On Saturday we will first turn their backs on the European mainland. 480 Nautical miles there are to Porto Santo and the weather promises to be perfect for sailing. After two weeks in the port it is slow and time again, to set sail and be caress your face a fresh wind. Again we are not traveling alone, for us riding together the SY INFINITY and the catamaran JOY OF LIFE to the same destination to Madeira. Thus, the crossing will not be boring, because radio can also talk very nice, wenn der Partner in der Koje liegt und schläft 🙂

We are (to the Wi-Fi antenna) completed all repairs, and also the covers for the cushions in the salon were delivered. The second outboard has a great cover and also the lines and winches on the mast now have a sun protection.

In recent days, all stocks were replenished on board again. As a special highlight of the visit to ALDI and LIDL is worth mentioning. So wanderten mal wieder ein paar „deutsche Bekannte“ in unseren Kühlschrank und darauf freuen wir uns ganz besonders 🙂 Ich muss gestehen, I have a Christmas Stollen've also tucked deep down in the locker. Eventually some Christmas spirit is then undoubtedly come at higher temperatures?! There is still time, but as a sailor learns a: Buy, if there is something (Special) are. The nearest supermarket certainly looks completely different and has a different range and when we should meet again in a supermarket, weiß man auch nicht so genau 🙂

But not only stocks have moved in the last few days on the SUMMER, we now also have a new bread machine. I will dedicate solemnly in Madeira. Here in Lagos I can against the quality of the German Bakery arrive not anyway. I would rather go shopping there as to burn my fingers.

Also, we will define us as soon as possible or a vacuum sealer. The storage of food on a boat is a real challenge. Every time, when I'm on the Joy OF LIFE to visit, I would prefer to take the huge fridge. Aber wir hätten ja doch keinen Platz dafür 🙂 und wahrscheinlich würde es auch auffallen 🙂 🙂 Unser Kühlschrank ist leider nicht der größte und was für Nicht-Segler vielleicht schwer vorstellbar ist: it is loaded from the top. So if you do not want to eliminate everything again every time, is already in granting a lot of brainpower necessary. Fruits and vegetables find but only in exceptional cases even a cookie in it. That would be otherwise stored. So each of us makes his own experiences and then we exchange to and use the time to practice, because the nearest supermarket is not yet generally far. Das wird dann auf dem Atlantik wohl anders aussehen 🙂

Starting tomorrow, we will send the blog again by radio on the website and ask for your indulgence before, if we go again a umlaut or a "ß" slip through the cracks. For such comic characters are not transferable by radio. Also pictures we can only subsequent filing again, if we have a normal Internet connection.

Occasionally one is abroad over organizational difficulties, which you would not expect. So Dietmar had to fix some things official within a specified period. Was nun? Back to Germany? No need for, it is also easier. We made an appointment with the German Embassy in Lisbon. What a pity, three weeks ago we were right in front of their front door. Now the upcoming visit designed it but a bit expensive. Our first path leads us to the station. After Faro a train had offered as a convenient and economical way to travel. After Lisbon, the situation was but slightly different from. The journey should take about four hours to almost 300 Kilometers and cost for both of us together 100 € (Down- trip). Thus, it was clear to us, we rent a car.

Morning at ten we were able to take the good piece right on the Marina Office. Ein Fiat Punto, looked, als hätte er die Beulenpest 🙂 Ein echtes Urlaubsauto halt. After we had ensured, that we had to pay neither old nor new Hives at car return (sometimes insurance but a great thing), Dietmar folded behind the wheel and we sprayed los. "Jet" can be unfortunately used in conjunction with this car only in the ironic sense. If Dietmar had not brought enough momentum before a pitch, he sometimes even had to switch back to first gear. The underpowered but had a clear advantage: Das üblich Streitthema „Du fährst mal wieder viel zu schnell“ war in den nächsten beiden Tagen wirklich kein Thema mehr 🙂

After Lisbon it should go tomorrow, since the message for today is no more date free for us had. Therefore, we made our way to Cabo de São Vicente and Sagres. With our SUMMER we had the most south-westerly point of Europe indeed already happened, but we had seen nothing because of the dense fog. Therefore we enjoyed this unusual for us country trip by car to the really very beautiful and not yet built coast.

