Logs

Celebrate - Party Time in Decemeber for the Fleet in Cape Town!

December 1st started with a festive party on CHIKA-lu!A few of Hubert's friends from Germany were there as well as fleet sailors.One of the wonderful aspects of the World ARC is the chance to get to know people from around the world.Next up, on December 2nd was the send-off party for our crew member, Peter, held at a local Belgian restaurant, Den Anker.Peter's wife, Jane, was able to attend along with most of the fleet.Peter had been with the fleet since the beginning of the rally in St. Lucia.It was a great time for everyone to get together.Then, Lucia, on NDS Darwin with her family gave an exceptional "Happy 17th Birthday" party.As Mimi and Ollie left from Saphir, Avocet gave them a terrific send off on December 8th.We are now looking forward to Christmas dinner on Folie a Deux.Happy. read more...

Firefly - Mansion House Bay on Kawau Island

Its Sunday 21st December and Firefly is anchored in Bon Accord Harbour on Kawua Island some 40 miles north of Auckland. On Friday we stopped in a small inlet called Mansion House Bay and for once the weather was glorious.We took the dinghy ashore to make a tour of the Mansion House, its most famous resident being Sir George Grey, who had 2 terms as Governer of New Zealand. Sir George owned Kawau Island from 1862 until 1888. Grey had a keen interest in the natural sciences and in horticulture and collected plants and animals from all around the world. He developed Kawau as his island home, planting hundreds of different plant species and introducing many exotic as well as native animals including wallabies, kookaburras, weka, peacocks, zebras and monkeys. We walked for a couple of hours. read more...

Starblazer - 18/12/2014 - It never rains but it pours (both literally and metaphorically)

Our camping weekend started damp and got steadily wetter throughout Saturday.It actually stopped raining at about 1300 hrs, long enough for us to find a picnic area to eat our pasties and stretch our legs.From there I took over driving, first time behind the wheel since May 2013, first time in an automatic since my Oldsmobile Cutlass in Waseca in 1984! To add to the challenge, we were in a gorge area where the hills and twists and turns were challenging and continuous, especially as the weather deteriorated.My driving can't have been that bad because John managed to doze a little.He claims it was nervous exhaustion.Our first destination was Cape Reinga on the NW tip of New Zealand.It is a very special place for the Maoris, the point where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea, where. read more...

Celebrate - Stellar Safari joined by American Friends at a Jewel of a Camp in Northern South Africa!

Our friends from Washington State in the US, John & Priscilla Cadwell flew into Cape Town to join us for a safari trip.They had previously seen us off in St. Lucia as we began the rally.We all flew to a safari camp in northern South Africa and stayed for 5 amazing days and had the grandest of times! Our safari adventure began the minute we were picked up at the airport by our terrific ranger, Schalk, in an open-air Land Rover. Within seconds of entering the Game Reserve we were sighting giraffes, zebras and impalas. As we arrived the General Manager, Kate, was greeting us with elegant welcome drinks and telling us the intriguing story of the Camp and how it started with the Endangered Species Center. Our stand alone bungalows had wonderful territorial views and what a location!. read more...

Celebrate - Wondeful Wine-Tasting with Peter & Jane in Stellenbosch, South Africa!

Our terrific former crewman, Peter Sandover, and his lovely wife, Jane, drove us to the Stellenbosch wine country and treated us to an overnight stay at the Oude Werf Hotel which is a historic downtown mansion filled with Victorian antiques and grouped collections of artwork.Our first wine-tasting stop was before dinner at the classic and comfortably styled Wijnhuis wine bar just a few feet from the hotel down a side street.With two white wines, a rose and three reds to taste, plus a cheese and meat board it was all very satisfying and the sauvignon blanc was our favorite!In the morning we drove to the Tokara Winery for more tasting and a great lunch with a beautiful view over the vineyards.Our favorite wine here was a reserve chardonnay.Also, we had time to purchase some special olive. read more...

Celebrate - Stellar Safari joined by American Friends at a Jewel of a Camp in Northern South Africa!

