On to Port Elizabeth
Latest Position: 01/18/09 1526Z 33 33.894S 027 37.719E (98 miles from Port Elizabeth)
Well I picked a bad morning to sleep in yesterday as the only thing close to a weather window was opening up as I slept. I woke up around 9:00am and after checking everything grabbed my paperwork to check out of East London and get on with my trip around the Cape. It was rainy and calm as I headed out. Not a good thing when I only have 24 hours to make port before the South Westerly picks up. Fortunately, the SW wind that is coming is not too strong and so should not pose the threat that a gale would. For now I am sailing along in the Alguhas Current at around 6 knots. The seas are steep but still not too big at about 5 feet.
All being well I should be in to Port Elizabeth in my morning. Looking forward to seeing a bit of Port Elizabeth and hooking up with Marta.
Cheers,
Zac
Zac and Nicholas (Will's grandson)
Zac and Nicholas jamming on the African drums
Photos coutesy of Will of East London
Well I picked a bad morning to sleep in yesterday as the only thing close to a weather window was opening up as I slept. I woke up around 9:00am and after checking everything grabbed my paperwork to check out of East London and get on with my trip around the Cape. It was rainy and calm as I headed out. Not a good thing when I only have 24 hours to make port before the South Westerly picks up. Fortunately, the SW wind that is coming is not too strong and so should not pose the threat that a gale would. For now I am sailing along in the Alguhas Current at around 6 knots. The seas are steep but still not too big at about 5 feet.
All being well I should be in to Port Elizabeth in my morning. Looking forward to seeing a bit of Port Elizabeth and hooking up with Marta.
Cheers,
Zac
Zac and Nicholas (Will's grandson)
Zac and Nicholas jamming on the African drums
Photos coutesy of Will of East London
posted by Zac at
8:08 AM
14 Comments:
God Speed, Zac.
Burn some deisel on this leg if you need to.
-HB
Good show. When you got to go, go :-)
Quick tip:
1. if you got time in Mossel Bay, the "post office" is a must see.
500 year old sailor's post office under a tree where letters were left for sailors. You can post a letter home from there for a good memory of the ancient mariners have sailed the exact same seas.
2. There's now doubt Zac's got all the mariner tips and tricks in hand for rounding the Cape. Worst case, hopping from Mossel Bay to Simon's Town in False Bay, waiting hopping around the Cape to Hout Bay, waiting. Hout Bay to Cape Town. Even so there still lurks the notorious "Cape Doctor" all the way into Table Bay.
http://tinyurl.com/a7aafk
Of a postive note if it is calm and sunny, hug the coast and take lots of pictures from Capes Bay to Clifton to Bantry Bay to Seapoint to Cape town. In fact if it is the weekend, pull into Clifton as there should be recreational vessels parked there is well. It will save you from walking down a flight of 300+ steps land side when you go there for some R&R later on :-)
Here's a lovely view of what I refer to. Zac's got lots to look forward to once you round the miserable Cape :-)
http://tinyurl.com/7ookr2
first beach lower right is Camps Bay, the Clifton, the Sea Point and at the top left, finally, Table Bay, Cape Town and the port.
Sail On Zac and yes, God Speed.
Will be looking forward to hearing that you are in Port Elizabeth.
Later my friend,
Kathy
Bend, OR
Hello Zac,
It's always great to hear from you on a daily basis. Loved the pictures. Today I can really tell how long your hair is getting. Hopefully Bill Mann won't see the pictures or he'll start sharpening his scissors again.
I hope your able to hook up with Marta and give us a report. The news was not good so far. I guess sometimes you need to be in the other person's shoes to understand. Hopefully you'll see her, encourage her, and give her some words of wisdom. We'll be looking forward to your report.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Best wishes -- looking forward to your report on this successful leg to Port Elizabeth!
Thanks for the pics, Will...
Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
Hi Zac,
have a good trip to Port Elizabeth. A polish friend gave my a short summary what was written on Marta's website (which is mostly in polish). The swell must have pushed her towards the shore (not sure why she could not sail way) and then her motor did not work and just puffed black smoke. Then the anchor broke. She tried to get assistance, a fisher boat tried to help, but the swell was to high to get close. A rescue team finally towed her into Port Elizabeth. But sure, we you meet her you can get more details. Just make sure, your motor and equipment is alright.
All the best,
RK
Zac-
The photos of the "drum jamming" with little Nicolas were great----so was the url to the photo of the coastline sent in with the explanation of the "Cape Doctor"
Have a great sail into Capetown.
Sail On, dude.
Kodiak Mike
As always I hope it is a safe passage, Zac. Next stop, Port Elizabeth...
Cheers,
willy
milford, ohio
Good on ya mate!!!
Blessings, sending you prayers!
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV "Wombat"
Doug,
I did see the pictures. Shears are sharpened.
Just returned from Grandma Carol's house where I dropped off the shirt for Zac to sign.
For those who have not visited yet, see the auction at http://www.barstools4u.com/zac.htm
Show a little support for Zac as he rounds the Cape.
Keep on sailing young man. That haircut is getting closer and closer
Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com
Capt Zac -
Glad you woke up in time. Was thinking of posting a caution yesterday, but knowing you've professional meteriorologists guiding you, sorta figured they'd advise you to leave way early today or get stuck in port 'til the w/e. Having studied the weather on an amature basis for the past 30+ yrs, thought my pov would've been needless to post. Will rethink that in the future. Am hoping you made PoE by the time this comment gets posted online. Based upon my studies of the weather in your area, the SE'erly coming is gonna be particularly nasty. Sure hope you made it into port before the swells & winds get too rough. Sure wouldn't want to be on the seas as this one passes, not w/gale force+ winds & the sea heights in the models I've studied. Even in port, the waters look to be very choppy at best. Take care Capt!.
I agree w/the previous poster of Bill wanting to sharpen his scissors in anticipation of your return. Sure hope when you arrive back in MDR, your home port, you're able to shear/share those lovely locks w/Locks for Love (thinks to self must be nice to have hair that thick), tho' I bet it's a bugger to keep clean! (Runs hand over own lengthening buzz cut.)
Maybe while you're in port, you'll be able to upload more of your digital cam' pics in the hopes Lady Marianne will be able to share a few w/us.
By the bye, thx for keeping us updated!
Very Warm FUzzy HUGS!
Tomi/ATL
PS -
To fellow ZacPac'ers in the northern US states, w/temps here reaching down to 11 F w/windchills dropping below 0 F, I can't even fathom the bone locking cold y'all are dealing w/. Hope y'all have a friend to snuggle under the blankets/in front of the fireplace with!
T.
Hi Zac,
Well, you should be asleep in Port Elizabeth right now.
Did you get a chance to do the PBS interview in East London? Well, they just need to 'walk in your shoes' I guess to really understand.
Have a nice time at Port Elizabeth. This is kind of fun tagging long while you 'port hop.' I for one don't spend as much time wondering what is happening on the Intrepid when there are several hundred miles between you and solid ground of any kind.
Oh, I am wondering how long you plan to be in Cape Town. Will there be an address to send you cards? Perhaps your mailbags are stuffed full after 'Durban.' :-)
***Nagaa***
I was surprised to see you're on your way already, but like another has said "When you got to go, go."...it'll give you more time to rest up better later.
Read about Zac's interview in the newspaper of East London, South Africa here:
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=286385
regards,
Will
(that closes his East London's stay.....)
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home