Touring near Knysna

1st December 2010

On Wednesdy we got a rental car and drove to some sites such as the Cango Caves. At the caves we were split into 3 groups, the groups were German, English and Scandanavian. The German group had  10 - 15 people, the Scandanavian group had 9 - 11 and the English had 30 - 40 not including us and a baby.

Now babies and I are not exactly  happy match and everytime the guide spoke the baby would start calling his mom and dad but more like Mummy! Daddy! and yelling and moaning and crying and guide already whispered so you could not hear and that made it extremely disappointing.

We went ostrich riding at Highgate Ostrich farm where there were lots of random things to do and buy and Rauen rode an ostrich.

The next day we drove the garden route and went to a 3D maze which when you look at it it looks easy but it is the very opposite. It took hours to solve that was followed by a puzzle walk which was complicated.

When I was finished I went back to the ones I missed because they were busy and stumbled upon some kids. I got to the puzzle machine and waited. One of the kids asked for help and I pointed out the Fibonacci code...0,1,1,2,3,5,8,...? I answered the question but they ran out of time. I played next and got the answer right and left.

We went to buy KFC and then it was back to Yrumoar!

Dragging anchor

17 November 2013

Ian helped us get into the Knysna heads and helped us anchor and out on the bridle...the cursed bridle...and to make matters worse it is ours. Ian found a way to uncurse it by tie wrapping it on because it keeps falling off.

This was just one of the curses but what we do not know is that it moves up and down. I was writing my previous blog while my dad is working on the leaking motor and my mom is earning money on the internet while Rauen is playing on his phone when all hell breaks loose.

My dad yells to us to come out then a loud bang. We are all out there running, pushing kicking off a big boat, getting fenders down. My mom fends off the bow spirit when at full speed it smacks uor boat. While I am fending off the bow with my feet and every now and then kicking the fender down between our boat and the other boat, but still we were being scraped at the bottom of our hull. It seems impossible but the shape of the other boats bow was like a sword.

We screamed for help from a boat that came flooring past. We called the NSRI. The NSRI must have only taken a few minutes but it felt like 3 hours.

The boat boat that came flooring past did not hear us but another boat did and they gave us the idea to swing our back out. This was impossible because that would break our rudder.

They kept telling my mom to calm down. She was calm, I know when my mom is not calm and she was calm.

Another boat came and the owner of the boat we had smacked into came and they tried helping push the boats apart but our boat was stuck underneather their anchor bridle. By this time we had 2 fenders by the place where I was trying to fend off.

The NSRI came and to explain the rest of the story I have to expain how we were stuck:
The port side bridle was attached to the chain we were in the gap between the 2.What happened next is unexplainable to me but the NSRI went to fetch more men. They got back with more men and they dropped the starboard side bridle off the boat we had hit. This did not release us and they had to drop the port side bridle aswell. We were free!

But things got worse, we had no rudders and the NSRI boat got some ropes stuck in their prop. They solved this problem and asked us to release the rudders. We discovered the bridle was trapped in the rudders so they towed us to a mooring buoy.

The wind was blowing very hard and my mom and dad wanted more ropes on the mooring buoy so my dad and Rauen got on the dinghy and my mom and I held the ropes and moved them around the boat to the front. Luckily we got that sorted without any problems. I realised that is the NSRI had only dropped the port side bridle we would not need to dive down to get the rope off.

We have been up all night taking shifts on anchor watch. A few hours later my dad and I are discussing how we dragged anchor. We got to the conclusion that the cursed bridle moved making our boat get hit broad side on by the wind and current and we did not have enough anchor chain down and did not reverse it into the ground when we dropped it.

We checked the damaged, the stanchion buckled, the targa bar cracked and we may or may not have rudder damage.

 

We went across to shore and docked, we went to Game stores. I walked down and up the escalator. When I got to the top Rauen said: "Thanks for the running commentary" because the lift tells you what it is doing.

We went to Spar then walked home, when we got to the yacht club a man waved at us and we sat and spoke the entire time. I had to leave because there was too much noise so I sat outside wondering what to do then I saw a blue swallow. I ran inside got the camera but when I got back the swallow had left. So I waited and took photos, after a while I took a picture of everyone and we left for the boat.

Getting back in the dark is also a task because the dock has holes. But we got back tied up, put our stuff down and went to sleep.

Port Elizabeth to Knysna

15th November

Tuesday morning we left as planned and predicted by the media of the Newspaper.
I must explain...

