We woke to a dreamy ocean this morning, its ebbing tide lapping softly against the hull. The birds came to life as the world around us awakened. In the dark, I could see rivers of light pulsating across the water as the sun rose. The day dawned crisp and clear.
It seems so wrong to leave just for a better hideout from the wind when the conditions seem so perfect.
We lifted the anchor and slowly moved forward Anchored In Hope loves being free. She was built for the wind and tide.
In this weather even though it was cold we decided to motor closer to the shoreline and take in the early morning activity. The birds were ready to grab an opportunity to feed as the mussel farm boats were loading off.
Colourful fishing boats laid still at their moorings in the early morning sun while the fleet at the yacht club did their dance – all of them are always facing in the same direction – like sunflowers seeking out the sun, only they always face the wind.
Our bow turned towards the harbour entrance as we headed for Langebaan. We waved at the pilot boat crew that was returning to its berth after meeting with a ship entering the harbour. We marvelled at the unusual sight of the ship that appeared at the harbour entrance – it looked like some sort of floating crane, but we’ve concluded that it has to be a Transformer.
After getting permission from port control to exit the harbour we headed across the bay towards the lagoon. We saw a seal enjoying breakfast and decided that it may be a good idea to throw in a lure and drag it behind the boat – you never know we may just catch something.
Just then a dolphin made its appearance and we decided to rather reel in the lure. Sadly, we didn’t see the dolphin again, but we did have a cup of coffee while we leisurely drifted towards our destination. Jayda amused us with her antics. She has really found her sealegs and runs around the boat as if it was just another backyard. To our horror, she loves jumping in and out of the dinghy when it’s suspended behind the boat.
We put out the genoa at one stage when a puff of wind made its tell-tale ripples on the water, but just as soon as it picked up it was gone which made for an uneventful sail. Just the way we like it.
We dropped anchor in Oudepos – an anchorage that we have come to know well while we have been sailing the West Coast – and enjoyed a gloriously sunny day while we waited for the forecasted wind. It was a nice change from the cold weather that hailed the arrival of winter, but as the sun approached the horizon, we had to get out our jerseys and scarves again. Winter is here to stay.
