Archiv für die Kategorie ‘4) The Journeys’

Boys'n Toys

Not sure whether this entry does any justice to the category “Journeys”, but I definitely think it’s worth a post.

Once the elsewhere mentioned planning, researching and negotiations phases where concluded, we purchased the said brand new Landcruiser Bakkie and had it delivered within a few days, thanks to Pupkewitz Toyota in Windhoek, who where more than forthcoming in terms of price and very accommodating with our trade-in (the sodding Renault Scenic we where trying to get rid of since day one almost).

Industrious and organised as usual, I had new rims and tyres fitted, a HiFi and Cruise Corntrol installed and two weeks later was on my way to Schroeder Motorhomes in Jeffreys Bay.

More Boys'n Toys

I would like to mention upfront, that driving a Landcruiser Bakkie, as such and in general, is quite different from anything mere mortals and “normal” passenger type vehicle drivers are used to. Especially a 2000km trip over more often than not quite bad roads, with a close to unladen vehicle, equipped with stiff, truck like, suspension, is no fun at all.

My very first trip, right after I picked up our new progeny, came to an early end about 1.5km later at a fuel station, in order to let down the tyres. Filled to the standard 2.5bar, yet no weight in the back whatsoever, I felt as if being ejected through the roof anytime soon. Furthermore and apart from that, I realised that, if I continue like this I will need a Dentist appointment soonest in order to put fillings, crowns and implants back where they were. The Landcruiser is one stiff customer to say the least. I let the tyres down to 1.5 bar, drove straight to the Garden Centre and loaded half a ton of mulch (which we needed anyway). Now ’sort of’ comfortable to drive, my garden had to wait to be mulched, as I was not willing to abstain from the newly gained ride comfort.

Namibian Main Road - First Rate

This may be a good time and place to quote one of the locals’ favourite sayings: “Africa is not a place for sissies”. True that and similar definitely goes for the preferred work horse utilised by the locally born and bred farmers: “A Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie is not a car for sissies”

For my trip to J-Bay I replaced mulch with everything we own that has anything to do with camping, not only, once again, due to the weight/load issue, but also to have everything down there for Schroeder Motorhomes to fit in and on properly. It turned out I should have engaged in some mulch export to South Africa after all.

First let me say that the Landcruiser with its 4.5l straight six goes like stink and that there was hardly a situation where overtaking caused even a hint of sweat. Also, I cannot remember having been overtaken much. Mind you, I’m not an excessively fast or aggressive driver (au contraire), but I did not plan to make the trip a three day exercise either. So I stepped on it and eventually arrived in Upington, which I had scheduled as the half way point and where I had a room booked for the night, way to early. Why, because Namibia’s main road to the South is first rate and, as it appeared, not much frequented on a Sunday. I would soon realise that it would have been better to continue another third of the distance to J-Bay or so.

Namibia's South - For Desert Lovers Only

I got up before dawn the next day (unusual for me), to fuel up and have an early start, which turned out to be a good thing. I understand there are about two main roads going through Upington, yet I was not able to figure out on which one to continue and funny enough nobody I asked could tell me either. Following the road which made the most sense and which also had gathered the majority of votes from the locals, my GPS kept on pointing towards the co-driver seat’s headrest, constantly pointing out that I was busy driving through the bush or something like that. About 15km out of town I had enough, especially of the overly friendly GPS voice chewing away at my eardrums uninterruptedly.

Back in Upington (again) I spotted a middle aged couple in a Bakkie and decided to ask them for help. What followed is part of the (if not THE) reason, why I decided to stay when I first came to Namibia in 1995. The Afrikaaners must be the most accommodating, hospitable, friendly and at the same time sort of cute in their own way, folks on this planet - and, believe me, I have been around. The couple immediately pointed out a spot on the other side of the road and, causing a minor traffic jam, ushered me to turn around and meet them there. All I asked was: “Is this the road to Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay?”. A simple “yes” or “no” would have sufficed. Not so if you ask for directions in a reasonably remote, smallish town in South Africa, whilst making a concerted effort to ask in Afrikaans. We stopped at the agreed meeting spot, got out of our vehicles … shook hands … engaged in small talk … Where are you from? Namibia? Where are you going? Jeffreys Bay? Really? Hmmm? Why? What are you doing? … And so on and so on … All the while my butt itching to get back on the road, but shear heart warming friendliness making it impossible to get to the point. When we eventually did (come to the point), it became obvious that these folks don’t seem to get out of Upington very much and if so, the road would probably not take them beyond the point of no return of what one fuel tank gives. “Port Elizabeth? Dit is mos Kimberley se wereld, ja?” … Aaahhh, no! That would be a definite no, which I can say without consulting either the map or the GPS. Anyway, back and forth some more, it turns out the Missus must have been further than Britstown sometime around 1954 and that I had most probably taken the right road initially after all (I had).

