The Slog

Not a Blog but a Sailing Log. My musings as Anjea sails me around the world and I make feeble attempts to grok the meaning of the universe along the way.

  • An Alien in South Africa?

    It is always difficult clearing in and out of a foreign country in a yacht. I rush around all day in an attempt to clear out so we can leave tomorrow. To clear out I have to visit the marina office, …

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  • Leaving Richards Bay

    You can tell by the grins that the test sail went well. I leave Richards Bay in South Africa with mixed feelings: it was where I was diagnosed with Leukemia 12 months ago and where I have been robbed …

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  • Treated But Not Cured

    Consolidation, Round One

    Black, black, exhaustion, darkness, nothing, no energy. I am almost indifferent to this disease. The hospital bed is neither comfortable nor uncomfortable. It does what it …

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  • A 1,300km Tanzanian Safari

    I have the privilige of riding ‘The Beast’ Arthur's Honda 750 'Africa Twin' from Tanga, where Anjea is anchored, to Lake Natron in the Great Rift Valley, at the edge of the Serengeti.The crew for …

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  • Tripping With the Maasai

    Tears stream down my face. I fall behind the others and find a comfortable rock to sit and give myself some time and space. It is as if someone has slipped LSD in my water. I try to absorb the view, …

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  • The Essential and Exquisite Pleasure of Pissing

    The shortest day of the year is nearly upon us – 21st June marks the middle of Winter, and another excuse to celebrate at the Yacht Club. So far we have celebrated quite a few birthdays and a batch …

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  • No Antidote for FGF*

    *Fucking Great Fever

    Yes! I am out of my self-imposed purgatory! I think. But it's not quite heaven here in Tanga. After isolating myself on Anjea for 14 days with no ill effects, I rejoined the …

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  • Beating the Fever

    My recent quick trip back to Australia was far more interesting, in all the wrong ways, than I originally planned. I knew of the ‘novel coronavirus’ in China when I left, but was not aware of any …

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  • The Child In Charge

    At the Ratco bus station in Tanga I am waiting for the bus. Not waiting for it to arrive – the bus is already here, but waiting for it to start. A bunch of fundi keep doing the same things: clean the …

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  • Crossing the Indian Ocean

    11 January 2020: Sabang, The Day Before

    Clearing out of Sabang, Indonesia takes forever. First, it’s Saturday and everyone is just slooowwww. Then the internet goes down, then the power goes off, …

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Not a Blog but a Slog: a Sailing Log of course! Don't forget to look at the Gallery too.