| Sunday, 1st - Wednesday 4th of November, 1964: Four days of hard work on evaluation and Rockeater report. Discussions with Roy Dohne on Tidal. One night out for ChinDin, one night visit by George, an emotional Eric, Roy and Dorothy, and DeLeon; lost at Chinese chess which we played till midnight. Dave left ahead for Jo'burg talks on Tuesday after a short briefing. Put the Dutch guys to work, and hired Kleinjan on Wednesday. Asked Roy to pick up Mercia and Dorothy for dinner and movies: "The Visitor", with Ingrid Bergman, rather gruesome. |
| Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November, 1964: After all kinds of last minute additions, I ran to my car carrying a heavy metal box with evaluation materials, picked up George Erlanger and raced to the airport to fly to Jo'burg. Dave instructed us to keep mum and let him do most of the talking. We took off for Criterion for a good dinner, bath and night sleep. The next morning, we started with a good breakfast before a meeting with Messr Jones and M. of S.A. Railways to discuss Durban Harbor project which George will lead. At 09:30 I met Dave at 44 Main to update him and Mr.Daniel. We then waited with Tidal's VP to have luncheon with Mr. Oppenheimer, but that was canceled because he was sick. Instead, they went for lunch and I was referred to Dr. Murray's assistant, Mr. Oosterweld who took me for lunch and some shopping. Then we met Dr. Gane of Anglo who was unhappy about their catamaran, which was getting too heavily loaded with geophysical gear to serve its purpose: to fly over the waves.. Next, we were joined by Dr. Murray and continued our dispute about the mining factor. I then was rushed to the airport to rejoin a boisterous Dave with the big shots of Tidewater: Callahan, Thomfohrt, Grant and Laersens, as well as Sammy Collins (re Veedol) and, separately and coincidentally, Tom Gans whom I had hired from Holland. Back in Capetown, I delivered some of them to the office and various hotels and ended up home just before midnight. |
| Saturday 7 through Monday 9 November, 1964: Completed Rockeater Cruise VIII report on Saturday before going to swimming pool with Mercia and Rachel. Sunday the weather was bad and we stayed at home quarreling about Rose's letters: I was asked to write less, On Monday Roy picked me up and we worked on the weekly letter/report to Washington. Final dispositions about the hydrofix, so George could take off for Durban to-day and Dave for CDM. We could not get hold of Robin who had the draft letter for Murray. Called Prof. Fuller at Capetown University to advise us on some selected problems. Also prepared workschedules for the geologists and draftsmen in the office. A bit worried about Mercia who was to visit the doctor's office..At about 16:00, Abrahams took me to the "Emerson K", which looked rather disheveled and was to take us on the VEMA-cruise I described elsewhere. Met various MDC staff seeing off their crew, Keeble, Hoffman, Socrates and Erica. Once underway, we introduced ourselves and turned in because of the rough seas. |