Our friends from Washington State in the US, John & Priscilla Cadwell flew into Cape Town to join us for a safari trip.They had previously seen us off in St. Lucia as we began the rally.We all flew to a safari camp in northern South Africa and stayed for 5 amazing days and had the grandest of times! Our safari adventure began the minute we were picked up at the airport by our terrific ranger, Schalk, in an open-air Land Rover. Within seconds of entering the Game Reserve we were sighting giraffes, zebras and impalas. As we arrived the General Manager, Kate, was greeting us with elegant welcome drinks and telling us the intriguing story of the Camp and how it started with the Endangered Species Center. Our stand alone bungalows had wonderful territorial views and what a location!. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 344: We Depart for Home; Saturday; & Thank You Jack, Joel's Dad; December 13, 2014

Up at 5:15 AM, then back to bed until 8:15 AM. Joel gets up ahead of me at 8:00 AM, a rare event. We have breakfast at the restaurant next to our boat at 9:00 AM with Tim and Tracey from Folie a Deux; Russ, Laurie and Finn from Nexus; and Amelia with Adela. Then Russ, Laurie, Amelia, Jeanine and I walk downtown to get some photo's for the Brazilian Visa's. For Russ, Laurie and Amelia. Then Jeanine, Laurie and I go to the market area. I need to find a large, cheap suitcase that will be large enough to fit the wind turbine into. I find what I'm looking for. The price is 400 Rand. I get the seller down to 300 Rand. I could have held out for 200 Rand, but I'm in a charitable mood today. We're going home at 8:55 PM! Life is good.Back at the boat the day is spent loading up two suitcases,. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 343; We Pick Up Our Brazilian Visa's; Friday, December 12, 2014

There is no Day 340, 341 and 342 as I've corrected the number of days we've been gone. So don't look for logs for those days.Up at 6:00 AM. I go downstairs at 6:15 AM to the restaurant for breakfast. Joel and Jeanine come down at 8:45 AM. We print a hard copy of our plane reservation, using the hotel printer in their business center to do so. At 10:45 AM we pick up our Visa's. Yeah! Next we roam around an outdoor market area, buying some small items to take home with us. We check out of our hotel and head for the V & A Marina at 12:25 PM. At 1:00 PM we have lunch at the restaurant next to our marina. In side the restaurant restroom's (they're one seat washrooms), are advertisements and information regarding the Two Oceans Aquarium that the restaurant is associated with. One bit of. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 339; We're Promised Our Brazilian Visas in 1 Day; We Book an Earlier Flight Home; and Have Dinner with Civeta II; Thursday, December 11, 2014

Up at 6:30 AM. At 7:00 AM I wake Joel and Jeanine up. We have a free buffet breakfast in the hotel.I call the US Consulate in Cape Town at 8:45 AM, and the only way to call the Consulate and get a live person on the line is to click the option for extreme emergencies, those involving death or arrest of a US citizen in South Africa. When the operator answers the phone I tell that my emergency is a minor one, and I'm connected to someone who can help me. After talking to them, they tell me that they will have to talk to the Consul General and will call me back. They call back in 30 minutes and tell me that yes, they will grant me an emergency passport in one hour. All I have to do is go online and get an appointment. I tried that earlier and the first appointment date available is December. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 338; Brazil Visa Day & Paid Exorbicant Haul Out/In Bill; Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Up at 7:00 AM. Breakfast 7:15 AM in the hotel. Went to Royal Cape Yacht Club and paid for haul out at 11:00 AM. I was purposefully misled about the cost of the haul out. When I'd gotten the price estimate I was told the haul out was about 4,000 Rand or $346. A little cheaper than in the US. However, the 'haul out' did not include the 'haul in,' putting the boat back in the water. Same price as the haul out. So twice as much as I expected. We were back at the hotel at noon and Joel and I had lunch at a Wimpy's next door. Not sure where Jeanine went. We left without paying the bill. Oops. We were told this by the manager the next day and rectified the matter. Then Joel and I worked on our Brazilian Visa applications. We found out that in Florida it will take 30 days to get a Visa via the. read more...

