The channel from Seixal back into the Tagus is well buoyed but very narrow and is regularly plagued with high speed ferries (about every 15 minutes ) we kept to the starboard side of the channel and were amazed to discover two friends of friends as we left. Two Oyster yachts , sister ships to Modus Vivendi, one tied up to the town pontoon and another Speedwell of Rhu we met mid channel.
It is indeed a small world. they were both on there way north to rendezvous with our friends Bob and Maureen for a photo shoot in the Rias.
However our plans involved us negotiating the busy Tagus waterway, we passed more old
friends the statue of Jesus and the 25th April bridge. The ebb tide hurried us west and out towards the mouth of the estuary.
As we passed under the bridge with its distinctive beehive soundtrack I felt we had finally left Lisbon. I felt conflicted, both sad to be leaving and glad to be travelling again.....
As we approached Cascais it was very different from the last time we were here. The anchorage was empty apart from a couple of fishing boats, as the sun set we settled down to a bit of a rolly anchorage despite being a lot further in towards the beaches than last time we had anchored here.
In the morning the wind was set fair and we wasted no time in setting of, Our main house batteries were showing symptoms of failing to hold a charge . Not really surprising after five years of continuous use. It had a bearing on our willingness to anchor until we could renew them. It would need to wait until we could settle for a while, we would need to have the replacements posted out to us. Meanwhile.....
Initially we had a glorious sail out towards the anchored ships in the roads and passing them I discovered a small bug in our new plotter. Or more correctly the skipper, I had put a route into the plotter and then used the wizzy new feature to allow the plotter to calculate the route automatically, unfortunately this took us uncomfortably close to the shallow sand banks of Barra Sul. We corrected but not before we had a bouncy time in +3 metre waves one or two breaking over the deck.
soon we were out of the swell being protected by the headland as we sailed towards the small fishing port of Sesimbra.
We ignored the pilot which suggested the small marina was full of local boats as Lynne had emailed ahead to secure us a place. a very friendly and accommodating spot. and very sheltered. Lynne was very happy to be back at the seaside.
Sesimbra is a working fishing harbour but is also a popular holiday and weekend spot for Lisbonites.
It is quite pretty and surprisingly unpretentious. We had a quick recce into town and had a look at the fort on the beach which is now a museum and trendy cafe.
It sort of redefines sandcastles.......
The beer was a bit expensive for our tastes though, although advertised as local brewery etc. we have fallen for that one before now, real ale it isn't!
Our berth in the marina proved very pleasant and cheap as we were still technically out of season, there is a good anchorage in the bay, better since the removal of local moorings but a bit prone to swell. We decided to stay awile and look around.
We were in no hurry, and after all the sun was shining....
A view of the marina from the clubhouse, Dark Tarn is centre of picture furthest pontoon.
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