Portimao

Portimao

Must admit that it is really great to be back at anchor again, and having now spent well over a week here in Portimao we are really finding our way around. Tonight we popped out for a wine tasting experience organised by the local tourist board, along with some half decent live music. A really nice evening all in all.

A fruity Rose and some lovely local ham

Popular with locals and tourists alike

Overlooking the anchorage

A few days later Phill arrived for a weeks stay, which was timed to coincide with Steve's 50th birthday. Phill is no stranger to spending time with us on the boat, but usually only when we are in a marina. This would be the first time spending his vacation at anchor.

As it happens, apart from the swell of passing fishing and tourist boats, the anchorage is very good. In fact Phill had the only queasy moment when he was on land!

Anchored in Portimao

Nice weather

LED lights sewn in the bimini are very impressive

Another view of the anchorage and glimpse of the lovely beach

Private house!

 
The morning of Steve's birthday we were greeted by the maritime police who wanted to check our ships papers, insurance and light fees. Oops, everything was in order but we had not paid the princely sum of two euros for the light fees. No problem, we could pay them at the office about 1 km up the river later that morning.

Our first priority was to nip into the nearby marina and top up the fuel cans, and we needed to take on about 350 litres of water. Interestingly the fuel/waiting pontoon had been badly damaged in a winter storm, so space was limited. We called up on the VHF and were told to wait for a short while as another yacht was refuelling. No problem, so we upped anchor and trolled around the entrance. Just as the yacht left and we started to make our way over, a large motor boat beat us to it. After waiting for what seemed like an age with no sign of movement, we called up again and the marina said if we could go up tight against the motor boat we should be OK. As it turned out the motor boat had some mechanical difficulty, and also the fuel hose would not reach us. Not an issue as it was only the cans that needed filling. In conversation with the staff they had filled up a large boat a few weeks ago which took over 22,000 litres, also another motor boat had called in to top us his fuel tanks as it used 1000 litres per hour!

Once the refuelling was done, we had to visit another pontoon to fill up the water tanks and gave Aztec a cheeky wash. We then re-anchored, and Phill and Steve set off in the rib to pay the light fees. Whilst heading up river it was time to open the throttle up. The front rose up in the air and then started to move down as the speed accelerated. Very soon we were on the plane and skimming the water at high speed. Phill had not believed us when we told him how fast it was, but like us he could not stop smiling!

Light fees paid we popped into the nearby Portuguese equivalent of a Burger King and treated ourselves to an Egg Dumpty burger, which we can highly recommend. On the way back Lynne phoned to say the marina had called, and could we pop in on the way back as they had undercharged for fuel. It was whilst in the office that the idea came about to see if the local water taxi could pick us up from Azzy for our evening birthday celebration meal. We phoned them up when we got back to the boat, and sure enough they agreed to pick us up and drop us back. This turned out to be a really good idea, but more on that in a moment.

By doing some research on Trip Advisor, we had singled out a restaurant in nearby Ferragudo called Fim do Mundo. It was only small but they managed to fit us in, and a good job that we had booked ahead. We had already seen pictures and read about the mixed grill platter, so when the time came we just had to order it. My goodness, it says it serves two but we could not finish it all between the three of us!! What a meal, certainly one of the best we have had for a very long time, and good value at 36 euros. The atmosphere was convivial, and it was a thoroughly nice way to spend an evening. 

Meat feast, oh and a couple of huge Tiger prawns

Beautiful setting

Interesting decor

Whilst we waited for the water taxi by the quayside for our journey home, we met a fellow yottie who was in something of a dilemma. Now we mentioned the water taxi was a good idea as we had already looked at the tide times. Our new friend was staring down some 16 feet to his inflatable boat, which was floating in about an inch of water! As our taxi arrived he resigned himself to drinking more beers, and to wait about 4 hours for the water to come up.

Thanks to all who sent messages, cards and phoned to bestow best wishes, and to Lynne for taking the time to put up some decorations and bake birthday cupcakes.

Birthday decorations, have saved these for yours Phill!

Yummy cup cakes

In the next update we move from Portimao, and anchor just outside Ayamonte to catch the low tide the next day to travel about 25 miles up the Guadiana river, one of our favourite places.