Still in Portugal- just
Scot Free III
Frank & Anne
Sat 16 Aug 2025 06:37
41:52.15N 8:51.65W
Woke up to fog (F said low cloud). Waited for the sun to start to appear, before we set off. Motored initially, flat seas and little wind, three hours of being vigilant, avoiding the dreaded lobster pots before we put the sails up by about lunchtime. Had a good sail to the mouth of the Minho River which forms the border between Portugal and Spain.
The approach was hairy, the pilot gives dire warnings of the overfalls if the wind is too strong and the swell too big. People have been fined for entering in adverse conditions and a website warns if the entrance is closed.
An old fort is situated on a narrow spit and the channel goes alongside this to the right , very shallow in parts. Hearts were in mouths as the depth kept dropping below 3 meters even though we have a lifting keel.
The breaking waves ahead of the fort were significant and the wind suddenly got up to 20 knots. Were very glad to turn the corner and anchor in a busy bay with lots of day trippers, jet skiers as well as water taxis speeding past taking visitors out to the fort not to mention all those sunbathing on the beach.
Had an appropriate sundowner, enjoying the evening sky.
Will time our departure tomorrow to coincide with high tide , about 9:30 am - any fog should have started to clear. Spain here we come!