Sandy goes to Africa

Sandy goes to Africa | sitemap | log in

30^th Jan 09.

The house is sorted at last; now we are off to South Africa. Well we have a date. Rolling on the 15^th Feb. Seems like a lifetime from inception. And of course we are ready with everything done. And pigs might fly but it is all stuff that can be done as we stop for a day or so in the warmer climates. Apart from a small matter of immigration. Close to 18 months from putting the paper in and we still have not had confirmation that we have been accepted. But we can chase it when we arrive; the wheels grind slowly in Africa.

Due to the weather and the forecasts we will probably use small hotels through Europe until we hit the warmer climates in south Turkey. Don’t like to camp in the frost not a lot of fun in that.

So, now the adventure begins, where it ends up is anybody’s guess. If the original plan works we will arrive in SA about the same time next year then see how things develop. If good we will stay if not probably put the landy in a box and go to Aus and NZ? Whatever happens it will be warmer and different.

Bob & Jackie.

5th march 2010,

We went home; the current government seem to indicate they want to give everything away from them that have, to them that haven’t. Not for us. Nobody is going in with £100 to find the government give away £60 and leave them with £40. We will to sort out just what we want to do. Aus and NZ are high on the list; to drive out or ship out is the question. Sandy will be refurbished into a motor home over the next 12 months and then hopefully off we go once more.

Bob & Jackie

We move on.update 13th Jan Gibraltar Index

Update 8th March 2009

by Bob - 20:55 on 08 March 2009

More updates. 08-03-09

A fair bit has happened from the last entry. All our visas are now in, the Carnet and insurances are all in place and we are looking at leaving in the first week of March.

We have decided to make sure that everything works and is checked out prior to leaving instead of finishing along the route. The cooker and gas bottles are now fitted along with the high lift jack and the 2^nd fridge come freezer. However the water system or the hot water system is not quite right. The 12ltr tank that I had purchased just was not up to the job. The system worked quite well. It heated the water, the shower worked, but the tank would not hold the pressure. So back to the drawing board on that bit. Also the night heater still needs to be fitted. But not a lot in the scheme of things. With everything being bespoke and the first time I have done this it is all trial and error. So any mistooks (that’s not a spelling mistook) and it is start again. How I would give my right arm to have been in a conversion shop for a week or two building one with someone who has done it all before to learn the easy way.

We start trial loading of all the equipment this week. No doubt we will repack everything after the first load and we expect to take about three attempts to get close to the mark on weight distribution and ability to get at what you need all the time to what is needed sometimes.

Wed I went to Hatfield to collect the new tyres. We have purchased 6 BFG Mud Terrains. They are expensive but this in the hope that they will do the whole trip and maybe some more. We have elected for Muds over the All Terrains, yes they are a little noisier on the roads and will wear a bit quicker, and the recommendation for this sort of trip is All Terrains but when we hit the mud and the sand as we will, we just hope they come into their own and pull us through where the All Terrains may not. We are fitted out with full puncture kit, plugs, etc etc, to supplement them, just to add a few tubes as final back up.

The rest of it is checking and re checking everything, route, boarder crossings, fuel stops. One bonus of leaving late is that it hopefully won’t be so cold so that we won’t need any hotels.

The lessons from the Gibraltar trip are well installed and learnt. Especially on the fuel. A sediment trap has been fitted in the fuel line so that and dirt should be caught and held until drained. So far we have had no further problems after fitment. A thicker quilt for the cold nights, the tent cover has been modified so that it is easier to fit especially when cold. The rear of the cover has been split and flaps with Velcro welded in and a strap to hold it all together. Once more this has now proved itself. All the equipment needs to be labelled and on hand to find quickly when needed. Some things you need to do and learn the hard way but just as long as you learn and don’t forget.

One of the nice things we have found out from the outset of this trip is the help you receive from other people and the people you meet who are doing similar things. Alan from www.landroving.com who set off in December, Jan and Trevor from www.gapyear4x4.com who will be setting off about the 10^th of April with a motor cycle escort organised by there sons. (Possibly to ensure they do go so the party can start). It’s the help from people like them, friends and suppliers who go to extreme ends to help. But good look guys and maybe we will meet up for a beer or two somewhere on the route.

Comment from Sue at 23:44 on 16 March 2009.

Glad to see you are nearly ready for off. Let me know when you are due to pass through our neck of the woods. Always a bed here for two weary travellers. Any approx date for hitting Botswana? Will have you a few cool beers ready. Take care. LOL Sue xxx

Comment from Paul Young at 22:59 on 14 April 2009.

Good luck in your travels we are so jealeous.Your planning has been maticulous and i will take your advice when it comes to our turn. enjoy and post your news of your travels we will be watching.

Paul

Comment from Chris Fearon at 22:10 on 10 May 2009.

Good luck,

Comment from Jan & Les Fish at 10:42 on 14 May 2009.

We are following your journey with great interest & are planning to leave for SA later this year. We hope to settle on the Garden Route at the end of our trip. Like you waiting for our Visa's from SA. Did yours enventually arrive? Good Luck let us know how you get on. Jan & Les Fish

Comment from ron holmes at 10:49 on 08 July 2009.

pleased to read that trip ok everything ok at s@b all we need is a few more truck orders and a new prime minister! best wishes ron.

Comment from bob at 16:32 on 13 July 2009.

I will see if I can pick a few orders up for you on the way. The Prime Minister I cant help with.

thanks for looking ron.

regards

Bob & Jackie

Add your comment

Please note that whenever you submit something which may be publicly shown on a website you should take care not to make any statements which could be considered defamatory to any person or organisation.