A visit to South Africa

South Africa journey 2015

The South African Flag

December 2015 to 31st December 2015

I was all packed organised to start my journey to South Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. I travelled to Portsmouth from the Isle of Wight to Portsmouth. Geoff, Duncan and Chloe were waiting for me in the Wightlink car park. From Portsmouth, Geoff drove us to Worthing to his flat. Duncan and Chloe went to see a friend and I went to see Geoff``s allotment. Slept on the couch that night and did not have much sleep.

Geoff at his flat before leaving for South Africa

Wednesday 2nd December 1015.

 Got up at 6am and by 7am we left Geoff's flat for Gatwick arriving just over an hour later. Said goodbye to Geoff and entered the terminal. Used a machine to check-in and obtain boarding card. Any luggage was put into a conveyor belt and I was left with my rucksack. Chloe, my 4 and a half year granddaughter was very excited and she pulled her own cabin bag towards security on a trolley where we all had to put certain objects into a tray and also our bags. My tray then came out onto the naughty side and my bag had to be searched as a blade was showing on the screen. It turned out to be my nail cutters. I also had to throw away my perfume, aftershave, and shaving cream as they do not allow any items in excess on 100ml. to be carried on the aircraft. We entered the plane and I had a window seat at the front with Duncan and Chloe behind. I am an inexperienced flier and I hated the takeoff and landing procedures. The plane seemed to not be moving much. It was a Boeing 737 and the journey to Madrid took two and a half hours. 

View from Norwegian Aeroplane between Gatwick and Madrid

This was our first leg of the trip to South Africa. Eli`s brother and sister met us at the airport in Madrid and we had drinks and food whilst there as we still had a long wait before our next connection.

Meeting up with Eli`s family at Madrid Airport
Chloe.Merche, Lavi. Pili and Duncan

 Eli`s family made an endless fuss of Chloe and she seemed to enjoy the whole experience. Eventually, we had to leave to catch our plane to Dubai. On arrival at Security, bits had to be deposited again into a tray and then you walk through a screening machine to check your body for metal bits. I was asked to remove my belt so I did as I was told and placed the belt in the tray. Once on the other side, I forgot about my belt and for the rest of the journey, I had to keep pulling up my jeans to stop them from falling down. We boarded the Boeing 777-300 belonging to Emirates and all sat together. There seemed to be so many people aboard this two-engined jet. This time we took off in the dark and it took about 6 hours flying time to reach Dubai and we landed in daylight and emerged from the plane on a sunny warm morning. There wasn't much time between our landing and the connecting flight to Cape Town and we had to change terminals which took some time on the airport bus. Dubai Airport is very big. Our luggage was automatically loaded between the two flights so all we had to do was to get to our departure gate and onto the plane. Again we had to be checked by placing metal objects into trays. Once on the Emirates Boeing 777-300 in our seats together, Duncan by the window, Chloe in the middle and me on the outside, we took off and began our 9-hour flight to Cape Town. I watched two films, slept a little and watched the time of the flight diminishing slowly. I could see the position of the aircraft all the time on the big screen on the seat in front. It told me the altitude, speed and distance. 

The Emirates Boeing 777-300 at Cape Town airport

You could also see pictures from the outside of the plane. I enjoyed watching the plane land in Cape Town on the screen. The reason I write about it is that all this is a new experience for me as I have not flown much in my life. ( I hope I am now cured of my fear of flying.)

Thursday 3rd December 1015.

Landed in Cape Town, retrieved our bags from the luggage conveyor belt and met Eli who was at the airport to meet us. We put everything into the car and Duncan drove the car back to his ranch about 45 minutes from the airport. The drive was a good introduction to South Africa. There were lots of vineyards and black people walking and cycling along on the motorway ( wouldn`t be allowed in the UK). There were shantytowns just off the motorway and cars weaving in and out of the traffic. The heat and the sun was a wonderful tonic in the South African summer after leaving England in the rain and cloudy skies and chilly winds. I found it so interesting and it was not long before I reached Duncan and Eli`s property which I found delightful. There were so many vehicles and some campers staying (African Overlanders). It was not long before Duncan was asleep and he did not get up again for food. I sat and chatted to Eli and enjoyed a meal later retiring to my tent where I slept until morning.

