Half Argused

Pesky pub staff aside, the weekend improved from then on. We certainly haven't been affected by that pesky cyclone Favio, that's been beating the hell out of Mozambique lately, not to mention abusing cell-phones at Wildtracks. Sunday was an absolute stunner of a day and seemed like a good opportunity to head off for a little test ride around the Peninsula to see if I have got what it takes for the Argus now only 12 days, 20 hours and some 30 minutes away. So I pulled on the riding kit, got together the energy boosters, iPod, spare tube and all the other paraphenalia (cycling is definitely a 'stuff' related sport) and headed off to Noordhoek to start my ride. The plan was to do about 60 km of the actual route with an added bonus of starting with Ou Kaapse Weg for a bit of hill climbing practice

All in all, things went rather well with the exception of a puncture in Muizenberg, but it was a really nice ride around the peninsula and totalled 80 km in about 3 hours 37 minutes - which still places me on about a 5 hour Cycle Tour in 2 weeks time, and I'm not even that stiff this morning. I think a dip in the freezing cold water at Noordhoek beach may have had something to do with that though. I do have a rather funky shirtsleeves and cyclepant tan though- in spite of wearing sunblock. Who says steamy riding gear doesn't increase one's cool factor!

A Brazen cheek!

There's nothing like a good rant on a Monday morning, so I thought I'd get going with that. There's nothing like finishing off the week with a couple of pints at your local on a Friday afternoon, but sadly this simple pleasure has been soured by the management of our regular pub who have taken to sticking little 'Reserved from 6pm' signs on the table... while you are sitting at it! They don't say a word, they just saunter up and stick the little sign on, usually about 15 minutes before the time of alleged reservation and then wander off. I don't know anyone else, but in my book that is just damn rude.

Fortunately, some quick thinking on the part of my colleague, James who has experienced this treatment before saved the day. After seeing the reserved signs going up at other tables, he quickly launched a pre-emptive strike and dashed off to reserve our table, we got our own little 'Reserved until 8ish' sign and everything! But honestly, having to reserve the table that you are sitting at so that it doesn't get giving away by some blackshirted fascist pub manager who suffers badly from a lack of good old fashoined GDFD, I despair!

Norhing's worse than Waiting!!!

Damn!!! What a rubbish weekend! I suppose it started off earlier in the week with the postponement of the arrival of the jetty. Nevertheless, the delay of the jetty was forgotten when I was told that ‘Simply Wild’ was to be ready for testing and collection on Saturday. A truly exciting prospect!! But alas, excitement turned to bitter disappointment when I discovered on Friday night that the boat was in fact nowhere near completion and that I would only be able to see it somewhere around Tuesday. Delays, delays, delays!!!!
I guess in a way I should have expected it considering the fact that I was very surprised to hear that the job had been completed in a day and a half considering all of the little gadgets that needed to be installed. Besides, it would have been a rubbish weekend to be on the water anyway. We have been blessed with the tail end of the cyclone that hit Mozambique last week, so it’s been a bit cold and wet.
Friday night I saw bigger wind than any I’ve ever seen here. You know the wind is pumping when it can pick up a cell phone off the coffee table and send it skidding along the floor under your feet. I became quite concerned for the boats at one point too. If ‘Lucky Strike’ where to be swamped it’d be more than just a little job to get it out and running again. Hopefully the poor weather will move through by tomorrow though and I can take to the water in ‘Optimax’ conditions on Wednesday when I finally get that beast down here.
Soon as I can I'll post picsof my maiden run on the zambezi......;))