Cape Town Update - Dad
Photos courtesy of Jen Edney ©2009
Karl Maenz, husband of Mimille Maenz (on the left) a blogger from Switzerland visiting his friend (on the right) Henk Dubruyn here in Cape Town.
Off of Table Mountain
Cape Town Harbor
Karl Maenz, husband of Mimille Maenz (on the left) a blogger from Switzerland visiting his friend (on the right) Henk Dubruyn here in Cape Town.
It's been nearly a week since I arrived in South Africa to meet up with Zac. I think I can safely say that I am not the only one relieved to have Zac in port at the V & A Marina here on the waterfront in Cape Town - compliments of Wiltel Marine. Fortunately, as you know, the trip from Durban to Cape Town was quite uneventful weatherwise - just the way we like it. Special thanks to David Morris, Rob Jordan, Bryan Mitchell and my beautiful wife for their expertise and diligence with watching the weather. The Clearpoint High Definition Weather proved invaluable during these legs.
Zac had met many great, helpful and friendly folks as he made his way around from Durban to CT. Rounding Point Agulhas Intrepid slowed to 2 knots battering into headwinds and counter current. Zac tacked SW to give himself a better angle on the wind as it was predicted to shift in his favor to help bring him around Danger Point and the Cape of Good Hope. And yes we all had good hope as we went out to meet him. I drove down to Point Agulhas to see Intrepid as she passed by but unfortunately Zac was far out to sea. The following day I headed for Cape of Good Hope and saw Intrepid having a delightful sail in 10-15 knots with flat seas. Although later that changed to 30 knots. Later that day I hooked up with Geoff from Wiltel Marine who took us out in Bavaria 33 to meet Zac. Eric Bjerring had been in contact with us for some time following Zac's progress and invited Zac to moor Intrepid at the docks in the V & A Marina. Willie Truter managing director along with all of the staff at Wiltel Marine have been very generous and accommodating. Zac will be racing with Erik from Wiltel on the Wednesday night races which he is looking forward to.
A quick survey of the vessel above and below the waterline has left us with about a week of repairs to do before Zac heads out into the Atlantic. I'll give details of these on my return to the US. Time is pushing and I should have been down on Intrepid one hour ago but wanted to say g'day to all.
Cheers,
Laurence
posted by Zac at
9:33 PM
42 Comments:
Thanks, Laurence! Good to see the photos and get the update!
We all worried about the voyage around the Cape of Good Hope, and I was glad to see that he had made it to Cape Town without any problems. Hope the rest of the trip goes the same way.
Rose
Laurence,
Many thanks for your update! It's wonderful to hear that all is well, I'm sure you probably heard the collective "whew" from all the Zac-Pac as Zac docked in CT!
I will pray that all repairs to Intrepid will be swift and uneventful.
Many thanks to all those behind the scenes who have come together to help Zac and his family with this incredible journey
Enjoy you time together.
Blessings and a big hug,
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain S/V "Wombat"
G'day to you, too, Laurence and thanks for your most-excellent post!
I'm sipping my morning tea, looking out the window at the beauty of our ice-clad, urban landscape and smiling from ear-to-ear reading your news.
Best wishes for trouble-free repairs to Intrepid and lots of memory-making good times with Zac and friends! CindyinCincy
P.S. Jen, thanks so much for sharing your photos.
Hello Laurence & Zac,
Well like always pictures are worth a million words, thanks Jen.
It's always great to hear from you Laurence. You always bring a new twist here on the blog when you write. I only wish you had more time to write regularly. We'll take what ever we can get. Thanks for the detailed descriptions of this last week. I'm so proud of everyone helping with the weather, and all the kind and generous people going out of there way for Zac.
Zac you have done a great job in tackling these treacherous seas without any problems. This is a great milestone and many of us are releasing a great big sigh of relief. I'm very proud of your accomplishments!!!
Repair Intrepid,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Now that you are in Cape Town, be sure you take a drive up to the beautiful wine country of Stellinbash.
Laurence,
Thank you so much for the great post. I'll bet you were bursting with pride as you saw Intrepid making her way toward her next port. How great that you were able to go out to meet Zac as he was heading in. People have been so kind and generous during this great adventure.
Best wishes for a great time together in Cape Town. Too bad Marianne couldn't be there too. It's been too long since she's had her arms around Zac!
Enjoy,
Mona
Tucson, AZ
Thanks, Jen for the great pictures. It is always pleasant to actually "see" Zac and Intrepid. And thanks Laurence for the update on Zac and the boat. Enjoy your stay in Cape Town.
Oh, call me emotional but I could cry! I just read Laurence's update ...gosh I feel so overwhelmed by Zac's accomplishments and the help of so many wonderful people...truly amazing.
