News

Saturday October 23, 2004 - Departed Cape Town
Charl has left Cape Town!
He sent me a message to say that he would write and tell us all about his departure tomorrow!
Here is his position received this afternoon:
Position at 1630 UTC
33 25 S
17 45 E
Cog 330
Sog 7 knots
Wind 12 knots
On a broad reach !!!!

Friday October 22, 2004
The yacht club's runner took me over to Port control, then immigration and customs. I checked out, ready to leave as soon as the wind veers.
Got a visit from Terryl and Rod. Rod just flew in from India after a month on the oil rigs. We shared memories and then Rod looked to see if he could fix the diesel leak. No go, nothing serious anyway. Morne came over later and handed me more of my clean laundry. Thank you Morne and Lindi!
Brother Francois and sus, Susan joined us after they flew in from Pretoria to say goodbye. Another nite of R and R!!! Francois and Susan slept in the V/berth while I used the quarter aft berth.

Thursday October 21, 2004
Douglas came by to pick me up at the yacht club. He took me over to Markos's, a wholesale dealer, where Douglas is a member.
I bought enough food to last for 8 weeks. Had to borrow a dolly to ferry all the canned food to IT. Thanks Douglas!
That afternoon I had lunch with commodore Russel Velmore and then the rest of the day it was me and Douglas just hanging around at the bar. Jennifer joined us later. With the boat show in full swing next door to the club, the place was very crowded. Anyway lots of R and R and laughter!!
A quiet day for a change.

Wednesday October 20, 2004
The traffic was heavy and Zac drove to his office first where he introduced me to his workers. I sent Bev a brief e-mail from his ultra fast internet computer. He then took me back to the club and as it was raining and raining I spent most of the day snuggled in warm blankets onboard IT. Toni came over and handed me some cash which brother Fracois had transferred for me. I paid my outstanding fees at the club, got all the papers to show that I owe nothing and now I can proceed to Port control, immigration and customs. Weather not looking good for next 3 days, NW still blowing.
Jennifer, her son Paul and Douglas joined me later, as well as Thomas who went sailing in the pouring rain and we had lots of R and R in the lounge of the yacht club. Met more people as everybody who saw me and Bev on TV on Monday came to congratulate me!!
What a night!!

Tuesday October 19, 2004
Spent most of the time in the lounge filling out the paperwork to clear out. Filled in all the necessary forms for tax returns etc. Took another afternoon nap.
Morne joined me later in the lounge and we had a good chat and some beer. As Morne left, Zac came by, he just got back from Jo'burg and I went with him to his place near Monte Vista. We bought some beer and meat and had a lovely braai in his backyard. I was missing the family back home and we drank a tad too much and I decided to overnight at his place.

Monday October 18, 2004
No visitors today. Re-installed the repaired ruptured weathercloths. Tried to get ahold of the mechanic who tried to repair the dripping diesel leaks on the injector pump as it was still dripping....No go. Maybe tomorrow???
Checked with the yacht club regarding my total fees that have to be paid. Texed my brother Francois to transfer money into outstanding accounts. Had a hearty Wimpy like brunch at the yacht club.. I am getting fat ..really ..... !!!!
Took IT over to the lift-out facilities but had to wait a while as plans just got messed up. Boats on 18-wheelers had to be put into water for the upcoming boat show. At last IT was lifted up and I took Willie's temporary repaired rudder off and installed the new stainless steel rudder that my brother Francois had fabricated for me. He got all the plans and dimensions from designer of the Windpilot Pacific Plus model, Peter Fortham from Germany!! It fitted like a glove!! Thanks Bro..I owe you!!
Took IT back to her slip and had a beer... then took my first ever afternoon nap on her.....Just what I needed !!!!
The evening was just R and R at the yacht club and we watched Bev and myself on Supersport TV program and got slapped and congratulated by the locals in the clubhouse!! Crikey!!
They could not stop buying me drinks!! Posed for pics from newly made friends from Sweden, Ireland and England!! They are also waiting on the weather to sail for St Helena. What a night!!

Sunday October 17, 2004
On Sunday morning we set off to Gordon's Bay to Oom Pierre and Tannnie Marie's house where Pierre jr. presented me with my new reading glasses! I also got a bag full of Bokomo breakfast products from them. Thank you very much my friends
Off to Bertie Reed's place. He was not there, so I gave my T-shirt to his daughter who is in charge at their restaurant. I also got a surprise when my old girlfriend Amanda Burger stopped me and congratulated me on my voyage. Small world indeed!
Back to the yacht club, farewell lunch with Dad and Marie. They left for the airport at 4-30. Another visit from deafie friend Kobus van der Merwe and his girlfriend,Angel. We had some R and R and a good chat.
Went to crash very very early, pooped to hell! Another joyful week!!

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