Saldanha Bay - SA election day
W2N 'Where to Next?'
Rob 'Bee' Clark
Wed 22 Apr 2009 07:53
The moorings are very sheltered and the facilities in the clubhouse are world class so I've decided that it makes sense to do as much work as I can on the boat here before Canasta is lifted out in Cape Town at great expense. Certainly I should be able to get the engine and the running rigging sorted here but I've just realised I've been here nearly a week and so far, I've done very little! Actually, I have now fixed the nav lights (properly this time!) and ordered three new deep-cycle batteries (all three were completely toasted!). I went up the mast yesterday and replaced the staysail halyard I've also replaced the genoa furling line so although it feels like slow progress, I'm getting through the jobs fairly effectively. I've even managed to dry everything out too!
It's quite a relief that there is a Marine store here in Saldanha and as it caters to the local fishing fleet, it's surprisingly well stocked. It's not a big town but having compromised for months, it's quite liberating to be able, at long last, to buy fresh vegetables, nice bread and various things for the boat from people who actually seem quite helpful. Certainly everyone here at the club has been helpful and liberal with their offers of hospitality for my onward voyage around the cape and along the coast.
It's election day today in SA. A big day. In fact it's a bank holiday which makes a lot of sense. As far as I can tell, there's no evidence of vote-rigging or corruption and the whole democratic process seems to be pretty fair although the ANC has clearly monopolised the media. We'll see though - it should be interesting. It's definitely something that seems to engage everyone from all social classes and there's a sense of excitement, of hope.
What else... Oh, the beard's gone! Well, some of it anyway. I rolled the dice to choose the style and it landed on a two. That means I'm now proudly wearing a magnificent but quite ridiculous mustache and 'chin strip' combination! It looks a little Bavarian! I rolled again and a three has stipulated that I'm stuck with it for three weeks. Excuse the pun but surprisingly, it's growing on me. It could have been worse. The choices included 'friendly mutton-chops', 'soul patch', 'balbo'... Even a full beard. I'll post a picture soon but for now, trust me, it's a transformation that given time, will be impossible for the SA girls to resist!!
It's getting colder. The summer's just finished in SA so things are starting to cool down. At times that's quite a relief but when the wind blows up from the Southern Ocean, it can be pretty chilly. Most of the time though, it's a nice comfortable temperature. The bay is teaming with seals that even come amongst the moorings. I'm told that whales are not at all uncommon either although I've not seen any yet. In fact, a couple of guys from the club ran into one while sailing down to Hout Bay just the other day. No damage luckily - not to the boat anyway.
Okay, that's it for now as there's nothing terribly exciting to report. I trust you're all well.
Bee