Re: Update. Alive and well in St. Helena

Well done keep us posted on progress, things are hectic here so much work cant cope,

Regards

Don

On Mon, Oct 21, 2013 at 5:01 PM, robvandermerwe45@gmail.com <robvdmerwe45@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi everyone, We arrived and are all well (almost) in St. Helena. It was a long 15 days at sea. Unfortunately Gerda was sick of most of the way. Much administering of drugs to keep her sane, however she managed to puke through them all. "St Helena" weight loss programme soon to be introduced by the champion "G" The weather here has not been the greatest, but the island is really laid back and the people are fantastic and friendly, however some of the time quite difficult to understand. Their accent is a mix of Irish and Australian, with a bit of London chucked in for good measure. They also have a few of their own words which still have no meaning. (to us ) Just smile and Nod.   The sail up was uneventful. We left Hout Bay at 12:50 on the 2nd Oct, had a great first 2 days with a 15 - 20 knot SW wind, but then it died. For 2 days we hardly moved, but then the SE came through and we have had it ever since. We had a few troublesome times when the autopilot quit, but then I managed to get the wind steering working quite well. It steers like it has been drinkninng atol hic! We arrived 4 days ago (exact distance 1702 NM, distance traveled 2176NM ), on the 17th Oct early in the morning, cleared Customs and Immigration and then had a burger at the well known Ann's Place. We have since climbed the renown Jacobs Ladder (Alex and James 3 x ) visited Napoleons first House and generally just chilled.   Hope all is well in SA. Chat soon when the Internet is not quite so expensive ( UKpound 3.50 per 1/2 hour) Rob Gerda Alex James

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Regards

Don Tait

Mobile: 082 337 5332

Update. Alive and well in St. Helena

Hi everyone, We arrived and are all well (almost) in St. Helena. It was a long 15 days at sea. Unfortunately Gerda was sick of most of the way. Much administering of drugs to keep her sane, however she managed to puke through them all. "St Helena" weight loss programme soon to be introduced by the champion "G" The weather here has not been the greatest, but the island is really laid back and the people are fantastic and friendly, however some of the time quite difficult to understand. Their accent is a mix of Irish and Australian, with a bit of London chucked in for good measure. They also have a few of their own words which still have no meaning. (to us ) Just smile and Nod.   The sail up was uneventful. We left Hout Bay at 12:50 on the 2nd Oct, had a great first 2 days with a 15 - 20 knot SW wind, but then it died. For 2 days we hardly moved, but then the SE came through and we have had it ever since. We had a few troublesome times when the autopilot quit, but then I managed to get the wind steering working quite well. It steers like it has been drinkninng atol hic! We arrived 4 days ago (exact distance 1702 NM, distance traveled 2176NM ), on the 17th Oct early in the morning, cleared Customs and Immigration and then had a burger at the well known Ann's Place. We have since climbed the renown Jacobs Ladder (Alex and James 3 x ) visited Napoleons first House and generally just chilled.   Hope all is well in SA. Chat soon when the Internet is not quite so expensive ( UKpound 3.50 per 1/2 hour) Rob Gerda Alex James

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2 October 2013

Today is the BIG DAY!
Weather is Fantastic, Maybe a little too fantastic. There is a 2 knot SE wind :( Need more than that to move 16 tons of groceries. But it looks like it will pick up towards the afternoon, or we will end up bobbing in the shipping lanes.
MMMMM, not a great idea.
However Alex is determined for us to leave,
So we GO!
Chat soon Rob

Adventure Really begins!!

Hi,
Well, at last, we are on our way.
Sad to be leaving Cape Town behind, away from my loving Auntie and Cousin. But our Adventure awaits
.
"Adventure, Over rated. Dirty and Makes you late for dinner" (as so simply described by The Hobbit, thanks :)

Today, 2 October 2013, at about 11:00 we will slip our lines keeping us attached to South Africa. Quite a nervous feeling. It is the last real contact we will have for the next 3 years. Sounds like we are going on a Space Journey. I will hopefully be able to update during our voyage over the Atlantic, but if not, then I will update as soon as we are in St. Helena. Our first contact with aliens.

We have had a really great 9 weeks in Hout Bay (getting to know these Aliens), fixing, building, installing, (general boat stuff), but now I can finally sit back and enjoy it all. OK OK for about 1 day, or maybe till about 16:00  or 12:00 ...........or now!

Gerda where's my Super suit,............. I am the greatest good you'll ever have............... 

Our plan, is to make you all envious, with the fish we catch, birds we see, places we dive, and oceans we cross. Maybe I will even buy an island. During all this, I will endevour to keep updating this blog as often as possible. But to help me, please send a comment to keep up my enthusiasm (otherwise it is like writing to a long lost pen pal who may...... now .......be an axe-murderer, in your neighbourhood.....HAHahahahaaaaaaaaa!!!)

We should get to St. Helena by about the 14th October, that is 12 days sailing (2 hours in a 747) spend 10 days there, then on to Ascension which is another 800 miles north.

Here are some of the goings on while in Cape Town.
We were driving around, I had to look for a workshop, just to smell some IRON. Look who we found

Hey look. We found Iron Man

Alex and James were treated to a day out with their cousin Sarah. I'm sure it was just great to get away from om and Dad for a while

Alex, shoosh, must concentrate

All- right, it IS, IN the hole, at last, I think

Best thing apart from sleeping

Very Happy it is not boil in a bag boat food!

Spoilt rotten by Sarah day

What COOL CUPCAKES !!!!!!!!

Charly's Bakery (as seen on TV)

Chat soon.
Have a GREAT DAY
Rob