OCEAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

March 3,Tuesday: We drove away at 07:30 and made our first stop at Piketberg, where Chris searched for "The Castle", a place she might wish to rent and convert to hotel/restaurant.

Are "The Castle", and Landhuis "DeHoek" the same as 2004's "Dunn Castle?"

We picked up a couple of coloreds to help us and finally found the empty landhouse "de Hoek", which was owned by the Portland Cement Co.

It also offered a fine view nearby.

She was quite interested, and talked about her plans all the way back to Capetown, where we arrived by noon. I dropped her off, went to the office, where I found out that Dave had gone to Jo'burg. Just before 18:00, I dropped our new blonde secretary, Gloria, off at her home without delays, then had a steak dinner with Pete.

March 4, Wed: Des O'Shea and I went to the "Rockeater" to find space and take measurements for geologic container lab. Best spot seems tobe near stairs from main deck to forecastle close to the screening works. That afternoon, we draw geologic profiles. The Kombi had to go to Lamberts Bay once again ...not I! Had a fine dinner with Chris who now plans to stay here this year and attend a Swiss Hotel Management school next year.

March 5: Picked up our newest geologist, Robin Harvey, a bearded South African with a degree from Princeton, as well as Mr.Nesbitt who designed the "Rockeater" processing plant. Took them both to the ship, then later drove Harvey to a nice bungalow in the mountains, occupied by his mother and his sister who is a divorcee with 4 cute daughters. Some welcome drinks, quite enjoyable. Evening dinner at Chris' followed by meeting at the diving club, where the subject of Joe's drowning did not come up - although I had discussed it in detail with Reid Bros earlier to-day.