Port Elizabeth to Port Owen, Sth Africa via Dassen Island ( 5th December to 9th December 2012)

We left Port Elizabeth on the 5^th of December bound for Port Owen via the Cape of Good Hope.

We had a great run in light winds using our great new little down wind sail then motorsailing as the winds eased. One night the phosphorescence was so intense we watched dolphins torpedoing across our bows and under the boat illuminated like skyrockets. Unfortunately it couldn't be captured on film.

As we got nearer to the Cape of Good Hope we noticed seals, gannets and kelp and the weather turned colder.

Rounding the Cape of Storms was easy in light winds. Table mountain was a distinct landmark even though she was covered in a table cloth ( The mist)

On the 4^th night we anchored in the lee of Dassen island for some sleep.

The next day after an early start we encountered several pods of Southern Right whales. They were the closest encounter we had had apart from the hits off Madagascar and Durban with Humpbacks..

We were pretty scared as they leapt and tail flapped right beside us!!

We arrived at St Helena bay and the entrance to the Berg river before nightfall and were amazed at the number of shags perched on the wall barricade.

We tied up at the marina holding jetty for the night and this shag allowed us to hold him. Maybe he had been in captivity at some stage.

The next day we moored fore and aft at the Port Owen marina alongside NZ friends Cathy and Peter of SV “Leto”. Port Owen is situated between Laaiplek and Velddrif

For the next week we scrubbed and tidied and organised flights to NZ amongst a busy social schedule. The Port Owen yacht club members have been so hospitable and helpful and we enjoyed club night drinks and a meal later in the week.

The yacht club is situated on the river flats and when the tide is in the flamingoes and herons feed in the shallow water

We also bumped into 2010 Indonesian rally friends Linda and Andy who have left their yacht in Trinidad and are holidaying here with Linda's brother over the festive season.

They invited us to the celebration of brother David's new yacht purchase. He has a lovely home with jetty and boat moored alongside. Thankyou David for sharing your special day.

Andy and Linda took us sightseeing to nearby Sun mountain with magnificent views across the plains. On a winters day the visibility is so good one can see Table mountain 175kms south.

There were a few lovely flowers. Apparently in August when they are in full bloom it is a sight not to be missed

We stopped at the village of Aurora at a quaint restaurant for lunch where David joined us on his motorbike.  A fabulous day out!

Thankyou David, Linda and Andy

Cathy just had to sit on it. Eat your heart out Ryan. There's 1300cc under the seat

Our “Erica” will be in hibernation for a few months while we return to NZ and Australia

Cruisers Notes

Dassan Island and Port Owen

The charting was not perfect here . Daylight approach only. (33*25.008S) (18*05.068E) Good holding on a sand bottom. We stopped overnight here three times on our way north and later back to Capetown and even when the wind or wave direction was not ideal we still had a reasonable night.

The next day was an easy run to Port Owen in the Berg River. We tied up to the marina holding pier in the river (32*46.699S) (18*08.998E) and then berthed at the marina on the high tide the next morning.

Port Owen is a new residential canal development nestled between several old Afrikaans towns. There are few security issues here. No barbed wire or electric fences. A nice stroll into town. Small but good supermarkets. Some marine supplies mostly for the fishing boats that operate from there. Stroll down to the YC for a beer and watch the flamingos wading. Or explore the river . We were looking forward to this. However the rules had changed and we now had to rush back to CapeTown to clear . We stopped overnight at Dassan Is, then on to CT. We motored all the way!