Then to get the great pictures, made it all the more poignant. ( thanks Jen )
I feel very thankful!
UK friend.
That is a stunning picture of Zac and Intrepid in the foreground and Table Mountain with her classic Table Cloth in the background.
"Entering Cape Town Harbor".
Absolutely poster quality.
"Table Mountain is famous for its 'Table cloth' - a thin, white and whispy cloud formation that flows effortesly over the top like a waterfall, only to disappear into thin air halfway down the slope. Legend and myths abound... most saying that a retired pirate, on climbing this flat-topped mountain, met up with the devil himself! Trying to protect his soul, and feeling desperate, the pirate challenged the devil to a smoking competition":
VAN HUNKS AND THE DEVIL
When the table cloth of cloud falls like a waterfall of smoke in slow motion over the edge of Table Mountain, you know the southeaster is blowing. This wafting cloud is attributed to the incessant pipe-smoking of two characters in one of South Africa’s most enduring stories – the old pirate Van Hunks and the Devil himself.
Van Hunks was an early eighteenth-century pirate who retired from his capricious life to a more sedate existence in the Cape. He had been a rogue in his day; now the constant nagging from his wife about his stinky old pipe was too much for him. He retreated from her sharp tongue to spend most of his summer days smoking his pipe up on Devil’s Peak. Here he would sit for hours, staring out to sea and smoking the strongest shag tobacco.
One day, so the story goes, he met a stranger at the top of the mountain, who had a pipe, but no tobacco. When Van Hunks began to brag about his smoking capabilities, the stranger wagered that he could win a smoking competition between them. The stakes were Van Hunks’ soul against a stash of gold. Van Hunks laughed, saying that his soul had gone overboard many years before, and he had plenty of gold hidden away from his pirate days.
But Van Hunks was not one to turn down a bet, so he divided his tobacco and the competition commenced. They smoked all that day and through the night without stopping. This created so much smoke that an enormous cloud formed and started to tumble down the mountain. The people of Cape Town opened their curtains the next mornings to see a white cloud pouring down the face of the mountain and being tossed into strange shapes by the wind.
Van Hunks and the stranger smoked and smoked until their throats burned and their faces turned red. The stranger was in a far worse state than Van Hunks, and was barely able to breathe. In a huff, he gave up the competition and threw off his hat and cloak in disgust. Van Hunks was astonished to see that the stranger had horns growing out of his head, a forked tail and cloven hooves, and in shock exclaimed, ‘Well, if it isn’t the very Devil himself!’
The Devil does not like to lose, and in a great flash of lightning and last puff of smoke, Van Hunks and the Devil disappeared. The only evidence they left is the table cloth of cloud that appears on windy summer days and cascades down the mountain.
How cool does Zac look in the pictures. Like a total pirate :-)
Great picture. Make the perfect cover of a book at minimum.
I'm guessing Laurence is on some weak 33kb/s dialup at the hotel and doesn't have time to upload the full size of that picture. Hopefully he can when he gets home. It's classic photograph and captures the entire voyage.
Awesome.
Amazing! Thanks so much for the personal update, Lawrence. I can only imagine how you felt driving to Point Agulhas to catch a glimpse of Zac & Intrepid, and then again when you caught first sight at the Cape of Good Hope! What a fitting name for the moment -- good hope! Jen's pictures are outstanding -- gives me chills! I will be patiently waiting to hear the updates on repairs and hopefully a little fun to be had in Cape Town -- I think all of us following the blog will expect some time to go by between updates with all that you all have to get accomplished in a short time. Take very good care -- my prayers are with all of the Sunderlands and the many wonderful people helping this amazing journey!
Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
Thanks, Dad. I know time is precious and so are your words.
I hope there is some wonderful, relaxed times for you and Zac in Cape Town. I can hardly believe that Zac is preparing to cross the Atlantic. Wow.
Carry on and feel uplifted in prayer.
Kathy
Bend, OR
Thank you Laurence for your first-person account of watching Intrepid and Zac sailing into Cape Town.
I do hope that both you and Marianne are keeping personal journals of this adventure, as I do believe it would be a nice juxtaposition to insert your unique and individual experiences in any book that "The Young Man and The Sea" may entertain writing. I do believe it would bring a certain richness to the piece, juxtaposing Zac's journey with that of his mum and dad.
Thanks so much to Jen for her beautiful photos. They are spectacular. Thanks also to anonymous for letting us in on the lore of Table Mountain with it's beautiful "tablecloth" evident in Jen's photos.
I do love that photo of the "blogger" from Switzerland who caught up with Zac. I do believe there are a few other bloggers who will be seeking Zac out while he enjoys Cape Town.
