Paradise came in the form of an invitation to spend a few days just north of East London at Viskop, an enormous farm where our friends, Patti and Harry Salzwedel, have their beautiful home in a magnificent setting. The above photo, taken on my iPad, is the only one I can include until I can sort out a new PC to get the photos off my camera. This was looking out from our bedroom balcony. Not too shabby is it?! Even standing in the shower, we had a view of the sea.
Before breakfast the first morning, we had a lovely long walk along the pristine beaches, then chilled out watching some cricket which I happen to love. Later on, we drove to the top of Viskop hill which is the highest point for many a mile giving an outstanding panorama of the farm, the surrounding hills and out over the ocean. The following day, we met the whole family when we were treated to Harry's birthday celebration at a nearby restaurant/game farm and just generally revelled in the luxury endowed upon us.
Only a very small section of the farm has been developed and the area is home to many species of animals and birds as well. Driving along, we met up with blesbok, impala, warthogs, monkeys, eagles and hawks. What an amazing place to live in! Thank you dear Harry and Patti for all your kindness and hospitality, a very special treat indeed, we loved your home.
Time to move on again but not before getting a new compressor for the freezer. We meet many cruisers on smaller boats who don't even have a fridge or freezer aboard. I don't know how they do it! We've only been without ours since arriving in East London and most of that time we were away. I have no idea how to cook without a fridge! Tinned or dried food? not my forté.
We left the harbour at three in the afternoon arriving in Port Elizabeth 25 hours later after a good and uneventful trip (I'm definitely in favour of the 'uneventful' bit). Shipping is quite heavy along this coast so we were more than thankful for our AIS system which informs us of other vessels names, direction, speed etc and shows them where we are in case we wander into their path - very comforting. Isn't technology grand?!
After a decent night's sleep at the Algoa Bay Yacht Club, the Salzwedels stopped by again, this time on their way home from spending a couple of days in Cape St Francis. At the rate they're going, we won't be surprised if they pitch up in Simon's Town to take our lines upon arrival. So kind.
The short weather window we had thought we'd use to get over to Mossel Bay has shortened too much, so now we sit for a while longer. It looks as though this coming Sunday afternoon may give us one and it may be long enough to go all the way to Simon's Town. If not, I'm sure we'll make it to Mossel Bay which I'd rather like to visit anyway. The subject of weather is becoming a sore point with all the other cruisers with us. Never before have we had to concentrate on conditions as seriously as we've been doing ever since arriving on the African coast and rounding Cape Agulhas is certainly not to be taken lightly so we'll wait to judge the situation later.
PHOTO ALBUM:
Again, no PC, no photos - yet.
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