Having crossed the Lisbon estuary I learned that that I should have asked permission to do this. It’s best to learn this sort of information afterwards. A low profile, get-across-clean-and-quick approach has worked well so far and is less of a headache for everyone. I make a big 45 nautical mile passage to Milfontes, and the very pleasant café where I write most of this update. I check the weather for the coming days, not actively having a fixed plan, but subconsciously planning. The next two days I can take small chunks southward, part sailing and part paddling, finding the tiniest of ports. The local fishermen are measured in expression, but warm and thoughtful in the advice they offer. I feel accepted as an authentic mariner. That puts me in range of Cabo de São Vicente. With big swell and wind forecast, it is a nervy night followed by early start. I knuckle down for the 18 nautical miles to the Cape, make it round into a slight tidal race and heavy wind acceleration, bury the nose and fall, tension the sail to nuclear mode, hold on until round Sagres headland, and the relatively lake-like conditions of the Algarve.