Starblazer - 10/12/2014 - Whangarei

Our trip south from Opua was interesting. We motorsailed on Sunday as far as Bland Bay, an almost circular bay with good protection from SE through W to NE but with, allegedly, variable holding.Our anchor set instantly and we enjoyed a very peaceful night.The forecast for Tuesday was for a 15-20 knot headwind so we decided to bash on all the way and anchor somewhere inside the Whangarei basin.We had a good sail in a freshening wind until we approached Bream Head where the seas were chaotic and the wind couldn't decide where to blow from.The 'iron tops'l' aka the engine was pressed into service until it cut out.O.K. We thought, the rough seas have stirred up rubbish in the tank, the filter is probably blocked.John had installed a bypass system through another pair of filters for just such. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 337; We Take a Full Day Tour to the Cape of Good Hope & a Penguin Colony; and then to Merlyn of Poole for Dinner; Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Up at 7:00 AM. My whole body is sore from sleeping on the lumpy and uneven sofa bed in the Holiday Inn Express hotel. At 7:30 AM we go downstairs for our free breakfast, which consists of eggs, bacon, sausage, fruits, juices, pastry, toast, coffee, tea, etc. Today we're taking a full day tour along the west coast of the peninsula down to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point; and a Penguin colony near the Cape in Boulders National Park. Our van picks us up at 8:30 AM; Joel, Jeanine, Jack from Civetta II and myself; then we pick up the Folie a Deux crew, Tim, Tracey, Brian and Lucy at 8:45 AM; and finally we pick up Vlado at the Royal Cape Yacht Club at8:50 AM.The first spot we drive by is called Camps Bay, Cape Town's best beach. Surfing is big here and there's a lot kelp floating on the. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 336; We Move the Boat to Royal Cape Yacht Club; Monday, December 8, 2014

Up at 5:40 AM. I send an email to the World Cruising Club requesting a letter to use for our Visa applications for Brazil. We have to get a Visa for Brazil because Brazilians must get a Visa to enter the US, so Brazil demands the same stuff we require their citizens on entering the US. Members from the European Union are exempt. Its laborious and requires that I give them two passport photos; a copy of my driver's license; a copy of a bank statement; and that Joel and Jeanine both have letters from me, as Captain and Owner of the boat, stating that I am responsible for them financially and that they will be entering Brazil on a boat and leaving on a boat. Our boat is scheduled to be hauled at 12:00 PM at the Royal Cape Yacht Club, so we leave our slip at 11:00 AM. Civetta II is getting. read more...

Firefly - Heading south to Auckland

Its Wednesday 10th December and Firefly is en route to Fairway Bay Marina just north of Auckland. Its a 50 mile passage and it started well with a strong breeze from behind. For an hour or so the wind dropped and the engine was on, however, it has now switched direction as the sea breeze is builds up, its beautifully sunny and the scenery is great as we travel south near the coast.At the end of the previous posting we described our arrival at Hukatere Lodge on 90 Mile Beach during our land based travels. Found at the end of a long unmade road andnestled in the dunes just off the extensive beach (which is actually 64 miles long). Gabi, the owner of the lodge and a really friendly lady, originally from Germany, made us feel at home, immediately offering us beer and wine to drink and. read more...

Free & BrEasy - Cape Town

Cape Town One of the big pleasures in sailing is the slow, measured approach to a new port. Instead of jetting in and being suddenly exposed to a new place, you are able to observe the contours and details on the charts slowly become reality and arrive in the same manner that seamen have through the centuries. Our arrival into Cape Town in the early morning was a wonderful example of the more contemplative style of travelling. We had rounded Cape Point light house in the dark and as first light came, we motored our way passed the mountain range called the twelve Apostles, just south of Cape Town. The sun climbed over these peaks to reveal the iconic view of Table Mountain and Lions Head which tower impressively over Cape Town. What an amazing sight! In the sea, we passed seals languidly. read more...