We are in Port Elizabeth otherwise known as PE.
On the 6th of November we hired a car and drove tot he mall to meet my mom's friend. We went home and slept. The next day we got a phone call saying we were going to be interviewed for the Newspaper. The interview went well and we were leaving soon so that brings us back to leaving.

When we left Port Elizabeth I took seasickness pills so decided to try and sleep for a little while. Eventually I was sitting at in the saloon when I noticed the table had decided to start walking which meant the screws had come out.

The sea was rough so we decided to stop in Knysna, then my mom starting crying and telling my dad how much she hates sailing and him then immediately she calms down after saying we are never sailing again.

After she is calm she says." I think we should take Ian with us on the next leg"
Ian is a person we met way back in Richards Bay and he helped us through the heads which worked out fine.

East London to Port Elizabeth

5th November

On Sunday morning we left the port at 8:30am and got out the harbour at 9:30am. I was so excited because my mom said we would see 1000 seals. She was right about 1 thing, we saw 1 seal.

I took a seasickness pill, it makes my mom and dad sleepy while it seems to make me scared of everything:
Rauen moves fast I almost have a heart attack
A loud noise and I almost have a heart attack

Even after we docked for 2 days I was nervous and feeling like I was going to have a heart attack.
Anyway we are in Port Elizabeth!

My Dad's dentist visit

2 ays ago my mom and dad decided to go to the dentist. On the day somebody decided I was going to be a psychic. The first phone call to the first dentist I was thinking "they are going to say a year". My dad says:" Hello, I need to make an appointment." They say something I do not hear. My dad answers: "A Year?" in a shocked voice and says no thanks. The next phone call I am thinking " A month". My dad says: "Hello, I need to make an appointment.". They answer and again I do not hear. My says in a surprised voice: "A month?". My dad calls a third dentist and I am thinking "Today". My dad says: "Hello, I need to make and appointment." They answer again and I do not hear them again. My dad answers: " I will take it so what time is it? 11:30...see you in an hour and 30 minutes!

Our trip to Mozambique

19th September

We showered and went shopping. We prepared for the escaped convict driver but to our surprise a new taxi driver came and he drove nicely while the car moaned and groaned from old age.

We got to the shop and bought a little of a lot.

As we were driving back Rauen saw a tow truck towing another tow truck and says;" That's quite funny!" My dad replies:"You know they drive over pavements, tow trucks and taxi drivers, only difference is that tow trucks are more intimidating."

We all start laughing as he insulted the taxi driver sitting next to him. The driver then says:" Shall I just just pull over and drop you off here?" and my dad says, "no, the turn is just up ahead." We are all laughing now and my mom says:" Wow that was bad Barry." and he suddenly realises what he said and starts laughing with us. My dad turns to the driver and says:"Sorry, not you."

We got home and unpacked the groceries and were just settling down when a man comes along the dock and says:" You must move." My dad says:" When?" and the man answers:"Now."
So we dropped the lines after preparing for an hour to leave.

My mom and I get intensely ill. At about half past 11 the weather is worsening and we decide to turn around. In the morning we anchor in port again and all go to sleep.

20th September

Yesterday Roks, another catamaran, was anchored next to us. At about 8pm we noticed that they had dragged anchor, my dad starts blowing the fog horn but they do not hear. I yell but get no response so we have to drop the dinghy and oar over to them and tell them and as for the long exhausting journey back? Yes we had to oar that too!

21st September

We docked against the wall and I slept. When I woke up I ate food and enjoyed what I had wanted for a long time, Cottage Pie, Roks, the other catamaran, had another Kyle on board. We spoke to t hem and got invited on board which was quite a task walking down the ladder, going across the thin wooden plank and finally climbing aboard.

The conversation was goin well but it suddenly stopped, I said:"Oh it must be 8:30pm" and my mom corrected me and said:"No, it must 8:20pm" Rauen checked and sure enough it was 20 past the hour. When we decided to go home we went back with their dinghy as it was easier.
 

9 October 2013

On Tuesday we got on a bus my first bus ride. We drove and drove and you won’t believe what happened...we drove some more. Then we stopped and my mom smoked with my dad, we ordered pies as we got out the bus was driving again without us. We ran after it saying: "Wait, stop the bus!" We caught up to it, got on it and it started driving again. We made it to the next stop the we rushed to the bathroom, we get there and only 2 stalls are working the rest are out of order and the entire chinese Army is in front of the 2 working stalls. We get to the bus and it is leaving, oh I forgot to mention that Rauen is sleeping on the bus and is running up and down the bus trying to stop it to let us on. It came back as it was meant to and we drove to our destination.

