Leanne, Grant, Kylie and Dylan came to visit for a few days. We managed to get some good sailing in, got to see whales, dolphins, a turtle, a shark and Grant almost caught a fish, all in one day - spoiled :-) 
While they were here we went to the Military Tattoo, even though it was cold and an outdoor evening show, they put on a fabulous display of various National Military bands and the capabilities of our Forces as well as a lovely display by the Drummies, they came a second place in popularity to the Navy Precision Unit, according our group anyway... The show ended with a serious bang, the cannon was primed and shot many times - that noise must put the fear of whatsit into enemies, know we got a heck of a fright and we had been warned, followed by a massive fireworks display, probably the cherry on the cake for most people.
They left and the Boat Show began. During Graeme's visit he had a look at an Admiral 38 that was for sale. A really clean, neat and hardly used catamaran that was a really good buy. Alan and Chrissy popped along to look just out of curiosity and fell in love. Needless to say, Gato now has new loving owners and a new name - Sundowner Rose.
Well, they still had their mono-hull Sirocco and now sadly she needed a new home and what better place to advertise a boat for sale than on the Durban Boat Show. There were a couple of catamarans on display, a Royal Cape Catamaran and a Maverick 440, real opulence. There were also a couple of Rodman fishing boats and some smaller speed boats. The Yamaha girls were a hit as usual and the Announcer/MC was brilliant, great sense of humour. Sirocco was dressed in all her finery, scrubbed to sparkling and got a huge amount of interest but unfortunately no firm offers. The marquees had some very interesting participants, waterproof bags - we got some of those, books, Sailing Schools, SAMSA and solar panels and batteries, motors, cars, caravans and others. We bought a Cobb, I am so excited, have wanted one for ages and a pair of "Magic Binoculars". The beer garden had some locally brewed beers and great food, all round a really good show - we thought.
Our walks along the beach front have become just that. We now take the car to the parking area next to Ushaka and walk the promenade - between 8 and 9 km's along the sea front, bypassing the city centre, it just became too depressing. The walk is never boring, joining other walkers, roller skaters, cyclists, joggers, surfers, dog walkers, etc... even starting to recognise some regulars. We have found a fantastic little place called Afro's, nothing more than a large yellow container that has been converted and that sells terrific bacon or bacon and egg rolls and makes really good cappuccino's (their menu is very simple, they also make chicken strips, chicken burger, tjips or coleslaw) all being enjoyed while sitting on their wooden benches watching the sea, a brilliant concept that is an absolute gold mine.
We discovered a Portugese Restaurant at Wilsons Wharf owned by a real character. We had a really lovely dinner there only it was a bit much and I left some spinach and butternut on my plate. Along came the owner, glared at my plate and demanded to know what was wrong with his veggies - nothing I am full was not a good enough answer apparently and next thing he was next to me with a fork full of my spinach playing aeroplanes like you do with kids til I ate it, then he told me I wasn't allowed pudding as I had not finished my meal, we were hysterical. Just have to add the food is absolutely delish.
We went out with Alan and Chrissy on their maiden voyage on Sundowner Rose, just after we got into the bay we saw a flurry of activity churning up the water and as we got closer realised it was one of the biggest schools of dolphins any of us had ever seen. We spent close to an hour playing with them, they absolutely loved chasing next to the boat and in the bows, what a surreal feeling being surrounded by dolphins, you never tire of them. The rest of the trip was really enjoyable and when we eventually returned to harbour we were escorted in by some of the dolphins.
Alan was determined to take us to Rawdons in the Midlands to taste the beer they brew and on Thursday 24 July the four of us headed into the Midlands. First stop was coffee and chocolate at Chocolate Heaven - aptly named, next the Ugly Duckling where they have all sorts of interesting goodies for sale, culture stop at the Capture Site where Nelson Mandela was originally captured before his incarceration on Robin Island. There is a small plaque on the side of the road marking the actual spot and opposite is the new sculpture - a magnificent feat of engineering, 50 laser cut steel poles that, when viewed from a certain distance and at the right angle, depict Nelson Mandela's profile, wow.