I also hope that you find Intrepid in good shape. I know that you'll be preparing her with great love and attention as she readies herself to usher Zac across the Atlantic on her way home!
Great Post! With all that you have going on it was nice to keep us updated. A week's worth of repairs is much more than I anticipated but I hope they go as planned. Glad that Karl Maenz was able to meet up with Zac and I appreciated the post about Table Mountain.
Steve B
Birmingham, AL
What a blessing to be reunited safely together in Cape Town! Dad, thanks for the post and the wonderful pictures. Though we all know and believe Zac made it safely, it's just good to see his smiling face to reassure all of us.
And I agree with Mona that we're all sorry Marianne couldn't be there too but I'm sure you have delivered lots of hugs from home.
hello all---- it has been quite some time since i have written (not for lack of interest for sure!). anyway---i am back and so proud of our zac. do enjoy CT and time spent with Dad. you remain in my prayers---count on it!.
john baker/w hollywood/ca/USofA
jbaker1226@aol.com
In the photo "Off of Table Mountain" it looks as if the mast of Intrepid is raked quite a ways forward.
Is that an optical illusion?
Even if the backstay were released, it looks as if the rake is forward from perpendicular, which I'm not used to seeing.
If the rake is forward, what's the thinking on this?
-- Grant Fjermedal, Seattle
Post Script: Huge congratulations to Zac for making it around the south end of Africa. Farewell Indian Ocean. Hellow Atlantic Ocean.
That sounds very encouraging. Thanks so much for the update, Lawrence. Great photos as well. Looking forward to more as Zac's adventure in Cape Town continues!
:)
Scott
I noticed the mast rake as well.
It appears that the photo was taken from a point just abaft the port beam. The angle could give the appearance of forward mast rake, but the degree of rake sure seems intentional. An eased backstay is common on a down wind (spinnaker) run but....I'm interested in hearing more about this.
The fog spilling over the mountain looks just like the Marin headlands on the north side of Golden Gate Bridge!
Best Regards...keep on keepin' on Zac!
Steve in CA
Great post & great pics (thx again Jen!). Can aleady hear Bill Mann sharpening his scissors again ;)
Any word on if y'all will get that water maker installed while in CT?
Lord Laurence your posts are always a great read. Thx man!
Warm Fuzzy HUGS!
Tomi/ATL
Awesome... thanks for taking the time to keep all of us up to date... uneventuful is GOOD when you are rounding the Cape! Sigh... as a parent of 2 teens and a sailor I am really enjoying this.
Thanks to those who mentioned the mast rake. Since I know nothing about this, it prompted me to go do some reading and discover a lot of sailing details about which I knew nothing... like the whole idea of tuning the mast, and how the mast is connected to the boat cabin, etc.
To me, the rake that appears in the picture is an illusion. I think the angle of the picture is off just enough... like at about 250-260 degrees that with just a little bit of heel makes it look raked.
Interesting....
Laurece:
Thanks for that 'covered it all' post. And thanks for Jen's photographs. Somehow, it my mind's eye, the combination of the two makes Zac so much more there!
All the spaces between the lines are filled with Zac's satisfaction in reaching this stage of his adventure. The spaces are futher crowded by Olde Dad's button popping pride. How sweet it all is!!
Knowing that Zac is safely in port for these next couple of weeks will make the Zac-Packer's life more serene. I feel a personal responsibility to check in everyday as a contribution to the total mental and emotional effort being invested in this voyage.
So, the next big event will be Zac taking on the Atlantic Ocean. I predict that for the most part, it'll be just another ho-hum day at the office for him. That won't matter. We'll all still be right here loggin on, checking in, and cheering his on!
Life is short. Go break some rules!
The Croaker
Congrats on another great milestone of your tour..i say tour because you are a rock star Zac!
Just noticed a few new pic on your facebook..very cool to see that your enjoying yourself and meeting new people. How would you like to drive a race car when get back? Check out my my space if your interested.
Have a wonderful stay in CT and be safe.
Laura
Bermuda Dunes CA
Nice hat Zac
Well done Zac!
No offense to Karl and Henrik (they are two brutally handsome dudes) BUT do U think U can post a pic with U and 2 hot Cape Town babes? U see some of us are living vicariously through your adventure and when U reach a new shore the must be copious amounts if babeage. Call me 'old fashioned' but some healthy amount of onshore "How you doin..?" Said in your best Harvey Keitel NY accent) could never hurt.
Cue the babes...Annnnnddd ACTION!
Well done Zac!
No offense to Karl and Henrik (they are two brutally handsome dudes) BUT do U think U can post a pic with U and 2 hot Cape Town babes? U see some of us are living vicariously through your adventure and when U reach a new shore the must be copious amounts if babeage. Call me 'old fashioned' but some healthy amount of onshore "How you doin..?" Said in your best Harvey Keitel NY accent) could never hurt.
