Today we left Lisbon, after spending four nights there, and are heading down to Sines which is only about 40 nautical miles south. We are about 3 miles off the shore and we can see that the shore is all sandy beaches, other than the high cliff face of Cabo Espichael, and there are very few towns. We have no wind for sailing of course; we have bright sunshine and the usual roll of the Atlantic. I don't think this coast is pleasant for sailing because of this roll and will be pleased to reach the Med. We are fairly keen to keep moving now until we reach Gibraltar, unless we find somewhere really special to stay for a couple of days.
Vasco da Gama was born in Sines and it was firstly settled by the Romans, followed by the Moors and various other groups, so the history is interesting, just as it is for everywhere along this coast. We will only stay the night and then go on around the cape to the Algarve area of Portugal.