Thought we’d spilt the Cape Town blogs around Christmas, so events leading up to Christmas….

Slipped out of PE with no worries and although had identified a weather window was clear that we’d have a fair bit of wind, which we did, circa 15-20knots behind us and a bit of current so Babe wizzing along at 8-9kts, magic. As we got further down toward Cape Town thought we had a chance of getting into the marina before dark (always preferred in a very busy port) so night before getting there left the sails fully out, bit rolly, but nothing more than we’ve had before. So Kady on shift, next thing an almighty roll pushing babe at an unusual angle followed by an almighty BANG, shit, jumped straight-up and onto deck – not a pretty sight – pole swinging in the air, boom preventer line snapped, so boom swinging and genoa in tatters, oh f*ck, better get this flipping mess sorted….Kady down below cowering and shaking as thought we were sinking. So Nelius Trish and I started to get stuff sorted – sheet the main in to stabilise the boom, strap the pole down to the deck (mounting on mast being completed mangled and pole spindle broke off) and try O try to get the Genoa down, which wasn’t easy when it’s in tatters! So some time later all composed and back to sailing with Main and storm sail replacing the work of the Genoa (we usually use the storm sail like a cutter rig as a fill-in for when we’re goose-winged, which works well – oops a Babe strategy laid bare).

Following on next day fairly comfortable, but on the realisation that it would be a night entry into the V&A waterfront and marina in Cape Town – no worries, weather window still OK, although as we rounded the cape blew up a bit, with Kady still being a bit nervous after what she called her ‘near death experience’? and as we got close blew even more (circa 40kts), so reefed the main a little (which ain’t that easy in 40kts, even with a forgiving in-mast furling rig).

So what a great entry into V&A, Cape Town, the rejuvenated smart waterfront area – through a pedestrian swing bridge with all eye’s on Babe into the middle basin, followed by a pedestrian lift bridge (which has a certain name but can’t remember) into the inner marina area where our berth awaits. Very smart, and only about a year old, surrounded by up market apartments and bang next to the V&A waterfront with a multitude of things going on – what a very special place to spend Christmas [although we didn’t as we went back to Oz to see the family]. Nelius also departed back for home for Christmas following helping sort the recent issues (and giving him a great big list of other things for him to sort before and after Christmas)

We had already booked a 3-day safari up north in the xxxxxxx national reserve at Sabi Sabi, apparently one of the best places, together with peops from half a dozen other Oysters, so a proper outing and escape from Sailing for a few days. So an early morning transfer to the airport and internal flight and hour drive later we were there – ready for lunch before the first safari drive. Now we went on a safari when we were last in SA, but near PE, and it was bloody freezing, which we feared would be the case here from the experience of cold on the East Coast, however it turned out OK. In fact it was great, so so close to all manner of animals from the big 5, to wild dogs (apparently very rare), hyena’s, loads of birds and other stuff – we had a tick-off book covering animals, birds, insects etc and hence were trying to tick-off as many as possible – managed a fair few, but still plenty of space left for another trip some day? Went on a bush walk with a few of the Oyster pack, only to come across a buffalo , which ain’t good apparently, so made a hasty retreat back to the lodge and a nice drink. One of the main highlights was coming across a pride of lionesses not long after a kill, with one of the mothers out with her 3 cubs – the first time they had been seen – magical and only a few metres away!

Whilst V&A was a fantastic place there were a few farewells L Steph and Shaun departed before Christmas, although not before a party in a swanky place by the sea – the place where the Movember tash completion was judges (I’d got rid of my weird creation by then, but was one of a line of mug shots taken in Durban for the judging) – and guess what – I managed to win the salty sea dog category, and just missed out on being the overall winner to Olly by a few hand claps and cheers, but I concede Olly’s effort was smart. Jon and Jaz (Amelie) also popped over to CT for Christmas so was good to catch up and also have a nice (albeit expensive for SA) meal out.

Otherwise and between the fun and partying, there was lots to sort yacht wise – replacement pole bracket, new Genoa (tougher sportier one this time), rigging tune-up, new furling swivel (import from Sweden, hopefully to arrive just before we wanted to leave in early Jan), new batteries (appear to have worn our existing ones out, well one of them failed, hence no option to replace the lot!), refurbishment to the flooring to sort the odd dent and scratch which is inevitable whilst sailing, new protective floor covering (light wood effect, very smart), servicing of engine and generator, cleaning of bimini and spray hood, the list goes on, but a great place to do it all – for which the weather and temperature changed to be like a hot UK summer, even better!

Sad news and farewell to Nelson Mandela or Tata or what other names he used, but guess he’s had a great innings. The authorities held a farewell concert in Cape Town at the World-cup stadium, which Trish and a few other Oyster peops went along, which apparently, apart from Annie Lennox, was a celebratory event with lots of singing and dancing and a few poignant speeches? Was expecting Cape Town to grind to a holt, but aside from only a few shops being close life went on as usual.

So come 18^th it was time to take a break from sailing for Christmas and New year and fly back to Oz to see the kids and grandkids for a couple of weeks – can’t wait, especially as we’ve only seen Rafferty for a week after he was born and now he’s 6 months – Rally is great, but like most things in life a compromise, but off to get our fix now!!

Lots of love and Christmas kisses,

Paul & Trish

xxxxxx

Photos:

1.       Genoa – torn at top

2.       And shredded a little further down L

3.       Babe in the V&A marina

4.       Oysters on a safari

5.       Elephant (a troop of which weren’t that happy with us and did a few noisy threatening moves)

6.       First sighting of new cubs

7.       Fresh kill

8.       Hyena hoofing around

9.       Big guns on the safari

10.   Safari Christmas – hoping you all had a great one

11.   See how close we were!!

12.   You need eyes in the back of your head!!

13.   Yar Farewell Babes – Steph and Shaun leaving party L

14.   Start of another messy night out

15.   Farewell Mandela