With a series of weak low pressure systems driving the local weather, conditions were not favorable for sailing further south. But we’ve become better and better at waiting for weather (with practice, and more practice), and we happily settled into the inside anchorage in Portimao while we watch for northerly winds to reestablish over the Atlantic.

Portimao anchorage and city from across the river in Ferragudo
Portuguese tiles
Quaint Ferragudo neighborhood

Portimao is a great place to while away a few days. Plenty of restaurants around, several chandleries for boat parts, and a grocery store within easy walking distance of the dinghy dock are just about everything a waiting sailor could want.

Portimao waterfront
Portimao street art
Visiting with our new Finish cruising friends, Mika and Marja onboard their boat, Berolina, a Hallberg Rassy Monsun 31, in Lagos

So we settled in for a few boat projects, some socializing with other sailors, and plenty of walking in Portimao and nearby Ferragudo. Waiting for weather again…

We were suspicious that we may have hooked a fishing buoy on Oso’s prop while motoring into the anchorage at Portimao.  Mike dove under the boat while at anchor and sure enough there was a buoy looped over the prop blade- he made quick work of removing it with a sharp knife
Visiting with our new Dutch cruising friends, Bart and Isabel from Nimrod, a Sparkman and Stephens Lacoste 42, in the Portimao anchorage