Friday 21 August
We spent a relaxing day in Póvoa de Varzim – a traditional fishing town which has now also become a satellite of Oporto as it is on the end of the city metro line.
We definitely feel that we are in a different country.
The most obvious difference is that the marina staff speak perfect English.
The next most obvious difference is that they are really into tiles, especially on the front of buildings.
And they are very proud of their history,
– which dates back to prehistoric times: this was an early trading and fishing centre in the classical age; the Romans were here from 130 BC; and in the Middle Ages there was a tussle to control this lucrative port between the kings and the local feudal lords.
It seems that the fishermen and women just got on with it.
However in February 1892 there was a tragic disaster when 7 fishing boats were lost along with over 100 men – just meters from the shore.
Like Roscoff, the sea here became a magnet for the sea-cure clientele with its iodine rich waters, and eventually tourism replaced fishing as the main industry. But there is still a healthy fishing fleet here today.
There are lots of statues to local heros.
And one (generic) woman.
We were encouraged by the very nice marina chap to try the local dish of Francesinia – which is basically a croque monsieur on steroids – it has bread, ham, steak and egg in various layers all drenched in a beer sauce…with chips! I was very relieved that I only had a half one!
David had a light lunch of ribs and chips…and rice..
We didn’t need dinner!
Sadly Penny and Max have said goodbye and we will be on our own in Oporto until our new ocean crew fly in in a few days.
Tomorrow we sail to the original port of Oporto!
Até amanhã!