So we went sailing on Saturday, I really don’t understand how I can be so bad at it when everyone else took to it fine, I mean really it is frustrating coz’ I took the tiller for 2 minutes and managed to get us completed turned in the opposite direction, going the wrong way with the sails all tangled. What the…..Well I will just keep at it, surely I will come right with enough practise.
Otherwise it was a quiet weekend spent with the family.
Friday, October 30, 2009
True sailors?
Wow did that week fly, or should I say sail past at a rapid rate!
We packed and left on Thursday (Barry’s birthday) and spent a whole week on the boat on the dam trying new things more than once.
We did our first night approach under motor whilst braaiing I might add, and then the very next day went out to anchor overnight, unfortunately that didn’t work out as our anchor was too light weight…more on the list of items to buy…so we pulled up anchor and sailed home in the dark (wow) and managed to dock safely whilst under the influence and in the dark – true sailors now I’d say!
I managed to fall through the pontoon on the first day and hurt my ankle rather badly – thought we might have to go home but I got through it – hobbled around for the week and still hobbling now but we still managed to sail our way the entire week and gain much needed experience.
The day we left we took a drive to Germiston to file for our SAS ticket – a formality we have been struggling with for some time now – but we are nearly there now – applications sent in and we await the official SAS ticket which should arrive in about 2 weeks – can’t wait to officially have our licence it really has taken some time and patience to get this right not to mention money.
We packed and left on Thursday (Barry’s birthday) and spent a whole week on the boat on the dam trying new things more than once.
We did our first night approach under motor whilst braaiing I might add, and then the very next day went out to anchor overnight, unfortunately that didn’t work out as our anchor was too light weight…more on the list of items to buy…so we pulled up anchor and sailed home in the dark (wow) and managed to dock safely whilst under the influence and in the dark – true sailors now I’d say!
I managed to fall through the pontoon on the first day and hurt my ankle rather badly – thought we might have to go home but I got through it – hobbled around for the week and still hobbling now but we still managed to sail our way the entire week and gain much needed experience.
The day we left we took a drive to Germiston to file for our SAS ticket – a formality we have been struggling with for some time now – but we are nearly there now – applications sent in and we await the official SAS ticket which should arrive in about 2 weeks – can’t wait to officially have our licence it really has taken some time and patience to get this right not to mention money.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
28th March
What a weekend….Friday afternoon we went up to the boat, had a great sundown sail…the glare was hectic though, otherwise it was wonderful. Saturday morning we were up early hoping to get a sail in before we had to leave but it was not to be, battery was flat so we looked at what we needed, battery charger, caravan plug, extension, etc and left early.
We got home, Amy went off to her mom’s and we hit the mall to buy presents for Jess for her 5th birthday and Tam & Jas for the house warming, then we were off to their house where we visited until really late. Sunday similar story Maria’s for tea in the morning, Russel and Sam for braai in afternoon. So it really was a rough one. We tend to not see so many people but hey we squeezed in everyone so we have a few weeks where we can yacht it and no-one can complain J
On Sunday at Russel and Sam we were chatting and decided we are going to do a diving course so I’ll keep you posted on that one. Asked Axel and Peta and they agreed to go with us so that will definitely make it a fun experience.
Everyone we spoke to about doing this thing has mentioned we should write a book, when I told them we are keeping a journal they agreed it was a great idea. But everyone seems to think we should also tell our untold story of our strange life to this point coz’ it might give others understanding of how we are so suited to sailing the world even though we live far from the ocean and none of us can really swim very well…so I will try giving you that info as I go along, but I don’t really have too much time today coz’ we are heading back to the boat in few minutes to charge the battery and put down our name plate “ LE GRANGE” on a number plate.
We also had some bad news, seems Coplin have burned down so that idea is out the window…looking at other options to build a boat otherwise we will be buying 2nd hand and fixing it up.
Oh yes other good news, our other property has finally been rented tenants moved in this weekend so we got our first rent from the place, this is great coz’ we are gonna use it to further the cause and speed up the process of getting on a boat and sailing. We only got 60% of the rent this month but it will be better from next month so that will definitely help. Pay credit card first then bonds…seems we are really starting to make progress on the finance side J
Otherwise an uneventful work week, and it was my mom’s birthday yesterday she was busy last night so have to call her today (lucky fish went to swan lake and partied it up) you go mom!
Off to the boat now – will keep you posted!
We got home, Amy went off to her mom’s and we hit the mall to buy presents for Jess for her 5th birthday and Tam & Jas for the house warming, then we were off to their house where we visited until really late. Sunday similar story Maria’s for tea in the morning, Russel and Sam for braai in afternoon. So it really was a rough one. We tend to not see so many people but hey we squeezed in everyone so we have a few weeks where we can yacht it and no-one can complain J
On Sunday at Russel and Sam we were chatting and decided we are going to do a diving course so I’ll keep you posted on that one. Asked Axel and Peta and they agreed to go with us so that will definitely make it a fun experience.