Shaken, not stirred!

Even if this is slowly but surely becoming a rather longish post, I would like to add two more things in praise of the Afrikaaners’ mentality. Would this meeting have taken place the night before, me being stuck or lost or a combination of both, there is now doubt in my mind whatsoever, that I would have had a meal and a bed at these people’s home. In fact, and I have experienced this before, I would have had a hard time to convince them the next day that I really really had to leave and get on my way. “Ja nee”, truly admirable spirit and a lot to learn from for some other cultures and folks in this world.

Anyhoo, to wrap it up, I just made it in time to J-Bay before close of shop(s), slowed and hampered by rather bad to worse roads throughout the Northern and Eastern Cape. I arrived at Schroeder Motorhomes with pulverised intestines, loose tooth fillings and a rash around my belt area.

Almost there!

Still, and even more so after this trip, I am convinced that this is the perfect vehicle for a 4×4 Camper conversion. Rugged and tough as nails, frame and suspension like a truck, a copious amount of horses under the bonnet, rigid axles, donkey gear, diff-locks, you name it … if this vehicle doesn’t get you there, you cannot go there, full stop.

Once the cabin and its interior, together with all the other bells and whistles, are mounted it will actually be a very comfy ride. In fact, we will most likely need to add some OME (Old Man Emu) shocks to counteract roll, supposedly double shocks at the rear. Apart from that a trailer stacked with fuel drums may be a splendid idea.

I will start posting about the planning and production stages soon. Until then, have a good one.

Tommy

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Boys'n Toys

Not sure whether this entry does any justice to the category “Journeys”, but I definitely think it’s worth a post.

Once the elsewhere mentioned planning, researching and negotiations phases where concluded, we purchased the said brand new Landcruiser Bakkie and had it delivered within a few days, thanks to Pupkewitz Toyota in Windhoek, who where more than forthcoming in terms of price and very accommodating with our trade-in (the sodding Renault Scenic we where trying to get rid of since day one almost).

Industrious and organised as usual, I had new rims and tyres fitted, a HiFi and Cruise Corntrol installed and two weeks later was on my way to Schroeder Motorhomes in Jeffreys Bay.

More Boys'n Toys

I would like to mention upfront, that driving a Landcruiser Bakkie, as such and in general, is quite different from anything mere mortals and “normal” passenger type vehicle drivers are used to. Especially a 2000km trip over more often than not quite bad roads, with a close to unladen vehicle, equipped with stiff, truck like, suspension, is no fun at all.

My very first trip, right after I picked up our new progeny, came to an early end about 1.5km later at a fuel station, in order to let down the tyres. Filled to the standard 2.5bar, yet no weight in the back whatsoever, I felt as if being ejected through the roof anytime soon. Furthermore and apart from that, I realised that, if I continue like this I will need a Dentist appointment soonest in order to put fillings, crowns and implants back where they were. The Landcruiser is one stiff customer to say the least. I let the tyres down to 1.5 bar, drove straight to the Garden Centre and loaded half a ton of mulch (which we needed anyway). Now ’sort of’ comfortable to drive, my garden had to wait to be mulched, as I was not willing to abstain from the newly gained ride comfort.

Namibian Main Road - First Rate

This may be a good time and place to quote one of the locals’ favourite sayings: “Africa is not a place for sissies”. True that and similar definitely goes for the preferred work horse utilised by the locally born and bred farmers: “A Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie is not a car for sissies”

For my trip to J-Bay I replaced mulch with everything we own that has anything to do with camping, not only, once again, due to the weight/load issue, but also to have everything down there for Schroeder Motorhomes to fit in and on properly. It turned out I should have engaged in some mulch export to South Africa after all.

First let me say that the Landcruiser with its 4.5l straight six goes like stink and that there was hardly a situation where overtaking caused even a hint of sweat. Also, I cannot remember having been overtaken much. Mind you, I’m not an excessively fast or aggressive driver (au contraire), but I did not plan to make the trip a three day exercise either. So I stepped on it and eventually arrived in Upington, which I had scheduled as the half way point and where I had a room booked for the night, way to early. Why, because Namibia’s main road to the South is first rate and, as it appeared, not much frequented on a Sunday. I would soon realise that it would have been better to continue another third of the distance to J-Bay or so.

Namibia's South - For Desert Lovers Only

I got up before dawn the next day (unusual for me), to fuel up and have an early start, which turned out to be a good thing. I understand there are about two main roads going through Upington, yet I was not able to figure out on which one to continue and funny enough nobody I asked could tell me either. Following the road which made the most sense and which also had gathered the majority of votes from the locals, my GPS kept on pointing towards the co-driver seat’s headrest, constantly pointing out that I was busy driving through the bush or something like that. About 15km out of town I had enough, especially of the overly friendly GPS voice chewing away at my eardrums uninterruptedly.

