What a pleasure being allowed back to North Bay. It must truly be one of the nicest anchorages in the whole country. Our thanks again to Captain Madonsela and our facilitator Commander Luigi le Roux of SAS SALDANHA for granting permission and to also to go ashore. 14 yachts and their crew participated. Most played follow my leader navigating the southern passage through the numerous buoys of the aquaculture farm — no incidents there. Entertainment started watching yachts anchoring – Angel could not get a bite and eventually, Peter exhausted, rafted up to Tango. Sea Breeze’s crew also needs that refresher course. After dragging twice, Charlotte and yachts downwind of her opting to re-anchor at a safe distance, they finally got a holding and were the first ashore with their heavy cooler boxes. The last to arrive was Heidi in her Holiday 23, Bernoulli. She showed the boys her skills by anchoring under sail!

Simon did the rounds and donated each boat a bottle of wine with the compliments of RCYC. His outboard was just in desperate need of a service. It always cut and he drifted off just as he approached to hand over the bottle making this no easy task. Most joined ashore and could sit and wriggle their toes in the pristine white sand or go for a nice walk. Trevor was heard saying ‘it is too heavy’ – to drag himself, RIB and 15hp outboard onto the beach alone!  Then the departures: George and crew on Sea Breeze successfully loaded their now much lighter cooler boxes and the ladies, but alas the gents proved more difficult … after falling in the water they launched themselves aboard the rubber duck with engine set at a good half throttle. Unfortunately one hit the outboard which turned 90 degrees to take them back to shore at speed. There was enough wind for a gentle sail back to the club.

In the evening fires were lit, bar tabs opened, Diana and Trevor’s salads and breads laid on the table and the Saldanha ‘geseligheid’ took over.  Speeches from Gavin and Simon for RCYC and a few fun prizes enhanced the gathering. Serenity was under the impression they had, by reaching North Bay, at last left the Saldanha Bay heads … they were sadly corrected as they were in fact well east thereof. As a commiseration they were honoured with a roll of loo paper — of assistance when they do find the heads! Alan Haefele is a difficult man to reward. He retired from the Mykonos Offshore. Now at the last Raid after a back injury he was given a year’s supply of Viagra ‘to get it up’ (to lift the spinnaker pole). Sandy advised this is potentially addictive … so Alan was given the appropriate antidote … a non-alcoholic cordial called ABSTINANCE.  Much fun and laughter continued into the wee hours. A really enjoyable day and thanks to all that contributed.

Fantastic that Saoirse, Silhouette and Cinderella safely reached St Helena after a mixed bag of too much wind, too little wind, big swells, excitement, despair and all emotions in between…..

We salute you all, a wonderful achievement…you are making your dreams come true!!!