Port Owen our base

Early the next morning we started sailing back to Port Owen. The sea was beautiful but the wind was no where to be found. We had to motor a long way and only late afternoon the wind was picking up. Jaco sailed us into Port Owen where we are going to spend some time.



The big cleaning job started! Every thing is unpacked, unscrewed and washed out and re-arranged. The Yacht Club has a washing machine and we could even dry our washing on a line in the sun! The kids made a couple of new friends and were invited with Patrick and JC for a sail on their mono-hull. They also went diving with Patrick and saw how cray fish successfully can get into your boat! Thanks for friends...


We are getting ready to leave Catlyn for a week or two, to visit George, and then we will be back to sail the West Coast Cruise in January!

Lamberts Bay's Bird Paradise

It was dribbling softly when we woke up, but soon the sun was shining again. The men spend the morning in the open sea trying to catch some cray fish, but just like all the locals they came back with empty nets. Was it the weather? The stormy sea? Bad luck? We still have so much to learn.
With no fish for dinner we decided to check out the town. We secured the dinghy, and our nostrils were filled with the awesome smell of the potato chips factory! Just needed the vinegar and salt... This big factory use potatoes from the Sandveld and the Free State to make their chips.

The boys' tummies were rumbling by now, but luckily we found some real butter fudge in the Sandveld Shop. What an interesting shop with an old record playing in the back ground. Antiques filled the shop, and even a big buffalo was keeping watch from the wall...definitely no shoplifting in this shop. We found an old "Huisgenoot" magazine dated back to 1964, but unfortunately I couldn't buy it, Andria. I am sure you missed this issue!

On our way back we visited the Bird Paradise. Truly breathtaking is the thousands of Gannets living here. We followed the path ways to the outlook where you can sit and watch their neck scissoring, their sky looking and the way these big birds with a wing span of up to 1.8m take their clumsy lift off. In the back ground the seals and their young were living their lives.

Just remember to wear shoes because the path ways are made of the broken sea shells and that's how Marco landed on my back. While we were walking around, we read on one of the billboards that the Kelp gulls while breeding can be dangerous and you have to keep clear of them. If you do come too close they will start making their squawking noises and if you don't back off they will start attacking you by flying over your head and attack you with their wings and claws and drop their droppings all over you! Needless to say we were strolling and giggling all the way, when we passed a gull without noticing and according to her, it was too close! We didn't notice her warning signals and it was only when Johan saw a couple of them lifting off and flying in our direction that he realised there was trouble. He made a run for it, of course leaving me with Marco still on my back! Luckily he was making a bigger noise than the gull and they just hovered around us,and we fled!

Dinner time was spend at the lovely place, Kreefhuis restaurant (kreefhuis@gmail.com) where we had the best steak in a very long time and ended it off with a delicious cheese cake. Marco had the meat basket which is really a basket filled with value. Don't miss this old house close to the chips factory in Strand street for a special time and good food and very friendly service.

Ps. Johan tried to take a photo of the Sunfish...you can see the big eye!

Cruising North

It was our anniversary...22 years of fun and games! Isn't that exactly what a life journey is..fun and games? Some games are not so nice, some are breathtaking, some are boring, some are gruelling but afterwards in memory, just fun!

We sailed away from Port Owen at high tide about two o'clock the afternoon and had an awesome sail with the wind pumping at 15 knots pushing us towards Elands Bay. The day before we sailed the St Helena Bay and visited Stompneus Bay, Shelley Point and decided to anchor at Slippers Bay opposite a little restaurant in a house. We had our own candle lit dinner with the kids while the people in Slippers Bay gave us a show of fire works in the distance and somewhere a big party was happening. The bay was quiet, and it was strange to be woken during the night by a little puppy howling through the night.

Five o'clock the next morning we left and almost had to motor all the way because the wind had died down. Lots of dolphins played around us, on our way to Lamberts Bay.

We arrived at about four o'clock and sailed into the fishing harbour with a couple of fishing vessels and diamond mining vessels lying in the bay. Luckily we were welcomed by a little crayfish "bakkie" and the three fishermen told us where it would be safe to anchor.

