Day 1 - Kosi Bay

After 4 days on the road to rally Cape Town to Kosi Bay and 4 days spent in Kosi Bay and its magnificent surroundings, Robert was ready to leave this morning.

He was up at 5:30 getting all the last little bits and pieces ready. Yesterday the kayak was packed several times to check that everything was going to fit into it. The Polar Bear being an expedition kayak, it can take much more load than the Sea Bear so Robert will be carrying an average of 110 kg of supplies with him...

The last few weeks have been absolutely hectic as we have been preparing for D Day... And I will explain more about this in the coming days but today is the day we have been waiting for with such excitement and nervousness... Robert kept on saying he had "butterflies" in his stomach yesterday and this morning he was apprehensive but also very keen to tackle this new challenge...

At about 10, we started making our way to Kosi Bay mouth... We met Peter and his friend last night and as we arrived at Kosi Bay they were there to witness the departure... They also helped with the unloading of the kayak from the car but most importantly, and for that I am hugely grateful, they let me follow them back up to the road from the 4x4 path... So a huge thank you Peter and friend!!!

Robert left this morning at about 10:45. It was low tide and the surf was not too bad, eventhough from our viewpoint it still looked impressive as Robert paddled through the breakers but all went well and Robert started his big journey...

He phoned tonight to say he had landed somewhere but that there was no cellphone reception and that the satellite phone signal was also very poor and then we got cut off!! So I would not be able to tell you how the first day went... All we know is that he managed to land somewhere safely and hopefully he covered a few kilometers...

Tomorrow the winds will be very strong so I do not know wether Robert will paddle or not...

In the meantime here are a few photos of this morning...

Comments

[Mom and Richard]

Thanks for all the info and photos Sylvie and we wish you safe travelling back to Cape Town. As Robert was setting off, Hector was being introduced to his Grade I teacher for 2015 and so both men in the family started a new adventure! Robert, you are in our thoughts and prayers and as you paddle away towards Angola, we once again wish you "Bon Vogage"!!!