25/12/2006, Hout Bay
Our stay at the Hout Bay Yacht Club was memorable thanks to the many friends we made. Special thanks to Jeremy and Yvonne from Jandy who took us sightseeing, lent us tools, and Jeremy welded a pair of fairleads for our drogue, while Yvonne was a great help with the provisioning.
24/12/2006, Hout Bay, South Africa
Wishing you very happy holidays and all the best for 2007,
Marketa and Raoul
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13/12/2006, Hout Bay, South Africa
After 49 days at sea we were very grateful to step on terra firma. Tom, our ham radio friend who followed our progress over the last few days, as well as Yvonne and Jeremy were standing by to take our lines as Thalia came alongside.
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13/12/2006, Off Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
We had the most magical landfall with the Cape on the horizon and whales, dolphins and seals cavorting in Thalia's wake. We later learned the reason for this enthusiastic welcome; they come to feed on huge schools of herring that are found near the Cape at this time of the year.
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09/12/2006, En route to Capetown
As we approached the Cape of Good Hope accurate weather information and news from home became very important to us. Much to our delight, we were able to communicate with Herb in Ontario and Scott in Halifax all the way to Capetown.
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08/12/2006, En route to Capetown
This part of the South Atlantic had an abundance of sea birds. The shearwaters were our constant companions, and we had frequent visits from grey-headed albatross and Mother Carrey's chickens.
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06/12/2006, En route to Capetown
There's nothing like an ocean voyage for catching up with current literature. After 42 days at sea I finally read my way through the backlog of Red Journals on board.
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05/12/2006, En route to Capetown
Raoul's all happy after catching the noon sight. Celestial navigation provided hours of fun and the occasional correct position.
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23/11/2006, En route to Capetown
We carry 450 liters of fresh water and have the ability to collect rainwater under way, but a bucket of saltwater in the cockpit, also known as the cruising man's Jacuzzi, is hard to beat.
I became less of an enthusiast as we sailed into the higher latitudes and temperatures dropped.
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07/11/2006, En route to Capetown
Raoul is holding up a sign with our longitude. We celebrated by opening a bottle of orange liqueur from La Palma, and made sure we gave Neptune some as well.
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30/10/2006, En route to Capetown
We experienced very light winds with the occasional squall. Our cruising chute, the biggest sail on board, was much in use.
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25/10/2006, Praia, San Tiago
All fresh produce bought at the Praia market had to be inspected and washed before coming aboard, in case of roaches or other creepy crawlies. The dinghy makes a good quarantine station.
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24/10/2006, Praia, San Tiago
Tonaka is a friendly fisherman who looks after visiting yachts and their dinghies. Here he takes charge of Archie, our trusty inflatable.
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19/10/2006, Tarrafal, Sao Nicolau
As a baking novice I was so amazed after turning out these two loaves; I had to take a photo. Just as well, they did not last long!
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14/10/2006, En route to Sao Nicolau
Raoul caught this beautiful Dorado shortly after sunrise. Lightly battered and fried in olive oil it made a delicious breakfast.
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13/10/2006, En route to Sao Nicolau
Hand steering has its disadvantages as I found out when a stray wave found its way into the cockpit. Jim, our Aries wind vane seen in the background, is having a break while Raoul trims the sails.
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11/10/2006, Sal, Cape Verde Islands
We were happy to drop anchor after a week on passage. Angelika and Gerd from Germany invited us for dinner aboard their boat where we met Connie, their charming cruising companion.
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08/10/2006, En route to the Cape Verde Islands
Breakfast anyone?
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06/10/2006, En route to Cape Verde Islands
Our daily skeds with Scott and Herb on the HF radio are an important part of our day. It is good to receive messages from family and friends and talk about life on board. Here Raoul shares a joke with Scott.
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30/09/2006, Santa Cruz, la Palma
There is always a number of small jobs that need doing. Raoul modified our dodger (spray hood that protects the companion way and keeps the person on watch dry in bad weather) using a hand-cranked sawing machine.
| the voyage |
