Celebrate - In Cape Town

Well we have arrived safely in Cape Town and the last two days or so from Mossel Bay were the sunniest and most enjoyable of the passage. The wind came round from the South as we turned the corner so enjoyed some fantastic down wind sailing at last a fitting finale for our Indian Ocean adventure and Peter's time on Celebrate.

The view of the Cape of Good Hope from the water was spectacular. We picked a good day to round it, with the wind in the other direction it would not be so much fun. To avoid the shipping lanes into Cape Town we had to stay close to the shore between Hout Bay and Green Point and a range of peaks called the Twelve Apostles. We sped past them as the wind picked up to over 30 knots. Fortunately as we approached Green Point there was a wind shadow giving a gentler ride into the city with time to enjoy the natural drama of Table Mountain and Signal Hill and the man made city skyline particularly the new curvy football stadium built for the 2010 World Cup.

Our marina at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is right in the historic center surrounded by old dock buildings and some new waterside apartments. There is a dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain which literally hovers over the city. Seals swim around the dock and they appear to be far better behaved than the sea lions of Galapagos!

So far on land we have cleared customs and immigration (you have to do this in every port you visit in SA) and started lots of boat jobs. Charlie has set up a number of maintenance projects with a local sail maker and rigger. We have begun to explore the waterfront finding a venue for a Thanksgiving Dinner. Today we ventured out for lunch at the Royal Cape Yacht Club and found a very warm welcome-we will probably be back!

So there is now a break from sailing for a while with time for Cathy and Charlie to go on Safari and Peter with Jane who, arrives on the 1st December to do some exploring for a couple of weeks before heading back to the UK.

Since arriving a number of other World ARC boats have joined us; Polaris, NDS Darwin, Andromeda, Sweet Pearl, Festina Lente and Lluiton. Shaya Moya was already here and more will follow...