The boys were immediately in the water diving to see where the crayfish will be. Quite tired after the whole day on the sea we hit the beds, but at one o'clock were awoken by a noise. After investigating we realized that the water level dropped significantly during the tide and we were bumping against sand or rocks. We shortened the anchor line and fasten Catlyn to two moorings as well for a safe and secure night.

Lingering in Port Owen

Besides the fact that we had some maintenance to do on our main sail, we loved the time in Port Owen. Early morning Johan and I put on our shoes and took off to town...Velddrif. A quaint little town, with the most interesting "handelshuis" filled to the roof with everything you might need or not. After a couple of kilometres later we found the little hotel next to the Bergrivier, and enjoyed a lovely breakfast with a litre of fresh orange juice. Close to it lies the Pont Bridge, called after the Old Pont from the 1900 to 1950, helping vehicles to cross the river. On our way home we spend our last R9.40 on apricots, sold by a friendly old man in the street.

The day was spend by the boys in the water to cool down. Some more work was done on the main sail, and the boat needed a good spring clean. I had time to phone my friends, and shared with them the image of ten little ducklings with their mama swimming around the yachts begging for a nibble.

And then we dressed up for a night out! We went to the Port Owen Yacht Club, the guests of Patrick and his family. Anne, the beautiful Commodore welcomed us all and with Juliette and her Cook sisters, we had a lovely dinner!

Ps. Nature is so cruel...and the next morning only five little ones survived.

Mola Mola!

Early the next morning we left Paternoster, while the whales were lazying just outside the bay. We had a light wind and time for the screecher to help us on our way. The sea was flat like a lagoon and the sun was hot. While we were enjoying the smooth sail, we did a bit of maintenance. Lanolin! Every little screw gets unscrewed, cleaned and then polished with lanolin and then screwed back in. Lanolin is a hydrous substance that keeps water out and prevent rust.

And then we saw that mysterious fin again! Johan saw it coming closer, and to his surprise saw a half eaten shark...only the head and top part of the body floating! We saw this too! But then it started moving and we saw a fish! A Mola Mola or a Sun fish. A pre-historic fish, half a fish. It can way up to two tons and eats jelly fish. After we met this fish, we saw lots of them basking just under the water in the sun. I couldn't get a photo yet, but am awaiting the opportunity.

We were on our way to Port Owen. Late afternoon we phoned Patrick the Marine Manager, and this gentle man, met us at the entrance of the Bergrivier at Laaiplek's jetty, got onto Catlyn and safely took us through to our berth. There we were greeted by so many friendly new faces, all just helping a hand to secure Catlyn to the poles in the water. No jetty...only poles to fasten her to. Hands were shaken, stories told and new friends made!

That evening we were invited to the yacht Club for a braai and little bottles of red wine.

Here we can stay!

Time to go

Catlyn was getting restless. She was fighting with the lines tying her to the jetty in Langebaan, and we decided to set her free! The water tanks was full and the diesel tanks and all the food "tanks." We had a choppy sail all the way to Paternoster. On our way we were accompanied by the usual seals and dolphins, but then confusion struck. The kids saw a funny fin in the waves. I saw it too, and we started guessing. Dolphin-no, seal-no, shark-may be? But it disappeared and we had to anchor at Paternoster with no answer to this mysterious fin.

What a lovely protected bay when the westerly winds aren't blowing. The bay was filled with the usual "bakkies" full of fishermen on their way home after a good day at sea. Kids were playing in the sand and elderly people were walking down the beach. We dropped the dinghy and me and the kids went to town, while Dad is cooking supper and looking after Catlyn.

We were offered cray fish as soon as we set foot on the land. R70 for a beautiful cray fish, but luckily we had a couple in the fridge. By law you are allowed to catch four crayfish with a license, and believe it or not, we are licensed. Paternoster had ice cream and fudge and ginger cookies!

A full moon smiled over us and Paternoster, while the little town was sleeping and we crept into our cradles for a peaceful night.

