Call for applications.

Well its here. The call for applications for shark diving permits.

I am trying not to let it stress me out,lots of deep breathing, when I feel a panic-anxiety attack looming, but its a major concern for us. We were the first company to obtain a permit for False Bay, and we have worked our way, from scratch to who we are today, a successful eco-sensitive shark operation. Our ethos and love for the great white shark is very evident,and the fact that Rob, after all these years, personally takes almost every trip, speaks volumes.

So, along with every Tom,Dick and Harry, we have to apply,for a shark permit.

I fully expect us to keep our permit, but its stressful never the less.

Here is an article for more info.

The Department of Environmental Affairs in Africa will commence with the application process for boat-based whale watching and shark cage diving operating permits on Thursday 27 August 2009 as stipulated in the Government Gazette published on Friday 14 August 2009.

The policies on Boat-Based Whale and Dolphin Watching and White Shark Cage Diving gazetted last year in 2008 are aimed at providing and improving regulatory and compliance frameworks in both sectors, growing both sectors through the allocation of a greater number of permits and transforming the industries.

Permits will be allocated under section 13 of the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) for a maximum period of one year. Successful permit holders will be re-allocated their permits each year for five years from the date of the first allocations, provided that they fully complied with permit conditions.

Dolphins at Dawn

 

A lovely sight to behold.

Blue Pointer at Dawn taken by David Jennings

Thanks to David Jennings for this lovely pic of our boat.

Getting into Hot water...

With the weather being stormy and not being able to get to sea, we decided to take a few days off.
There is not a heck of a lot you can do with little kids if it’s pouring with rain and you plan on going away. We racked our brains and “googled” a lot, and finally decided to go to Goudini Spa, in Rawsonville. Rawsonville is a little area in the Breede river valley tucked away in the mountains, just behind Du Toitskloof. It is a filled with wine farms, friendly people and it has the Goudini hot springs.

Now Goudini is not our favourite place. It is a huge resort and kinda attracts the wrong crowd. However they had just finished building some up market self catering “villa’s, as they call them”, high in the mountainside of the resort, and from the pic’s we saw, they looked nice. As we were going just after a long week end we figured it should be okay.
The “villa’s” were amazing. I instantly felt at home, and they boasted really amazing views. The resort was almost empty and so we basically had the hot pools to ourselves. The indoor pool facilities need some serious TLC and upgrading, but it didn’t matter to us. When they say hot pools they were not joking. It took our breath away when we got into the water and when we got out we were as red as lobsters. As it was freezing and raining like cats and dogs outside, it was perfect for the kids. The hot water made them very sleepy and each night they went to bed without any fuss.
So, for two days we lazed in the very, very hot water and I also managed to do some wine tasting. You can’t go to a wine region and not taste wine!

Jordan’s favourite tv channel is CBeebies. Some of the kiddies program’s have been about snow, and has she has been nagging us to see the snow in the mountains, but there hasn’t been any of late. The night before we left, little Jordan and I prayed for snow. They were heart filled prayers and she was convinced that when she woke up, there would be snow. Our prayers were answered and on the way home we detoured to Ceres to see the snow. Jordan was the happiest child in the world that day. Thumbs up to the Lord!

We have been home now for two days and because of the slow shark activity on the last two trips, I kind of wish we had just stayed up in the mountains. Wishful thinking or am I being selfish?

Been to busy for Shark Week

Oh shock, Oh horror, we haven't watched much of shark week.

I have been reading with amusement and concern the various blog's and there comments on Shark Week. So far many of blog posts have not been positive with the main concern that the sharks have been portrayed from the angle of a killer, with bloods and guts and gore.

Due to having little kids using every trick in the book, not to go to bed, or more like, not to stay in bed, TV &(shark week) has taken a back seat and so I cant comment on shark week.

Having had a few of shark week documentary's made with us, its is always interesting to watch them. We have very little to do with the filming, or what the production is about. The most important thing is that the sharks must not harmed or negatively impacted. Most of the crew we work with are friendly and professional. Some times the presenters off screen personalities are Jekyll and Hyde to their on-screen, but we just keep that to ourselves.

The BBC are busy doing a film on migratory birds. Basically, the low down is that on their journey interesting happenings occur. Here in False Bay, its the breaching and predations of the Great White Sharks.

Last Wednesday and Thursday, we had a fantastic two days of predatory activity. The shark activity was amazing with dozens of predations occurring. Those days the crew was interested in the birds and so they were not filmed. I think they got an awesome breach shot on Friday, if I am not mistaken.

The activity has been quiet slow since Saturday, with the sharks being lethargic and staying deep. Today is the first day this week we have been able to get to sea. The swell is still quiet big but we have had one very good breach this morning. The guys are heading back now and will possibly head out this afternoon again.

Today, I need to work on July's newsletter, doing some changes to the website which should keep me glued to the computer the entire day.

Hopefully be able to download any new pics Rob has taken. Maybe he captured that breach today?