Celebrate - A Fond Farewell at Cape Town and New Beginnings

After about 6,500 nautical miles from Darwin, Australia we have arrived at Cape Town, South Africa, as the early sailors did.We are staying at the beautiful Victoria and Alfred Marina with a stunning view of Table Mountain as a backdrop.We said goodbye to our latest sailing partner, Peter Sandover, who is heading back to his home in the UK after he and his wife, Jane, enjoy several weeks of touring here.We have seen somewonderful sights together and wish Peter and his family well.Our dressed over all flags are now flying!Charlie & Cathy. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 334; A 1/2 Day Tour in Cape Town and Table Mountian; Saturday, December 6, 2014

Up at 5:00 AM. My right leg still hurts a lot. Joel gets up at 6:00 AM. Breakfast is at 6:55 AM and consists of eggs, potato, bread and fruit of apple or orange. Our half day tour starts at 8:00 AM. We're picked up in front of the Aquarium. Vlado, Jack and Marco from Civetta II; and Brian and Lucy from Folie a Deux, join Joel, Jeanine and me for the tour. We have our own 11 person van for the tour, instead of taking a crowded bus. At the same price as taking the crowded bus because we've loaded the van with so many people. Our first stop is Table Mountain. We arrive there at 8:40 AM. We go there first on the tour because the wind is low in the morning and the cable cars only run if the wind isn't to strong; and to beat the crowds. Each cable car holds 65 people. The cable car service to. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 333; Getting Aclimated in Cape Town; Friday, December 5, 2014

Up at 7:30 AM after only going to bed at 3:00 AM. Folie a Deux arrives at 8:00 AM. We catch their lines along with Civetta II. We move our boat to another slip right after 8:00 AM. A couple hours later we have to move it again. We're on a dock with Nexus and Folie a Deux. The American dock is what we call it since all 3 of us are US registered; and Pearl Harbor Day is two days away on December 7.At around 8:30 AM Zandra from yacht management company stops by and introduces herself and says that she is working with or on the behalf of the World Cruising Club. Breakfast at 8:35 AM consists of eggs, potato and bread; plus an apple or orange. The sky is blue, something we've seen very little of the last month. After breakfast we go to the marina office and get directions for going to Customs. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 332; We Enter the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Aghulas & a Wild Last 15 Miles Into Cape Town; Thursday, December 4, 2014

Up at 5:00 AM. Relieved Jeanine at 6:00 AM. Seven ship around us, going east and west; and we're 15 miles from Cape Aghulas. The wind is 15/17 knots and we're moving at 6.7 knots thru the water and 7.3 knots over the land. Its 85% overcast with 6-8 foot waves.At 6:44 AM a pod of porpoise pass us heading east (we're heading west). Half of them turn off to swim off our bow and the other half kept going east. I turned the boat 15 degrees to the right and towards Cape Aghulas. We're heading for an area between 6 Mile Bank and 12 Mile Bank. We pass Cape Aghulas at 7:35 AM, leaving the Indian Ocean and entering the colder Atlantic Ocean. We're 21 degrees East and 6.7 miles offshore. Once we pass 6 Mile Bank we'll turn 20 degrees right. There are mountains and white sand dunes visible along the. read more...

Firefly - Cruising Northland by sea and by land

Firefly sailed North from the Bay of Islands a week ago and we have spent a glorious week in Whangaroa, travelling from there by road to Cape Reinga.The 20 mile sail (on Sunday 30th November) to the Cavalli Islands was quick in a brisk but chilly south west wind. Our intended stop at the Islands was curtailed as it was gusting to 30 knots as we passed - Barney and Juanita sensibly clearing the cockpit and going down below to warm up while we reduced sail and decided where to go instead. Passing Flat Island the wind dropped away again and Susie spotted a promising looking bay on the chart called Whangaihe. We decided to have a look and hoped that the swell would not be entering this perfectly shaped bay. In fact it was calm, with the anchorage off a beach and surrounded by steep wooded. read more...

