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Today was spent running around getting some last minute stuff sorted out. Our handheld radio charger packed up for no apparent reason and we took it in to be checked out at IMTECH - both the charger and battery tested faulty. After driving to several gas refilling companies, we had our 2 x 9 Kg. gas bottles filled at AFROX in Paarden Island. We are now have 3 x 9 Kg full gas bottles on board and should be sorted for at least 6 months or so. We stopped at the dive shop to fit my ScubaPro Eqauter 2 BC which finally arrived. It fitted like a charm and I was impressed with the quality. Then it was off to BCanvas who was kind enough to make us a canvas cover for the stuff we will strap to the front deck - all done within 2 hours!

Next inline was the fishing shop where we bought split rings, lure bags and a couple of lures to catch squid. Joe was like a child in a toy shop, checking this, feeling and touching just about everything as we walked around in the well stocked shop - he had to severely restrain himself. Then probably visit No. 10,501 to the local boat equipment supplier to buy a couple of fitting for the dinghy, national flags for South Africa, St. Helena and Brazil. Typical of South Africa, the world flags we ordered almost 2 1/2 months ago, has been at customs Johannesburg now for more than a month! Thanks to the strikes at Customs and the Post Office, flags for more than 100 country flags will not reach it's destination in time. There is no chance in hell we will get it before we depart. Typical of the new South African standards, you can't speak to anybody because nobody ever answer their phones!

Then a visit to the hardware supplier where we bought some stainless steel grub screws and dome nuts for some of the fittings we have on board. After this, it was a long drive to Robitech in KuilsRiver where I bought myself a 1.0 meter spear gun and some spares. All of the small things took just about the whole day. Whilst running around doing all these small little things, all the while also talking to suppliers who need to complete outstanding work on Revelations. When we got back to the yacht, we found our new screetcher sail as manufactured by Ullmann Sails. This is a beast of a sail and will surely give us good speed in light winds. During the past week, Sue has been buying food and drink to provide 3 meals per day to 5 adults for the next 45 days. Revelations is now loaded to the maximum, every cupboard is overflowing with goods and there is hard;y space to fit a mouse.

Awhile ago, we had our new Bauer Mariner 320 compressor revamped by High Pressure Systems in Cape Town. A really professional and helpful company - one of the few such companies we have encountered in Cape Town! Larry Simm, was the guy we dealt with and one can surely not ask for better service.

You might ask; "REVAMPING a NEW compressor? How does that work?". We bought the compressor brand new a few years ago from High Pressure Systems. At the time, it was installed in one of deck lockers and has never worked a day in it's life. However, over time, the high moisture content within the locker took it's toll and the "NEW" compressor looked "OLD" and worn out.

The compressor was therefor removed and sent back to High Pressure Systems for a revamp. They did a fantastic job and the compressor once again looks brand new - the way it should be. The compressor is now going back into it's dedicated position - this time without the bulky frame. We also made a laminated bed within which the compressor will be housed and to protect it against the elements, a removable cover will be made with a cord at the bottom to nicely close everything up.

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It's easy to understand why so many people love scuba diving: they already love the water - whether it's being near it, on it, or in it! Thus, whether you've never tried diving before or have logged lots of time underwater, it's easier than ever to dive right in! Those who really get into diving from their own boat gravitate toward Brownie's Third Lung systems. This boater-friendly system offers a wide range of affordable and flexible options, including petrol-powered floating systems and battery-operated options. Basically, Brownie's Third Lung systems provide a rubber hose that you use to breathe on and under the surface (referred to as "Hookah").

The beauty of the Hookah system is that it frees you of most of the equipment traditionally involved with diving. Along with the air hose running to the surface, you only need a simple weight belt to control your buoyancy! It's also one-size-fits-all. The floating gas-powered systems come in two sizes: F280 (two divers to 24 meters or three divers to 7 meters) and F390 (three divers to 27 meters or four divers to 18 meters). The electrical systems include the E140 (one diver to 18 meters) and the built-in yacht system (two divers to 18 meters), as well as several more "commercial" options and a fun pressurized "snorkel" option that allows one diver to reach 2-3 meters.

Brownie's also offers battery-powered systems that can handle one or two divers to 18 meters, as well as a pressurized snorkel option. With Brownie's, regular or Hookah certification is required-and many boaters are finding it's well worth the minimal time and expense-you could often get a three-diver system (F390X) for the price of traditional mid-range dive gear for one!