Cue the babes...Annnnnddd ACTION!
Laurence
Thanks for the update, and many thanks to Jen for the photos. I was grinning from ear to ear as i read your post. Feeling joy as if Zac was my own child.
@Bill Mann looks like you may get the 8 or 9 inches needed for "Locks of Love"
Zac you are truly an inspiration to the youth of the world who constantly lack motivation and that can do attitude. You believed that you can and you are doing it.
Sooooooo proud of you!!!
Hoping for easy repairs as you celebrate this leg of your amazing adventure
Regards
Sherna
So, copious amounts of beer and lots of women.
The combination of Zac and Mike will have the SA girls flocking to them ;-)
@Rory
. . . .what?
YO! Cap’n Zac!
Omigosh, you’ve rounded the Cape and all ZacPac’ers have Good Hope…well, we’ve always had good hope…you just keep doing the hard things and we’ll just keep checking in, rooting you on, and feeling proud for you and how you are accomplishing your dreams!
So glad you’ve found new friends (and new ZacPac’ers?) in Cape Town & at the marina (thank you, everyone there, for your welcoming spirit & help) - you are a great ambassador for us all. I have business associates who have lived and traveled there and have heard nothing but praise for the area…no doubt you’ll cram as much “local culture” in as possible (LOL - even Rory Gogan Singapore’s version!!!) Have a great time there…
@ Laurence - your update was appreciated and wonderful to read…I always try to imagine the feelings you experience when you first see the Intrepid, and Zac, coming into port…and those first hugs…
@ Fellow Zac-Pac’ers - the comments posted on this blog are so interesting, informative, uplifting, inspiring, laugh-out-loud hilarious…what a joy to come here everyday to see what everyone is saying - thank you!
@ Marianne - I think you have the toughest job of all…you have my greatest admiration and respect…
@ Jen - Your pictures really capture the moments and make them so much more real - please take lots and lots and lots!
@ Zac & Laurence - best of luck and speed w/ the necessary repairs - I really hope you get to meet up w/ Mike & his dad…and that we get to hear all about it…and be sure to get a good variety of food for your Atlantic crossing…the doldrums might be dull, but the food doesn’t have to be!
Carry on…
excellent photos!! Well done Zac - you've done soooo well - enjoy the rest and good luck with repairs for Intrepid. Enjoy all the sites offered by another poster the other day - sounds like there's many sites to take in.
Very glad to hear you will be meeting up with the other sailor Mike! take lots of photos! You may be life long friends after this!
Jen
Congratulations Zac on reaching Cape Town. Great picture on the bow with the Ultra Anchor. Thank you.
I have spoken with many people here at the Seattle Boat Show that are following your adventure and wish you well. Randy Boelsems, Quickline USA
Uncomfortable silence.
So what's the plan? Will U haul the boat out and make repairs? Did U manage to have a quiet pint with your old fella? Are your sails in good order? Have the sails stretched out a lot?
I was wondering...would it be possible to have kite sail sort of thing rigged to the boat that flies at say 40' or 60' to take advantage to winds at that height?
Laurence,
Thank you so very much for the update and the photos.
It was a relief to read Zac has finally made it to Cape Town. I'm sure after having a hair-raising time trying to steer clear of the many ships and losing sleep he's ready for some R & R. You must have been so full of pride, when you finally got to see Zac, again. Have a great time together and relish every precious moment. Take care!
Dick & Gin
Upland
Glad you made it to Cape Town and glad that a mate from Califorina, Erik Bjerring was there to give a hand.Erik was one of the best sailors i ever sailed with. I heard he quit the movie biz and sailing to live in Africa,last year i heard his son was doing the Americas Cup, so glad to hear you guys met up, try if you can to post a pic of him, i know there are a few girls that still miss him out there, enjoy your stay in the Mother City. Go well
Looking great sailor! Can't wait to read about your adventures on the Atlantic Ocean! Good to see you homeward bound now :)
-Debbie Castro
Zac-
Congrats on arrival in Capetown. I'm sending these well wishes from Maui. Aloha!
Kodiak Mike
so what's going on? no update in 2 days. we're all eager to hear news
Hopefully Zac's busy out and about partying it up in Cape Town and not just too busy scraping barnacles off Intrepid :-)
@ New ZacPac'ers -
When Capt Zac's in port - the posts are few & far between. But when Lady Marianne is rested from ck'in in w/the men on the other side of the world, they are usually lock stock full of info/pics. Be patient - the update will come.
Warm Fuzzy HUGS!
Tomi/ATL
Zac, Laurence, Marianne: You guys are awesome. 'nuff said.
-Mandi
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