Allegro - 6 de Dezembro de 2014

Sábado.Hoje o vento tem estado permanentemente inferior a 8 nós.Apanhámos com um “squall” grande, carregado de chuva fresca e com algum vento, mas com uma duração limitada e uma direcção inadequada (dos quadrantes Sul).Assim, temos vindo a motor.Contamos chegar amanhã à tarde.Está um tempo quente e abafado.Hoje o almoço foi feito por mim - Arroz de Salsichas e “Crumble” de Maçã.Interrompemos temporariamente as tentativas de pesca, porque há muitas algas à superfície e já tivemos que recolher a amostra várias vezes e desembaraçá-la do meio de um emaranhado de algas.Nas primeiras vezes ficámos todos entusiasmados com o barulho da linha a correr, para depois constatarmos que só tínhamos pescado algas!O Luís tentou perceber o que se passa com as bombas de água. Parecem ter ficado isoladas.De. read more...

Celebrate - Thank you Cathy and Charlie

After three months of sailing the Indian Ocean it's time for me (Peter) to say farewell to the team on Celebrate and return to dry land (for a while)I have enjoyed every minute of the adventure including the bumpy passage from Reunion to Richards Bay. Charlie and Cathy have been such generous and splendid hosts. The farewell party you put on for me was very special. I will miss our chats and sorry I didn't learn more American!My departure does have a silver lining as I will be spending the next two weeks with Jane driving the Garden Route and we catch up with Charlie and Cathy for a spot of wine tasting in Stellenbosh before we fly home.Peter. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 331; We Leave Mossel Bay for Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean; Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Up at 8:00 AM. Breakfast at 8:40 AM: eggs, potato, chilled fruit cocktail and bread.Vlado and I headed to the Mossel Bay Yacht Club to pay our marina fee, which was 600 Rand for 3 nights, or about $18.00 a night. At around 9:30 AM we drive to the Bartholomeu Dias Museum, about 1/2 mile away. Its raining, overcast and cold. The museum visit is spectacular, with a facsimile of the Portuguese Caravel ship that Dias sailed in to Mossel Bay in 1501. He was the first Portuguese and the first sailor, in the Age of Discovery, to round the southern tip of Africa. Unfortunately, he drowned on this voyage or a subsequent one. The ship in the museum was actually built as close to the actual design of the ship he sailed in, and was actually sailed from Lisbon to Mossel Bay in 1987 or 1988? The. read more...

Nexus - Past Mossel Bay on our way to Cape Agulhas

We had a squally, lumpy night but not bad, as we make our way toward Cape Town. We slowed the boat down to give the winds a chance to abate on the West Coast before we get there. We're now looking at an afternoon arrival on the 4th probably. We had shown 35kts on the GRIB files, but Jonathan called from NEXUS and told us a friend was reporting gusts of 60kts in Cape Town around the time we left St Francis Bay. We'll pull more weather down later today, and decide if we're going to keep going or find a cove to stop in along the way. So far so good, we have one crew member seasick but dealing with it, and the rest of us are fine and looking forward to rounding the Cape. As you can imagine, there are lots of ships around, and oil wells. We've been traveling in company with Seventh Heaven, a. read more...

Nexus - Leaving St Francis for Cape Town, South Africa

I must say it is with heavy hearts we are leaving St Francis this morning, and making our way to Cape Town. The reception we have received here by the NEXUS factory and friends has been exceptional and truly touching. The Paarmans, Hendricks and their friends have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and show us the beauty of their Cape, and the warmth in their hearts. We feel we have new friends for life and hope to meet up with them again somewhere in the world soon!As for the sail back into the Atlantic Ocean, we have good weather and good winds from behind for our trip around Cape Agulhas and the Cape of Good Hope, and plan to arrive in Cape Town on Thursday morning! We'll update the blog with more extensive pictures and posts when we get there.Russ and Laurie on NEXUS 07:30. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 330; Great White Shark Diving Experience; Monday, December 1, 2014

