Day 5 - Nyameni

Robert had a very good paddle today. 63 km done!

It must have been the effect of last night's pizza!!! Robert ordered 8 bottles of water with his pizza, the woman who took the order on the phone asked him: "Are you ok, Sir????"...

First job for the morning was to fix the rudder. He did using a flat stone and another big one to de-bend it ( what did I say yesterday? A boer maak a plan!!) The surf was still very big this morning and a guy on the beach told Robert there was no way he would manage to go through the surf as he could not do it with his rubber ducky, so Robert was very chuffed when he managed to do it...

The wind helped him a lot - he reached 22km per hr at some point (not bad compared to the 4.5km per hr of yesterday...). 

Again he tried to catch some fish using a double-hook system that the kayak pulls. No fish got caught though, unless you consider Robert to be one! As he arrived close to Nyameni, Robert fell off the kayak that was still pulling the hooks and they caught him on both legs. The left one got scratched but the hook was seriously stuck into the inside of the right leg about 5 cm above the ankle. Once on the beach, Robert had to cut the hook but the part that was in just went in deeper... Really not sure about the "no pain no gain" motto... Robert is now on the Wild Coast and there is no medical help in the vicinity... Let's hope he does not get any infection in his leg... His Tetanus jabs were done when he degloved his arm so hopefully that should be fine...

Also a negative point for today, Robert's best friend, Leatherman, has sunk... That was a bit of a vital tool for the trip but also for life in general... At least I know what to get Robert for Christmas now...

                                                                 

Richard Kohler, who is also doing a paddling adventure, going from Namibia to Mozambique on a surfski, crossed False Bay last week end and this is the sight he got:

About 10 killer whales, not interested in him, fortunately!...

The weather conditions do not look very good for tomorrow (strong South/South-easter wind) so it will probably be a rest day for Robert...

South Africa - Margate (GFS 28.11. 12 UTC, NWW3 28.11. 12 UTC)

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	We 28.	We 28.	We 28.	We 28.	Th 29.	Th 29.	Th 29.	Th 29.	Th 29.	Th 29.	Th 29.	Th 29.	Fr 30.	Fr 30.	Fr 30.	Fr 30.	Fr 30.	Fr 30.	Fr 30.	Fr 30.	Sa 01.	Sa 01.	Sa 01.	Sa 01.
	14h	17h	20h	23h	02h	05h	08h	11h	14h	17h	20h	23h	02h	05h	08h	11h	14h	17h	20h	23h	02h	05h	08h	11h
Wind speed (knots)	16	14	12	10	3	5	12	15	13	9	7	8	12	11	12	14	11	8	4	1	3	1	6	1
Wind gusts	17	16	15	12	5	8	15	17	16	11	9	10	15	15	15	19	15	11	6	2	5	5	7	2
Wind direction
Wave (ft)	8	8	8	8	7	7	6	6	6	5	5	5	5	5	6	6	7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7

Comments

[PC]

Hi Robert,

Fantastic trip! You and the sea! Endurance, challenge and beautiful experiences and memories.

Enjoy, keep safe and take care

[Mom and Richard]

Fantastic paddle with a dodgy rudder Robert! Your "McGyver" title well earned! Sorry to hear about getting hooked up and losing the leatherman. Watch your leg for infection. A good rest today will most probably be a good thing - your long paddle must have seriously dented your energy levels. Take care and vasbyt!

[Mike Hewetson]

Now the going is really going to get tough. If you can make it through the Wild Coast (and I am sure you will) the rest will be a breeze. Keep going Rob!

[Jason]

Hi Robert, Well done on the first 5 days of your trip. I will certainly be keeping an eye on your progress. All the best for the wild coast section of your trip. Keep safe!!



Jason