Day 12, Year 6 Far Niente Towed In
Date: Friday, November 5, 2010
Weather: Overcast, No Strong Winds
Location: Tuzi Gazi Marina, Richards Bay, South Africa

Our friends Peppe and Bob of Far Niente arrived this morning being towed by Sea Rescue. This is the third boat this week that had to towed in, so we are feeling mighty lucky to have made it in here with no major issues. Far Niente completely lost their steering last night and tried to come in with a jury-rigged tiller, but the wind and the seas made it very difficult. They finally called Sea Recue and they towed them the last 60 miles. Sea Rescue is a very professional, totally volunteer organization and they don’t charge for their services. They do accept donations and I think we are going to donate in hopes that we will never need their services while in South Africa-but just in case.

Otherwise, today was all about heads. I have no idea why bathrooms on a boat are called heads, but they are, and we now have two brand new, non-leaky toilets in our two heads. It took all day, but the job is done and we are elated. And Hebron, the young man who does boat maintenance here, was equally elated to be the recipient of our old toilets. He constantly reminds us that his people throw away nothing. So our old toilets are going to find a new home in South Africa!

I spent a couple of hours on Constance late this afternoon going over travel information with Lynne. We came up with a tentative travel plan for our time after our visit to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi next week. We will get back from Hluhluwe-iMfolzozi on Friday, November 12 and take a week’s rest from game parks before heading to the big one-Kruger-on Monday, November 22. On Saturday, November 20, the annual Zulu dance competition will take place here in Richards Bay, so we are excited to see that. In between our game park visits, we will travel north to the St. Lucia wetlands area and possibly drive out to see the Drakensberg Mountains. So much to do, so little time . . . and even less money. But we will see as much as we can afford in the time allowed and enjoy every minute.