Not mentioned yesterday is that a small research motor boat next to us in the marina had a Great White Shark launch itself out of the water and into the cockpit of this motor boat. They couldn't get the shark out of the boat, so they had to make their way into port and have a crane lift it off the boat. Talk about a fish story!Up at 7:00 AM. Joel and Jeanine got up as I was cooking breakfast at 7:50 AM: eggs, potato, chilled pear halves and bread.After breakfast Joel fixed the video camera while I confirmed the boat's haul-out with the Royal Cape Town Yacht Club. The haul-out time is 12:00 PM for American Spirit II and for Civetta II 1:30 PM on December 8. The marina manager said that the haul-out can only be done if the winds are no more than 20 knots. I tried to find a dealer for our. read more...

Starblazer - 1/12/2014 - Our stay in the Bay of Islands

We quickly settled into shore-based life and hired a car for 7 days.This proved to be a bit of a mistake as, apart from a trip to the bank in Paihia to collect our debit cards then onwards to Kerikeri for a quick supermarket shop and SIM cards from Vodafone, we only used the car once more, to source gas refills at a filling station.We had been warned that Calor propane tanks would not be refilled, we had also heard they could be filled if they were pressure tested each time at a cost of NZ€45 each.In the event local knowledge suggested a filling station which might oblige!The next week was busy, with seminars in the afternoons run by the Island Cruising Association, social events in the evening and a few morning trips.The highlight for me was 9 holes of golf on the spectacular Weimata. read more...

Free & BrEasy - Flying - Agulhas Style

Amazingly we are only 60 nm from Cape Town and due in at 5am tomorrow morning (1st November). All fears of missing my flight on the 9th have been banished. We will even make a party in Cape Town, organised by Charlie and Kath on Celebrate, and all because of the Agulhas current. We eventually made landfall at Mossel Bay which is 600 nm from Richards Bay after a passage of under 4 days. Most of the way we were motoring with only the jib as we could not use the mainsail until the glue had set on the boom repair! Once we found the Agulhas current we were travelling at 8-10 knots, often more than double our speed through the water. We decided to keep going through a shallow low pressure system which caused a bumpy night with some head winds and lightening, but it was worth it not to stop. In. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 329; We Arrive in Mossel Bay; Sunday, November 30, 2014

Joel is on watch from 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM. He turns on the engine at 3:00 AM, which wakes me up. I'm glad to hear it, because it means the strong winds are dying. Good. The wind is 12 knots instead of gusting 27/28 like it did from 9:00 PM to midnight during my watch. Jeanine does the 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM watch. I relieve her at 5:40 AM and immediately roll in the mainsail as its back winding. Once I do that our speed increases from from 5.3 to 6.0 knots. There is a heavy fog along the coast, and the sun is obstructed by the fog. With the wind only blowing 2-3 knots, at least its not cold out. We're 7.8 miles off shore. Joel gets on the SSB at 9:00 AM for the net but like last night, no one is there. Breakfast at 9:02 AM is bacon, eggs, chilled pears and bread. At 10:00 AM the wind is 3/5. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 328; Two Humpback Whales Tandem Breaching;, Seals & Green Flash No. 23; Saturday, November 29, 2014

Up at 5:00 AM. Breakfast at 5:25 AM consisted of bacon, eggs, chilled fruit cocktail and bread.Started engine at 6:08 AM; and departed the marina at 6:13 AM ten minutes after Civetta II departed. Called Port Elizabeth Port Control on VHF Channel 12 and received permission to depart the port. Entering and leaving a port in South Africa is like a plane taking off or landing at an airport. Its very controlled. At 7:04 AM we had our first whale sighting; a whale on the surface, perhaps sleeping, only 150 feet to starboard of Civetta II. I called them on the radio and told them what I saw.At 7:14 AM Joel pointed out to me that we had just passed 34 degrees south latitude; and that we were only 6 degrees or 360 miles from the 'Roaring 40's' of sailing fame. We passed by a fishing fleet. read more...

