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Greetings and News from Josef

Posted 8 months, 26 days ago

Greetings and News from Josef
Always great to receive communication from ex and travelling members as they help to keep the love and hope alive. Josef is down in New Zealand and making contact with old friends from ABYC: Hi Alan! A few words from down under again. Thanks again for your hard work in keeping us fellow members informed of all the happenings at ABYC. I take note, that good news is having the upper hand over the bad, but have to agree with Derek's statement that the health and prosperity and ultimate survival of ABYC lies in the hands of the Members and nowhere else. With regards to the Exco, which some like to blame, I say serve on it if you can do it better, or at least contribute in a positive way. I am happy to hear that the catering is sorted out, especially at this time of the year, but sad that our Rear Commodore House could not tie his knot in house. Although I hear the party up in Humerail was a great success. The social activities seem to be going well, and I think you can give yourselves a tap on the shoulder. The activities with the bigger Keelboats, especially in the longer distance races seems to be a problem World wide. The last 2 offshore races over here in Tauranga had to be canceled, due to lack of interest. The dinghy and rowing activities are doing extremely well. It is nice to hear that some businesses are getting involved back home in that department. I have to send all the best wishes from Jure Sterk, the old Slovenion Sailor, who bought Luna tick some years ago and sold in the beginning of the year to Molly, lucky bugger. You, tell her if she does not have it sailing, when I come home she will be in trouble. Anyway he is on a non stop around the World trip which he had to restart three times since starting in Simonstown thanks to a rigging failure that he had installed in Cape Town. Not good for SA reputation. He had to stop again here in New Zealand. I visited him a few times before he restarted again and to my horror I saw Luna tick back again 2 weeks ago with watermaker problems. He caused a big media frenzy on TV, Radio, Newspaper, the lot, due to a lack of communication with the Coastguards who sent out a search for him after a Storm and in thick Fog when he tried to return to Tauranga Harbour without a motor. What a character he is, all smiles, no problem, we just have to restart again he said. I asked Jure, when he thinks he will finish his mission; "Oh if all goes well, next time I will see you in SA around 2011. I have not seen South America, maybe I will have to restart over there again." Yes, sometimes it is good to meet people like Jure, to teach us, to slow down and take life a bit easier. There is now an example for the Nesters, what kind of Wife does it take, to support and stay by her man, through thick and thin? only a few come to mind, like Biltong Bertie's and a couple of those Solo Sailor' Wives. I made contact with Steve Williams and will try and visit him during the Xmas break, when I will head North again to also see the Herselmans. Last week I said hello to the Riddles Family, Gavin and Lynn and I saw a few pictures on their walls that remind them of good old SA. They seemed to have settled in OK and send their best wishes. Alan I try to hang on a few Attachments (Click on Page 2 below to see the attachments), one is a Letter I sent to ABYC last year, the time was to hectic to use it, maybe this time you can do something with it. And the History of the Hymn Amazing Grace. I take the opportunity to thank you and the rest of the committee for all your hard work and wish you, your family and the rest of my friends in sailing all the best for the Festive Season, may you all be blessed with God's Grace, His Love and a new enthusiasm and commitment for your sport, Sailing. Your Friend in Sailing from down under. Josef Schable Full Story »

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