Memories of sailing...

Some of the scenes that make sailing extra-special on the M/V Africa Mercy...

Dolphin-spotting on the bow...

Passing quaint fishing vessels off the South African coast...

Spontaneous times of worship on the bow...

And watching the sun slip beneath the waves after a busy day's work.

Did you survive the 'Bosch?

All of us did!

Appelsbosch group photo in our new Appelsbosch t-shirts!

Departing Durban... As seen from above!

These amazing photos were taken by the crew of the Pilot helicopter (photo in previous post just below) and were forwarded to us by our shipping agent in Durban... Enjoy!

Photo taken off our port bow.

And off the starboard bow.

Heading out towards open seas.

The Land Rovers and Nissan vehicles on Deck 8 - the pool is clearly visible here.

Departing Durban... Cape Town-bound!

At 11h20 this morning the deck department of the M/V Africa Mercy cast off the final mooring lines holding the vessel to the Southern African Shipyards repair quay, and the world's largest charity hospital ship departed Durban bound for Cape Town and then Sierra Leone.

Two tugs safely negotiated us through Durban's huge harbour and we were soon out on the open water, beginning our sail south-west towards Cape Town. It should be a lovely mini-sail to the Mother City (the name us locals affectionately call Cape Town) and I am so excited that my family and friends will be there to wave us in when we dock in a few days time!

Here are some more photos from our departure from Durban!

The flags flying in the mast. The red and white one indicates that there is a pilot onboard.

The SA Shipyards quay, where the AFM was docked for five months.

A tug veers to the starboard to take us through the narrow channel.

Durban's dry dock, where the Africa Mercy's surgery was done!

The view from the Bridge.

Officers and crew on the Bridge overseeing our departure.

Looking aft from the port Bridge wing.

Our Pilot disembarked the ship via helicopter.

Another shot of the Pilot helicopter.

With Theo, one of my good friends.

The Africa Mercy flies the Maltese Cross as we make our way to Cape Town!

Birthday fun...

This past weekend was my 27th birthday, and so a small group of my closest ship friends went out to dinner. We went to an African-themed restaurant and there were drummers, dancers and singers. The singers even sung happy birthday to me!

The singers sing to me.

My lovely friends.

SA flag flies proudly in Texas!

At the Mercy Ships International Operations Centre (IOC) in Texas there are three flags that fly at the main entrance. The first flag is the flag of Texas, the state in which the IOC is based. The second flag is the Stars and Stripes of America. The third flag is the flag of the country in which the Africa Mercy is functioning. Until we leave South African waters the national flag of South Africa flies proudly above the IOC - it makes me proud to see my beautiful flag flying above the snowy landscape!

Photo here thanks to fellow South African Marius Prinsloo.

Pool Open!

After many months of work to make it safe for the crew, the pool has finally opened up on Deck 8 - while we are docked here in the calm waters of the Port of Durban. We don't know what the waters of Freetown will be like for the pool, but for now we are just happy to be able to swim and relax after a hard day's work!

Swimming in the clear blue waters of our new pool.