To Gibraltar, through Barbate, 3 & 4 October

Today, we made it to Gibraltar, kind of a significant step in our way to the Mediterranean. We were extremely exited about the trip and wishing to enjoy the cruise. To most of our surprise, a thick fog emerged as we were approaching the straight of Gibraltar, and we could not see more than 50 meters around us as we moved full speed in the currents all along the straight. No need to say that we will plan a new crossing of the Gibraltar straight in the future :-).

Arrival to Gibraltar as the fog clears up

The "Rock" of Gibraltar is not a myth. You just see it as you approach and the fog clears up. As expected, in this area, there is extremely intense traffic of all sorts of boats. While you are expecting tankers and other cargo ships to cruise along their access lines, we were surprise to see how many pleasure boats were wandering around in the fog without AIS system. We had to activate the radar for the whole crossing as the only way to be able to safely monitor the traffic ahead of us. 

Through Olhão to Cadiz, 28/09-1/10

 Olhão is a busy fishing harbour along the Algarve coast protected by a lagoon. The entrance of the lagoon is shaky even at high tide because of the high winds and currents.

Belisama in the Olhão marina

Sailing to Lagos, 27 September 2022

We arrive in Lagos around mid-day after a night anchored in Sagres. The bar at the entrance is particularly tough to go through under the strong winds that we experienced. No way to get though such a place at night!

Lagos is the entry point in the Algarve region of Portugal, one of the most visited place in the country. 

Through Sines, to Sagres, 121 miles, 25-26 September 2022

 We did not have much time in Lisbon. First, the marina was fully booked as expected at this time of the year when all Lisbon sailors are back from their summer cruises, and there was some sailing race to take place here. In short, we had to leave at short notice... We made a first segment to Sines, 61.3 miles away, followed by a 59.9 miles ride to Sagres, a natural harbour the southern most point in Portugal.  

Lisboa, 23-25 September, a short stopover to switch crew...

Stéphane, who had been a pilar in Belisama cruises along the years in the Baltic sea is leaving Belisama in Lisbon after three weeks from Rochefort, to be replaced by Pieter, a new comer on Belisama, but quite a seaworthy sailor from previous cruises all around. 

Stéphane on the way to Lisbon

Peniche and Berlengas, 20 - 22 September

Porto to Peniche is a 116 nautical mile ride along the coast of Portugal. No much shelter along the way, at least practicable at night. This coast is called the "European pipeline" in relation with the best surf breaks that can be found in European waters. Any surfer would know Supertubos and Nazaré, the best world class spots along this coast for surfing.

For the first time in this journey we are able to get the Code 0 out for most part of the night, making a big difference in term of speed in these light winds. But the winds did not allow Belisama to be surfing on super tubes.

Peniche fort.

Baiona to Porto, 17 September

We reached Porto Douro Marina around 18:00 Saturday evening to find it full in relation with regattas organised this weekend. After asking if we could stay overnight on the service peer, one spot was finally identified for us, with a view on the Douro bridge! Nice to have a spot in such a city.

Moored at the Douro Marina