The first overnight stay when back in Spain was in the lovely Marina Isla Canela. Spain was under Moorish rule for 250 years longer than neighbouring Portugal and the attractive Marina development is based on Moorish architecture which we came to appreciate once in Tangier Morocco. Early morning next day we were off for the […]
Isla Canela & Cadiz Read More »
A good weather window lasting a couple of days opened up to sail further South, rounding the Cape and to proceed in the direction of Gibraltar. We limited our trips to day sailing and overnight anchoring due to the many fish traps along the route. Since we didn’t go ashore to explore, this post is
In Lisboa you will find big city conveniences. After exiting the train station we bumped into a food market comparable to the Hawker stalls of Singapore but than indoors. The idea is that young local chefs can build up experience and reputation before investing in their own restaurant. “Tasty” idea. In 1755 Lisbon was hit
Belem is a district of Lisbon located to the cities West and known as the museum district. It is also the location from where the ships departed to trade with the Orient and from where Portugal built its colonial empire during Europe’s Age of Discovery (1400 – 1650). We traveled by train. There is a
Both Liza and Frits had never been to Portugal before so we were eager to visit Lisboa. Down town all marinas were full, a first this early in the year (Jan 2020). Marina Cascais was willing to accommodate us under the condition that we would leave in case of a Southerly storm. This doesn’t seem
We left Vigo on 22 Jan 2020 for an overnight sail South with the aim to get to Cascais at the mouth of the Rio Tejo, the river passing Lisboa. Since the coast is littered with fishnet markers we decided to head far out to sea to avoid them. We didn’t want a repeat of
Vigo to Peniche, Portugal. Read More »
There are so many cultural sites in Spain and Portugal that it triggered us to dive deeper in the history of the Western Mediterranean. We uncluttered the dates and data and we hope that the common thread helps you to understand this fascinating part of Europe as it helped us. Iberia was probably inhabited by
History of Iberian Peninsula Read More »
We left Pontevedra with a stiff breeze on the stern on 29 Dec 2019 and sailed one Ria further South. We dropped anchor in the lee of Isla de Toralla to be greeted the next morning by the locals, fishing for shell-fish. Since we would travel to NL in January to celebrate the 90th birthday
Vigo & Baiona, Spain Read More »
After Christmas we set sail, entered the Ria de Pontevedra on Dec 26 and anchored in front of Combarro. The town is off the tourist map but the old quarter proved well worth a visit the next day. The next day we took a 3 mile dingy ride up the Rio Lerez to Pontevedra, the
Pontevedra and Combarro Read More »
The sleepy but picturesque fishing village of Muros used to be an important port for Santiago de Compostela. The softer climate then La Coruna, good shelter, friendly atmosphere and not to forget the excellent WiFi in the marina make it popular amongst yotti’s. We had to wait for spare-parts for the diesel heater. A delivery