Chloe. Eli and Duncan in house

Friday 4th December 2015

Today has been a quiet day. Again, I expect the weather to change but it never does. I rode Duncan's bike down the track up to the tarmac road. Saw Duncan's assistant called “King” painting. 

King... Duncan`s helper at African Overlanders

He is the odd job man in Duncan's camp. Duncan was busy on the computer so I just talked to the dogs, cat and Chloe. Made myself many cups of tea and just chilled out. I studied the map of our region and worked out a cycle route into Cape Town. Duncan did not seem very keep on me going because he thought I would probably get robbed. In the evening Eli came home and we visited a local restaurant about 4 miles away. Driving after dark is a hazard as many cars have badly adjusted lights, one light or no lights at all. Afterwards, I just chatted to Duncan and Eli for a short while and then retired to my tent and slept until the next morning.

Siesta and Lisa playing. The camp guards

Pitch the campsite`s cat

Saturday 5th December 2015

A very hot day of at least 30 degrees C. After a slow start and computer work, Duncan decided to take me to the local tennis club for a game. There were several Afrikaners there and the first game was against Phil, who cheated on line calls so beat me 6/4, I then played a men's doubles and won with my partner 6/4. It was so hot that whilst playing singles I felt slightly sick. Duncan beat me 6/0. Later in the day, we drove to the restaurant “Wild Clover” for an evening meal. 

The courts, subscription £40 per year

Bottelary Tennis Club

Sunday 6th December 2015

Got up early and had a shower then helped Eli take rubbish to the local dump. Once there we had to wait until 9am with a black man begging us for our rubbish outside the car. On our return through the streets, there were so many black families walking around. After breakfast, Duncan had the job of viewing a classic car. It was a 1974 Ford Escort with no engine or gearbox inside. The owner wanted R17000 (£850) When I saw it I would not have paid a penny for it but Duncan was buying it under instructions from a client in the UK. It can be bought, shipped over in a container with other cars, advertised on e-bay and an enthusiast will buy it for several thousand pounds to restore. Duncan bought the car and towed it back to “African Overlanders” on a trailer. It was stored with five other cars awaiting shipment to the UK. Duncan managed to get six cars into one container and can make a nice profit once delivered by ship to the customer in the UK. Afterwards, we called in at the “Wild clover” for drinks then returned to the camping site for a meal which Eli had cooked for us.

The local dump with so much rubbish

Monday 7th December 2015

Did not rise from the tent until 9am. Made my way up to the house for the first cup of tea of the day. Duncan was on the computer and asked me what I intended to do today. I said that I would do some reading but he decided that I should help him with his cars. My job was to check the chassis numbers and engine numbers and match them with the paperwork (Log Books) and find the keys and then start up some of the cars for 20 minutes and then detach the battery. Some of the numbers on the classic cars were very difficult to find. The classic cars are going to be police checked then loaded into a container and shipped to the UK. Duncan believes he can get six cars into one container. Eli came home very tired from work with Chloe who attends school, then prepared a lovely meal.

An old car being unloading

Tuesday 8th December 2015

Set my alarm for 4.30am and came to the house where Eli had to take Duncan to the Airport. I stayed in the house to be there for Chloe who was still asleep. Eli returned in an hour and went back to bed for a while until it was time for her to go to work and to take Chloe to school. I was then left on my own to run the camp (it really runs itself.) Later two classic Ford Escorts were delivered and the two drivers unloaded them and left them with the other classics and gave me the paperwork. Later, still, another car was delivered (unknown make) and we pushed it and it jointed the others. When Eli returned the news came that Duncan would not be returning from Durban until tomorrow (Wednesday). I would then have to go and collect him from the airport. This made me nervous as I had not driven in South Africa before and had no satnav. I retired to bed for the night.

Wednesday 9th December 2015

Got up ready to leave for the airport at 8am. At 7am I had a text to say Duncan had overslept and missed his plane so would be returning later. It turned out that I had to be at the airport at 11.30am. The airport is about 30km away so will leave here at 10.30am. Finding the airport and the BP garage where I had to meet Duncan went well. Whilst waiting for Duncan two beggars were asking me for money but a security guard turned them away. Duncan arrived and we drove back to camp. Later we both collected two trailers and loaded two cars and one motorbike ready to move the next day.