Everyone we spoke to about doing this thing has mentioned we should write a book, when I told them we are keeping a journal they agreed it was a great idea. But everyone seems to think we should also tell our untold story of our strange life to this point coz’ it might give others understanding of how we are so suited to sailing the world even though we live far from the ocean and none of us can really swim very well…so I will try giving you that info as I go along, but I don’t really have too much time today coz’ we are heading back to the boat in few minutes to charge the battery and put down our name plate “ LE GRANGE” on a number plate.
We also had some bad news, seems Coplin have burned down so that idea is out the window…looking at other options to build a boat otherwise we will be buying 2nd hand and fixing it up.
Oh yes other good news, our other property has finally been rented tenants moved in this weekend so we got our first rent from the place, this is great coz’ we are gonna use it to further the cause and speed up the process of getting on a boat and sailing. We only got 60% of the rent this month but it will be better from next month so that will definitely help. Pay credit card first then bonds…seems we are really starting to make progress on the finance side J
Otherwise an uneventful work week, and it was my mom’s birthday yesterday she was busy last night so have to call her today (lucky fish went to swan lake and partied it up) you go mom!
Off to the boat now – will keep you posted!
Financing our round the world trip
Monday again, seems I like writing on a Monday must have something to do with work avoidance tactics if you ask me – Monday is never the best day for work then again when is the best day for work?
Yesterday was great though, got to go for a day sail on the Vaal in our boat it was really calm and peaceful…not much wind but we managed to sail anyway. Seems this little Vivacity sails easily. Keagan had the tiller for a about an hour then Barry, I steered for about 10 minutes before I got irritated again – I will get the sailing eventually – it just drives me mad when there is no wind and we seem to drift along. Once we had lowered the sails we tried to start up the engine she would not budge, Barry got irritated and after 10 minutes and 100 tries, checking the diesel level and almost stripping the motor, he discovered he had not switched off the cut out switch and we were on our way. I docked her this time with not too much effort except that I cut the motor whilst entering our slip and Barry had to jump off and stop her from going straight through the dock and into the other boats, that would have been mass devastation, but alls well that ends well and we are learning and having fun too boot.
Otherwise, kids played chess on Saturday and won all the matches. Other kids were studying as exams started today. Barry decided Friday was a good day to quit smoking, for the umteenth time, and is doing well DAY 4 and counting….driving us all a little crazy with his short temper, see the boat incident above, but paradise can’t always be perfect can it? And a few weeks of torture will definitely help solve the problem of where to keep the cigarettes on the round the world trip also where to get them and how much they cost not to mention the risk of the cherry of a cigarette on the sail of the boat bursting into flames and costing US$ 8000 or worse not replacable 3000 miles in the middle of the ocean and we are stranded. Yeah no smoking on the boat! Since Barry really wants to come he is trying really hard. I have to sympathise I quit nearly 2 years ago and he put up with me then.
Otherwise feeling like things are moving along rather slowly, managed to pay off 1 of the vehicles this month and will have another one of the credit cards paid off and closed in the next 2 weeks so we are making headway in the preparation for the trip just wish it would happen sooner.
Oh yes, forgot to mention we were considering the Coplan boat which we can buy the hull and bulkheads and build in our yard but heard the moulds caught fire so I will be looking into that to see if we can still get that boat otherwise we need to look into our plans again and maybe take a new angle? Will keep you posted!!!
Yesterday was great though, got to go for a day sail on the Vaal in our boat it was really calm and peaceful…not much wind but we managed to sail anyway. Seems this little Vivacity sails easily. Keagan had the tiller for a about an hour then Barry, I steered for about 10 minutes before I got irritated again – I will get the sailing eventually – it just drives me mad when there is no wind and we seem to drift along. Once we had lowered the sails we tried to start up the engine she would not budge, Barry got irritated and after 10 minutes and 100 tries, checking the diesel level and almost stripping the motor, he discovered he had not switched off the cut out switch and we were on our way. I docked her this time with not too much effort except that I cut the motor whilst entering our slip and Barry had to jump off and stop her from going straight through the dock and into the other boats, that would have been mass devastation, but alls well that ends well and we are learning and having fun too boot.
Otherwise, kids played chess on Saturday and won all the matches. Other kids were studying as exams started today. Barry decided Friday was a good day to quit smoking, for the umteenth time, and is doing well DAY 4 and counting….driving us all a little crazy with his short temper, see the boat incident above, but paradise can’t always be perfect can it? And a few weeks of torture will definitely help solve the problem of where to keep the cigarettes on the round the world trip also where to get them and how much they cost not to mention the risk of the cherry of a cigarette on the sail of the boat bursting into flames and costing US$ 8000 or worse not replacable 3000 miles in the middle of the ocean and we are stranded. Yeah no smoking on the boat! Since Barry really wants to come he is trying really hard. I have to sympathise I quit nearly 2 years ago and he put up with me then.
