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Firefly - 24 hour break at Luderitz, Namibia



The brief stop over in Luderitz proved a great success. After three nights at sea surfing along at 8 knots with the wind behind us it was great to find some calm water to moor for the night. We were followed in shortly afterwards by Peter, Vicky and Arthur on the Amel 54, Carango.

Customs and immigration formalities took about an hour involving short walks between the various offices - all the forms were delivered with a smile and a chat, all very welcoming, UK Boarder Agency please note! Followed by late (second) breakfast at the colonial style Garden Cafe. This place was a former German Shipping Agent's house and was delightful with a beautiful garden. The Garden Cafe did well out of our brief stay, their bacon rolls and apple pie were delicious and we bought extra apple pie for the passage on to St Helena.

Between meal and drink stops we squeezed in a cultural walking tour. Luderitz is an old German colonial town sitting between the ocean the Namib desert. It is remote even by Namibian standards and is surrounded by high sand dunes. It's reason for being is the natural harbour that supports an active fishing fleet and an activity which is probably more lucrative, diamond dredging, following the discovery of diamonds over 100 years ago. There are a number of art deco inspired and diamond financed merchant's houses, many well preserved. Also lots of churches that dominate the town. Tourism also now plays a role in the town and as we leaving an 1800 passenger cruise ship called in en route to Cape Town. Our new friends at Customs looked a little challenged by what was to come but managed to squeeze us in for a check out before the deluge.

The Luderitz Yacht Club gave us a warm welcome with a great supper, cold beer and good wifi- what more could you ask for?

So after one night and loaded with apple pie we headed out, next stop St Helena. Luderitz from Cape Town was 475 miles and onwards to St Helena it is another 1320. Less than 100 miles more than the direct route and well worth the stop. Our timing with the wind also looks good at present as we have 25 knots. We are on a broad reach on port tack and are making good progress, while the boats further west on the direct route are unable to find enough wind. The forecast looks ok with the wind on our route gradually dropping but with enough to get us there within about 8 days.

Paul, Gareth and Peter



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