Beyond Durban

We had a rip roaring sail along the coast between Durban and East London.  With the coastal current running at upwards of 4 knots we were making 10 knots over the ground at times. We managed to cover the 255 miles in 36 hours. A record time for that distance. Yes, it was jumpy at times, wet at times but we were making miles which when one only has small weather windows to make a jump then it’s most important to try and make miles while one can.

Pulling into East London is simple.  As for clearance from East London Harbour control on VHF Channel 12 then motor in a few miles along the channel to the anchorage off the East London Yacht Club.  The club is open Wednesdays and Friday to Sunday.  We arrived on Tuesday, anchored off the club and sat down to wait out the weather.

Here is East London:

There aren’t many photos of East London for good reason.  It was one of the most disappointing places we have been to in South Africa.  The anchorage was safe and secure which is very important but there was little to be said positive about the town.  The downtown area is very run down, it feels and looks unsafe, the waterfront was rocky and rough and the food shopping was dismal.  On the positive side the yacht club was a pleasure.  It was welcoming and they had showers and water on the docks.  What else is to be expected.

We were glad a weather window opened up and we spent only 3 days there before heading on to Port Elizabeth. It’s only 120 miles between East London and Port Elizabeth with again a strong current in our favour giving us 7-8 knots for about 12 hours.  The wind then started to die and from 0300hrs to 0900hrs we motored the remainder of the way.

There is another yacht club called the Algoa Bay Yacht Club, welcoming and space available. We tied up and tried to recover from a sleepless night and didn’t start exploring until the following day. To our surprise this has turned out to be a wonderful spot.  There are marine stores close by, another friendly yacht club with a pleasant restaurant, a braii, a bar and best of all hot showers. We settled in seeing as the weather window wasn’t available to continue the trip.

Here’s Port Elizabeth:

And what else did we do other than eat great food and drink wonderful wine while in Port Elizabeth?

To start a walk on the beach at Cape Recife to see which point of land we were going to have to beat around the following day

And then there was Addo National Park which is covered with elephants

And then a little more walking around town just enjoying the buildings and the ambience.

Then it was off to Mossel Bay

Lop To and us trying to round Cape Recife without getting seasick