Otherwise feeling like things are moving along rather slowly, managed to pay off 1 of the vehicles this month and will have another one of the credit cards paid off and closed in the next 2 weeks so we are making headway in the preparation for the trip just wish it would happen sooner.
Oh yes, forgot to mention we were considering the Coplan boat which we can buy the hull and bulkheads and build in our yard but heard the moulds caught fire so I will be looking into that to see if we can still get that boat otherwise we need to look into our plans again and maybe take a new angle? Will keep you posted!!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Planning our first sailing trip
So it’s been 10 days, sue me for not being the most apt journal writer on earth. I will get the hang of this or not, maybe when I have more time I will be more consistent.
So since we bought the boat we have had a million things to organise just for the first weekend, imagine the organising it is gonna take for a life time trip…..
So we go through to ICASA to collect our licences, they are little cards with our photos on the front, I make copies of both side at the office and complete the SAS forms so we can finally have a licence…remember this law came into effect on 1st March and we need it go sailing this weekend….oh no we won’t have it coz’ Amy is not visiting this week and we need her ID photo’s, so we wait again. We decided we will make copies of all the certificates etc and if we get asked we will produce them and say we are waiting for the official SAS ticket we have after all completed all the requirements for SAS and only need the official card. That took since December last year and we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Then there was a shopping trip or 6. We went to many outdoor stores both in the malls and stand alone, looked at plenty things we want and can’t afford, want and aren’t sure can fit in the boat, want but are not practical etc you get the general idea. We have bought a few items which we felt were a necessity like a cooler box, very awesome one at that, a Coleman Extreme, this cooler box can apparently keep ice for 5 days – better than my fridge at home. It has been standing in my lounge for all to admire when walking in.
Then I had to consider the things we are going to need for the weekend I started by listing the meals we are having, Friday night, Saturday morning, lunch and supper etc. Remember we do not even have a spoon, plate or glass on board so we have to think about everything.
Then it was clothing, towels, toiletries, sleeping gear etc. So this is the list I ended up with…remember this is for a weekend only with 4 people.
2 x Soap (1 for girls, 1 for boys)
2 x Shampoo/Conditioner (1 for girls, 1 for boys)
2 x Facecloths
Suntan cream
Roll on deodorant for each of us
Face cream for me
Toilet paper
Tabard (insect repellent)
Insect killer spray
Gas bottle
Rags
Torch
4 x sleeping bags
4 x Pillows
Pad and pen
Sunglasses each
4 x Hats
4 x Toothbrushes
4 x Towels
4 x Anoraks
4 x Tracksuits
8 x T-shirts
8 x Shorts
4 x Swimming costumes
8 x underwear
Easter eggs (treats for kids)
1 x Pot
1 x Sharp knife
1 x Butter knife
4 x Glasses
2 x mugs
4 x Bowls
4 x Spoons
2 x teaspoons
4 x Boat shoes
1 x Cooler box
3 x packs cigarettes
1 x dishwashing liquid
1 x dish towel
1 x washing cloth
1 x cleaning sponge
1 x box disprin
1 x pack dustbin bags
4 x Tupperwares ( different sizes to check what fits)
Ice
KFC (lunch on the way down)
Salt
Butter
Tomatoe Sauce
Mustard
Viennas
½ Dozen long rolls
½ dozen round rolls
3 x 2l cokes
1 x 2l coke zero
1 x Oros
1 x Bottle Brandy
1 x Bottle Vodka
Cornflakes
Weetbix
Sugar
Milk
Teabags
Coffee
Cremora
Ham
Mayonnaise
Hamburger patties
Quick start diesel engine
Tape measure
Shifting spanner
Leather man (most awesome tool ever invented)
And all this fits into my boot, 2 kitbags and a cooler box, amazing.
Any way you can imagine the shopping, mark off the list, pack what we have ready back to the store and so on and so forth. Well…now we leave tomorrow and see if we got the organising right it has taken many hours of work and hopefully we have achieved the goal….
4pm tomorrow on the yacht I am jumping out of my skin waiting to leave…..Barry has been counting down the days he has been at 1 day since Wednesday so he is driving us crazy with his excitement but it is fun to watch. Oh, in the mean time we have finished off the other property for renting, not yet rented but we are hoping, we also got the go ahead so we can have a prepaid meter installed….things are progressing.
Also got a new boating book, “Handbook of Offshore Cruising” written by Jim Howard, this week and am reading that to improve the research area for the trip – I think I am a research junky. Every bit of information is sucked up and stored, hope it makes our trip easier or at least makes us feel more prepared.