Firefly - North to Whangaroa

Firefly is still cruising in the Bay of Islands and with the arrival of Barney and Juanita we now have a crew compliment of 4. Last week we had a spell of glorious weather but recently the wind has been blowing from the south west and its been showery and chilly. During the next week we are planning to head north and will anchor of the Cavalli Islands and then move onto Whangaroa. Since arriving in New Zealand we have not gone far - just out into the Bay of Islands and have then been back into Opua Marina a couple of times in order to utilise the exceptionally good yacht services on offer. There is a real 'mend it' attitude in New Zealand that is really refreshing. As an example, our high power Balmar alternator failed in Vanuatu and we have been running on the spare one we have. So we. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 327; Last Day of Safari Includes Cheetah and Eland; & a Special Dinner with a South African Couple; Friday, November 28, 2014

Up at 5:00 AM. Light breakfast; then we depart on our last range ride at 6:00 AM.The first thing we see, only a couple of hundred yards from our compound, is a small herd of Common Eland Antelope. This is the largest antelope in Africa and has an ox-like appearance with a fawn to tawny-grey color. The male or bull develops a large 'dewlap' on its throat and lower neck.This dewlap is a large sagging sack of skin. Males are twice as large as females, reaching a weight of up to 900 kilos or almost 2,000 pounds. In ancient days, the African Bushman, to become a man, had to hunt and hill an Eland; a task that took three days of tracking after it hit the animal with a slow acting poison shot from an arrow. A minutes later we drove up to a group of 15 Zebras. A good start for the day. Next we. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 326; Another Great Day on Safari, Including Lions Again; Thursday, November 27, 2014

A little bit about the Lalibela Game Reserve. The game reserve spans 5 different eco-systems: valley bushveld, savannah grassland, fynbos, riverine forest and acacia woodland, resulting in a diversity of plants/trees, animals and birds. I have no idea what a 'valley bushveld,' 'fynbos,' 'riverine' forest and 'acacia' woodland are. However, the bottom line is, that with different types of topography you get a greater variety of animals.Its Thanksgiving Day in the USA, but not in South Africa. No turkey here. Up at 5:00 AM, with breakfast at 5:30 AM . My light breakfast consisted of toast, a banana and a glass of passion fruit juice.Even before the light breakfast, Jack and Joel saw 3 elephants on the hill behind our compound. The range ride started at 6:00 AM, with Joel and I seated in. read more...

Celebrate - Happy Thanksgiving

The original plan was to 'celebrate' Thanksgiving in a restaurant on the waterfront, unfortunately Cathy is a little poorly so we decided to move the festivities on board. Peter roasted chicken all the way from Mauritius and with the vegetables on board we cooked up a good meal, added to this a bottle of South African sparkling wine from Hubert on Chika Lu and a chocolate bear from Sandra and Tom on Sweet Pearl (Swiss chocolate of course) it turned out to be a fun and festive meal.Life in the Victoria and Alfred Marina continues to be entertaining with more yachts arriving, and seals swimming around us. The dock is home to a number of dragon boats training for a regatta. The boats normally found in Chinese harbors are large paddle driven vessels with a crew of around 16; a helmsman at. read more...

Starblazer - 11/11/2014 – The Good, the Bad and the downright Ugly.

Last night was lovely. The seas were a flat calm, the wind a gentle zephyr, the sky was clear, the moon very bright and the engine a mighty motive force towards our waypoint.I don’t think it was as cold as Sunday night but it was nevertheless quite chilly.Today started with very little wind but by mid-afternoon it had filled in from the west and built quite quickly to 20 knots.That allowed us to sail quite fast, rolling just like on the Atlantic crossing.We have made excellent progress and our ETA came forward from Thursday midday perhaps to Wednesday midnight.We have now reviewed that and hope to arrive at about 1800 tomorrow, to achieve that we are making best speed with the help of the engine because of the ‘Ugly’.I have had another productive day, experimenting with baking a carrot. read more...