British and Irish Lions Tour...
W2N 'Where to Next?'
Rob 'Bee' Clark
Sun 21 Jun 2009 10:13
In a perfect world, my perfect world, every landfall would be a tranquil, peaceful lagoon hidden behind an intimidatingly rocky and hazardous entrance that serves as a sort of sentry granting entry only to those determined enough to risk it. In my perfect world, the lagoon would be a natural reserve where tourism is carefully monitored and controlled. Where whales and seals laze around at the entrance and where yachts bob about on calm waters. It's improbable I know but in this perfect world, there might even be a small marina, a friendly yacht club and maybe, just for good measure, a clutch of cafes, bars and restaurants.
I arrived in Knysna yesterday morning and, certainly according to my first impressions, this is my perfect world! It is the epiteme of everything the W2N project stands for. I'd been told by so many people that Knysna would be a highlight of the South african coast but then, they told me that about Cape Town so I arrived with an open mind!
I timed my voyage from Mossel Bay (leaving at 0300hrs) largely to coincide with the 1500hrs kick off of the first test match in the British and Irish Lions Tour. I had been warned about the narrow rocky entrance to 'The Heads' at Knysna and was relieved to see two yachts coming out just as I was preparing to go in. One of them, Grace, radioed on the VHF to welcome me to Knysna and suggested that the swell at 'The Heads' was virtually flat. I'd had an easy sail down the coast amongst whales blowing plumes of vapourised water into the hazy morning sunrise but, having read in the SA Nautical Almanac about breaking waves, exposed rocks and, well, imminent catastrophe, I was a little apprehensive about getting into the lagoon. I needn't have been. It was about as close to exposed rocks as any sailor would be comfortable with but it was calm, impressive indeed and soon opened up into a magnificent lagoon with a narrow bouyed channel hugging the western shore. It is absolutely beautiful.
Then, tucked away in the corner at the end of a narrow channel bordered by grassy marshland, lies Knysna Yachtclub, Knysna Quays and a small marina development. The yachtclub is set on stilts over the shallows and, despite the obvious wealth in the surrounding area, seems very down-to-earth and welcoming to visiting yachtsmen. I arrived just in time for kick off and, as rugby is such a religion in SA, the clubhouse had been converted into a sort of auditoruim with chairs set on the tables in front of a huge plasma TV. I was one of only three people shouting for the boys in red but it was incredibly good-natured.
Picture this then... I'm watching rugby amongst enthusiasts while Canasta bobs around on her secure club mooring in the lagoon just outside. I've had an easy sail up from Mossel Bay and everything is working just as it should. I've passed whales and seen seals playing amongst the boats in the lagoon. Today, this afternoon, I shall be doing much the same only this time, it's the British F1 Grand Prix!
I may be here some time!
PS. Happy Father's Day Dad!
Bee