Can’t wait to be sailing will let you know how our first trip out alone was, we are just on the dam so hopefully it should be easy going, planning on Friday unpacking and prepping the boat, Saturday breakfast then off for a sail (about 4 –5 hours) then back to have supper at the mooring, Sunday early up, quick 2 hour sail and then pack and clean before returning home.
Well I am off to finish the packing and make sure tomorrow goes down without a hiccup. Not to mention the whole weekend.
So since we bought the boat we have had a million things to organise just for the first weekend, imagine the organising it is gonna take for a life time trip…..
So we go through to ICASA to collect our licences, they are little cards with our photos on the front, I make copies of both side at the office and complete the SAS forms so we can finally have a licence…remember this law came into effect on 1st March and we need it go sailing this weekend….oh no we won’t have it coz’ Amy is not visiting this week and we need her ID photo’s, so we wait again. We decided we will make copies of all the certificates etc and if we get asked we will produce them and say we are waiting for the official SAS ticket we have after all completed all the requirements for SAS and only need the official card. That took since December last year and we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Then there was a shopping trip or 6. We went to many outdoor stores both in the malls and stand alone, looked at plenty things we want and can’t afford, want and aren’t sure can fit in the boat, want but are not practical etc you get the general idea. We have bought a few items which we felt were a necessity like a cooler box, very awesome one at that, a Coleman Extreme, this cooler box can apparently keep ice for 5 days – better than my fridge at home. It has been standing in my lounge for all to admire when walking in.
Then I had to consider the things we are going to need for the weekend I started by listing the meals we are having, Friday night, Saturday morning, lunch and supper etc. Remember we do not even have a spoon, plate or glass on board so we have to think about everything.
Then it was clothing, towels, toiletries, sleeping gear etc. So this is the list I ended up with…remember this is for a weekend only with 4 people.
2 x Soap (1 for girls, 1 for boys)
2 x Shampoo/Conditioner (1 for girls, 1 for boys)
2 x Facecloths
Suntan cream
Roll on deodorant for each of us
Face cream for me
Toilet paper
Tabard (insect repellent)
Insect killer spray
Gas bottle
Rags
Torch
4 x sleeping bags
4 x Pillows
Pad and pen
Sunglasses each
4 x Hats
4 x Toothbrushes
4 x Towels
4 x Anoraks
4 x Tracksuits
8 x T-shirts
8 x Shorts
4 x Swimming costumes
8 x underwear
Easter eggs (treats for kids)
1 x Pot
1 x Sharp knife
1 x Butter knife
4 x Glasses
2 x mugs
4 x Bowls
4 x Spoons
2 x teaspoons
4 x Boat shoes
1 x Cooler box
3 x packs cigarettes
1 x dishwashing liquid
1 x dish towel
1 x washing cloth
1 x cleaning sponge
1 x box disprin
1 x pack dustbin bags
4 x Tupperwares ( different sizes to check what fits)
Ice
KFC (lunch on the way down)
Salt
Butter
Tomatoe Sauce
Mustard
Viennas
½ Dozen long rolls
½ dozen round rolls
3 x 2l cokes
1 x 2l coke zero
1 x Oros
1 x Bottle Brandy
1 x Bottle Vodka
Cornflakes
Weetbix
Sugar
Milk
Teabags
Coffee
Cremora
Ham
Mayonnaise
Hamburger patties
Quick start diesel engine
Tape measure
Shifting spanner
Leather man (most awesome tool ever invented)
And all this fits into my boot, 2 kitbags and a cooler box, amazing.
Any way you can imagine the shopping, mark off the list, pack what we have ready back to the store and so on and so forth. Well…now we leave tomorrow and see if we got the organising right it has taken many hours of work and hopefully we have achieved the goal….
4pm tomorrow on the yacht I am jumping out of my skin waiting to leave…..Barry has been counting down the days he has been at 1 day since Wednesday so he is driving us crazy with his excitement but it is fun to watch. Oh, in the mean time we have finished off the other property for renting, not yet rented but we are hoping, we also got the go ahead so we can have a prepaid meter installed….things are progressing.
Also got a new boating book, “Handbook of Offshore Cruising” written by Jim Howard, this week and am reading that to improve the research area for the trip – I think I am a research junky. Every bit of information is sucked up and stored, hope it makes our trip easier or at least makes us feel more prepared.
Can’t wait to be sailing will let you know how our first trip out alone was, we are just on the dam so hopefully it should be easy going, planning on Friday unpacking and prepping the boat, Saturday breakfast then off for a sail (about 4 –5 hours) then back to have supper at the mooring, Sunday early up, quick 2 hour sail and then pack and clean before returning home.
Well I am off to finish the packing and make sure tomorrow goes down without a hiccup. Not to mention the whole weekend.
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