can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

American Spirit II - Day 316; Last Full Day in Richards Bay?, First Movie Cinema in 12 Months, B-Day Party for Jonathon of Merlyn of Poole & Jeanine Back on American Spirit II; Monday, November 17, 2014



Up at 6:55 AM. Turned on the SSB radio and listened to Roy's weather broadcast. Roy had given us a presentation last week about sailing down the Wild Coast, as the east coast of Africa is called. Then I talked to Roy about our planned departure from Richards Bay tomorrow afternoon. Roy said our leaving Tuesday afternoon looked OK and that once we're in Durban he'll help us get to East London or Port Elizabeth next. He indicated that the swell should settle down to 1-2 meters late Tuesday, early Wednesday; and that the wind will turn southeast at 9-12 knots before going light. Durban is 85 miles away and we expect the trip will take 15 hours.

Joel got up at 7:55 AM. At 8:00 AM I called the Durban marina and was told that no slips will be available for us Wednesday; and that we'll have to anchor out. However, they will send a boat out to us to lead us to an anchorage. I asked if Sweet Pearl and Celebrate were still there and was told yes. However, I expect that they will be leaving by tomorrow.

Breakfast at 8:30 AM consisted of bacon, eggs, chilled fruit cocktail and bread.

After breakfast I picked up Jeanine's passport and had some copies made in the yacht club office.

It looks like Saphir is leaving tomorrow, and Alpheratz might. Nexus, Ghost and Merlyn of Poole are waiting for a longer and better weather window and will depart Friday.

Russ, Laurie, Jeanine and I took a cab to the mall at noon. Once there, I bought some tools to replace the ones 'lost' on the boat; some stamps for the post cards I was mailing; and a coffee cup that was 'boat proof.' Then after a short lunch consisting of escargot (snails), I joined Russ, Jeanine, Charles and Jeanine of Nexus; and along with Joel, we watched the movie 'Gone Girl.' A good movie, but not for the faint of heart. And there is no such thing as 'buttered' popcorn in this theater. There is 'butter salt', but not butter popcorn. Bummer.

Joel, Jeanine and I were back at the boat at 5:30 PM, and after changing, got into a cab at 6:15 PM and headed out to the Waterfront restaurant to have dinner with Jonathan, Jenny and Sigi from Merlyn. The occasion was Jonathan's birthday. Dinner was a buffet and it was quite good.

We were back at the boat by 9:15 PM. Joel was in bed by 10:00 PM, I was typing a log and some emails and Jeanine was out at the yacht club bar.

Brian Fox

Previous | Next