Approaching the small Quinta do Lorde marina on the eastern end of the island, we were so glad to arrive we nearly forgot to switch the Canary Island courtesy flag for a Portuguese flag. We decided to stay a few nights, so we could get our calor gas bottles refilled and enjoy the scenery surrounding the marina.
We enjoyed several walks along the cliff top paths after being confined to the boat for a few days. The marina was only surrounded by a small tourist development, so within a few minutes walk we were on a footpath with fantastic views towards the Desertas Islands. It certainly made a pleasant change from the city centre marinas we had been staying in on Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
With our gas bottles refilled we decided to go and anchor in a secluded bay just east of the marina. This was our first anchoring for several weeks, we just about managed what to do!
We decided to head Northeast to the small island of Porto Santo whilst waiting for a favourable weather forecast to head to the Algarve. Porto Santo is small island, about 11km long, we would easily be able to explore most of it on foot or by bike.
We were able to anchor inside the harbour walls and use the marina facilities, so we launched our dinghy and rowed ashore. We stayed for about a week, cycling round most of the island with Lilly in a bike trailer or tiring her out on the very long sandy beach. She loved running in and out of the waves along the shore, but not the hosepipe shower afterwards to remove the sand and salt from her fur!
Hannah's cousin's and her Great Aunt and Uncle would be on holiday in Lagos on the Algarve in the first week of May. We were keen to get there in time if there was a favourable weather forecast. The wave forecast was good, even if the wind was going to be against us for part of the 6 day sail, so we decided it was time to leave Porto Santo. This would be our longest time at sea on our trip so far.
