection of excellent wines from the areas of Spain and Portugal that the fleet will be visiting in the next couple of weeks for them to try.  

Following a good lubrication of the palette, the crews sat down for a superb meal inside served by the award-winning chefs at Indaba on the Beach. All in all, a great night out!

This morning, a visit to the local RNLI station had been planned to show the participants what was involved in local maritime rescue. The centre is conveniently located right next to Pendennis Marina, so it was only a 2 minute stroll in the spitting rain from the comfort of their own boats. A local RNLI veteran had kindly come down especially to give the Rally Portugal crews a personal guided tour of their impressive boats.

Despite the near-gale force winds currently blowing through Falmouth, conditions are set to improve slowly over the next few days, and - fingers crossed - the fleet are hoping to finally set sail across the Biscay on Sunday... keep checking the website for updates!