31:00.708 S 30:36.443 E
Day One to Not Sure Where in South Africa
The alarm went off at
03:45, we both attended to pre-journey jobs and once completed the engine
went on at 04:30. Permission asked to leave Richards Bay Port Authority,
granted, but we had to radio again once we reached the breakwater (we did
at 05:30 after passing some working
girls).
Along the next wall was
Command Buzzard, Beez was happy to
follow Althea and Peggy West
out toward the main channel.
Once out past the
breakwater we had a lovely view of Storm
Petrel.
Amazing to leave in such a big herd of Alexandra, Althea, Bonnie,
Canace (slightly later departure from Zulu Yacht
Club), Eliana,
Geronimo, Harmoni, Nauti Nauti, Peggy West, Serafina, Storm Petrel,
Zoa and of course Beez Neez. The green boat shapes on the chartplotter (AIS positions)
looked quite comical. On a bigger scale even funnier with all the anchored chums.
Soon we were spread out,
some found the current a bit quicker than others and it was lovely to be
able to chat on the radio. Overnight Beez was in company
with Eliana and Storm Petrel.
Although I took my ‘happy picture’ of the skipper, it was very odd for us
both to be wearing so many clothes – years in fact. A good distance (157
nautical miles) is now between us and Richards Bay. This weather window
may see us reach East London, Cape St Francis or Mossel Bay, we await
Des’s advice.
Sea conditions mild,
little rain overnight and this morning our speed over the ground is
between six and seven knots motor-sailing.
Despite Bear squirting
one and a half tubes of black sealant along the top of our black line –
The Leak Saga continues (but slightly less). Growling.
ALL IN ALL A GREAT START
GOOD TO GET
AWAY