A touch of the future...

We enjoyed three days in Kraalbaai before we needed some proviand from the shops. We sailed back to Schaapen Island where we anchored on the sheltered northern side amongst all the kite surfers. We got into the dinghy and after a wet bumpy ride by Johan junior, we set foot on land. We walked to the Spar and Clicks Chemist to get some necessities and a bar of chocolate for a treat. A buzz of excitement was going through me and the kids...it felt like we are only visiting a foreign island, browsing around and then going back to our water home.

But the reality of life is always close by, when Dad had to go back to Cape Town to fetch our broken down blue bus. A clutch plate and a lot of money later, the blue bus travelling with us where he can, was up and running again. We were all relieved to see the blue bulk when Johan parked him opposite Pearly's, and waited for us to fetch him with the dinghy.

He came back to Catlyn and in his arms this big bunch of roses just for me. In that moment I felt so special looking at this soul with his arms full of roses in this tiny dinghy on this wide open sea! I got roses from land!

Physical exercise around

Being in Langebaan is so much fun for the kids and family. Lying in the Mykonos Marina the whole family goes to the gym in the mornings, or walk to town for an ice cream. If they aren't too lazy they play tennis or putt-putt or Marco catch little fish with his net. Being in and around Mykonos resort the swimming pools and couple of restaurants are there for your entertainment. We still have to go and try our luck in the Casino!

Sailing around in the lagoon is such good easy sailing for new sailors. I don't know why there are not many more yachts around. Holiday season small craft are around trying their luck fishing.

Sailing to Kraalbaai and Oude Post you pass the beautiful Schaapen Island. The kite surfers and wind surfers enjoy the wind opposite Pearly's restaurant. Johan loves every opportunity taking off with the wind surfer and gliding through the wind!

And then for some exercise is limited....so they rather spend it lazying in the hammock underneath Catlyn!

Another Born Day Celebration!

Our skipper celebrated his birthday, or maybe it is more appropriate to say his family celebrated his birth day! With not a lot of social happenings on a yacht the chance for cake and celebrations doesn't pass silently. The kids landed on our bed with party hats and paper vuvuzelas with the same amount of noise! It was Dad's birthday and with all the limited sources we had a great party!

A Happy Born Day, our Skipper and many safe nautical miles for you!

Not only fun....

We have to look after Catlyn gently, for I believe then she will look after us. If you live in such a small space with the floor and the ceiling just something like 1,9m apart, no dirt or scratch escape the eye. If you walk only barefoot in your house every speck of dirt touches the soles of your feet. If you sit and walk around on the roof of your house no dirt goes unseen.... That is why cleaning takes up a big part of our mornings.

Johan and Marco spend their time in the roomy engine room of Catlyn, checking the oil and belts and drying out excess water. They just lifted the lid on the aft deck and started working. For those of you who don't know, this is very nice, because on some catamarans to get to your engine you have to lift a bed in a cabin!

If your house stands in the middle of the ocean in wind and weather with no trees to protect her and her belly sleeps in a salty water bed all the time a lot of things get eaten away by rust. If your house gets blown in all directions from all directions all the time, you need to look after all the "cloths" keeping her speed up during your journey. That keeps us busy some time.


There is no job too big or too small to attend to, and there is no inhabitant not too big or too small to do the job.

Another issue learnt very quickly is that you can pick up the cellphone in the middle of the blue and phone an expert for a problem, but the only "expert" aboard is you!!

So when the "slugs" came apart from your main sail you learn how to sew new stainless steel "slugs" on....compliments from North Sails. When the impeller from your outboard stops working and no water squirts out any more, you try to find the thing in a manual and make it work again....and luckily we 've got a lot of brains to stick together. On the jetty in Langebaan the Experts got together!

And so this amazing learning curve continious.

Janlie, our Eve aboard

It is time to introduce you to the other female member aboard Catlyn...Janlie! Our almost 18 year old girl always having a hard time amongst all the males around her, is my right and my left hand. I don't know what the typical teenage girl is, but according to shared gossip with my friends she is definitely not one!

