OCEAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
p.90, Ben Oostdam's Autobiography| Friday, Jan.1, 1965: Still camping near Knysna. I brought breakfast in bed to all, enjoyed using the cooking apparatus. Erik and I put together a rudder and centerboard. Walked with Erik and Gigi along the beach and the Keurboomsriver, where we met the German woman cursing us for not paying parking money. That afternoon, we sailed a bit on a "vlei" which looked excellent for the purpose: lots of boats, including a compact Catamaran, and waterskiers. After that we took a trip to Nature's Valley through mountain passes affording scenic views of forests. It was windy and rained once in a while and there were many trucks and truckers with their families. We were going to go out for dinner, but while Erik took a shower, the ladies started cooking already. After dinner, we played with Soepie and went to bed early. |
| Sat., Jan.2: Since little Erik had developed a rash and also Mercia wanted to go home, we started packing. When we were done and ready to go, our kind neigbor lady offered us coffee or tea and cake. We first drove to Knysba town to buy souvenirs, then back to the Heads where we had coffee, ate more sausage and saw a monkey playing for some cute Rhodesian tourist girls. We then took a dusty path causing Mercia to complain, but it was the right road to a fine quiet pass with fine far view. Erik stopped to take a skinnydip in a clear mountain creek, while I picked flowers and took pictures [probably 3-D, which I cannot put on the Web (yet)]. Around 15:00, we made it to George for a late lunch while Soepie cried in the car. We filled our gas-tanks in Heidelberg and Mercia became tired and impatient while I drove, sang and drank milk till she cut me off and I drove the last hour silent till we made it home at 21:00 and tumbled in bed. |
 |
Sun., Jan.3: My father's 56th birthday! I got up early, went out and brought some breakfast home for Mercia. Late that morning we went to her parents for lunch. Then we took Ma and the boys (Gussie, Jackie and Chris) to the Strand. It was pleasant and crowded, and the sea was surprisingly calm and quiet. We met Puk, a friend of Mercia's, so we left a bit too late and got into a traffic jam. Got home about 19:00, had a beer and coffee and went to bed early to read. |