… on another thoroughly enjoyable day. An enjoyable and satisfyingly tiring one. Up at six-thirty a.m. again, sandwiches packed, sailing togs stowed, and in Durban by 8.15. But whereas yesterday the sun shone gently and there was little breeze, today the wind returned with gusto and staged a lively show. So, by afternoon, and once out of the protection of the port, the seas were heaving nicely and up we rose and down we plunged – and were too busy by half to check if our dolphin was on hand to witness. Close hauled, which we were for a goodly stint, the leeward gun’ales were buried deep in the tumbling froth of racing sea. A lusty gusty day – and not surprisingly, another cap made a successful bid for freedom – James’s this time; yesterday, it was Dick’s. Mine’s safe: it’s been wedged on so hard and low I keep wondering who’s turned the lights out.
James (our newest, latest, bestest friend – but of course), has also recently bought himself a boat. It’s also currently berthed in Durban Marina, just a hop and a skip along the pontoon from where Butterfly is moored. James and his partner, Roz, have also thrown in the 9-5 towel and plan to live and cruise their way into a ocean nomadic future. There’s a few of us about, it would seem.
But the four of us – Neil, James, Dick and I – had an absolute blast this afternoon. And although thoroughly soaked on several occasions, the sun shone enthusiastically throughout, and we, the bedraggled, salt-encrusted walking laundry piles, dried in no time at all.
There’s a wonderful relaxation that comes through strenuous sailing like today’s – aided by the overdose of ozone, salt and sun, that leaves you feeling slightly smooshed and very happy … and that’s before hitting the Marina bar! And it’s just as well – for that happiness and smooshiness make for a wonderful anaesthetic against the catalogue of cuts, scrapes and bruises that you find later in the shower. In fact, why is it, that come within five metres of a boat and many of us start to turn an attractive shade of purple, blue and black – but can rarely remember the hows and whys of most of those fetching injuries? Too busy having fun – or averting the next disaster, I guess.
All in all, A G-o-o-o-o-d Day.
Next week, Colin and Neil are really spoiling us. The brothers have access to a Maxim 38 and since either Dick or I need our S.A. Day Skipper ticket to sail in and around these waters on our own, we’re going to do the necessaries in this cat. Not sailed a Maxim before, so looking forward to it. Given that we both already have our RYA Day Skipper tickets, and Dick has his coastal skipper’s licence, and ocean and yachtmaster theory, we saw the South African qualification as a bit of unnecessary nonsense. But having got back on the water, we’re all too happy to find a genuine excuse to stay there a little longer – especially since we get to try out a different toy. Thank you Colin and Neil – we owe you!
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