Racing an Airplane!

A long motor-sail to Figueira Da Foz. Sunny and dead calm. The auto-pilot is steering, but it takes a real vigilant watch to avoid the fish-nets hanging from all the little buoys, with or without flags, that line our GPS way-point highway we’ve plotted. Though it’s a warm sail the water’s only 16 degrees. All those lovely beaches lining the shore, freezing waves lapping the sand!
We arrive at Figueira da Foz about 8pm only to be stopped at the entrance of the river leading to the marina by the Marine Police. We are directed over to near the breakwater wall, next to a beach, to wait.

We wait. Then, first one, then another little airplane dives, skidding along the river, and, loaded with water, climbs and banks towards the huge tower of smoke across the bay.

"How much horsepower do you have?" he shouts from the police-boat.
"28hp!"
"OK, quickly, go now!” We‘re off, full speed.
“Faster," he shouts, as “Babette” is doing all that she can muster.

We win.
Well inside the harbor wall we turn and watch as, just behind us, three more planes splash-land on the river, pick up speed and water, and roar off to the burning forests.

Welcome to Figueira da Foz!