Povoa de Varzim to Porto
28/06/07 19:46 Filed in: Portugal
The marina at Pova de Varzim is very reasonably priced and the staff are very helpful but I found the town itself less compelling.
Perhaps my opinion was influenced by my first exposure to a little scam operated in some Portuguese restaurants. Prior to the ordered dishes arriving selection of nibblies are bought to the table. If one is tempted, which I was not, the bill can increase substantially. In my case around 30% until I pointed out that I hadn't asked for nor eaten the items in question and the bill was reduced.
The new Porto metro extends as far as Povoa de Varzim so it's a good place to stop and visit Porto but I wanted to take my boat into Porto.
At 10:00 we cleared Povoa marina and motor sailed south in light winds arriving off the river Douro entrance at 13:00. I was unable to locate the charted leads so I simply watched a fishing boat enter and followed. New breakwaters are being constructed at the entrance but with just an hour until high water we had in excess of 8m depth.
New southern breakwater.
New northern breakwater with the old one behind.
Looking back out to sea.
River Douro - Approaching the lower motorway bridge
The water shallows between the last of the entrance channel buoys and this bridge.
Once we were past the bridge the wind began to increase and was gusting 18 knots up river by the time we reached Cais do Etiva.
There was plenty of help to take our lines and by 14:10 we were all fast at the upriver end of Cais do Etiva. Long warps and a fender board are essential on this berth where the river runs fast and the rise and fall is at least two metres on a very high quay. There are ladders set into the quay wall.
It took a bit of experimenting to get the moorings adjusted. I found that tying the fender board directly onto the fenders worked best. Matters were complicated by an ebbing tide pushing the boat downstream but gusting winds pushed her upstream. Towards evening the wind died and Kiriwina sat comfortably alongside.
Mooring is free but reporting is still required at the Brigada Fiscal office overlooking the quay.
Fender board arrangement.
Quay height necessitated tying off the Superwind to avoid blade damage. Wake from passing traffic can cause unexpected movement when alongside.
Fast tidal ebb around the quay.
Kiriwina alongside at about half tide with the south bank Port warehouses behind.
Cais do Etiva, with Kiriwina alongside, viewed from the south bank of the River Douro. I was thrilled to have my boat moored in this magificent setting.
A closer view of traditional Port boats.
Moonrise over the observatory and river Douro at Porto.
As darkness falls the Port signs light up.
River Douro at Porto - South bank at night.
Perhaps my opinion was influenced by my first exposure to a little scam operated in some Portuguese restaurants. Prior to the ordered dishes arriving selection of nibblies are bought to the table. If one is tempted, which I was not, the bill can increase substantially. In my case around 30% until I pointed out that I hadn't asked for nor eaten the items in question and the bill was reduced.
The new Porto metro extends as far as Povoa de Varzim so it's a good place to stop and visit Porto but I wanted to take my boat into Porto.
At 10:00 we cleared Povoa marina and motor sailed south in light winds arriving off the river Douro entrance at 13:00. I was unable to locate the charted leads so I simply watched a fishing boat enter and followed. New breakwaters are being constructed at the entrance but with just an hour until high water we had in excess of 8m depth.
New southern breakwater.
New northern breakwater with the old one behind.
Looking back out to sea.
River Douro - Approaching the lower motorway bridge
The water shallows between the last of the entrance channel buoys and this bridge.
Once we were past the bridge the wind began to increase and was gusting 18 knots up river by the time we reached Cais do Etiva.
There was plenty of help to take our lines and by 14:10 we were all fast at the upriver end of Cais do Etiva. Long warps and a fender board are essential on this berth where the river runs fast and the rise and fall is at least two metres on a very high quay. There are ladders set into the quay wall.
It took a bit of experimenting to get the moorings adjusted. I found that tying the fender board directly onto the fenders worked best. Matters were complicated by an ebbing tide pushing the boat downstream but gusting winds pushed her upstream. Towards evening the wind died and Kiriwina sat comfortably alongside.
Mooring is free but reporting is still required at the Brigada Fiscal office overlooking the quay.
Fender board arrangement.
Quay height necessitated tying off the Superwind to avoid blade damage. Wake from passing traffic can cause unexpected movement when alongside.
Fast tidal ebb around the quay.
Kiriwina alongside at about half tide with the south bank Port warehouses behind.
Cais do Etiva, with Kiriwina alongside, viewed from the south bank of the River Douro. I was thrilled to have my boat moored in this magificent setting.
A closer view of traditional Port boats.
Moonrise over the observatory and river Douro at Porto.
As darkness falls the Port signs light up.
River Douro at Porto - South bank at night.