Alvor to Portimão

We had anchored close to a catamaran ( a big heavenly twins ) called Silver Girl. We had helped them get back to the boat the previous day as their tender outboard had seized and we had sort of arranged to meet up at a bar in town that did pints of beer for a frankly ridiculous 90 cents. Needless to say this led to a thoroughly enjoyable night . After fish and chips in a local restaurant we both retired to our respective boats having become firm friends. Both being firmly at the budget end of the yachting fraternity we agreed to meet up at some anchorage further down the way.



In the morning I was looking through the window of the heads when I spotted a seabird floating past upside down, webbed feet akimbo, flapping  and desperately trying to right itself. I had already decided to give one of our cards to our new friends on Silver Girl so after alerting Lynne to the unusual sight I launched our dinghy and had a quick chat with Nadine and Nigel before rowing over to the distressed bird and very gently righting the soggy gull who then flapped his webbed feet in water rather than air and proceeded to paddle over to the other bank much to Lynnes consternation as the sodden and bedraggled bird very slowly crossed the main channel, which we now know to be very busy.



There were a couple of beautiful traditional boats working out of the rio, no longer fishing but catching tourists, but under sail they were a grand sight.



We got the anchor about an hour before high water and made our way down the channel, as we were leaving a nice white hulled yacht was  entering. It was Brillig , who we had last met in Ria Arousa. The wind was a gentle force 2 and we let out the genoa as we glided at 4-5 knots across the calm sea to Portimão.




Once entering the breakwaters we proceeded upriver to the marina entrance, there is a long reception pontoon that we moored to before seeing the girls in the office and retrieving our new batteries. We then made our way to our berth.

The weather had taken a decided turn for the better, Just across the river is the small town of Ferraguda which has a small castle, not unfortunately open to the public.

Once we had been allocated a berth we sorted Dark Tarn back into Marina mode, and set off to explore the town. Their is a fort overlooking the entrance The Fortaleza de Caterina de Ribamar which gives great commanding views over the harbour and river.




We were happy to have finally reached our rendezvous with Peter and Sharon, Lynnes brother and sister in law. they would land in a day or so late at night and in the meantime we could do a recce.




We discovered this fellow on one of the battlements of the fort, the north basin of the marina is in the background.



We were in the south basin, furthest away in the photo below.




Portimau is actually the town behind the marina and is a bit upriver of the holiday spot Praia Da Rocha



The following day after fitting our new house batteries and leaving them on charge we walked into Portimau to explore, on one of the roundabouts approaching town is this rather nice sculpture of some fisher women.



Sculpture seemed to be everywhere in Portimau, there is a lovely sculpture trail that follows the river bank .




Another feature that became apparent is the amount of storks nesting around and about.



Some on unconventional spots, how they use the crane is anyone's guess!



More conventionally they are to be found on abandoned chimneys that used to belong  fish processing plants long gone but the chimneys were left in fact for the storks.



This is my favourite sculpture out of the many. its backside is highly polished from the number of strokes it has had, its irresistible.



There is even a small pirate vessel doing trips down river.



All in all we were pleasantly surprised by Portimau and decided to return to have lunch in the many sardine restaurants along the quay.




Later that evening we dined in a small resraurant close to the marina, the only one we would find that was in any way disappointing.



Walking down to look at the beaches of Praia Da Rocha, it was obvious why it appealed to holidaymakers. Although it was early in the season things were obviously gearing up for the tourists with beach umbrellas and sun loungers, only about two thirds of the beach restaurants were open and it didn't feel crowded but it was getting warm!