Birthday Celebrations

29 November 2013

I had a two day birthday celebration. On Tuesday we went to pick up a rental car so we could drive around and see a little bit of Knysna.

So we dropped the dingy, packed everything and headed for the car rental place. Luckily most things are close to Knysna Yacht Club, so we didn't have far to walk.

Once we got there Benjamin greeted us and we very friendly in helping us with the car, he even gave us an upgraded car.

We drove off and decided to go for a drive around be for we headed to Andy's house, he invited us out for supper when he came to look at the boat.

We drove the Knysna heads where we saw how to leave. At the height we where the waves looked fine, but my dad kept saying in will be a bumpy ride out.

As we where talking around the heads we saw a guy propose to his girlfriend. I wasn't sure what to do, do you congratulate them? Or just leave them because they are complete strangers? We gave them a congratulations, and continued walking.

We got in the car and headed to Andy's house. It was easy enough to find. They gave us great direction, very detailed and accurate.

 

We spent the evening having a couple of drinks and having a lovely stew.

I made a plan to stay up until my birthday. I lay in bed watching movies on my phone until midnight, that's when my mom and dad came in the room to wish me happy birthday.

We got up early that morning, and had a nice home cooked breakfast. We then had to race out of the house so we could make it to the Cango Caves.

We dove down the road and saw a road block. The police pulled us over and asked my dad for his driving licence.

My mom announced to the police that its my birthday and they all decided to sing "Happy Birthday" to me.

After listening to the choir of police, we headed for the caves. We got to the caves at the same time at every tourist in South Africa. The Cango Caves are the biggest caves in South Africa. But with the amount of people there, we didn't have enough space to move around freely.

 

 

We then headed for lunch and the ostrich farm. We arrived and they started the tour. We held baby ostriches and fed adult ones.

We were then escorted to a different location where they set up a ostrich riding event. Only two of us went for a ride. Only one of us came back not screaming or having heart failure. I was that one. The youngest and the bravest.

 

We then took the long drive back to the boat. We got onto our sinking dinghy and got back onto the boat. We spent the rest of the evening watching our new series "Dexter".

The next day we decided to take a road trip on the garden route. We saw a 3D maze and puzzles place. We decided to stop there after the garden route.

The 3D maze had everyone of us confused. We spent about an hour trying to find our way around. Once we had all finished we headed for the puzzle games.

After beating the puzzle games we headed home again. We got back to the boat in the afternoon and spent the rest of the day watching 'Dexter'. I'm sure my parents are more obsessed about the show then both Kyle and I put together.

NSRI recsue!

16 November 2013

Yesterday was one of the most hectic day in my life. We dragged anchor and crashed into another boat.

The day started like any other. Everyone got up and did there morning routines. My mom worked on the internet, my dad drank his coffee thing of what he should do, and Kyle and I keeping ourselves busy.

My dad decided he'll fix our outboard motor for our dingy. He quickly got to work. He would be outside all day so none of us really needed to check if we drag anchor. My mom, who is always worried about everything, still did the occasional check up.

At about midday my mom did another check on the anchor. We were fine. My mom didn't even sit back in her seat when my dad yelled. We all ran to see what's happening. And there it was, as if I was in a movie. The thoughts in my mind went, "this is not real", "you'll wake up soon". When I didn't wake up I had to run to save the boat. We had dragged anchor and were headed straight into the bow of another boat.

My mom and I ran to try and push the boat way, Kyle got the keys to my dad so he could try and start the motors. But it was too late. We had already crashed into the boat and we were hooked around his anchor chain and bridle.

Kyle then ran to get fenders and my mom called the NSRI. They immediately responded and sent a crew. There were two fishing boats out at the time. We called them to help and only one stopped to help.

What felt like hours of waiting the NSRI, the arrived. The owners of the other boat also arrived and we started to have a whole crew to help. The NSRI took control straight away and started planning to try unhook the boats.

They called for back up and went and fetched more people. Once they came back we jumped into action.

"We are going to drop the bridle and anchor chain and pull your boat off with the NSRI boat" said the guy who seemed to be in charge. So we did just that.

We started moving but we were still hooked. The bridle was still stuck between our rudder. So we had to cut it off completely. And because of the bridle we had no rudder control. So we couldn't move on our own. The fishing boat gladly said he'll tow us to a mooring buoy.

Once hooked up to the buoy the NSRI left. And the fishing boat went to do whatever they were originally doing.

The NSRI only put one rope onto the mooring buoy. We knew this would not hold our boat. We have to double up on lines.

