10/4/22 Cascais, Portugal

A lazy morning as we enjoyed coffee and breakfast with our guests. We called up and Uber and made the drive to Sintra, about 15 miles north of us up the mountain. Sintra being a high peak on a point was the home to several castles. We started with a tour of the Palace of Pena, an old castle with a more recent history, a few hundred years, of being renovated and added to. The result is a colorful and unusual mix of architectural styles.

From there we hiked across the small valley to Castelo dos Mouros, this was a much more traditional fort like castle dating back to the 12^th century. We made the climb along the castle wall to the highest lookout tower. The view of the sea and the valley told the story of why it was located here. There was a museum with relics dating back to 5,000 BC.

At the entrance to the castle we tried to get an Uber, but no one wanted to take the journey up the mountain to pick us up. Harris found a foot path down to town on Google maps. It started as a cobble stone walk, then became well defined dirt path, after that we were just shy of bush whacking. In a clearing was an old church and we could hear a road not too far away so we pressed on past an old stone bridge structure and atop and old aqua duct. We popped out on a winding road just above the town and just before dusk!

The town of Sintra was very quaint with its winding alleys and old homes perched on the side of the hill. Linda treated us all to a Cherry Liquor that was being served out of a shop window in chocolate cups. Just the pick me up we needed. From the town square we were able to get an uber back to Cascais. We tried to convey to the driver that we wanted to be dropped on the edge of the old town so we could walk the town and find a restaurant, but he did not understand. As I watched the Uber progress on the app map he arrived at the edge of town and I said “Alta aqui por favor”. He understood, pulled over and let us out.

We walked into town and stumbled on the Sushi restaurant I wanted to try, Confraria Do Sushi. We managed a table in spite of no reservation. The food was fabulous, this the place for great fresh seafood. The food was eclipsed by the cocktail we had, gin-yuzu-wasabi in a chilled metal teapot looking service with a sake sized cup. We tried later to replicate it at the boat, but the restaurant had it wired.

10/5/22 Cascais, Portugal

Up early so Suzette and I left the boat to allow our guests to sleep in. We made use of the Marina showers and then off for Coffee at Paul’s, the Paul family has been making coffee since 1830. We hung out at the marina office to use the WiFi. When we returned Harris and Linda had gone to Kafiens for coffee.

We all enjoyed brunch on the boat, then off to explore Cascais. We walked through the Fortaleza De Nossa Senhora da Luz that towered over the Marina. It was an interesting mix of modern business buildings and the old fort walls and grounds. We walked the streets and alleys with their amazing coble stone mosaics and numerous shops. The shops ranged from McDonalds and souvenir shops to fine restaurants and clothing boutiques.

We made a stop at the huge grocery store for some fish and other items for the night’s dinner. Not finding the sausage we wanted for Paella we went to the local grocer at the marina, a very fine store with a great butcher shop. They had the sausage we wanted and they were cooking some of it in the back, so we waited to taste it. In the mean time I found the key ingredients for my Black Manhattan cocktail.

We off loaded our groceries and left Harris to nap so the rest of us could shop the sale at Helly Hanson. It was a great sale and we loaded up on sailing gear to leave on Raffaellesco. Linda had to roust Harris for a fitting. Harris Hunt, HH, get it?

Dinner was an awesome grilled fish and a huge salad. The wind picked up and drove us down below for a game of hearts. The wind howled pretty good heeling the boat at the dock and opening the eyes of our non-sailing crew. The wind did settle down and Linda did clean our clocks at hearts.

10/6/22 Cascais, Portugal

Up early to depart by 9:00 for Setubal. However, our visiting crew was not up for facing the Orcas and they abandoned ship. They packed up and, after coffee, found a land-based domicile for the balance of their stay in Lisbon. Can’t blame them, we were not to excited about the Orca prospect either.

We took advantage of the local chandlery and picked up a couple more electrical items for my various projects. We departed by about 1200 and motored to Lisbon, up the Ria Tejo to the beautiful suspension bridge. We toured the city from the water taking in the beautiful Monument to Discoveries and the Torre de Belem.

We found a nice anchorage west of the boat yard and pilot station, 6 m of water and very calm. It was an opportunity to decompress, clean up and plan out the rest of our journey.

10/7/22 Lisbon, Portugal

Up early to do our Orca check, there was activity off Cascais, where we had come from. Called on the radio to get details, but not much info. Departed about 1000 under a hazy sky and a very calm sea. No wind so it was easy to motor and hug the shore as we headed south around Cabo Espichel, then east to Setubal. We had a great visit from a pod of dolphin as they swam with us for a while. No Orcas sighted and no activity on the radio.

Found a quiet anchorage just inside the mouth of the Ria Sado, 8m, no boats, beautiful pines and beaches. We could see the city in the distance, but no desire to visit.