Back in Upington (again) I spotted a middle aged couple in a Bakkie and decided to ask them for help. What followed is part of the (if not THE) reason, why I decided to stay when I first came to Namibia in 1995. The Afrikaaners must be the most accommodating, hospitable, friendly and at the same time sort of cute in their own way, folks on this planet - and, believe me, I have been around. The couple immediately pointed out a spot on the other side of the road and, causing a minor traffic jam, ushered me to turn around and meet them there. All I asked was: “Is this the road to Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay?”. A simple “yes” or “no” would have sufficed. Not so if you ask for directions in a reasonably remote, smallish town in South Africa, whilst making a concerted effort to ask in Afrikaans. We stopped at the agreed meeting spot, got out of our vehicles … shook hands … engaged in small talk … Where are you from? Namibia? Where are you going? Jeffreys Bay? Really? Hmmm? Why? What are you doing? … And so on and so on … All the while my butt itching to get back on the road, but shear heart warming friendliness making it impossible to get to the point. When we eventually did (come to the point), it became obvious that these folks don’t seem to get out of Upington very much and if so, the road would probably not take them beyond the point of no return of what one fuel tank gives. “Port Elizabeth? Dit is mos Kimberley se wereld, ja?” … Aaahhh, no! That would be a definite no, which I can say without consulting either the map or the GPS. Anyway, back and forth some more, it turns out the Missus must have been further than Britstown sometime around 1954 and that I had most probably taken the right road initially after all (I had).

Shaken, not stirred!

Even if this is slowly but surely becoming a rather longish post, I would like to add two more things in praise of the Afrikaaners’ mentality. Would this meeting have taken place the night before, me being stuck or lost or a combination of both, there is now doubt in my mind whatsoever, that I would have had a meal and a bed at these people’s home. In fact, and I have experienced this before, I would have had a hard time to convince them the next day that I really really had to leave and get on my way. “Ja nee”, truly admirable spirit and a lot to learn from for some other cultures and folks in this world.

Anyhoo, to wrap it up, I just made it in time to J-Bay before close of shop(s), slowed and hampered by rather bad to worse roads throughout the Northern and Eastern Cape. I arrived at Schroeder Motorhomes with pulverised intestines, loose tooth fillings and a rash around my belt area.

Almost there!

Still, and even more so after this trip, I am convinced that this is the perfect vehicle for a 4×4 Camper conversion. Rugged and tough as nails, frame and suspension like a truck, a copious amount of horses under the bonnet, rigid axles, donkey gear, diff-locks, you name it … if this vehicle doesn’t get you there, you cannot go there, full stop.

Once the cabin and its interior, together with all the other bells and whistles, are mounted it will actually be a very comfy ride. In fact, we will most likely need to add some OME (Old Man Emu) shocks to counteract roll, supposedly double shocks at the rear. Apart from that a trailer stacked with fuel drums may be a splendid idea.

I will start posting about the planning and production stages soon. Until then, have a good one.

Tommy

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Boys'n Toys

Not sure whether this entry does any justice to the category “Journeys”, but I definitely think it’s worth a post.

Once the elsewhere mentioned planning, researching and negotiations phases where concluded, we purchased the said brand new Landcruiser Bakkie and had it delivered within a few days, thanks to Pupkewitz Toyota in Windhoek, who where more than forthcoming in terms of price and very accommodating with our trade-in (the sodding Renault Scenic we where trying to get rid of since day one almost).

Industrious and organised as usual, I had new rims and tyres fitted, a HiFi and Cruise Corntrol installed and two weeks later was on my way to Schroeder Motorhomes in Jeffreys Bay.

More Boys'n Toys

I would like to mention upfront, that driving a Landcruiser Bakkie, as such and in general, is quite different from anything mere mortals and “normal” passenger type vehicle drivers are used to. Especially a 2000km trip over more often than not quite bad roads, with a close to unladen vehicle, equipped with stiff, truck like, suspension, is no fun at all.

My very first trip, right after I picked up our new progeny, came to an early end about 1.5km later at a fuel station, in order to let down the tyres. Filled to the standard 2.5bar, yet no weight in the back whatsoever, I felt as if being ejected through the roof anytime soon. Furthermore and apart from that, I realised that, if I continue like this I will need a Dentist appointment soonest in order to put fillings, crowns and implants back where they were. The Landcruiser is one stiff customer to say the least. I let the tyres down to 1.5 bar, drove straight to the Garden Centre and loaded half a ton of mulch (which we needed anyway). Now ’sort of’ comfortable to drive, my garden had to wait to be mulched, as I was not willing to abstain from the newly gained ride comfort.