Lunch was at Granny Mouses House, a quaint, beautifully decorated hotel with an impressive wine cellar which also doubles up as a function venue, a comfortable bar and pool, various inter-leading dining rooms, just like a warren and food to die for. They have a little chapel outside with the most breathtaking view through the windows, weddings here must 
be phenomenal. A stop at the Swiss Cheese farm was great but unfortunately there was no goats cheese as the goats were on maternity leave, all were very pregnant. They had very nice cow's cheese and preserves though so we weren't hugely disappointed.
Without further ado we were off to Rawdons. The photo opportunities were great, a lovely lake which reflected the hotel and cottage and surrounds perfectly. This was followed by a paddle of beers, each one brewed on the premises and with their own unique names - "Tiddly Toad 
Light Lager", "Whistling Weasel Pale Ale", "Pye-Eyed Possum Pilsner" and "Pickled Pig Porter". The Pig seemed to be the most popular in the bar, which was a wonderful place to be with its alcoves surrounded by genuine log fires. Dinner was a merry affair and the hotel a very comfortable place to spend the night, cannot recommend it enough. 
After breakfast we made a stop at the Brewery where they were in fact busy making a batch of "Pickled Pig". Interesting procedure explained by experienced staff and a little shop selling commemorative t-shirts, packs of beers, etc...
First stop was Old Balgowan Cheese and Wine farm. They had some farm animals that you could feed, ponies, goats, pigs and donkeys including the cutest little baby donkey!!! They also had geese with attitude ha ha ha. Inside we sampled flavoured Tequila which you would never know contained Tequila, liqueurs and
wines. We were amused at the size of the tasting glass of the lady behind the counter, who merrily tasted one for one with us. We left with wine, sherry and liqueurs under our arms. Then on to Heavenly Hammocks and they have them, hand painted, can't think of a better accessory for a boat!
We went to Piggly Wiggly Centre where there are a multitude of shops in one centre selling all sorts, art, pottery, clothing, knick knacks, food, leather goods and even merchandise for some of the people running businesses from home. Nice but we did wonder whether this would start putting some of the businesses run from home out of business - a kind of all in one stop shopping centre. Hopefully not.
Next was lunch at Caversham Mill, steeped in history, this place has been ruined by fire, then flood and eventually after having been restored twice was the place where the concept of the Midlands Meander was initiated. The view of the waterfall and valley was fabulous, unfortunately everything is very brown as we are desperately in need of rain, but with a little imagination you could understand how this would all look in the green of summer.
We made a pit stop at Horse Play the Old Kilgobbin Farm in Dargyle Valley, a Friesian farm and wedding venue. They were busy gearing up for a wedding the next day and everything was looking lovely so we snuck past and headed for the paddocks to count 12 or more Friesians, a couple of who came to say hello. They offer an experience of working with these magnificent horses for half a day providing a life lesson in leadership by getting these noble creatures to do what you want them to. On my bucket list.....
Sundowners were at Hawklee Country House with a lovely view of the river and the sunset, a neat hotel run by an ex-Pretoria couple who absolutely love their new life as can be seen by the homely hotel. Then it was the trip back to Durban via Hillcrest for dinner. We were tired but absolutely stoked after this whirlwind trip, visiting the Midlands has long been a desire of mine and having accomplished it left me feeling hugely elated, grinned for days afterwards.
The Crichtons and us took part in the quiz evening at the Royal Natal Yacht Club. What a laugh and boy did we learn a couple of things. We now know that a Porbeagle is a shark and hedge trimming is topiary, amongst others. We also know that we need a bigger table of people from various walks of life if we are ever going to do well at one of these.
Next was getting Sirocco back to Richards Bay as she has a mooring there that doesn't cost what Durban Marina is happy to charge. Chrissy popped back in the car so that we had a means of travel back to Durban and Alan, Kevin and I sailed her back. My first long passage on a mono hull and what an experience lol. Sirocco is a beautiful, solid, spacious 40foot mono hull but she still has the rolling and rocking that catamarans decidedly lack. By the third time that I fell off the seat in the saloon and landed on the floor I really had to laugh.