We were now alone to do this, so we brain stormed. Our first plan was for me to swim to the front of the boat and tie the lines, but the current would drag me away. So we tied a rope around me. I felt the water and it was ice cold. I would freeze.

We need a new plan. We decided to drop the dinghy and pull it to the front of the boat. My dad and I were on the dingy and he held us in place as I tried to tie the knots.

After we drowned in all the water that splashed into our faces we finally started pulling the dinghy back. Once aboard we started to relax and look at our damage.

The biggest problem was our non working rudder. We have to buy a wet suit before we can fix that.

We spent the night doing anchor watches and my mom and dad got very little sleep.

Today we when to the club to find everyone and thank them and apologise. We didn't find the boat owner but we found the fishermen. He told us that we have to pay him for his help and it will cost R1000. We would be happy to pay, but it was way too much.

We met a lovely couple and they bought us some drinks and spent the evening having fun.

Knysna Surprise

14 November 2013

This morning I woke up in Knysna. It may not seem that shocking to you, but to me, I still can't believe it. On Tuesday we decided to leave PE, now the shock comes in when we thought we were headed to Mossel Bay.

We left on high hopes and good weather, so we thought. The waves were short and close together, but we said it wasn't too bad.

We said that we are going to rotate sleeping. Each of us is going to sleep for an hour and be awake for two. We started this pattern at about midday.

It was hard to work these shifts because every time something happened, everyone would jump up and no one got to sleep enough.

 

 All through the day and night we were making good speed. Mossel Bay didn't seem to far, but in the early morning our speed dropped. We didn't act much on it thinking will still get to Mossel Bay on time. But then, the wind turned South on us, actually, South West.

It was little wind and we thought we could beat into the wind, so we raised the main sail and the head sail and started tacking, we had good speed but either we were head out to see or towards the land, gaining very little distance.

The wind started to pick up, and the waves got worse. We were debating out options, we could turn around and go and anchor at Plettenburg Bay, or we could go through the heads at Knysna, or beat through all the way to Mossel Bay.

Turning around wasn't a good option because we hate turning around, going to Mossel Bay wasn't an option because everyone hated the waves hitting the boat side on. So it had to be Knysna, that to was a trick problem. To get into Knysna we have to go through what everyone calls the heads, the heads are two big mountains next to the sea with rocks in the sea and between the mountains.

 

Because of the small gap in-between the mountains, there is a big surge that goes though there. The only time to get though was at slack tide where there will be little push or pull from the current.

Luckily we had a friend that sailed to Knysna the day before. We called him up and asked if he could help us get through the heads. He was more than happy to say yes.

He check out the heads with a dingy and then came aboard. He told us it is calm and we don't have to wait for the tides. He took control of our boat and started to head for the heads.

 

We all put on life jackets and looked out for rocks. He told my dad to look for curling waves. As we motored through the heads the waves started to lift us, we surfed them. After about five minutes we got though, he guided us to the anchorage.

We anchored in the bay, and enjoyed the scenery and spoke about all the fun activities we can do here in Knysna. My parents have successfully convicted me to stay here for ever.

Skating in Port Elizabeth

11 November 2013

One awesome weekend in PE. I recently found a friend, Morne, here to hang around with. This last weekend we made the most of it before I left.

On Friday we when to the beach and Morne took me to the skate park right next door to the beach. I tested out my old skate park tricks, and I've still got it.

We swam and had a great time, then we had to walk back along an abandoned train track. We told jokes as we walked home. When we got home we both went to our boats and ate.

As night approached we met up again. We discussed what there is to do, after days of planning we decided to go to the movies.

We got ready and walked to the bus stop and waited for the next bus. We got on and drove to the mall.

We got to the mall and went to check out the movies. There were two movies we wanted to watch, Thor and The Family, we couldn't pick. So we flipped a coin. As it went up we watched and waited, it landed, we slowly looked and were not really sure which side we wanted to see. But the coin had spoken, we watched Thor.

We were lucky and booked the tickets just in time and we had to run into the theatre.

After the movie we when for an ice-cream and walked to the bus stop. We caught a bus home and when to bed.

Saturday my parents decided to do some boat repairs. I sent most of my time in the room watching movies and ever now and then grabbing something for my parents.

 

 

 

In the afternoon I when to visit Morne again, we hung around his boat listening to music. As night came he had to go visit his grandparents and watch the rugby. He invited me as well, I told him I'm not a fan of rugby, his reply was "There will be food." I didn't even hesitate, I was all ready on my boat getting ready.

