March 6, Fri: Had some good discussions with Harvey and Des about (1) requirements of
the planned portable geo-lab (2) navigation and(3) the "Pebble Eater",code name for smaller vessel we need. Also ordered six pipe-dredges, ranging in price from Rand 32 to 90. Talk with Nesbitt re isotopes to check Rockeater processing plant efficiency. Early dinner at one of my landlady's sisters, where her friend June introduced me (i.e. fixed me up for a date with)
a pleasant young divorcee, 19, named Maxi van Dijk. After shaving, I took Maxi to the "bioskoop" (movies) and for a drink in the Tulbach.
(NOTE: Maxi was to marry my wife Mercia's former boyfriend Pieter later!)
March 7 and 8, Sat - Sun: Had a drink with Robin after morning of office work. Lunched with Chris. Cleaned and caught up on sleep in the afternoon.Saw Maxi with a young guy and felt some jealousy, to my surprise. Made a tape to send to Holland. Slept late Sun morning and finished the tape. Walked along with Maxi who boards nearby and showed her not my etchings (who said that?) but my slides of Hawaii, incl. Rose.Lunch at sister's around noon, then to the windy beach with Chris in her cute bikini. We had dinner in the Blue Peter,etc.
March 9, Mon: Discussions about "Rockeater" continued in office. Sadly, the movies taken from the UWTV monitor came out very poor. Worked on currents. Barber. Took Chris to my room, played tapes and talked about buying a car and looking for an apartment.
March 10, AM: Worked on currents and charts. Lunch meeting resulted in a quarrel about the geo lab, especially with Frank Bohlen. After that, a good discussion about the splitter to measure the fines overflow from the processing plant. Willie van der Merwe and Pete Lamming got back from "Xhosa Coast" and I took them in kombi to the Harveys in Rondebosch for drinks.
By 19:00, I picked up Chris,who was dressed very 'chique', to look for apartments. Found two good places, one in Vredenhoek, the other with a Dutch couple in Clifton. Foggy. Late dinner in Doll House. Feel a bit apprehensive about sharing apartment.
March 11 Wed - 13 Fri: Continued work on design of and orders for geology lab. A new man moved into the boarding house (probably Pieter van Zijl). Chris bought a new car, a Volkswagen bug, in which we searched for an apartment, driving as far as (The) Paarl (where Mercia and I bought a small house in 1998!). Gave Maxi R 10 to buy a tablecloth. Received letter fromMrs Walker at Scripps about registration. On that same unlucky day , we had a geology / gin-and-tonic party at Dave's, also attended by Dr. Britt Brock. After that, I took Robin to Chris' restaurant for dinner and late talks.