 

We got to my mom’s sisters house slept. Stayed the next day then left to Richards Bay then went to the border got into our new transport. We were driven into Mozambique.

 

 

I held onto the window the roof and the floor. We got driven into by another car, there was no damage checking, no swearing, just move along. They take what is in the past stays in the past way to seriously. We had the wedding, enjoyed our time and drove back. I spoke to Devon in Richards Bay and the next day drove to my mom’s sister’s house. We stayed the night and here we are back in East London in the present.

Seals and Penguins

14th September

Yesterdy we did not stick to our normal routine, instead we walked to the beach. We saw a restaurant called Y-Knot and walked in, but it did not open until 11:30am so we walked on. We saw the German monument and went to the aquarium and saw seals wave and salute like a navy seal.

I learnt that seals are very smart and we found ourselves laughing at the trainer because he had no control over them.

We watched them feed the penguins then went to a restaurant Guido's and walked home.

Birthdays!

2nd September

Today is my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday, have a great day Amy!

This weekend was very exciting we had 2 visitors. They got on the boat with no hassles and we spoke and fished and enjoyed our time. My mom made Millionaire's shortbread...sounds expensive!

4th September

We started yesterday by fixing the broken geyser which had been broken for years. We opened it, everything worked except there was no flame. We changed the batteries and we get a flame. Then my mom cooks lunch and we eat  and try the geyser again. No flame again!
At this point we are on the verge of ripping the geyser out, along with the toilets and tossing them overboard. but with our luck the water will be too shallow and only waist deep.

We give up with the geyser and my dad has a drink instead. I decide I am hungry and try to cook, no flame on the stove.Then it hits us, we have no gas. We swop the gas bottle and and my mom checks the water. "It's hot!" she says, I lift u my foot in joy and my foot get caught under the chair and it catches my heel. I jump about in pain. My dad doesn't realise I have caught my foot and keeps telling me to calm down...having hot water is not that exciting.

5th September

This morning when we woke up there were dolphins playing in the harbour around our boat. I tried to go see and headed for the door. Rauen stood in the way and leant back as I tried to forward and blocked me from getting outside. I got mad nd squeezed past him. Then everyone said I was in a bad mood today...I did not even reply.

The day went passed quickly and near the end of the day my mom saw something in the water. We rushed outside to see and it was a seal! My first seal! He played in the water for a long time and finally left.

9th September

We went to Doreen's house, I played laptop and found out Doreen's birthday is lso on the 7th of April same as mine!

Toilet trouble!

26th August

Here I am hiding in a corner!
It all started when we started servicing the toilets. Once we got them reinstalled we tested them and they worked fine. I had to go to the toilet and when I was done it did not work. My dad fixed it again and then tested it, my mom tested it and then my dad asked me how I put toilet paper in the toilet. I say "I get 2 squares, fold and fold," My dad says:"No, only fold once and then flush it." He throws a piece in the toilet and fllushes it and it does not go down. He flushes again and again and the same thing happens. He has fumes coming out of his ears and he curses. I ran away because I wanted to laugh but my dad would kill me.

Next Rauen goes to the bathroom it works all good and fine. Rauen goes later to the bathroom and it does not work!Rauen and my dad must remove the pipes. So there I was in my corner and I heard the poof...Aah man! then Rauen comes running with disgusting water.

I am glad I am sitting int he corner for 2 reasons:
1. So I don't have to see it.
2. If it splashes on me I am going to grow 73 fingers and 81 toes.

When my dad gets upstairs he is as mad as a hornet. but at least he had ideas that made me laugh and laugh.

On Monday we went for a shower and get my dad's book. We also went shoping at Greenfel's Pick 'n Pay. I sat at the entrance because I was tired after walking all the way and people walked past giving me the stupid eyes. The eyes that say "Are you a stupid?"
I did not care and when my mom was done we walked tot he bottle store.
While my parents were inside a man asked us :Are you tired?"
I answered: "Yes" and he left.
My parents came back and the same man asked them:"Are you waiting for someone?"
We answered:"No"
He said: "I'll sort you out!" and he got the store manager to drive us back to the boat.

28th August

My mom made hamburgers that I have been craving for weeks and so I finely got them!

Weather Window Lost!

19th August

We got picked up by my mom's cousins and drove to their house. We had a great bath, a braai, drank, played computer games and slept over. The next day we drove to another cousin Doreen's house who had a lot of dogs.

21st August

We took the "Walk of Death" and got in the "escaped convicts car". She drove like a lunitic again but this time we almost crashed into a Mercedes which seem to be very popular here. We got to the post office but they did not have my dad's book yet. We walked home after eating hamburgers.

