We got up this morning to overcast skies and the threat of sprinkles. Wind wasn't too bad but we are relatively protected from the bigger blows that happen out past the breakwater. We heard on the SSB radio during the morning net that Totem was coming into the Richards Bay harbor and getting nailed by 30 knot winds. We, maybe, had 5 at the time. We had a quick breakfast and headed out on deck to get more sails down and stowed just incase it did start to pour. We've already taken down the genoa and now stowed it under our dinghy on deck. We've been warned that when the wind comes out of the southwest, it carries coal dust from the local mining and processing plant over to the marina covering every thing that's exposed in nasty black dust. We striped off lines and put them in plastic bags and sealed them closed. Our mainsail was coming off as it was going to be picked up today by Sandy, a young lady that takes them to Durban where they are inspected and repaired. We fixed out main, or did as much as we could while we were in Maputo but she really needs to be inspected by a professional and fixed properly. We know the bolt rope fittings really need reworking. We took the genoa down as it's also going to be repaired but must be inspected first and that should happen in a few days. So, out came the battens on the main and on went sail ties and down she came in then got squeezed into her original sail bag. The forestaysail has now been taken off and stowed in the anchor locker and the storm sail we used getting down here is now stowed below decks. We look striped! Every sail is gone and even the dodger and bikini are now stowed below decks and the cockpit is covered by a tarp.

Sandy showed up about 1030 and wrote out notes and off went the mainsail. She's going to email us a quote in a few days to let us know what needs to be done. The genoa should be inspected in a few days and then off it will go. Sure glad we aren't going anywhere for a while. It's almost sad to look at poor Zephyrs deck.

Once Sandy was gone, we called a cab and got ready to head for the Mall to find a computer repair person. I'd done some internet searches and found a place that does the repairs and called him. No problem. He'd even meet us outside the mall and take us to his shop. As we waited for the cab, one of the board members of the Yacht Club offered us a ride to the mall. In the end, I'm glad we said yes and the cab driver called back that his phone crashed and he didn't get anything other than our number. He never showed up. Of course, being close to the mall, we stopped in and had another round of McDonalds Big Macs. We walked over the the mall the were met by the repair tech and escorted to his store. We dropped off our little Samsung net book as well as our Acer computer. Now the netback just needed a new screen while the Acer had gotten drenched by salt water when a wave slammed into the stern and flooded the stern cabin soaking everything. Not much hope for that one but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Once we dropped off the computers, we hit the grocery store for a few more items and then called the same cab driver who did show up this time and took us back to the marina. We heard from the computer store that the Samsung was all fixed and the charges to do so are a whole $60US!! He's still inspecting the Acer but I don't think he can save it. It's hard to raise the dead. I'm off for the mall tomorrow to pick it up as Tracy wants to take it with her back to the US and she leaves on Wednesday.

It's still over cast and blowing a bit. There is another barbecue set for tonight where people bring their own meat and we bought some nice porterhouse steaks(set of two for under $7.00US) while at the store. It's still overcast and blowing so we're not sure we will make it. The steaks will keep and they are vacuum packed and fit nicely in the freezer.

By 1800, it didn't look that bad out so off we went for the barbecue. The coals were beautiful when we got there and along with about 20 other people, we all arranged our assorted meats and veggies on the two grills. A short time later we all sat down to great meals. I had steak and left over potato and Tracy had a salad with her steak. We were joined by the crews of Rutea, Merkava, and Pelagie. As we started to eat, it started to drizzle. With in a few minutes it started to really rain so the 7 of us moved to a table inside the room that normally makes us the restaurant. It's closed on Monday so there was no problem. As we ate, the rest of the group either stayed and moved over to the small bar area or just took off. It was pouring by the time we were just about done eating. We talked and waited and talked and waited and when it looked like it was lessening, we all took off for our boats. Be got back a bit soggy but we've been a lot soggier. We dried off and settled in, listening to the rain and seeing lightening flash out side the boat. I headed out on deck one last time and tossed our big copper cable that's attached to the shrouds into the water to act like a grounding cable should we get nailed. With in a few minutes, the lightening stopped but the rain has continued for several more hours. It's now a bit chilly and damp but that's just fine. At least the outside of the boat has gotten a good washing, hopefully getting any of the coal dust that has landed on our decks washed off. We'll see tomorrow though there is rain in that forecast also. With there being a big drought here in South Africa, lets hope they get plenty of rain to help them out.