ARC Portugal: Oeiras, gateway to Lisbon
by World Cruising Club 6 Jul 2022 05:50 BST
ARC Portugal - Oeiras The Palace of the Marquês of Pombal Wine cellar © World Cruising Club
For those who decided to leave for Oeiras on Thursday, the following day began with an enchanting tour of the town supported by the Oeiras Town Council.
During the morning, the participants had the opportunity to visit the Gunpowder Factory and Museum, the Poets' Park and the Palace of the Marquis of Pombal, including a visit to the winery with the tasting of a local wine, Villa Oeiras.
After a free afternoon to explore Lisbon and its surroundings by themselves, and the whole fleet having arrived in Oeiras Marina, the participants were given a warm welcome by the Marina's management and by the President Rui Mourinho, from Oeiras Viva, the company that manages the marina.
The President welcomed the fleet and before the dinner started there was a quick prize-giving with commemorative plaques generously provided by Jorge, the marina manager for first second and third places. For this special 'fun competition', organised by the skipper of Katy, prizes were also awarded for 4th, 5th and 6th.
With a large expanse of sea wall to be decorated, Oeiras Marina were keen for those artists amongst the fleet to leave their boat mural on the wall for posterity. Saturday provided the perfect opportunity for this to happen before people set off to explore Cascais, Sintra or Lisbon.
At 1000am on Sunday, leg 6 started with a light breeze encouraging the fleet south towards Sines Marina.