We leave Cape Town around 11:00am on Monday, 25 August 2014 and by the time we hit the N7 the traffic has melted away. Curt hopes that the road construction before Citrusdal is completed. What a gemors. The N7 from Citrusdal all the way to Klaver is still in bits and pieces with road stoppages in abundance. Through this section of the road we lose about two hours of our journey.
Once out of the construction we make good time and out first stop for diesel is in Garies, a windswept hamlet. The road up to Springbok and beyond is in very good condition. We reach the border of Vioolsdrift at about 20h00 and cross the border without any hitch.
Once on the other side in Namibia, we stop at the border town road inn and have something to eat. We decide to head off to Grunau which is 160km on the B1. Our main concern is the animals that migrate across the road at night. After chatting to one of the locals, we are warned to be on the look out especially on the leg between Grunau and Keetsmanshoop. The darkness in the distance and the expanse is quite eerie. If you suffer from agoraphobia this is not the the place to be!
By the time we reach the outskirts of Grunau we make the decision to kap aan driver as Curt is still feeling good behind the wheel. Keetmanshoop will be another 160km plus. One and a half hours later we pull into Keetmanshoop. We load diesel one more time, have a bite to eat and pull in at the far end of the truck stop. Curt and I call it a night. We make what we call "the Chile" - that is, we curl up in the car, only a much bigger vehicle than the Suzuki we hired in Chile a few years ago.
Next stop Windhoek!
No hitches so far other than a leaky jerrycan which we fix in Windhoek with Ma's rubber glove as a seal for the spout. To die for! I love Africa….
Tonight we will have our first braai and possibly a bottle of wine to send Eugene on his way tomorrow, and I gather, he is meeting Ms Namibia et al. I knew there was a reason I came along, not just to be chief handlanger but to hobnob with the rich and famous. I reckon tonight I am going to sleep like a baby in my own bed after a hot shower and shampoo……wish you were here South Africa.
Signing out - Eugene and Curt.
By the time we reach the outskirts of Grunau we make the decision to kap aan driver as Curt is still feeling good behind the wheel. Keetmanshoop will be another 160km plus. One and a half hours later we pull into Keetmanshoop. We load diesel one more time, have a bite to eat and pull in at the far end of the truck stop. Curt and I call it a night. We make what we call "the Chile" - that is, we curl up in the car, only a much bigger vehicle than the Suzuki we hired in Chile a few years ago.
Next stop Windhoek!
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| Windhoek Urban Camp |
Tonight we will have our first braai and possibly a bottle of wine to send Eugene on his way tomorrow, and I gather, he is meeting Ms Namibia et al. I knew there was a reason I came along, not just to be chief handlanger but to hobnob with the rich and famous. I reckon tonight I am going to sleep like a baby in my own bed after a hot shower and shampoo……wish you were here South Africa.
Signing out - Eugene and Curt.
So Eugene starts the first leg of his cycle trip today?? Good to hear that the initial start of the trip has gone well. I look forward to the updates. Travel safe Arlette
ReplyDeleteEugene I got sent some pics on send-off morning with all the red balloons and fun fair + the Haemophilia Banner. Well done to you & Kurt. Safe travels.
ReplyDeletegreat stuff...but how bout some more updates okes :)
ReplyDeleteHi Eugene. Looks like a great B&B :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun and a safe trip