When we got to his grandparents house we sat and watched the rugby until half time. His grandfather kept making jokes about not letting us eat.

At half time he finally told us we can have some food. I'm not sure who was first to the kitchen, Morne or me, but we both got to the table at the same time.

After supper Morne and I when for a walk around the complex, I'm not sure if Morne just wanted to hang out or speed up the rugby game. When we got back we watched the rest of the game and said our goodbyes.

Sunday morning came, now Sunday was the special day because it was my mom's birthday. I like my mom's birthday, she takes me out for the day. She wanted to go to the beach, right next to the beach was a skate park.
We caught a bus to the beach and had some lunch at some stalls. I then when to the skate park. I already knew I could do my old tricks, so today I mostly tried new tricks.

After a couple of hours my mom said we are going home. We got onto a bus and headed home. The lady on the bus said there is a lovely place called Greenacres that we should visit. The bus to Greenacres would only arrive in 2 hours. We decided to go home instead. We got onto a new bus and when home.

As we got home I met up with Morne again, we spent the afternoon hanging in the bar, when we decided to go home. I invited Morne onto my boat to celebrate my mom's birthday.

Morne said he might go out tonight if I want to come with. He told me not to get my hopes up because its not a definite plan. I let my mom know so she doesn't have to worry.

I waited for the message to say we are going out. As I waited I fell asleep. I kept waking up to the sound of my mom's party. Till midnight, when my phone rang, I thought nothing of it and answered the phone, a lesson in life, if your phone rings and midnight be afraid, I heard a voice on the other side, it asked me where am I. I was sceptical about this call, who would want to know where I am at midnight? I asked who it was. Then I heard the scariest thing any kid could hear, the voice answered "It's your mother." To my shock I replied "In my room." Then my mom ran into my room laughing saying she thought I went out and wasn't home.

Port Elizabeth Town

Yesterday morning we decided to go on a little town trip. We got our havo sacs and got dressed and ready to go out.

We left the boat and walked down the long walk on that is probably half the trip to town on its own.

We walked down the road and we saw a marine store and it was one of the stores we wanted to get stuff from. We went inside and they had everything, From fishing gear to boat equipment to pots and pans.

After leaving the marine store we headed out of the harbour. The lady was very kind and just looked at our ID's and let us out. We walked across 5 or 6 train tracks in 5 minutes. I don't know how good all of the train tracks are because we saw a couple of abandoned trains.

We stopped at the first traffic light and were confused to where we should be going to get to the shops. We asked the guy who was at the traffic light and he gave us directions to the Spar.

It was a short walk and just next door to the Spar was a museum. It was a free entry and it gave us a small feeling of the old South Africa. It wasn't the best museum but it was free.

We then when shopping. We only took two bags with, and my mom bought 5 bags worth of groceries. We stood outside the store stripping the packages and trying to fit the groceries. People gave us weird looks and must of been thinking that we are freaks.

Just before we decided to walk back. A guy came up to us and asked us if we needed a lift. To our amazement we said yes. He gave us his car keys and said he's just going to the post office, we can go put everything in the car. He is trusting people he has never met with his car. He's a brave guy.

Once we got home we ate lunch and I when to visit my new found friend. We chilled at the bar and listened to music and watched some stupid clips on our phones. Late that afternoon we came back to my boat and we all played Risk until they had to go home. It was a day well spent.

 

East London to Port Elizabeth

Good morning Port Elizabeth. Yes, we have left East London and are now technically past the wild cost. We have done what lots of sailors have not.

After our last failed attempt, I wasn't sure if this was going to happen. Two weeks ago we tried to sail to PE and the waves were to short and the sea was unpleasant. We decided to go back and give up.

After a week of tension between the family, we decided that we still want to do this. My mom looked for a weather window. She saw a nice one for Sunday, it was a week away and its hard to predict weather so far into the week. So we just kept out eyes on it and waited.

Friday came and the weather still looked good. We launched a flight plan and started getting ready. The week took forever as we waited. All we wanted to do was leave.

Sunday came. We all got a good nights rest the day before, and were all up and ready to go. At about 9 we dropped the lines and headed out. We called port control and they said the bar had a massive swell. That's not the thing you like to hear when you just started sailing.

My mom already started to panic saying if port control says it bad, then its really bad. But we said let's look and we'll decide. We motored to the exit of the harbour and we saw a wall of water. I couldn't see past the wave. There was a blue water everywhere. But we easily floated over the wave. But then there was another that seemed bigger. My dad tried to stay in the middle of the waves because they were crashing on both sides of us.

