May 13, 2008

"Good things come to he who waits"
paraphrased by Donna Stone in an effort to keep me calm.

Finally! A launch date which we believe in, May 20, 2008 a day that will live in our personal family history.
Today the boat is complete with the exception of the interior joinery work. All of the electronics, counter tops, plumbing, solar panels, water maker, batteries, engines, flexo-fold props, doors, holding tanks and a hundred other things are done. The permits to drive the boat down the highway at hundreds of Kilometers per hour with several police department s in the parade (Queue) have been approved: the reservation for launching at the Royal Cape Yacht Club is Ok'ed and the mast will be waiting to be stepped when the boat splashes.
We have been to the factory every day this week, and will be there Monday and Tuesday next week.

Yesterday was a day "off" however. It was a clear and warm beach day and Donna and I took advantage of it. We took a long walk along the beach and went for breakfast at Doodles, our favorite beach restaurant. We did a few errands and then went to Cape Town for a second round of high tea at the Table view Hotel. It was just as good as the first time, starting with Champagne and sandwiches, quiche, scones and the fantastic dessert table.
While walking down the dock we saw a St. Francis 50 catamaran; a beautiful boat and it was on our short list, but was more than we wanted to pay and more maintenance than I wanted to do. Donna said hello to the man on board who invited us to join him for a tour. I knew he looked familiar when I saw him and after about 10 minutes I asked if his name was Duncan. He replied affirmatively, and at that point I knew he was the famous yacht builder Duncan Lethbridge. It was a privilege to spend some time with this catamaran legend and great sailor. He shared some stories and showed us the entire boat. The name of the boat is Nutmeg and it is going into crewed charter. The St. Francis Line was designed by Angelo Levaranos the same designer as the Admiral 40; if we didn't already own a boat I would love to charter this one for a couple of weeks.

We have been eating only two meals a day: breakfast at around 10AM and then around 5-6 PM, what we call Lupper (also known in retirement circles as the early bird special). This seems to work out well for us, especially since Donna wants to make me cookies and tea later in the evening.


We bound the insurance today and continue an ongoing discussion with our bank, who does not want to send the money unless we sign for it there first. They came through for us and found a way to do it. I thought I made it clear before we left that I would not be around to sign a wire transfer. Sometimes I think people do not listen to me (as Donna says what?).

I am really going to miss Donna on this trip. I am really proud of her for wanting to make the crossing, and wanting to fish and cook, I am sure she would have done fine. It was a difficult decision to make, but logistically this will only be a delivery and it will be better if she can spend time with me next winter in the Bahamas. We are both disappointed, but when I return it will all be forgotten I am sure.

Pre launch pictures will be taken and posted ASAP.