In the late afternoon we took advantage of our luxury car as a workhorse and went shopping. 're Just like you used to it, migrated drinks and food in our shopping cart without consideration of weight and packing dimensions. Back to the SUMMER it took quite a while but then, until everything properly. So much shopping is on a yacht always a good reason, sort through thoroughly once the kitchen and all the store bins. And you are always amazed, what it finds everything.

For our trip to Lisbon, we had received support, because Hille and Torsten from the SY INFINITY wanted to accompany us. To promptly at 11 Clock to be at the Embassy, We started shortly after seven clock from the parking lot behind the Marina. Our Navi had opted instead for the fastest route for the shortest route. So we were treated to, yet to go through another very beautiful land, until it Dietmar and Thorsten on the winding country road at average 70 Was Km / h then definitively stupid. So we placed the second-half of the way but on the highway back and reached our destination comfortably ahead of time. Even a car park right outside the entrance of the German embassy was available for us.

While Dietmar regulated its affairs, we drank a threesome in the café opposite the park a delicious coffee. After an hour everything was done. We even splurged a little snack and then broke walking on towards the city center. This time we found the tram 28 and turned to her as the guide recommended a round past all the sights and the unique, narrow streets of Lisbon. Somehow this short excursion reconciled us back to Lisbon. Next year we definitely look again in more detail by.

Back in Lagos we could end the evening unusually. For dinner there was not the usual "Chicken Piri-piri", but today Asian cuisine was announced. As it would be quite normal, ordered Hille and Torsten our food in Chinese. We were stunned and thrilled the operator J. A grand finale for a nice day with us cherished people. We look forward, once again to do soon with the two of something.

Even since then, we have reached the Spanish coast, looking forward to seeing you again Dietmar very special. In 2012 he wanted to cross the Atlantic as part of the ARC. So he sought in the magazine "Yacht" a Mitsegelgelegenheit. After a few emails and phone calls we were a couple on a weekend on the way to mother city road, for the first personal meeting of Emil and Margita of the SY MIELI. To leave a good impression I had specially baked a delicious plum cake. After a fun afternoon Dietmar came in the next round, because the number of applicants significantly exceeded the number of on board the existing berths. So the two men agreed, together to sail a week in Brittany, as a kind of test for the three possible common weeks on the Atlantic. It quickly became apparent, that the two men were like traveling together and understood seemingly gorgeous. Thus, the Atlantic crossing was really nothing in the way. But the end of October had the MIELI with technical problems withdraw their participation in the ARC and Dietmar find another ship, which he also found.

Contact with the two of them but we did not get back to sleep. Several times we met in Germany and so the two men concocted a new plan for the Atlantic crossing from. If not in the MIELI 2012, then stop in our SUMMER 2015. Since we are very pleased, because finding good and acceptable sailors, is not so easy.

This year we wanted to celebrate first on the Portuguese coast a reunion. To be able to but the wind was against it and we overtook the MIELI behind Lisbon without a quick stop making. So close and yet over.

We can use the routes and whereabouts of our friends very easily on the Internet at www.marinetraffic.com or www.vesselfinder.com inform. Thus, we expected this Sunday actually no visitors. As compared to a German yacht moored, Dietmar thought but then his eyes not to be trusted: The MIELI with Emil and Margita had crept after us to Lagos inconspicuously. They both have problems with their AIS and send at the moment no signals. According to the Internet, they still were in Lisbon. The joy was great and long we sat together at breakfast and talked together about our experiences and plans.

An evening was on the INFINITY SY "whiskey tasting" is announced. Thorsten wanted to introduce us lay comfortably in the world and producing the various whiskeys. We got to certainly much, but if he could convert one or the other for Whiskey Drinker - I am not sure J Especially the "smoky" whiskey followed us until the next morning, after all, a long-lasting taste experience. "Skmoking Joe" is still forward to the tongue. Der Fachmann nenn das einen „langen Abgang“ 🙂

Unfortunately, it was already the next day to say goodbye to the MIELI, the further east wanted to sail along the coast because already got another appointment at the next port on the agenda. But next year Emil comes to us but not so easy it again. Because the middle of the Atlantic is "just get" something difficult.