She wakes us up every morning with a cup of coffee, and then after her cup she starts doing the dishes or sweep the floor or dust the tables or just any dirty place she can find. She is the one who can get the boys to make their beds and to wipe the toilet ring. She shares her bed with all our guests in need of a bed and take her pillow to sleep in the saloon without complaint. But then she is also the girl who will frantically clean her heaven again and crawl back into her cradle.

She is a Pisces, but the one who doesn't like the cold sea and doesn't like to eat the fish her brothers catch. She looks away when they hammer the fish and slaughter the cray fish. But she is always game! She will not be left behind when her bro's jump into the blue cold, she will chase the fish away, close her eyes and jump in to their delight.

And then, to their delight, she loves baking! Fudge and cookies and custard slices and anything sweet...and luckily for her even her not so successful products never go wasted!

When she is not studying for the last three subjects for her grade 12 exams May 2010, she loves doing her embroidery or to crochet herself a scarf.

Marco introduced her to his computer games, and together they build zoo's or create life on Sims. Without Janlie on Catlyn, the ropes won't be tidied up, the fenders won't be fitted and I will be lost!

Langebaan welcomed us!

It felt like coming home again. We had a beautiful sail to Dassen Island. A wind of 20 knots were pushing us towards our overnight destiny. The swells were small and the sun was basking and dolphins accompanied us all the way. We arrived at Dassen and celebrated Catlyn's first 500 sea miles with fresh snoek and cray fish.

The next morning we left with a clean" washed " boat to Kraalbaai. It felt so warm and homey, to sail into the calm lagoon and even familiar seals popping out of the waves. While sailing to anchor at Schaap Island we noticed that the port engine isn't spitting out water! Johan and the boys had to investigate. They spend the whole morning reading engine manuals and studying engine parts and then they started taking things apart and after a long time and almost giving up hope, Johan found the culprit. A little fish crawled into the sea cock's inlet and prevented the water from spitting out!

Tomorrow we are planning to go into the Marina to fill up diesel and water and spend a couple of days in Mykonos.

Tempted in the Cape

We are lying in Elliot Basin, daily tempted with howling winds and daily tempted with the soot coming down on us, and daily tempted with miserable weather. We are tried and tested....but luckily friends came to our rescue! Charles and Yolanda and the girls came to visit and saved us. Marco and all his girl friends enjoyed the new playground of Catlyn's deck and he introduced them to his swing.

We sailed to Robben Island for the day with the sleeping beauties aboard missing out on the big swells rolling Catlyn around. But as soon as we moored at Elliot they woke up for a great time.

We celebrated our Skippers birthday true to tradition on Catlyn with balloons and cake and pizzas at Panarotti's!

In the mean time the Solar panels were mounted and they are up and running and Johan is keeping an eye on all the in and outputs. Little things were fixed and we realised that as soon as the weather cleared we can be on our way.

Ready to go, we had a last surprise when Anton and Lorraine popped in for a lovely evening and to look at our water home. Lorraine opened everything and tried everything to see if and how it is working. The next morning our spirits was high enough to set sail for the open seas to Dassen Island.

Bread baking!

Jaco, our 20 year old Pisces, half of a twin, full time student, half time studying Tourism at Boland College (Stellenbosh), fell in love with the sea for ever. When he met Catlyn he found another twin. He loves nosing around her, trimming her sails, stroking her belly, diving down and saving her from strangulation.... He went for his Competent Crew and Deckhand Course and sail all around with his Skipper dad. This is what he loves and he is keeping an eye out for an opportunity doing a delivery crossing.

While his building up his experience, John our examiner told him that it is a benefit to be able to cook aboard...and look who is cooking!

I never thought I will see the day that Jaco our Two Minute Noodle Cook will stand behind the stove baking. After preparing breakfast he decided to bake us our first fresh bread in our little gas oven. I couldn't resist taking a photo for you with his hands full of clammy dough!

The compliment of his bread was in his family devouring the fresh warm slices with Irish butter.

