Arrrival into Richard's Bay
NORDLYS
David and Annette Ridout
Wed 24 Oct 2007 15:48
Mozambique to Richard's
Bay
28:47S 32:04E
Richard's Bay 24th October
2007
I have got to make a big effort not to sound like
what the Australians would call 'a whinging pom'. Life has been a little
fraught recently.
My last report ended with just over 200nm to
go. The mentioned gale did arrive and we spent a hectic night running
before it. Just as we were beginning to relax and with forty miles to go
Port Control Richard's Bay came up and told us to get a move on as there was an
imminent change to SW fifty knots coming through. At the time we were
doing about eight knots under double reefed main alone and with 2 knots of
current we were crossing the land at over ten knots. Out came the genoa
and as many rolls as we dare were let out. Nordlys raced forward and the
distance to go came down. Our pulse rates went up. Thunder
arrived and we were treated to a real display of flashing and banging. The
first signs of a grey dawn, reminiscent of the North Sea, found us joining the
leading line in with the wind still in the NE. Phew! Aquila had made
it in two hours before us, Taniwani an hour and two hours after us the German
Van de Stadt. Eight very tired and very relieved
people.
Richard's Bay is meanwhile struggling to live up to
its reputation. Checking in only took us a day, the previous boats had
taken four. The marina which had accepted our booking having been given
our size has just a berth for a 30 footer available. The Police Dept have
announced that South Africa has introduced a new set of rules that require
visiting yachts which stay over three months to undertake a survey and have all
their flares, life raft certs, EPIRB certs etc checked. The skipper has to
have a certificate of competency. I am not competent!
As I write a kind fellow yachtie has turned up with
fresh fruit and veg, the nearest shop for such being five km away, we have a car
arranged for tomorrow and the marina is trying to juggle its self and
accommodate the four of us. If not we will have to stay against a public
wall and be unable to leave the boat for long. Hope not as we crave a trip
to comfort and interest in one of the game lodges with which the area apparently
abounds. There are no internet facilities within five km and no
laundrette. We are perhaps not yet out of the third world.
Happy times
David
Our last sight as we sail away from Madagascar.
The crew were cooking on an open fire in the stern and
the couple of passengers in the bow were surrounded by
bags
and trussed chickens. They all waved very
enthusiastically
as we sailed past. A lovely way to end
a great visit.
Note however poor the state of these craft they all
fly a reasonable ensign.