Something overslept the next morning we decided, pay the old town of Albufeira before dropping even a short visit. Along the coast brought us our first way to many unfinished buildings over and left a rather oppressive impression. But Albufeira but in itself was very much alive. In the narrow streets of the busiest and on the marketplace invited several cafes to linger. Wir entschieden uns für ein Cafe mit einem Ausblick auf das Meer und bestellten uns zwei Cappuccino 🙂

Around noon we left the harbor and sailed along the coast back to Lagos, For us the most beautiful port city in the Algarve. Often, the coastline is unfortunately very obstructed, but in some places where nature is still untouched and uniquely beautiful. The coastline of the Algarve rock is characterized by caves and dens. The rocky cliffs with small sandy coves and long sandy beaches was repeatedly interrupted by upstream and sometimes bizarre cliff formations. So we enjoyed the afternoon sailing and later unfortunately once again for lack of wind under the engine and reached Lagos in the early evening.

With our visit we made today just a short trip to the old town and let the evening in one of the many, end cozy fish restaurants with a good white wine relaxes.

Sunday after breakfast we sat once again in a big group together. With Frank of the CAYLUNA and Lars, Jana and Alia of the JOY OF LIFE we met in one of the many harbor-side cafes. We had almost a week not seen yes, there was of course much to tell J . In the afternoon we took the dinghy clear, to again go to the caves before Lagos. The three of us had a lot of fun and my mother could make lots of great photos. The first time we did not dare take us a great camera but now we knew from experience, how our boat behaves in the waves. So we dared also, to pass through a narrow passage between two high rock. Only the small, narrow caves, we were still the knowledgeable local boaters. Vielleicht beim nächsten Mal 🙂 Diesmal bekamen wir da draußen auch noch ein besonderes Schauspiel zu sehen oder besser gesagt zu hören. In one of the boats with a Portuguese bagpipe was traveling, played the typical tourist Portuguese songs.

Back at the port we were allowed to girls before going into town for shopping, while Dietmar nor the dinghy was cleaning and moored up on deck again. My husband can be a true dream man, if he only wants :-). In the netten, small shops of Lagos then was also found for each of us a matching beach dress. Sowas kann man sogar auf dem kleinsten Boot oder im kleinsten Koffer noch unterbringen 🙂

In good spirits, we collected Dietmar At the harbor bridge and went to third again eat delicious fish. Because if you're already so close to the sea, you should also take the opportunity to enjoy the fresh fish, so far we like the Schupp cornered animal. We also treated ourselves to a carafe of white sangria for dinner.

For the later evening, another visit announced. If you want to schedule, would never work. Friends of my mother took a bus tour of Portugal and had just arrived that evening in Lagos. So we agreed to meet at the harbor. After Christiane and Anja first "visited" our SUMMER had, we made the four of us still a fun girls night in a small bar on the harbor. Dietmar rather let us go out alone. Bei so vielen Hühnern wollte er nicht Hahn im Korb sein 🙂

Despite Sangria and Vino Verde, we wanted to run early in the last day of my mother walking towards the cliffs. Dietmar preferred to stay a little longer lie and let both of us armed with our cameras go out alone. We enjoyed the beautiful, warme Wetter, the still empty beaches and the many great designs and managed with difficulty, ten clock to be on time as arranged for breakfast at our favorite cafe.

Two clock we were unfortunately already in the Leisure Train, which would take us to the airport Faro. Were the five days have passed so quickly. During the nearly two-hour train ride through the back country we were entertained by a Portuguese loudly extended family. This directed us something of the sometimes quite bleak sight from, who moved in front of the train window by. But on the way back, I should find, that the prospect of the sea more beautiful and the houses much less broken and decayed were. We had chosen well on the way to a seat on the wrong side of the train.

In Faro at the station it was time to say goodbye. My mother disappeared with the taxi to the airport and I turned in my wait yet a little exploring round by Faro. Unfortunately the time was quite short and the area around the station is not very inviting. Also, my search for a PC store was unfortunately unsuccessful. So I was sitting in the train back to Lagos and was received at the station already by my husband. We decided, go directly to food, as was already gone into the country for some time since having breakfast together. A short time later, Frank and Lars joined us yet. We spent a fun evening together, while my mother safely returned back to the cold Germany.

