Povoa Da Varzim and Porto

Trip Start May 22, 2006

Trip End Aug 05, 2014

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Flag of Portugal Povoa Da Varzim, Portugal
Saturday, August 19, 2006

We left Viano Do Castelo on Sunday for the short (4hr)hop to Povoa Da Varzim and then planned to go on to Leixos to explore Porto. However on arrival here we were made so welcome and it was pointed out that we were only an hour from Porto by train. We decided to stay here. The marina has free internet and wireless internet, good showers etc and it was, yet again, about to celebrate a major festival. That night the local church was lit up like Blackpool illuminations and there were the usual pyrotechnics. We were tired from the journey so decided to eat at the yacht club. It had been recommended by other travelling yachties going north. The meal was stunning. It was Bacalhau (dried salt cod) roasted with potatoes and onions. It was delicious and perfectly cooked. When accompanied by a bottle of the local Vinho Verde it became the best meal we have eaten this year (sorry Pascal, Susan, Angus, Marcus, Mo, Carole.

On the Monday we were woken by fireworks so I decided to start with some repair work on our older sails (we are leaving the new ones in the locker for as long as possible

Half Mile Carpet of Flower Petals

. In order to seal off some rope ends i used a small culinary blow torch which when left for a few seconds duly set fire to my mobile phone. Gina insists that i tell everyone!!! It just goes to show how infrequently I make mistakes that she insists that we highlight this one.

Tuesday was the finale of the festival when the people of Povoa remember those who have died at sea. They lay out a half mile carpet of flower petals and pine needles in the most amazing work of art. This is then followed by a procession from the church to the fish quay where various icons of the Madonna are carried onto the fishing boats. It manages to be dignified, sombre and celebratory at the same time. The crowds were amazing. The marina car park had 19 coaches and hundreds of cars along with tents and caravans.

At midnight one of the boats went out to sea and fired off a stunning firework display. We then retired to bed.

Since we have been here we have met three other boats from Scotland including one with a Mrs Murray (forgotten 1st name) who was the mum of our first trainee chef, Lyn Murray. She was from Tarbert and we were both gobsmacked by the co-incidence. The boat opposite us is another member of Clyde Cruising Club and the family come from Rhu. Yet another boat on our pontoon is also owned by members of the CCC.

On Wednesday and Friday we took the train to Porto. The journey on Wednesday was made more interesting by the company of a couple of Welsh based yachties who know this area well and were a font of useful information

Porto - Port Lodges

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We have so far explored the old town, cathedral and taken a visit around the Ferreira Port lodge. The city, particularly by the river is remarkable. Full of tiny, narrow winding streets with buildings which seem to have grown organically to 5 or 6 storeys high on seemingly impossible slopes. We have eaten 2 meals in the city both of which were cheap and delicious but the experience of eating freshly grilled sardines in a restaurant on the banks of the Douro was almost spiritual for caterers like us.

On Monday we progress further South to either Nazare or Peniche before our next deadline to be in Lisbon to meet up with friends (Jon and Andrea Bird) who will be sailing with us to the Algarve.

Monty's continued good health allied to our enjoyment of European culture is giving us 2nd thoughts about the Carribean. We are now considering wintering in the Algarve and Med SPain before heading East towards the Greek islands and Turkey.