Bravo, Jaco!

Two skippers for Catlyn!

I always said I will do the sailing thing , but I have to know how to do everything! That was really said easier than done! We went for the eye test to see whether we are colour blind or not, and although Johan's fashion sense proof otherwise he also succeeded. We made copies of our log book to proof the mileage we've done, and then we downloaded all the study material we going to need.

Down to the books. As usual I started immediately and Johan decided to make use of his very short term memory again. We were ready! The COLREGS was not too bad and I could recognise all the lights of all different vessels on the sea, all the Lateral and Cardinal Marks warning you like street signs and robots on the high way. And then I also had to know which way to go when their is traffic in your area....keeping left of the white line doesn't help when your road is a foamy and moving one.

But then it was me and the compass and the plotter and the chart on my floor...North kept on changing and I had to get the True One and the Magnetic One and then search for the currents and the wind and how it is going to push my boat where, and how many nautical miles the Light house is from me...and..and... I really tried to dig hard into my Matric Geography but that was just too long ago for my long term memory! What made me feel a little bit better is that I wasn't the only one having a hard time getting these brain cells moving again...Johan was getting the best position on his bed to make life comfortable while working, as usual, but unfortunately lost the rubber or ruler every now and then....not the North like me.

And then we were ready to do the exam. John out examiner came and the suffering started! It was difficult! Enough said. But the sea gods were smiling on me, and helped me pass! I sighed a big sigh of big relief, but it was short lived. The next morning I was woken with the news to take Catlyn out and come back to park her nicely at the jetty! If you haven't been to Elliot Basin before you won't understand my anxiety! Newly delivered yachts all around you, dilapidated jetties hanging in the water, and then all these pillars narrowing your way in and out. I'm only going to say that Catlyn was moored at the jetty with no harm done. Another big sigh of relief!

Friday morning came and John told me to take Catlyn out again to the open sea to show him how I will rescue a man overboard....poor me. I felt like the girl overboard. The wind was howling a whole twenty knots, and I realised that it is not going to be like the practise runs I did on the smooth Langebaan Lagoon! I am sure there was a mermaid holding on to the danbuoy John threw into the big waves, because after a while battling with the wind ,the sails, the engines, Marco had the danbuoy safely in his hands. Johan had his turn and I helped his "man overboard" safely back into Catlyn. He was supposed to take Catlyn back and I was so relieved, but then John decided it might be good for my confidence to take Catlyn back in. Oh no!

He coached me a bit with his gentle manner, and calmed all my raw nerves, and although the wind was pushing and although Johan and John had a couple of scary moments with me I did it!

I DID IT! Two skippers for Catlyn!

First family birthday!

Marco turned nine years the 30th of October and Janlie decorated Catlyn with balloons and streamers for a festive look. He was woken by Andria and his granny on the cellphone, and was spoilt by all the people who just love him. Jaco also came for the day and we sailed out to Clifton for a day in the sun accompanied by so many other yachts enjoying the good weather for the day.

The 3 kids decided to swim towards the beach in the icy waters, and reached the rocks trying to warm up their frozen limbs. He ended his special day with a pizza in Blouberg and the whole of Pannarotti's singing and rejoicing with him! He was touched by angels just loving him! Happy birthday, Marco!

A little step closer...

"Are you ever gonna go?" These words of a someone made me realise how many times I said good bye to my people, how many times I packed up my house and how many times I hugged my dog...and I am still here! I 've decided to do it very quietly next time and maybe I will phone my friends from somewhere far away...this time really gone!

Catlyn is lying in Elliot Basin richly covered in the black soot, and every day we are fighting a new battle to clean her up. If we are lucky our bar cupboard will be fixed on Tuesday and the solar panels will be installed this week...and as soon as this howling wind settles down for longer than a day we can sail out of here.

We spend a lovely Thursday watching the beachers at Camps Bay. Catlyn parked her lazy body in the cool waters and we had our first sunloving braai on her deck...pretending we are at some tropical island. We were amazed at the beauty of the Apostles behind Camps Bay, their feet touching the sea, and Table Mountain towering over.

