We sailed to Cascais near Lisbon to meet up with our friend Cal and her son Alex who flew out from Dundee on the 9th of August to stay with us for a week. When we arrived we were surprised to find that the Americas cup yacht race was at Cascais all week. The revolutionary new design catamarans are about the fastest racing class boats and they were racing in the harbour nearly every day we were there. On one occasion the start line was very close to where we were at anchor, so we got a good view and after the race the winner on that occasion the American boat Oracle did a circuit around us getting a loud cheer from Alex.

We went by bus to the beautiful city of Sintra for a day.Magnificent palaces are dotted all over the city and there is a large fort.We spent some time looking round the palace of Quinta da Regaleira. The main house is highly decorated, inspired by the maueline, renaissance and baroque periods. The gardens are wonderful, complete with a labyrinth to explore and underground tunnels coming out at the bottom of a well 27 metres deep with a spiral stairway leading to the top.

We left Cascais and set sail for Peniche 40 miles to the north but the wind picked up and was as usual right on the nose. The sea became very choppy and it was not at all pleasant so after about 6 miles we decided to turn round and return to Cascais and wait for better weather. While we were waiting Cal and I took the train to Lisbon leaving William and Alex in Cascais to keep an eye on the boat which was anchored in the harbour and watch more racing. We got off at Belem and waited in a very long queue to look round the monastery, after this caught a tram to Lisbon itself.

The strong northerly wind dropped and we made it to Peniche for a couple of days before Cal and Alex were due to fly home.Cal and I have had an opportunity to catch up with 4 years worth of gossip and to do some cultural visits and of course look round the shops. There was a very interesting craft market in Peniche , with stalls from many countries including Africa, India, Egypt and Russia.We both agree that the cakes and pastries in Portugal are excellent as are the sardines. The pastel de nata is a small inauspicious cake that looks rather like a custard tart; it was first developed in Belem. Don't be fooled by its humble appearance it is delicious.