S'Ours

The anchorage off Ferragudo beach has plenty of room with at least 14ft of water.  The only drawback is the wash from the fishing boats as they leave and return morning noon and night.  Once you get used to that, it's ok. 

The marina is just across the river where you can get water and they have laundry facilities - large machine 16kg for 8euro including power and softner. 

The other good thing is that you can pick up free wifi from several different sources in the anchorage so if you swing about a bit you can usually pick up one or the other.   




Speaking about swinging about, S'Ours is known for weaving about so we purchased a secondhand homemade riding sail for $10 in the USA and used it for the first time here. 

What a different it has made, very pleased, she is much more settled in winds at anchor now.



Spares and yacht parts - difficult and extremely expensive here (there is almost no leisure sailing by the Portuguese at all).  The answer is to order elsewhere in Europe and have it shipped in by local shippers/removal companies (we did this for our paint, tools and other odds and ends) at a cost of £30 per 1/4 cubic meter (1m x1m x .25m).  Collected them from their depot in Alcantrihla.  Fishing boat parts, stainless steel and machining are all readily available.  We had new chain plates made here.  There are specialist tradesmen around - check in the boatyards at the fishing harbour - just ask around there.

The town has a good range of shops and supermarkets with a great Lidl just a bike ride away :).  Their bread is excellent, cheap and freshly made each day on the premises - couldn't keep Geoff away.

The train service is hourly and cheap to Faro where a bus connection to the airport is just some 200yds from the station.  I flew home to Stansted for 40euro (one way).

Ferragudo seems to be the quieter, family side whilst Portimao is the high rise hotel, nightclubbing side, so you have a choice. 


Very pleasant walks around the headland to other small secluded beaches.





We have spent a very pleasant few days here just getting a few odd jobs done.  Have finished varnishing the floor which looks very nice now.

 We have decided it is time to leave so with a good 15knt wind blowing this morning and forecast for the next day or so it is up anchor and away for faro and pastures new - quite excited.