Excited and slightly nervous we left for Dassen Island, planning to spend our first night in the dark on the open sea. We watched the sun go down and experienced the total silence around us as it soon got darker. Why didn't I look at the moon to choose a full moon for our first night sail? Soon it was pitch dark with just the sound of the water swishing around us. Janlie organised our watchlist and soon every one crawled into bed except me and Junior. Wow! This was a reality check! My reliable Skipper had to go to sleep and I had to watch out for big dark ships, and keep an eye on the auto pilot. It wasn't that bad, but quite soon I didn't feel so good any more. I couldn't see a thing and that wasn't a good experience for this girl who gets car sick when I don't see the road.

Five hours later our Skipper woke up for his shift with Janlie. Within a half an hour everything changed. Thick fog came out of nowhere, the wind started howling and two big ships appeared on our radar screen! Thank goodness I was spared this challenge. Johan really had to fight to keep Catlyn out the way of these fishing trawlers, and even staring into the night nothing was visible besides the blackness of the night and the sifting wetness of the fog.

I went to bed at four, exhausted but knowing that our Skipper was in control and Janlie and Junior and Marco were lying in the salloon, ready to assist. Dassen Island welcomed us with its beautiful house bay, and the pelicans flying over us. We anchored safely after quite an eventful night, and soon every one was showered and fast asleep!

My Mother shared my dream

What a privilege! My mother decided on very short notice to put all her fears aside and join us on a trip from Langebaan to Cape Town. The kids were so excited to have their Ouma on board and Janlie gave her cabin away. She enjoyed it so much and was relieved to see that the boat stayed afloat even though the sea was quite choppy!

We anchored at Dassen Island for our usual clean up, and tried our luck for a couple of cray fish....it wasn't long before Johan and Marco pulled up the net filled with some....what a lovely dinner!

On our way to Cape Town we were entertained by so many dolphins dancing around us for almost an hour. It was the first time that we experienced so many at one continuous time. And just after that dinner was served for the night when a beautiful yellow tail was landed. Again a stunning dinner with this soft white meat!

We had a busy schedule ahead. Lots of organising and planning for the big day...some day? My mother stayed on Catlyn during the day, and enjoyed herself so much, pretending she is the woman of the boat, making coffee and tea and going for a nap in her cradle. And then we had to go back to George.

My biggest blessing at home is to be loved by my dog, Rambo, and for the first couple of days we spend all the time together. I organised my house again, packing and minimizing everything in my cupboards (again) if my house is rented out.

We used the opportunity to enjoy our friends on land and treasure every time because we know one day we gonna go and we finally going to say our good byes on the deck leaving for the big blue unknown.

Oude Post

I lost a piece of me when I walked passed this awesome house with the gigantic ficus trees surrounding it. I had to sneak closer to just sit on the little bench to imagine being part of this Old Dutch house somewhere, sometime...

The Posthuis was built in 1730, and polished engraved stones served as post boxes. It lies at the foot of the beautiful Postberge, and is a part of the Postberg Nature Reserve. No public is allowed except September and October to watch the carpets of veld flowers. I know, that no one is allowed, because I rowed over with the tender and started walking up the road when I was firmly asked by a house owner or visitor to go back to my little boat and not to walk around here, because it is private property!

It was so weird to be chased of a piece of coastal land, I thought back a little to the Apartheids years and for a moment understood....

Anyway I silently sneaked passed avoiding all the houses with people in them and so much enjoyed the walk on the little dirt road to Kraalbaai. Tortoises kept me company because I wasn't in a hurry to leave this beautifull peacefull piece of land soon. I need to make friends with some one in Oude Post soon, because I want to go back and sit on the little bench of that old house again!

Fossil park visit

Johan's sister, Elize came to visit from a grey London and with a bit of luck we found a couple of days full of sunshine to share with her.

Kraalbaai was first on our list, and we played hop scotch in the sand. Unfortunately we had a couple of injuries and stiff joints the next morning.