Going to the loo was a feat that took a very long time, wedging oneself in the doorway, being halfway through removing 3 layers of clothing (it was cold and night time) when I was popped like a cork across the room, landing in the pile of linen on the other side of the cabin, staggered back, wedged back into the door way again, got the rest of the clothes off, only to realise in frustration that the harness has a strap attached at the waist running front to back that also needed to be undone, much cursing and boy was I grateful for the linen storage space. Getting dressed again was the same in reverse, needless to say didn't drink much!! Just before reaching Richards Bay the conditions had eased quite a bit and I decided to make some coffee. Never having used a gimbaled stove before (stove is hinged allowing it to swing with the motion of the boat thereby anything on it remains - does not look logical but seems to work) I ended up contorted in the strangest position to light the stove at the same time as not falling one way or the other depending on which way the boat was heeling, what a laugh!! I have huge respect for mono hull sailors now. The highlights of the trip were the many whales we were privileged to see and the wonderful home made soup and rolls Chrissy presented us with on arrival in Richards Bay at 12:30 at night.
Kevin and I went to the Shongweni Farmers Market in Hillcrest, held every Saturday 6 - 10am. We thought there would be more fresh farm produce but it is in fact loads of home made goods, clothes, frames, food, pictures, wooden items, plants, etc... it is a wonderful place but so very dusty at the moment. After the market which is at the bottom of the Valley of 1000 Hills, we headed into the Hills. No matter where we viewed the hills from most of them had some form of settlement or houses on them, no longer are they the mystical beautifully untouched rolling hills, rather disappointing :-(
Driving through we got the sad news that my gran had unfortunately fallen and broken her hip, so sad as she was due to enter a Care Centre, Kift, that day and instead had to settle for an operation and a pin in the hip, a major thing at 94 years old. After battling a bit with the after-effects of the anesthetic she is doing better now, really proud of her. Aunty Joan sadly passed away on 29 July and whilst it was a sad occasion it was great to catch up with Kevin's Canadian cousins Cathy, Linly and Gwyn and her daughter Kimmy. Dett and Cathy even managed a visit to us before Cathy returned home.
Durban has a Riksha bus that does two tours per day of 2.5 hours per tour around Durban and surrounds. The bus is a double decker bus and the top is open air. We hopped on board for the afternoon tour. A most pleasant experience, very informative, we learned quite a lot we didn't know about Durban and its history. We saw many old buildings some from late 1800's to early 1900's, a couple of buildings that have been declared national
monuments, saw that the Addington Childrens Hospital that closed down due to lack of funds has a new benefactor and is being revamped, looking great, learned that the Beach Hotel was the first hotel built along the shore, saw the King's house where the President stays when in Durban, surprisingly it is not behind walls or anything but in full view for all to see.
We had a half hour stop at a shopping centre for loo and food and blow me down if one of the passengers didn't use the opportunity to do some clothes shopping holding us up for ages until eventually they took a decision to go without her, was quite amusing to watch her running through the parking lot after the bus with her ice cream and popcorn flapping in the wind... (they did stop for her)
Another must for us was the Roma Revolving Restaurant which we went to last Thursday night. Oh WOW. The view from up there (32 floors up) is magnificent and the restaurant does a revolution every 1.5 hours and we did two and a bit revolutions. Kevin did say it was quite disconcerting as your attention is drawn to the view
Sunday saw us taking part in the Point Yacht Club's 2 handed race - crews of no more than two people per boat, well for us thats normal. What was supposed to be a gentle breeze of 7-8 knots turned out to be gusts of up to 32 knots, weather guru's got it wrong again! What exhilarating sailing though, we had a ball although it was hard work and we were finished at the end.
Our attempts at cooking in the Cobb have been successful and not so successful, we made marinaded fillet with veg, very nice. Then we made chicken on the spike, not as great, chicken a little under done and the veg a little over done, but not to be deterred we will continue to experiment.... The smoked wors and veg was great but I am starting to get a flea in the ear about the amount of veg being cooked, hmmmmmm
Well, we are about to head up to Pretoria, it is Samantha's 21st birthday - wow where has the time gone? Then on Monday 18th my mom and I are heading to the UK for two weeks (ended up being 5 weeks). We have parked our yacht back on the International Marina so that we have power to keep all our bits and pieces running while we are away and have enlisted the help of a nice lady to clean our yacht once a week, can't believe how dirty and dusty it is here. Kevin ended up winging his way to Japan at the end of August for 4 weeks too - next Blog's stories.....
Cheers for now, hope the warm weather holds in the UK, will let you know.....
No comments:
Post a Comment