Nomad 2024

Culatra. No roads and no cars.

Not happy with where I was, I moved along a bit to the pretty little town of Santa Luzia. Anchored again, I inflated the dinghy and was delighted to find that my outboard still works. I thought that age, neglect, complete submersion 3 years ago, a missing cowel, old fuel and a replacement carburettor gasket made out of an old chart would have pushed it over the edge but no, all credit to the Japs, it still goes. In town, in a bar, I was served by a man who I had met the previous day in the bus station at Tavira. We acknowledged each other then as we were the only two in the bus station bar. He showed no sign of recognition this time, I wonder what he was thinking?

Making salt in Tavira. and making oysters.

This has pretty much been the forecast for the last couple of weeks and is pretty much the forecast for the next 10 days, it might be the forecast for the whole summer.  I may have to rethink my plan to be in Lisbon for mid June, the North Coast of Spain for July and the west coast of France for August. How did the Barbary pirates get up to the south of Ireland and Cornwall to enslave the innocent locals? They didnt even have weather forecasts.  It was much easier coming south. Anyway, it's nice here in Santo Antonio and they win the prize for the grandest lighthouse.

Directly across the river from Ayamonte. I have to get a SIM card for Portugal.

I went all the way up to Pomarao, hoping to see some interesting wildlife and the night sky in complete darkness but it's too remote to get a phone signal. Those things are ok but not if I have to forsake Netflix, so I've come back down the river to civilisation. Pomarao. A rickety staging at Pomarao. The dam at Pomarao.

Anchored in the river Guadiana at Sanlucar. Lovely.

Yesterday in Ayamonte, another celebration but I couldn't find out what it was of.

Ayamonte. My mission is to find a bar where they are showing the Eurovision contest and watch it for the first time in about 50 years.

I've moved on whilst the wind is in my favour. It's just as hot here as Seville. The beach here was where 'THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS' washed up, to deceive Hitler into thinking that the Allies planned to land at Sicily.

Locked out of Seville at 22.00 last night and anchored. Heading down river with the tide this morning. A good time to leave as it's getting too hot at 30c, Seville is the frying pan of Spain but I highly recommend it. I just saw a big bird take a fish from the river, I'm going to have a better go at identifying them this time and not just the storks.

Back in London until Wednesday so Nomad isn't going anywhere..

Back on the boat after a very pleasant time in Seville and Málaga. The marina here is right next to the site of the famous Sevilla April Feria which I just missed and is now being dismantled including this magnificent structure which I find hard to believe was only ever temporary. Its a good photo of Margaux.