February '09

08 Feb. 09


Well Lola, Amy and I went to do the VHF licences at ICASA, wow not at all what I expected. It was like doing a geography exam after you have studied history. Somehow the course had been changed and we did not have a clue that this had happened. On our sailing course we were given 16 pages of notes to study for the VHF radio licence exam. This was in about August, and since September we attempted to book at ICASA to write the exam but the person who the booking is done through, Zondra, is never ever at work. We must have left about ten voice mails on her phone but she never returns any of these. In February we managed to call on one of the rare occasions when she was actually at work and she answered the phone and told us that the exam can be written on Friday, this was Tuesday. We instantly agreed to write on the Friday as we had no idea how long it would take before we could get hold of her again. Zondra told us that she would forward us an Email with all the relevant information and payment details. Anyway we are still waiting for that email to arrive. Even though we hadn’t got any email we had the date and time so we arrived at the offices of ICASA and proceeded to do the exam. When we arrived we were informed that Zondra was absent and that the exam would be invidulated by someone else instead. Wow what a surprise, Zondra was off, how unusual.

18 Feb. 09

Lola just got hold of Zondra this morning and we all passed don’t ask me how that happened. Zondra told Lola that she would send us an email to make payment, well lets wait and see.

After the VHF we did an eye test at Specsavers, this was a breeze as we all have good vision and none of us are colour blind. So the plan continues.

Yesterday Lola and I took most of the day off work and went to the Vaal dam to look for a Yacht that we can use at the Vaal on the weekends to practice on. We went to Manten marina as they had a web site and advertised a number of yachts for sale. Another memorable experience. Previously we had been to Manten and looked at various catamarans because at the end of the day we need a cat due to the size of our family. They showed us four cats, which gave us some sort of idea as to different sizes and designs available as well as prices. At that time I thought that their sales technique could do with some improvement as they treated me with some indifference and made me feel uncomfortable being there.

Yesterday was worse, you know the feeling you have when you walk into someone’s workshop without being allowed to do so and everybody looks at you with that look of “hey, what the hell are you doing in here”. Anyway we got to look at three yachts for plus minus the same price and the third one seemed in good condition.

Lola and I always like to at least overnight any decisions because things are much more clear after some thought and no purchase is made on an emotional level. We have found this type of decision making process to work well for our business thus we employ this in our personal lives to.

26 Feb. 09

On Saturday we went to Bayshore marina to find out if they have an available slip. We met Greg who seems a nice chap and he explained the costs involved at the marina, and then said he also has two boats for sale. We looked at the one a vivacity 24 and we immediately knew this was the one. You know that feeling that you get instantly it just felt right. We then arranged a test sail on Tuesday morning.

Tuesday morning was overcast and very windy, perfect sailing weather. The test sail went well and we made an offer. The offer was accepted and we now own our own Vivacity 24.

We wanted to go sailing this weekend coming but Greg is first going to fit a marine toilet, respray the deck and anti foul the boat. So I will have to patiently wait, but the plan continues.