We spent an afternoon at the Fossil Park just a couple of km from Langebaan. What an amazing experience! Nicky, our tour guide shared all the info and touched us by his enthusiasm. Short neck giraffes, two tooth elephants washed out in this area over 5 million years ago. We stood amazed looking down on the bones still embedded in the ground. Every year students from over the world spend one month digging up the fossils. For 9 years this project is ongoing, but due to funding this site only gets a visit for this short period. There must still be so many secrets in that area waiting to be uncovered. This park with it' s museum is really worth a visit!

Marco, our pirate!

Let me introduce you to our youngest member on Catlyn. Marco with his crystal soul is almost 9 years old and he is the Master of Catlyn. Before we knew where all the switches and bilges and lockers in her hull was he would do us the honours. He will find new places on the Raymarine and surprise his Dad with new functions for this computerised screen.


On a short visit to Cape Town, he would hurry us back home...to Catlyn. Forgotten is our home in George, the only one he misses, is his water home.

Catlyn is where he does his home schooling. He is in gr3 and tries his best to negotiate him out of a day of school...so some days he has to do two day's work! Luckily he is a clever little boy, so although I am his teacher, sometimes I let him be. His older brother, Johan is a karate champ, and Marco is starting with Karate classes in the morning, with his private Sensei.

A box in his cabin is full of his favourite toys, which shares his fanatical army fantasies. Dressed up like a soldier, or like a pirate or like an assassin he stalks any one visiting us on the Yacht. On rainy days his computer is on his lap, and a MP3 in his ears, and he tempts the whole family into playing board games.

I must tell you about his cooking skills too. It all started in Thailand, and still he loves to experiment on something nice for his family in the galley, or at the gas braai. Take note of the towel draped over the shoulder. Marco is a pro, and a pro has to dress like one.
His latest adventure after his successful snoek fishing experience, is the swing that he hangs from the top of the mast and with his feet barely touching the sea he swirls all around Catlyn.

Marco, just like his Dad is a Scorpio and together they are living their water dream!

Barge at Jacobsbaai

A buzz was going around the whole Langebaan area....New Shopping Mall at Jacobsbaai! People were flooding to this quaint little bay. The hide-away restaurant were selling more beers and burgers than ever before. We followed the buzz...first by road and then we decided to see this spectacle from the ocean. We sailed in a brisk breeze with huge swells and breaking of waves around us. And there she was already visible from afar. A big blue monstrosity hiding the little bay of Jacob. We tried to get closer, but the sea was keeping Catlyn away at a safe distance not wanting to make her a part of this human heap. Thirteen barges on their way to Europe and not China this time, broke the chains holding her to the big vessel taking her to the seas, and in the stormy weather she came to a halt in thick sand. People looking through their windows like every morning to admire the blue of the sea, only saw the blue of this big Barge obscuring their view.

A lot of people are trying to come up with a plan to remove this unwelcome guest. Will it be towing her away on the next stormy tide, or will that be chopping her up into smaller pieces?

We enjoyed the view and went back catching seven beautiful snoek...but we had to compete with the seals chasing our bait or our snoek. Our visiting son, Louis was delighted with all the fishy blessings. Dinner was organised for my family!

My whole family aboard

Louis came to visit! For the first time my whole family shared in this magic of our dream! We left Table Mountain behind with a sigh of relief.

We spend the night at Dassen Island again, and the kids wanted to show Louis how to catch crayfish with the net. They caught a couple of small ones and we stood amazed at the reason why Nature Conservation has a period when no one is allowed to catch crayfish. The crayfish are spawning and we saw the cluster of millions dark red eggs under their bellies. The kids gently put them back into the sea, afraid they'll anger the Sea Angels.

We sailed safely into Langebaan Marine where Catlyn felt at peace again. On the jetty was friends from near and afar. Genevieve, Catlyn"s neighbouring Cat was there with it's owners, Johan and Annette. Michiel and Marline were anxiously waving at us. Andria was ruining her boots over the rocks, trying to keep up with Andre.

Happiness is best when shared.....