… and wild, wild wind. Some strange meteorological action going on in these thar parts. Torrential rain yesterday and overnight has broken bridges, roads, boats and several records – and heck knows what other damage. More tragically, several lives lost as people crushed by falling buildings, trees etc – or washed away as rivers burst their banks. But today the rain stopped and the wind started – it’s blowing a hoolie outside tonight, as I sit typing this. So did we do the sensible thing and stay nice and dry and warm indoors on terra firma? Did we heckers. The morning was spent taking the South African Day Skipper Theory Exam – we passed (as we jolly well should have done, with Dick getting 98% and yours truly 93% – that man of mine knows too much for his own good, y’know!) – and then down to the marina, straight after lunch, to go play on the L34 Standfast. Just to explain for those who won’t necessarily know or haven’t read my earlier posts, but to sail a boat in Durban Marina or the surrounding waters, you must have a SA Day Skipper ticket. The RYA one won’t do. In fact, no matter how many other fancy certificates you’ve got – you still have to have this SA Day Skipper one regardless. That and a DOC (Durban Operator’s Cert) which is a separate thing altogether, and which includes amongst other things being able to recite by heart all 54 marker buoys/lights in their right order as they appear in Durban Port. Yes, really.
Anyway, after all that wild rain and wind of the last 24 hours, the sea was reported to be bucking and breaking big time. But Neil, intrepid sea dog that he is (he has over 30 years experience of sailing in these waters) decided we’d find out for ourselves, so we puttered across to the harbour mouth to take a shufty. Out beyond the entrance walls, white horses everywhere, lashings of spray, and a very choppy horizon. Wind speeds of 35-40 knots, and much more in the gusts. Not that we were cowards (perish the thought), but the decision was made to give it a miss and confine ourselves within the port walls. Even so, it was pretty wild at times – especially during prolonged, repeated tacking on a close haul up the Esplanade Channel. Gun’ales under the water, boat almost flat on her side – and that with three reefs in the main and the smallest jib. It was a good job that we weren’t exactly crowded out there – most folk had the sense to stay home and stay dry. But a good blow and a bit of sunshine – the wind kept the clouds whipping by overhead – is always guaranteed to put a wag in your tail and a gleam in the eye.
And with all the theory exam stuff out of the way, and if the weather doesn’t pull another fast one on us tomorrow, then we’ll be out on the water for most of the day. Tails wagging, eyes gleaming – and no doubt another set of bruises and blisters to add to the score.
All good salty stuff.
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