Without a visit on board life took its normal running again. However, a very special highlight was for this Tuesday on the program. Our radar antenna should be repaired returned today. Long enough we had been waiting for. In the afternoon, the long-awaited technician came with the antenna in the luggage. For safety's sake RAYMARINE had really changed everything but the outer shell and then tested for several hours in the laboratory. Then it should finally be all good, or? After the technician had the antenna mounted again and installed in the mast, showed our radar already in the harbor such a clear image, as we had never seen previously. Each web and even almost every boat was seen. And it ran and ran and ran all night. Now we are really very optimistic, dass das Radarproblem Geschichte ist 🙂

In addition, we chose, the upholstery work, we had not in Porto because of our schedule could implement, to give here in Lagos in order. From the SY INFINITY, we finally met in person, we got here support. Hille and Thorsten had let in Lagos already done upholstery work and were able to convey the same two contacts. For herself she had already made appointments, because we could also equal to-hang. So our dinghy and outboard are now getting our new coatings and the cushion of the sofa in the saloon also get washable covers. Since such work always take some, We still make a little vacation here. At the moment there is anyway no suitable weather window to Madeira.

So I met on Tuesday evening again with Christiane and Anja, while Dietmar spent a fun evening with Mr Lars and Frank.

The next day was washed and cleaned, cleaned up and sorted out. Of course, in between also time for the Internet. The new on-board computer was put into operation and all other ships in the harbor groaned probably have a terribly slow internet connection, while I patiently downloaded an update after the next.

Meanwhile, another German boats in Lagos were arrived: the ITS LUBINI, SY ONCE AGAIN and SY MANATI. Mutual acquaintance we all met on Wednesday evening aboard the SY INFINITY. Hille had prepared to the delight of tasty tapas and appetizers. Then we moved on to a small seafood restaurant on the fishing port. They discussed and exchanged experiences from target. A funny, Grand Rounds, which only dissolved, as the fish restaurant was as good as closed.

Before we wanted to sail towards the island of Culatra today, was there to fill the fridge. For the next night we were moored and eat on board. The nearby supermarket not offered the rich possibilities of the Markets, we had learned to appreciate in Portugal and in Spain, but from starvation we were sure in any case.

So we threw around noon cast off, yet made a short stop at the front desk, to pay the mooring fees and had a short time later outside on the Atlantic. The swell had calmed down and there was a nice breath of fresh air. The sun shone from the sky and we crossed the coast towards Culatra and enjoyed it, to sail at best conditions. Also our visit was brave and endured the unusual rocking with version.

After some time, we met the SY MENTOR, but closer sailed with the same destination on the coast in front of us. Even the sporting ambitions of the Capitano was once again awakened and with optimally trimmed sails we arrived the MENTOR inexorably closer. Time for another photo shoot, this time under sail and at much better weather. To optimum entertainment of our visit, a single dolphin was also lost in the vicinity of our boat. We enjoyed his brief stint and hoped, still be allowed to watch more of these beautiful animals.

Just before the entrance of Culatra still pulled away a thick rain cloud over us, had the orderly wind in the luggage. Violent gusts up 25 Node had Dietmar disqualify a precaution by hand. But had come so quickly Haunting, he went over again. After mountains of sailing we motorten to the protected anchorage area on the northeastern end of Culatra and found a nice place. Only the noise of Faro airport disturbed the idyll of almost Caribbean-like island a little. The exploration tour but we moved to the next day, for sailing makes well known hungry.

Soon it smelled in the ship for food and a short time later, we received the barbecue skewers with salad taste. During the last fishing boats and pleasure boats plowed through the armature field and the left SUMMER rock always funny, was played in the salon of BUZZER until late into the night "Mau Mau" and geklönt.

At night, some rain showers over us moved away and the wind freshened again felt strongly on. Several times I shooed Dietmar control of the armature when it rains out of bed, just to be sure, that everything was fine. Visit on board makes me seem kinda nervous. Auf jeden Fall haben wir auch schon ruhigere Nächte verbracht 🙂

The next morning it was raining and unfortunately still only around noon, we were able to open with the dinghy after Culatra. The small fishing harbor was filled with tiny wooden boats and partly on the webs nets were repaired.

The island had retained its original charm, of the remaining coast of the concrete- bed and castles had fallen victim to. We crossed a small fishing village with colorful houses and followed the paved road ("Road" would be too high) on the other side of the island. Here stretched the bright, lonely sand beach seven kilometers. In the dunes grew wild Amaryllis and also a pair of storks had lost on the island. In the sun you could make lovely walks along the beach and look for shells.

