Greetings from very sunny Cascais. We left Peniche last Wednesday and sailed the 50 miles to Cascais in winds ranging from force 1 to force 7. As we rounded the last headland the wind accelerated from force 4 to force 7 in the space of a few hundred yards which was a surprise. 45 minutes later it dropped back to force 2. Very strange but it is phenomenon of this coast that headlands can double the windforce. Now we know.

Cascais is a lovely marina with loads of expensive retail opportunities . Chandlery is nearly double the price of that back home. The town itself is an out and out holiday town. Even the weather seems to be laid on for us with very hot days and mostly cool evenings.

Cascais probably qualifies as an outskirt of Lisbon so we have been able to get the train there to explore it. The city is very impressive with some remarkable architecture, lovely little windy streets, particularly in the Moorish area and great views from the Castello.

Yesterday we met our friends John and Andi who are joining us for the trip to the Algarve. We depart tomorrow for Sines on the West coast and then round Cape StVincent on Thursday or Friday and hope to arrive in Lagos on the ALgarve on Friday lunchtime.