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17 Sep. 12


We finally arrived back home on Yrumoar yesterday after extending our visit to Lola’s sister in Durban by one extra day. Our dingy was completely deflated and filled with water from all the rain that fell whilst we were away. The crew from Sea Shoes had been keeping an eye on our boat and told me they had to empty the dingy a few times during the week. We knew we would have to modify the way we carry the dingy anyway since it fills with water from breaking waves when we sail.

18 Sep. 12

Last nights regular Monday night braai left me feeling a bit tender today so I didn’t achieve much for the day. I did manage to get the dingy secured making us one step closer to leaving. The international visitors here have been grilled by customs for some or other unknown reason. While we were away customs arrived here in full force like some huge drug bust, posting police officers on every walk on and acting like they had just uncovered the largest and meanest underground organisation since Al Capone and the mob. They gathered all the “illegal” international yachties and detained all their boats stating that they were evading tax and breaking the law by not paying import duties on their boats. Wow, imagine that, every country you stop at now suddenly forces you to import your boat into that country. I suppose you would also have to pay export duties a few months later when you leave.

I can’t help but wonder which rocket scientist thought up this new found ludicrous misinterpreted law. If any such law even exists. It is just so good to know that our country has such intelligent people in control.

19 Sep. 12

I have a hollow feeling of anticipation in my stomach that has been haunting me for the past few days. I am not sure what has caused this feeling but it just won’t go away.

The south westerly wind is howling again today and we are going into town to buy some filters and things for the second hand water maker that we bought some time ago. We found a manual online and I am hoping to install the water maker before we leave here. It doesn’t look complicated but then this is a boat and nothing on a boat is ever as it appears.

I haven’t been able to find my rhythm and still forget to brush my teeth or shave some days only remembering to do this at about lunch time. I used to have a set routine before we lived on the boat but can’t seem to find it here. It also seems that the longer we have been on the boat the harder it has become. I try to remind myself as soon as I wake up, but I am even forgetting to remember to remind myself. Maybe I should make a list and sleep with it stapled onto the ceiling above my head, or perhaps photos stapled to the ceiling would be better.

24 Sep. 12

It was a long weekend and we had some friends arrive on Friday and leave today. A few times over the last few days I experienced emotional moments where I missed my kids terribly and found myself feeling miserable. Except for Lola I don’t think anyone else noticed these moments so I didn’t spoil the mood for anybody. Keeping a happy face whilst melting on the inside is a practised and acquired skill that I am not very good at.

The raging battle between customs and the international boats still continues. One of the detained boats managed to leave after paying a fine of two thousand rand, the others are still waiting to find out what fate has in store for them. Unfortunately for these poor souls customs holds all the cards and will slowly divide and conquer each futile attempt made at finding justice. I am embarrassed by this foul play and unprovoked attack on the international community and hope that we don’t find ourselves in the same situation in other countries that we visit. All I can say is, “welcome to Africa, remember to leave your wallet behind when you go.”

Mark will be arriving some time this week to take over our parking space so we will move to a rental spot for a while whilst I try to tick a few important items off the repair list. So it seems we are running out of excuses and will have to be on our way soon.

25 Sep. 12

Yesterday was another one of those “goodbye” days. Our “homeless” friend Ryun found himself a job up in Johannesburg and left. We had become quite close over the last two years and his leaving left Lola and I feeling glum. The regular Monday night braai seemed mundane as we sat in a corner by ourselves feeling deflated and miserable. The regular faces didn’t look as inviting and we decided that we are going to distance ourselves in future, taking the easier route by not making such good friends again. Doing this may not be easy but the “goodbye’s” will be easier.