Five heart attacks later, we were past the bar of East London. The waves instantly became smaller and very pleasant. I knew we weren't going to turn around, trying to get back in would be even more dangerous then carrying on.

The wind was calm and the waves were peaceful, so we let out the genoa and I headed back in and watch some series on the laptop. Every hour on the hour we plotted our course on the chart. I decided to learn how to do this in case my mom one day get too sick to do this and I can jump in.

 

At about two in the morning my mom sent me to bed. I went to bed and listened to the boat sail. I woke up at about five in the morning when I had a heated argument with myself to get out of bed:
Me: it's daylight, we have to get up and help.
Me: no, my mom will wake me up if they need me.
Me: my mom said get up at daylight.
Me: she'll wake me if she needs me.

This went on for about two hours and I wasn't tired anymore and got out of bed. I sat outside with my mom for most of the day whilst my dad tried to get some sleep in before we docked.

Whilst I was a sleep we slowed down our speed by half. My parents know I know the most, I need to be awake to keep the boat up to speed. It took about five more hours to get to PE harbour. We got in about lunch time.

We docked and we all were cranky because no-one has had a good nights sleep. So we communicated through fighting. But we got the boat tied up and went for lunch.

When we got back from lunch we saw kids on a neighbouring boat. We introduced ourselves and we got along well. I spent the rest of the day talking to them. It's good to find someone my own age, or close to, at a yacht club.

The wedding in Mozambique

9 October 2013

This last week was a hectic week. We were invited to a wedding in Mozambique and we need to take a field trip up there.

Our journey started last Tuesday when we had to catch a bus from East London to Durban. We packed our bags and caught a taxi to the bus stop where we had breakfast.

The bus was delayed for two hours. Already we were off to a bad start. I mean how do you delay a bus? In a plane you can blame the weather but in a bus at midday what do you blame? Maybe they ran out of petrol because they didn't fill up at the last gas station. But whatever it was we had to wait.

The bus finally arrived and we got on. I knew this was going to be a fun drive because my mom panics about everything and my dad likes to be in control of the vehicle. So I'm going to be with a panicking mother and back-seat driver.

When we were at our first stop, we all got out and my parents had a cigarette. After that we went and bought pies, when we walked out the shop the bus was already leaving. We ran after asking for them to stop. I felt like one of those losers in those movies where they are always running after the bus whilst everyone else laughs.

The bus stopped and we all got back on. We settled back in our seats and relaxed.

The bus trip took really long. At about 8pm was the next stop. I had taken a little nap and when I woke up my parents were outside having another cigarette. Then the bus started to drive again. I'm alone in the bus and my parents are outside. I ran to the driver and tried to stop the bus. They calmly explained that they are going to the shop and back. They are not leaving anyone behind. I calmly found a phone to let my parents know that the bus was coming back.

We got to the bus station at midnight. We called a taxi. We got in and they had a meter run to say how much it cost. And I'm pretty sure it increased incrementally as we drove. It started with 60c for 5 meters and seemed to climb to R100 every second. We are never getting a taxi again.

We spent the night at my aunt. The next day we when shopping for a camera and drove to Richards bay. In Richards bay we had a braai at a friends house and slept the night.

They said it will take 2 to 3 hours to the border. They lied. It took 4 to 5 hours. We got there late afternoon.

Our car would not survive the ride to our accommodation, so we took the border transfer. We got in the bus and went on the death defying trip. I think that car spent more time in the air then on the ground.

There was another car in front of us that randomly stopped and reversed. They reversed straight into us. No one even got out to check the damage or anything, they just drove off. I wonder if you can do that with any crime in Mozambique, just drive off?

We spent the weekend in a tent, in fact it think it was a fancy tent, it had running water, how many tents do you know that have running water?

I think 90% of this weekend was partying, 5% wedding planning and 5% waiting for things to happen. The wedding service was on the beach where it was so windy that we couldn't hear the minister speak. It wasn't anything special, it ended like all weddings, in a drunk party.

 

The weekend flew by and we got to catch up with old friends and have a great holiday.

Sunday we left for Richards bay, where I slept over at my best friend. We spent most of our time playing computer games.

It's funny how you see all your friends at different times, but when you say goodbye it's as if you are never seeing them again, but 3 weeks later there they are. So the whole friends whilst sailing isn't that bad.