Year 3 -23 July 2026 -Cape Town -South Africa
It was a grey morning when I woke and then it started raining and did so most of the day.
I had breakfast and then Karl came to disconnect the electrics from the mast in preparation for its removal.
I also heard from Chris Bock and the plan is to take Stormbird round to the East Pier where the crane can get access to remove the mast. Due to tides we plan to do this about midday on the 26th. This should me free to go off with Alex.
Once Karl had finished I decided to go to Central Boating, a chandlery in the city. This was a quick Uber ride. I would have walked it but it was pouring with rain. I managed to get a few things but they did not have some things I wanted. They did, however, give me names of other shops I can go to. I did manage to get a new lightweight jacket for rain protection in warmer climes as the zip on my existing jacket had failed. They do not seem to last long and I had it replaced before as well.
I returned to Stormbird and the washing had arrived so I was able to sort that out and put things away which was good. In my walk around I came across a cinema in the V&A and decided to go and see Lucky Strike and booked a ticket for 5.30pm.
Lucky Strike is inspired by true events rather than being a direct, historical retelling. The film is based on the real experiences of soldiers isolated during the Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge) in 1944.
The original concept came from the film's co-writer, Marc Frydman, who interviewed a WWII veteran for a high school project decades ago. In the film, an American soldier (played by Scott Eastwood) is the sole survivor of his unit, trapped behind enemy lines with only a Motorola SCR-300 radio. He must rely on this technology, his wits, and spy craft to survive and thwart the advancing Nazi army.
Directed by Rod Lurie and starring Scott Eastwood, the film focuses on a lone American soldier struggling to survive behind enemy lines during the Battle of the Bulge. Critics who enjoyed the film praise its gritty survival-thriller tone, taut suspense, and focus on one man's will to live. Alternatively, some reviewers found the acting a bit wooden, the pacing disjointed at times, and the storyline overly familiar for the crowded World War II genre.
Before the film I started to do a little more planning. It is about 1700nm to St Helena and then about 660-710nm to Ascension if we decide to stop there. It is then about 1700nm from Ascension to Cape Verde and about 1300 nm to the Azores from Cape Verde. It is then 1500nm from the Azores to Hamble UK. It is therefore roughly 6,900 nm to sail back home from Cape Town. This may be about 30-33 days sailing and with stops in St Helana and Cape Verde may be 40-45 days in total although depending on speed this could be less. This is based on an average of 170nm in a 24-hour period.
I went to see the film which I actually enjoyed. It is a decent war film but I know what they mean when they say well what makes it apart from other war films? Nothing really although it is based on a true story.
After the film I had a quick fish supper at Ocean Basket which was very good.
I then returned to a cold and damp Stormbird for an early night.
The picture of the day is of Table Mountain at night which they light up viewed from the marina.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
I am now on the way to Durban and will then head for Cape Town and then on to St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com