Whenever Billy and Jayne come out to their house, we decant back to the boat to give them space and a well-earned rest, but we do still manage to slip in a few good nights. One of which was a wee impromptu pool tournament night (or is that a pyjama party going on) in the new games room which was under way. I’m not totally sure, but I think Billy and I won………..no cheating of course!

It was great to catch up with friends when we were home and would you believe I even managed to slip in a Body Combat class, can’t say how much I miss that. Another thing we managed to slip in was great weeks skiing in Courchevel with all the usual crowd and some new additions, once again a fantastic time was had.

It was time to head back to Portugal. We were driving a van back with some stuff for Billy and Jayne’s house and we took the opportunity to take some things out for the boat, solar panel, whisker pole and antifoul. We were driving to Portsmouth then getting the ferry to Bilbao, well that was the plan. The weather had different ideas though, it was very windy and our ferry was cancelled to the next day, this one was also cancelled so our only other option was to get one to Caen in Northern France which added on a further thirteen hours of driving. I was so disappointed; I was looking forward to going across Biscay in some heavy weather. Maybe I would have changed my mind once in it, but we had such a calm crossing on Camira (thankfully) and I wanted to see what it was like when it was a bit rough. Mad, yes I think so!

Check out bottle of wine at side of the bed !!! lol

Anyway, the rest of the trip went trouble free, albeit, we had some awful weather which made the driving very tiring for Gordon. Typical man, wouldn’t let me take the wheel, I think he really enjoyed being a white van man.

I very quickly made new curtains and cushions for the boat before Gordon took my sewing machine back to put in storage two days later. I stayed in Portugal this time, I’d had enough of the van by then. Once again, Diane very graciously put him up for the time he was home.

 

We stayed a couple of weeks with Diane then went to Badger Cottage on Billy and Jayne’s estate in Stirling for the remainder of the time we were home. It’s beautiful out there, lots of long country walks and very chilly fresh air. We were even visited in the back garden by some of their Highland coos, let me tell you that was a bit of a shock to see them looking in the window at me first thing in the morning, not sure who got the biggest fright. Then there was Rolo and Molly, mother and son donkeys. We would go down at night and feed them and tidy up their stable for bedtime. Diane and Harry came out for a day there as well and Harry got to meet the donkeys too.

Shannon made us animal cakes …..

 

Camira Lifted out at Sopromar, Lagos and initial cleaning

We headed back home for Christmas which was lovely staying with Diane and Harry. I wasn’t sure if Harry would recognise me but I obviously have one of those faces you can’t quite forget. He is getting to be such a young man now and so so handsome.

 

On Camira at Lagos Marina

and then Karting at the Grand Prix circuit. It would be childish and rude to say who won though …. Yippeeeee!

“Immersion Fitty Paldy”

and “ Ayr Town Centre”

 

It wasn’t all relaxation. Before we left Ardrossan the guys at Boatcraft donated us some excess headlining they had. We replaced the old “carpet” style stuff in the aft and forward cabin lockers. Louise’s dressmaking skills were much needed. Not a bad job though when finished, don’t you think?

 

When staying at Salema we took in some coastal walks, the following is one along to Rio de Boca.

Praia de Luz

Day out to Potato Festival at Aljezur

with some stunning scenes of the Atlantic North of Cabo St Vincent. This is a surfing mecca with quite a lot of Aussies and Kiwis.

 

November was quite a wet month, unusual for here I’m told, but you still get lovely sunny days in between the wet ones so not too hard to bear. Still manage to sit outside for lunch and the odd day at the beach or sightseeing.

 

I hope our friends Bill & Jayne Roddie won’t be embarrassed us mentioning their generosity.

They have a beautiful villa about 13 km from Lagos which they have allowed us to have the use of along with one of their cars.

After 2,000 miles in a 31ft boat it is 5 star luxury

It is all newly fitted out down to the pots, pans and cutlery – Louise has banned me from touching anything in case I break it!

I am allowed to do my “Pool Boy” though.

 

Our next and only other visitors over the winter were David and Iain. As usual this resulted in one or two boisterous nights which are always fun, well, at least they are until the next day. However, we still managed out for a wee sail, albeit a bit of a lumpy one which unfortunately cut it short. Seemingly, a few boats set out for the Canaries and turned back it was so lumpy.

Day out at Cape St Vincent.

Followed by curry (of course) and drinks