blog mag 2 capetown
Avocet's Adventures Around the World
Derry Ryder
Wed 10 Dec 2014 17:15
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Maturités to La Réunion Island.
Crew; Derry, ,Margaret, Donnacha, Cameron.
We set sail for La Réunion on the 23rd October 20014. It
was a pleasant overnight passage with fair winds. We arrive in La Réunion on the
morning of24th. Without fuss or bother we were alongside at the marina, checked
in, car hired, having lunch before lunch time in good french style, vivre la
France. We had a great tour of the Island and Derry managed to get our little
car up to the dizzy of over1300 mètres.
All had great mountain climb up to about 2200 mètres,
1100 was by car , what cheats!!
La Réunion to Richards Bay South Arica. 1390
N.M
Crew; Derry, Margaret, Donnacha,Cameron,
Hellène.
On our way 2nd of Novembre 2014, winds light to start so
used iron sail for first day. Day 3 to 4 weather conditions were difficult wind
force 8 to 10, got hammered at times, spinnaker pole bent in u shape on Derrys
watch. Cloud Queen not very happy!! Very rough rounding Madagascar.
On morning of Novembre we crossed the line as we entered
Richards Bay Marina and very happy we were to be there.
We had great visit and headed for the Kruger
National Park ,for Avocet exécutive weekend away!! Here we had some amazing game
drives.
On our last morning out we saw one of the most incredible
sights, a leopard was playing with an Impala calf. They romped around chaseing
each other, the Leopard would lie down and the Impala would lick its belly. They
both were nose to nose at times, we watced for over half hour,
and we left as i dont think anyone wanted to see how it
ended. Our ranger said it was the first time this was ever seen certainly in the
Kruger.
Richards Bay to Cape Town;
Crew ;Derry, Margaret ,Donnacha, Cameron,
On 21st Novembre we were under way for Cape Town, over
800NM. We soon picked up 4 plus knot current , between current and winds we were
getting up to 10knotsin speed, it was great. As we passed between the two
Oceans off Cape Aguilles,,Avocet was churned around a bit
Donnacha at the helm had big smile on his face and was
clearly enjoying the fun. Margaret took over and didnt think it was that much
fun so was aided by Cameron and then Derry for remainder of her
watch.
That night ,Derry decided, as there was a right old storm
brewing off the Cape of Good Hope that we would run up into Simons town, False
Bay. A very wise decission, as we entered the bay around 5 am the storm hit. At
around 7am Margaret stuck her head out the hatch to see a wall of water
cascading over the spray hood and then envelop Derry, Cam looked on in awe as
Derry just sat there as if he was just sunning himself!
Flasks of tea and breakfast sandwiches were very much
appreciated by the Skipper and his crew man which they ate as if they had just
picked them up at a takeaway.
We had a great overnight stay at the yacht club marina in
Simonstown. The following morning 6am, having had a great nights sleep we
were underway for Cape Town. A few hours later we were safe and sound in
the V A marina, where we remain until mid Jan 2015.
Happy Christmas and good wishes for the new year,from all
on Avocet, to all our family and friends. Thank you for your support throughout
our journey so far.
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