I have never really belived in bad luck playing a part in this trip. I mean, yes we have had a few niggles along the way. Quite a lot of things needing replacing, lots of minor things here and there but we figured it was just 'one of those thing'. However my mind has now been changed after being wedged under a rock 100 meters outsite Oeiras Marina in Lisbon for 3 days.
How did this happen? Well arrived very late after leaving Figuera de Foz and as we could get no response from the Marina so we deceided to drop anchor outside until morning. What a mistake!
After 2 days of the Marina aiding us in attempting to shift the anchor to no avail and us being stuck bobbing around, un-able to leave and waiting on the next rescue attempt we were faced with a choice:-
When we were told the diver was to be €250 and all our sources said an anchor and chain could be had for €150 we ummed and ahhhed but made the decision to let her go free.
Great move?? Sadly not. We gleefully sailed down to all the marinas we had been instructed would sell us the new anchor and chain... we tried 3. The cheapest we could get all up €500. Ouch! Sufice to say we refused. After heading back to the marina we swallowed our pride and got the diver out, but lady un-luck struck again. The bouy we tied to the chain to mark its place had snapped off!! Without the marker the diver tried for two hours to find the spot with our GPS co-ordinates but couldn't find it.... bye bye pennies, we will miss you :(
With our anchor gone, and being €250 down we did a bit of wallowing. To be honest so far we haven't really had a day of not fixing, sorting, hard sailing etc. Rushing to the next place, beating against the wind. Where was the fun? and the relaxing? We relised we needed to speak seriously about the possibility of giving it up. Maybe sailing around the med instead, or stopping altogether.
Whilst we mulled it over we took the opportunity to go and see Lisbon properly and i have to say it's a beautiful city 8/10. Modern and quirky, cobbled streets mixed with new architechture. Lovely people, colourful murals and awesome grafitti - my only downside would be the sheer amount of hills there.
After a walk around the castle (yes another one) we found an out of the way restuarant who, hands down, gave us one of the best meals we have ever had. Proper portugeese Piri-Piri Chicken - Nandos can learn a thing or two. We even both had two deserts each! It was so good, and amazing to relax. Really one of those non-speaking moments where you are just content to - as they say - eat,drink and be merry!
So with a smile on our faces we go to hop it back but randomly fall upon a music festival going on. Hippies everywhere, Churros being sold by the armfull (most yummest thing ever if you have not tried it - think donut death :) ) and two stages playing the most extreamly different music possible -
Stage 1 - Gypsie Punk - think Gorgol Bordello. About 15 guys with dreads and trumpets bouncing around the stage.
Stage 2 - Pendulum moving into hard core d'n'b all under a lovely wicker stage!
Ok - so let ramp this up a bit, next day a bit worse for wear - Kindness/pity is bestowed upon us. Local marina man offers to sell us his anchor for cheap. Whoop whoop. We have anchor. Marina bestows kindness/pity on us and gives us half price fees. So with all that kindness we up and leave for Sines and decide to wait to make our decision until Morroco and... wait for it......
How did this happen? Well arrived very late after leaving Figuera de Foz and as we could get no response from the Marina so we deceided to drop anchor outside until morning. What a mistake!
After 2 days of the Marina aiding us in attempting to shift the anchor to no avail and us being stuck bobbing around, un-able to leave and waiting on the next rescue attempt we were faced with a choice:-
Get a diver to come and try and get it freed OR we could drop the chain and sail 10 miles south and buy a new one.
When we were told the diver was to be €250 and all our sources said an anchor and chain could be had for €150 we ummed and ahhhed but made the decision to let her go free.
Great move?? Sadly not. We gleefully sailed down to all the marinas we had been instructed would sell us the new anchor and chain... we tried 3. The cheapest we could get all up €500. Ouch! Sufice to say we refused. After heading back to the marina we swallowed our pride and got the diver out, but lady un-luck struck again. The bouy we tied to the chain to mark its place had snapped off!! Without the marker the diver tried for two hours to find the spot with our GPS co-ordinates but couldn't find it.... bye bye pennies, we will miss you :(
With our anchor gone, and being €250 down we did a bit of wallowing. To be honest so far we haven't really had a day of not fixing, sorting, hard sailing etc. Rushing to the next place, beating against the wind. Where was the fun? and the relaxing? We relised we needed to speak seriously about the possibility of giving it up. Maybe sailing around the med instead, or stopping altogether.
Whilst we mulled it over we took the opportunity to go and see Lisbon properly and i have to say it's a beautiful city 8/10. Modern and quirky, cobbled streets mixed with new architechture. Lovely people, colourful murals and awesome grafitti - my only downside would be the sheer amount of hills there.
After a walk around the castle (yes another one) we found an out of the way restuarant who, hands down, gave us one of the best meals we have ever had. Proper portugeese Piri-Piri Chicken - Nandos can learn a thing or two. We even both had two deserts each! It was so good, and amazing to relax. Really one of those non-speaking moments where you are just content to - as they say - eat,drink and be merry!
Stage 1 - Gypsie Punk - think Gorgol Bordello. About 15 guys with dreads and trumpets bouncing around the stage.
Stage 2 - Pendulum moving into hard core d'n'b all under a lovely wicker stage!
Ok - so let ramp this up a bit, next day a bit worse for wear - Kindness/pity is bestowed upon us. Local marina man offers to sell us his anchor for cheap. Whoop whoop. We have anchor. Marina bestows kindness/pity on us and gives us half price fees. So with all that kindness we up and leave for Sines and decide to wait to make our decision until Morroco and... wait for it......
WE HAD TWO DAYS OFF... NO FIXING, NOTHING BREAKING - AWESOME!!!
Now we are in Lagos, (Freakishly touristy. More English than Portugeese) and just finishing off the final bits and pieces to day getting ready for leaving in the morning and heading for Casablanca. Exciting! It will be amazing to see some familiar faces in the form of Pete and Suz and to have a full week off.
I think we will keep going - i hope we do - but this has definately not been what we expected. Much harder and exhausting - yet the good parts are soooooo good. I just hope its going to be worth it!
Tia and Jarvis, Over and out!
Giving up, no way. You are making it accross the Atlantic whether you like it or not. Don't make me tug you accross on my Laser!
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