S3 Ep48 | Island Hopping in South Africa | First sail after lockdown | Sailing Pluto

We are finally allowed to sail in South Africa after lockdown. Restrictions are being lifted and we head out of Cape Town and sail to Langebaan. En route we stop at Robben Island, Dassen Island and Saldanha.
music by musicbed

[@paulmorris7603]

Good to see you out there. Always nice to spend a couple of nights at Dassen to enjoy the peace.

[@SailingPluto]

Thank you Paul. It has been a refreshing change

[@MargueriteFaure]

We love your day-bed project, epic :) Looks awesome guys! Sending you lots of love. Stay safe xx

[@SailingPluto]

Thanks Margs. I miss having wifi at the club - need to catch up on your videos! Hopefully soon.

[@MargueriteFaure]

@@SailingPluto LOVE YOU GUYS!!

[@Mylifelovingit]

I think i will be doing the same as you guys when I retire. Currently live to far inland to even think of sailing

[@SailingPluto]

That is a great dream to work towards, Chris.

[@garyleonard4009]

Hay guy's that was great seeing you out there on the water. Never seen Dassen before looks flat. How was the water temperature must have been chilly. 👍🍺🧜‍♂️🧜‍♀️

[@SailingPluto]

We did not go on land (not allowed), but even from the boat, one can see Dassen is pretty flat. The swim was refreshing - even with wetsuits. A good thing we have a hot shower on Pluto - we needed it.

[@desertchild3550]

Lots of memories. In the early 80,s weekend sails to Dassen(I was a deck rat at RCYC, clean and work on yachts during weekends for a free sail or pocket money). Oom Jan was the Island "Boss". At the time I had also the opportunity to fly out sometimes with Court Offshore services to do some work on the Island and that was a week stay. Fly out Monday, fly back Friday. Heli-depot was in TBH. I rented a room with a wonder full and friendly old lady in Parow and she baked bazaar cakes. Come competition time it was my duty to get some penguin eggs for her(It gave the cake a wonderfull fine texture and she always win,and obvious I scored a free cake which come Monday was enjoyed by my friends,later I discover Stellenbosch and many cakes made its way there,nad yah, I always had a plan up my sleeve.. Gutted the inner works of a Storno radio Repeater, and as the case was complete aluminium with endless allen screws, it was the ideal safe package material for the eggs, and for the harbor customs and seafisheries inspectors, what the eye cannot see,the heart would not mind about. And later crayfish tails joined them. hehehehehehe. At the time, Dassen Island battled to get rid of the huge cat population and each time we assist Oom Jan to trap a cat, it was bonus points for us and we could catch a cray or 20, as long as we did not overdue it and all to be consumed there..hehehehehehehe, The free crayfish out of season also scored me points with the Owner of the Queens hotel that was just outside the main harbour entrance and some real funny adventures came out of that too..Them crayfish-thingies opened many doors for me.

[@SailingPluto]

What a fantastic story. Thank you for sharing your memories with us. I wonder if you have some photos of that time?

[@desertchild3550]

@@SailingPluto Somewhere in boxes there must be albums with photo,s but hmmm, I think some is better to just stay out of sight. hehehehehe, Ya, that was the good old days. Much more freedom then today, and one could still do business by just taking one,s word. Gentlemen,s agreements was the orden of the day. Our workshop and offices was in the Docks and all knew about all. The in-place for marine stuff was Paarden Island and Saltriver. Leave the docks early in the morning, first Paarden island, then Saltriver, by that time the pubs just started to serve publunches, then arrive back in the docks,only enough time left to unload and park,then off to the Queens, from there to Firemans Arms and then back home via train. Wednesdays was special, then all the pubs had happy hour between 18hoo and 19hoo. If once fell asleep on the train,its was a very longggg night as you miss your station and sometimes had to hike or walk back as it was the last train.Most of these places today is just good memories.I was in the docks some years ago and quite sad to see how it changed and just became another big money box- No soul anymore.

[@chrisbeavitt7127]

We tried calling u whilst u were anchored in Langebaan... Question... What anchor are/were u using in the sand as u never moved an inch in the storm.. Yes, we had the fire going and the red wine whilst watching u.

[@SailingPluto]

It sounds like you were WAY more comfortable than us (our wine is rationed and our gas stove is not REALLY a fireplace) We have a very over specced 25kg ROCNA and all chain. Worth every cent! We had to remove TONS of mud and sand after. Sorry we missed the call.