Next is East, the Portuguese Algarve.
It was the middle of October 2021.
We would soon be exiting Aljezur-Portugal. Our last anchorage on the west coast of Europe. Our electric sailing adventure was about to round the South West corner of Europe, Cape St Vincent, then turn East onto the Algarve.
The last rolly bay “ALJEZURE” in Portugal. Rounding the South West corner of Europe “Villa do Bispo”
The plan was to turn that famous corner and anchor for the night.
We anchored in the first of a few bays, situated on Cabo De Saao Vicente. It was a stunning bay, near Forte de Belixe, with its beautiful secluded golden beach, surrounded by the most incredible cliffs. Located on the extreme south west corner of Portugal. Where the Atlantic makes its way to the Straights of Gibraltar, and joins the Mediterranean Sea.
The experience of cruising to only a small percentage of the stunning coastal destinations, along the West coast of Britain and Europe, on our electric sailing adventure has exceeded my expectations. Its like winning my first motorcycle race, I’ll never forget it!
Waking up on a sailing adventure, in that incredible bay, with its awesome scenery, was so special. I just wanted to hit the beach, but our tight Schengen schedule meant we had to continue onto Lagos, to give ourselves time to relax and organise ourselves.
We had breakfast as we prepared Ocean Strider for her next small journey, onward to Lagos. The wind leaving the bay was perfect, but soon died to a light breeze, with occasional strong gusts, as we headed east along the Algarve coast to our destination.
The Ribeira de Bensafrim “Lagos / Portugal” The silence of the electric drive made this a magical cruise!
We sailed off the Atlantic Ocean and entered the Ribeira de Bensafrim. I have vivid memories of silently motoring up the river with silhouettes of palm trees and Lagos town, set against a purple and red sunset. Arriving at Lagos Marina is a very special memory for me; it was the 18th of October, 2021.
Planning the next part of our journey wasn’t easy.
The UK Schengen allowance in Europe is now 90 days. We’d used almost 60 for the voyage South. Which left us with approximately 30 days of precious time with no time to relax, take in what we had just accomplished and plan the next stage of our journey.
We stayed in Lagos Marina for a few days whilst we re-stocked and found our feet, but marinas really were our enemy, eating up our bank balance.
There was an anchorage between Portimão marina and Ferragudo town, only a short sail away. Time to move on for some free anchoring to take the pressure off.
A lot had happened because of Brexit and COVID, which would drastically influence our electric sailing adventure and change our plans, which were made many years ago. Making sense of all these changes, plus Jeanette’s decision, not to make any long ocean passages, was going to take time and a lot of unexpected re-organising. They influenced each option I wrestled with, to the point of almost making me decide it was time to give it all up.
Each time I thought I’d found a way forward. I would find potential obstacles that could leave me in a lot of trouble or worse.
This adventure was to sail deep into the Mediterranean.
Our original plan for this adventure was to sail deep into the Mediterranean sea for 2-3 years, visiting the rest of Europe, Africa and other friendly countries.
Usually, we could have sailed to a marina in Gibraltar, stayed until February 2022 and renewed our Schengen time, but there were only 2 marinas there and one had closed for refurbishment. There were no marina berths available.
Another weak option was to use our 30 days Schengen time, and try to sail more than 2,000 nautical miles direct to Turkey. It was winter time in the Med and the very unpredictable weather made that choice a non-starter.
Tunisia in Africa was another option over a 1000 miles away. We tried but couldn’t get a reliable answer from the marina in Banzart. There was also trouble at the mountain borders which didn’t help. Maybe we could make it, but any problems and we would be in trouble.
My information was hearsay and not solid enough to take the risk.
Ceuta and Melilla were both closer than Tunisia plus on the Mediterranean and Moroccan coast. They were Spanish enclaves, part of Spain. Officially part of Schengen but I had information they did not stamp your passport or record your visit. My information was hearsay and not solid enough to take the risk. The unsettled relationship between Spain and Morocco has been bubbling for a while now, and has since ended in tragedy. Glad we didn’t take that option.
Morocco is not in Schengen. It would be a good option and I really wanted to visit, but the government had closed all marinas to pleasure craft due to COVID and anchoring was not a good idea. So, another nonstarter.
I had 30 days to make my decision, but we finally we found hope and a way to give us more time. Portugal was almost allowing UK citizens to over stay there Schengen time. I say almost as it was a very grey area but had knock on effects if I wanted to then travel to other Schengen countries.
I opted to fly back to the UK for a week or 2 and visit my parents. My time in the UK would delay the end date of Schengen to December, and give me more time to think things through, but I had to leave Ocean Strider in an expensive marina.
Continue the adventure and sail to the Caribbean, or head home to the UK.
My options had dwindled to two possibilities, continue the adventure and sail to the Caribbean or sail back to the UK. Going north back to UK wouldn’t be an easy trip, with very little Schengen time left, and I would never forgive myself if I gave up and went home.
I’d have to sail to the Caribbean without Jeanette. I knew if I took this route I’d be committed and there’d be no turning back. The weather and heavy seas worked against you at this time of the year.
I was favoring the Transatlantic sail and the Caribbean, as soon as the weather allowed.
It was agreed, Jeanette would fly to Antigua and meet me their. Leaving one decision!
The electric sailing adventure was back on. Now it was up-to the weather.
Would I sail this adventure single handed or find a crew?
