Algarve hot & sunny

Albufeira   

The wind had abated so we had a short sail east to Albufeira.

Another expensive marina so we did our usual trick of arriving late and anchoring just outside, then heading in 1^st thing in the morning to make sure we get our moneys worth.

Magnum at rest in Albufeira Marina

We arrived on Sunday the day of the British F1, had a bit of a wander and the camped in a bar to watch the action. Unfortunately the bar served cheap beer so the afternoon is a bit of a haze but an enjoyable way to while away a few hours, we also ate out in the evening which is the first time since we left. Budget Blown !!! but not too bad as restaurants are good value in Portugal even in the marina.

Albufeira to Ria Formosa (Faro/Olhao)

Another short hop to the tidal lagoon at Faro. This is huge, think Poole harbour but maybe 3 times the size.

For the first few nights we anchored near Ilha Culatra and dingyed up To explore Olhao and the island of Culatra itself.

    

Olhao was small tourist resort seemed nice enough but difficult for us to really get to look around much with the pressure of the food shopping to get done and delivery back on the dingy before the tide dropped to low and we were unable to cross the Ria – Olhao one side and Magnum the other marsh land in between! 

We also took a trip up to Faro which is the other side of the lagoon, it was a bit twisty and turny to navigate, similar to Beaulieu river with withys (sailing term for tree branches) showing us the way. Managed to anchor just outside the channel at high tide and by the time the water dropped we were surrounded by meter high river banks and a range of seabirds (mainly herons and egrets), we were a bit disappointed not see any flamingoes but we had seen them flying overhead the previous day.

Our night at anchored proved to be interesting, one because we were only about a mile from airport and we plane spotted as they almost touched the mast – mainly Ryan Air – would not be my choice! Also because of the number of flying creepy crawlies, spent most the night scratching and worry about what might have found it’s way in!

We dingeyed into Faro the next day, pretty town particularly the old town. Funnily it was over-run by motorcyclists there was a rally and there were 100’s of bikes and bikers everywhere, funny to here so many English voices – long ride!

We celebrated our wedding anniversary that evening with a bottle of champagne with our dinner and a game of Connect 4, we know how to live it up!!

Mark in the moonlight