Namibian Main Road - First Rate

This may be a good time and place to quote one of the locals’ favourite sayings: “Africa is not a place for sissies”. True that and similar definitely goes for the preferred work horse utilised by the locally born and bred farmers: “A Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie is not a car for sissies”

For my trip to J-Bay I replaced mulch with everything we own that has anything to do with camping, not only, once again, due to the weight/load issue, but also to have everything down there for Schroeder Motorhomes to fit in and on properly. It turned out I should have engaged in some mulch export to South Africa after all.

First let me say that the Landcruiser with its 4.5l straight six goes like stink and that there was hardly a situation where overtaking caused even a hint of sweat. Also, I cannot remember having been overtaken much. Mind you, I’m not an excessively fast or aggressive driver (au contraire), but I did not plan to make the trip a three day exercise either. So I stepped on it and eventually arrived in Upington, which I had scheduled as the half way point and where I had a room booked for the night, way to early. Why, because Namibia’s main road to the South is first rate and, as it appeared, not much frequented on a Sunday. I would soon realise that it would have been better to continue another third of the distance to J-Bay or so.

Namibia's South - For Desert Lovers Only

I got up before dawn the next day (unusual for me), to fuel up and have an early start, which turned out to be a good thing. I understand there are about two main roads going through Upington, yet I was not able to figure out on which one to continue and funny enough nobody I asked could tell me either. Following the road which made the most sense and which also had gathered the majority of votes from the locals, my GPS kept on pointing towards the co-driver seat’s headrest, constantly pointing out that I was busy driving through the bush or something like that. About 15km out of town I had enough, especially of the overly friendly GPS voice chewing away at my eardrums uninterruptedly.

Back in Upington (again) I spotted a middle aged couple in a Bakkie and decided to ask them for help. What followed is part of the (if not THE) reason, why I decided to stay when I first came to Namibia in 1995. The Afrikaaners must be the most accommodating, hospitable, friendly and at the same time sort of cute in their own way, folks on this planet - and, believe me, I have been around. The couple immediately pointed out a spot on the other side of the road and, causing a minor traffic jam, ushered me to turn around and meet them there. All I asked was: “Is this the road to Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay?”. A simple “yes” or “no” would have sufficed. Not so if you ask for directions in a reasonably remote, smallish town in South Africa, whilst making a concerted effort to ask in Afrikaans. We stopped at the agreed meeting spot, got out of our vehicles … shook hands … engaged in small talk … Where are you from? Namibia? Where are you going? Jeffreys Bay? Really? Hmmm? Why? What are you doing? … And so on and so on … All the while my butt itching to get back on the road, but shear heart warming friendliness making it impossible to get to the point. When we eventually did (come to the point), it became obvious that these folks don’t seem to get out of Upington very much and if so, the road would probably not take them beyond the point of no return of what one fuel tank gives. “Port Elizabeth? Dit is mos Kimberley se wereld, ja?” … Aaahhh, no! That would be a definite no, which I can say without consulting either the map or the GPS. Anyway, back and forth some more, it turns out the Missus must have been further than Britstown sometime around 1954 and that I had most probably taken the right road initially after all (I had).

Shaken, not stirred!

Even if this is slowly but surely becoming a rather longish post, I would like to add two more things in praise of the Afrikaaners’ mentality. Would this meeting have taken place the night before, me being stuck or lost or a combination of both, there is now doubt in my mind whatsoever, that I would have had a meal and a bed at these people’s home. In fact, and I have experienced this before, I would have had a hard time to convince them the next day that I really really had to leave and get on my way. “Ja nee”, truly admirable spirit and a lot to learn from for some other cultures and folks in this world.

Anyhoo, to wrap it up, I just made it in time to J-Bay before close of shop(s), slowed and hampered by rather bad to worse roads throughout the Northern and Eastern Cape. I arrived at Schroeder Motorhomes with pulverised intestines, loose tooth fillings and a rash around my belt area.

Almost there!

Still, and even more so after this trip, I am convinced that this is the perfect vehicle for a 4×4 Camper conversion. Rugged and tough as nails, frame and suspension like a truck, a copious amount of horses under the bonnet, rigid axles, donkey gear, diff-locks, you name it … if this vehicle doesn’t get you there, you cannot go there, full stop.

Once the cabin and its interior, together with all the other bells and whistles, are mounted it will actually be a very comfy ride. In fact, we will most likely need to add some OME (Old Man Emu) shocks to counteract roll, supposedly double shocks at the rear. Apart from that a trailer stacked with fuel drums may be a splendid idea.

I will start posting about the planning and production stages soon. Until then, have a good one.

Tommy

Share This