Fidler in the ‘Hood: Fairy tales can come true if you are young at heart
There was much interest from South Coasters as to whether or not the two South African 'okes', crossing the South Atlantic ocean, from east to west, and west to east respectively might actually meet up mid ocean.
Local environmentalist and all-round good guy David Hallé, of Margate, had his dreams dashed when his ‘trip of a lifetime’ was scuppered by the pandemic.
He had hoped to fly to Uruguay, South America, meet up with his son, Pierre, and sail along the Brazilian coast to the Costa Verde, ending up in Buzios and Cabo Frio, RJ.
It was to be the dream voyage for David. With air travel cancelled, world-wide, the ‘young’ Pierre decided to set sail for Cape Town, collect David, and sail back to South America.
At the same time, our distant relative and extreme adventurer Zirk Botha (59) of Cape Town, after two years’ planning, including building his boat Ratel (Afrikaans for honey badger), set off in late December, for Brazil.
Not sailing there, but ROWING there! Unsupported. I kid you not.
Families aside, there was much interest from the general public, with two South African ‘okes’, crossing the South Atlantic ocean, from east to west, and west to east.
Crazy thought: what if our two SA heroes could meet up in mid-ocean, and have a good old-fashioned fish braai?
Stormy Weather
It was not to be, however. Pierre, only one week out from Montevideo Uruguay, encountered stormy weather, with high seas, his yacht badly damaged.
He had to turn back home to his estancia in Porto Ciebo, Uruguay, with David’s dream trip again going up in smoke.
Meanwhile, Zirk kept rowing, and rowing, and rowing.
The route rowed by Zirk Botha.
He apparently spotted the odd tanker.
Zirk’s first words to the crew were: ‘How’s Manchester City doing?’ (Just kidding)
Welcome to Buzios, My Friend!
In the wee small hours of last Saturday, Zirk made landfall in Buzios, breaking the world record, too: 7200 km in 70 days, even without wearing his mask!
Unfortunately, Zirk’s family was not there to meet him, due to the international flights ban.
Zirk, by now, had adopted a Robinson Crusoe appearance, not having shaved in nearly three months.
Cabo Frio, Here I Am!
Next morning, Zirk rowed the 25 km to Cabo Frio, to his official destination, the Rio Yacht Club, to be greeted by a mini armada of boats, paddle-skis, and the media.
Are you listening, Patricia de Carvalho, currently of St Mike’s, formerly of Cabo Frio? Small world, isn’t it?
There’s only one minor problem. Does anyone know anybody who can help bring Ratel back to South Africa?
Are you listening, Elon Musk or Mark Shuttleworth?
I had volunteered to row Ratel back to Cape Town for Zirk, but the international air ban put the knockers on that idea.
In the meantime, David can only reflect on his unfulfilled dreams of sailing the tropical islands of Costa Verde, Brasil, with son Pierre by the light of the silvery moon.
See you, Rob.
(Story edited)
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