Our journey continues 26th September

Today we paid the berthing fees for our 2 week stay here at Povoa de Varzim. Its ironic that it was cheaper to pay for a month than pay for 14 nights.

The weather appears to be a little more settled and we have seen the sun for the first time since Friday. We plan to be on our way tomorrow morning. The cockpit tent has come down and the supermarket and local stores have been visited several times. The rucksacks have been invaluable and I’m sure will continue to be so. The interior of the boat has been repacked again for the crossing to Madeira. As items are used it upsets the packing order as it leaves a space. Repacking stops the horrible noise of banging items in a locker or box. Ideally everything should fit tightly in the cupboard, locker or box. Conscious of the fact that wine is difficult to get in the Caribbean we had to get a selection to replace the bottles we have already drunk. To fill the gaps in the storage. [See, you’re getting the idea!]

                                                                                                                                                                                      The bananas I bought last week when I thought we were leaving were bright green when they were hung up. Today they are over ripe and I had to make another banana and raisin loaf [what a shame!] I also made a batch of scone mix for in the fridge so they can be made up freshly whilst sailing.

The fruit and veg here is relatively inexpensive and has never seen the inside of a fridge. However it does not last long in the heat. I have stocked up with apples, bananas, peaches and oranges. I do have to remember though that there are only 2 of us and not a full boat.

For the journey breakfast will consist of fruit and yoghurt with bread and jam, lunch will probably be cold meat sandwiches, crisps and cake. I expect to be using part baked rolls or Brioche for the latter part of the trip. I may even be persuaded to try my hand at baking some bread.

Our main meals will consist of fresh beef casserole, beef hotpot, salmon in lime and chilli sauce with potatoes, tuna pasta bake, fresh ravioli, and Potato carbonara. Hopefully by the evening of day 7 we will be in Porto Santo and I’ll get treated to a meal out!

We also have a huge supply of essential goodies, chocolate, biscuits, sweets, fruit, crisps, which all help to see us through our watches.

We plan to leave tomorrow morning around 9am [very civilised] The engine checks are done, the water and diesel tanks are filled. The rigging has been checked whilst we have been here, both from ground level and from up the mast. Mesh hatch screens have been made to repel insects, and the satellite phone works. Also downloaded more books onto the Kindles.  We are as ready as we can be.

Tomorrow the weather is forecast  to be NE 3 backing NW 4-5 so we should be able to make good time when the NW kicks in. For the next week or so there will be no blog update but we shall be back as soon as possible with more tales from the Atlantic.