Normally, a long coastline like Portugal’s would be an invitation for a series of leisurely hops from bay to bay. But with very bad weather forecasted to strike the northern part of the Iberian peninsula, the prudent option was to head south in one long jump. Thirty-six non-stop hours later, Oso rounded the corner into the Lisbon estuary.
And just like that, we had moved from autumn back into what felt like summer. The estuary of Lisbon’s Tagus River extends from the city about 15 miles (20 kn) to the suburb of Cascais, and nearly all of that coastline is beautiful, sandy beach. And in turn, nearly all of that beautiful, sandy beach is taken up by families lounging in the sun, kids playing in the sand, and surfers carving the well-groomed waves formed by the northwest swell in the Atlantic rounding the corner at Cascais.
The only thing this stretch of coastline is missing is a good anchorage, so Oso parked in Oeiras Marina about halfway between Cascais and Lisbon. Beachfront walking paths extend in either direction, both towards the surf breaks.
What we expected to be a stop for a few days extended into a few weeks, as we joined the locals in soaking up the sun.