But as we wanted to continue (had), we went after an hour on the way back. Once back on board it was time to "say goodbye". Waltraud and Wolfgang had to sail back to Vilamoura, to set her daughter Britta after two weeks back on board the plane to Germany. Then the two of them will continue towards the Mediterranean. From now on, our paths will thus separate. Since Guernsey we were more or less the way together. You will be missed. But we'll see you always meet twice in life. Darauf freuen wir uns jetzt schon sehr 🙂

We went to anchor and wanted to sail today to Albufeira. But first we had to drive through very troubled waters in the narrow exit, because we were running off with water against wind and wave traveling. This meant the end, almost all the way down the throttle, as quickly as possible to, to drive through the chaotic currents and waves from all sides. So then we came back in deeper and calm water.

Raumer (obliquely from behind) Wind from 9-11 Node brought us relaxed to Albufeira. The sheltered harbor is located a bit away from the old town and was then blown into the rocks. We had our mooring directly on the harbor promenade. So we had no long ways to go. The disadvantage of this place we discovered in the course of the following night. Even at the harbor disco we were in the front row and had to half past three, more or less celebrate tolerably.

Already in the morning at half past nine, my phone rang and my mother wanted to be picked up as arranged before the Marina Hotel. She was half past three in the morning since the move (Leverkusen - Dusseldorf - Faro - Vilamoura) and rejoiced, to have finally arrived. So there was first a nice relaxing breakfast at 24 ° and sunshine. Then the SUMMER crew waited impatiently for the mess. After all the baggage was to 50% determined for us: my so long eagerly awaited, reparierter Laptop, the new wireless antenna, Fly screens for the hatches and the new business cards. There was something for everyone 

Well fortified with sandwiches and fresh coffee we made a couple a first reconnaissance tour of Vilamoura. This day we wanted to spend here, there was still quite a bit from yesterday shaft solid low-pressure area. We did not expect our visit on the first day.

Since Vilamoura is unfortunately not grown city with the old town core, we explored halt the long sandy beach and strolled along the harbor through the shops. Everything was very neat and pleasing, but unfortunately also very touristy. But which one should indeed not be fazed, wie man hier deutlich sehen kann 🙂

When drinking coffee in one of the many harbor restaurants we were able to observe from a safe distance, as Dietmar joined already high up the mast, the new WLAN antenna. Patience was one never to his particular strengths :-). I could so definitely enjoy relaxing time with my mother, for there was after so long of course many things to talk over, finally relaxed without phone counter in mind.

After a long siesta and a delicious sundae, we looked briefly at the SY MENTOR past, further was the only one web, agreed to plans for the next day. For the rest of the afternoon we walked along the beach towards the fishing port and let us blow fresh wind in your hair. For dinner had to believe a large plate of fresh seafood off. How fast is the first vacation my mother was already over. Tomorrow it would seriously, because we wanted the casting of lots linen and sail the first day together. Our destination was the island of Faro Culatra ago.

Monday morning announced the RAYMARINE technician with bad news from our radar. It would take at least another week, would up the repaired antenna in England back in Lagos to be. As long as we did not want to wait.

So we went to anchor and headed for Vilamoura. In this safe harbor, we wanted to wait for the next days, to a low pressure area with lots of strong winds from the south pulled over our heads was. Since the distances between individual ports in the Algarve are relatively low, we took it this time sporting, that the wind as ever came from the front and crossed diligently against. Finally a day of sailing even if crossing means, double track and triple way! Soon we had to run the machine, otherwise there was all the time wonderful silence under the sails. Only the sound of the waves and the wind were heard. Contrary to the weather forecast, the sun shone with a pleasant 25 ° C. Perfectly.

In the early evening we reached the beautiful marina of Vilamoura, in which a luxury motor yacht was lying next to the next. The SUMMER looked between them from something small and lost. The harbor is the center of the small town and is surrounded by restaurants and bars, invited to linger. The evening we spent on board, as always actually, if you come back has Internet access. In addition, still had to be made some preparations, because on Wednesday our first visit, my mother, expect.

The JOY OF LIFE permanent unfortunately Prev Next Lagos, but we are looking forward to our next reunion.