Leixoes Sunday, 13th September - Red Bull Day

Fog finally lifted and we set off for Leixoes on Saturday. Sunny again, no wind though so motored the 12 miles down. Leixoes is an enormous container port, much bigger than expected with lots of big tanker traffic. The marina is tucked in a corner, is fine but smells a bit of oil. The facilities a bit basic, the people very nice and contrary to expectation, it is very cheap and has good wifi - Margaret, we can stream Radio 4.

Sunday, headed back into Porto for the Red Bull Air Race. We walked across the D. Luis Bridge to find a spot on the south side, high up above the course. Despite the fact that close on a quarter of a million people poured in to watch the race, we surprisingly managed to find a pretty good vantage point. The actual races are in fact quite short and fast, so there were support acts, including acrobatic bi-planes, Red Arrow - style jets flying in formation and, rather bizarrely, a normal passenger plane flying low over the course and the city (see pics).

Our spot was roughly bridge height, so we were actually above the planes, looking down on them when they were doing their slalom and going through the gates. Then they swooped up in front of us high in the air to avoid the bridge we had earlier crossed. To get a flavour see link below

http://www.redbullairrace.com/cs/Satellite/en_air/Official-Red-Bull-Air-Race-Homepage/001238611393596

Best of all, the race was won by a British pilot Paul Bonhomme! He also leads the board for the entire 2009 championship so far. A terrific day out, marred only by W losing her footing climbing down some rocks (had climbed up for a better look) - put out hand to stop the fall and damaged her wrist. Pretty sure nothing fractured, but extremely painful and is now strapped up. Only benefit is R having to do everything for a bit.... Silver linings etc.

Good luck to Rob as he starts University, hope Sophie avoided floods in Turkey and hope M, C & Lucas all well.