22nd August

We went to the cold showers then to Doreen again for a braai and I played laptop.

23rd August

We saw a weather window to leave so we called the people who were delivering our book, they had not delivered it yet so we have to stay and wait for the next weather window so Yrumoar can not go around the world yet again.

Visitors and visiting sites!

8th  August

I did school and learnt about cube and square roots. We left the boat and I had a cold shower. We got back and I played laptop, Rauen watched movies and my dad fibreglassed.

12th  August

It was another rush this morning. My mom's old friends were coming, so I brushed my teeth, brushed my hair, ate breakfast and cleaned the boat. 8 people were coming so we went up to great them some of them were late. When we got the the wa,k of death, Aunty Max could not go on it. So they headed over to the yacht club and we motored across tot he yacht club to fetch them. The late arrival visitors did not want to go on the dinghy so they went home.

15th August

We went to the museum, we saw fish, fish and more fish, mammals, dinosaurs, birds and humans. Manys shells and shipwrecks. By the time we were done we were out of energy, got into the crazy taxi that moved warp speed along straights and light speed around corners and flew when it hit potholes and speedbumps. It did not slow down for either, it just kept speeding. Now I know how an escaped mass murdering convict drives when he is getting chased by cops.

 

I am sure more than once people thought they were in the middle of a movie scene. I wonder if the taxi service, Eagle taxi's is for convicts that are on probation for sppeding too much and I m sure that the South African flag is not there anymore for the fire she makes while speeding burns it away.

The next day we were going to be driven by friends, we enjoyed our ride and shopped for a few things, 1 whole trolley is little to my mom but to me I think we go overboard with food. We went to their home, ate quiche and came home.

16th August

We decided to go to Nahoon Point nature reserve, the weather looked right to go. We were excited to go, Nahoon point had blowholes and a cave, it was a 12km hike. We ate breakfast and walked on a wooden walkway and saw rocks, we ended up rock climbing, miountain climbing and going along small edges and walking.
When we had finished we decided to walk the whole 20km home. When we got home we slept.

Heading inland

5 August

We woke up to a rush. Brushing teeth, eating breakfast and all the other things we had to do so we would be ready to meet my mom's old friends. As we were getting ready a man came over on a dinghy and spoke to my parents, they offered him coke and they spoke while we got ready.

We went to my mom's friends house but first we had to walk across the walk of death...
Getting off our boat is not a problem...
First step over the rail with 1 foot then the other, if you were on the sailing course you would be told to Never Ever, I mean NEVER EVER do this.
Then you climb on to the steel boat next to us, go over his railing.
the next obstacle is the ladder. I know you are thinking a ladder but it is not that simple.
Climb over the steel rails of the steel boat and step on a rusted step on the ladder, then up to a normal step. 1 wrong step could kill you.
You eventually reach your goal, a run down, rotting, cracking walk-on. You must walk on 4 planks at a time as some are missing and others if you step on them brake and crack, then you get to a gate that is locked, luckily only with a piece of wire. You untie the wire with haste because it is the only thing keeping you from freedom.

 6 August
I started Grade 7 school work, by school work I mean Maths.

Later we called Eagle Taxi's. It came. The car had tigers on it and a tiger airfreshener hanging in the front.
We arrived at the shopping centre, we ate Wimpy, went to Pick 'n Pay and bought shopping.
When we got home I watched a movie, Rauen skated and my parents sat outside talking.

7 August

We called Eagle Taxi's again.
They picked us up, no tigers this time. We drove to Eagle taxi's home base where we were invited to go yesterday.

We saw monkeys, parrots and other things. We spoke to them and after the 1 hour tour we went from shop to shop collecting cigarettes and diesel.

We came back to the boat and Rauen watched a movie which we all eventually started watching with him.

Our first passage

2 June 2012

We went to Duban by boat on our first passage. My dad and brother watched boat or cruiser or tanker ship while I just fell into a dream which I unfortunately can not remember. So I only have a memory of leaving Richards Bay and arriving in Durban. We had a pleasant experience but when we got to the Bluff we got an unpleasant surprise!

The yacht club had an awful smell, like sewers emptying into the water.

On our trip down to Durban our autopilot broke and my dad and Rauen had to hand steer.
We decided it would be better to sail back to Richards Bay and we did that knowing it would be a long day of hand steering.

My Dog died

19 May 2009

My dog was poisoned on Saturday. On Sunday he died, I am really sad.