Thursday 10th December 2015

We left early and I towed the VW camper with the land rover. Duncan pulled the VW Variant and Honda motorbike on the trailer with the Toyota. The first step was to get the vehicles security marked with a white substance, so the vehicle and engine can always be identified. We then had to have the vehicles police checked by driving into an enclosure. There was something on the paperwork that the checker wanted that Duncan did not have so I had to wait with my vehicle and Duncan's trailer whilst he went off to get the relevant document. This delayed us for about an hour. On his return, he still had not got the correct documents so we had to return the vehicles to “African Overlanders.” We loaded two more vehicles both Ford Escorts following the same routine. This time they passed the vehicle check and we then took them to the docks in Cape Town. My first glimpse of Cape Town was favourable with good roads, clean and tidy and dominated by Table Mountain.

The VW camper ready for towing to Cape Town

Friday 11th December 2015

Took two cars to the docks following the same routine as before. We then returned to African Overlanders. Loaded one car (Ford Escort Sports) and took it to the docks via “police checks” During the night on Friday there was heavy rain and my tent was flooded. In the morning I took care of this and after the sun came out it soon dried out.

Saturday 12th December 2015

I drove a Landrover to Cape town following Eli and Duncan in their car. We went to the docks and left the Landrover for export. Parked Eli's car and took a taxi to the station to watch the rugby competition. Teams from several countries competed against each other, seven minutes each way. The stadium was full of fans and there were many people in fancy dress. It was a good long day and the last match was England versus South Africa. Unfortunately, South Africa won 10-0. After the games we went to an Asian restaurant then caught a taxi back to the docks then Eli drove us all home.

Rugby sevens taking place in the world cup stadium

Sunday 13th December 2015

Sunday was asleep day and an opportunity for Eli to relax. The mornings seem to go so quickly and by the afternoon we drove to a small golf complex where Duncan and I played a round of golf. It did not take that long . I also met Joanna and Andre who live on the Overlanders campus. Andre is an Afrikaaner and Joanne is English. I got invited to stay in Joanne's house as from next Friday and Andre said I could stay at his house in Hermanus any time I wanted. Makes a change from the tent which is comfortable.

My tent

A bite to eat in Stellenbosch

Monday 14th December 2015

Duncan did not need me to help him out so I got the day off. I decided to cycle to Stellenbosch on Duncan's bike. After leaving the site I took the wrong road and finished up at Belville where I bought some tea bags. I returned to camp then later cycled to Stellenbosch. It took me about one and a half hours. It was a good ride and an interesting colonial town. I had a meal at Dros Stellenbosch, walked around the town in the sunshine and then cycled back against a strong wind.

Tuesday 15th December 2015

A busy day helping Duncan again. We had to collect some wood from Robin Hill (it is a demolition yard.) Pulling a trailer I travelled to a firm who specialises in applying graffiti to vehicles. Duncan had “African Overlanders transferred on his orange land rover. I then drove to the docks in Cape Town where we began putting vehicles into containers.

Duncan`s new logo on his Land Rover

Wednesday 16th December 2015

Big day at the docks. Duncan took King as well and we spent all day putting cars into the containers, one destined for London and the other for Rotterdam. It takes time loading them all up and raising the cars off the floor. Very hard work in the heat and dust of the docks. One more day and it should be complete. In the evening we had a barbecue with some Swedish travellers who had been staying at the camp for many weeks.

Ronnie and Lena from Sweden who runs 4x4 expeditions

Thursday 17th December 2015

Another day at the docks in Cape Town. This time we were hoping to finish. Eventually, we did. All the cars and motorbikes fitted into the containers and the doors were closed all ready for shipment. The European containers should reach their destination on about 8th January. Traffic in Cape Town was so heavy all the time. Jams everywhere.

Friday 18th December 2015

An easy day at the camp-site but I decided to help if I could. I took all the rubbish bins to the dump, got some paint stripper, took the cat to the veterinary hospital. She had a balding patch on her head and it turned out to be a scratch and the vet gave me some antiseptic cream. The consultant fee was 250 Rand (£12.50) and the ointment. Later went to the Tennis club and played some tennis with Duncan. Again he beat me easily in the heat and breeze. We then met Eli and Chloe for a meal. Also, the Swedes from the camp turned up and we put the world to right.

Saturday 19th December 2015

Duncan and Eli went shopping in the morning and I looked after Chloe. We paddled in the swimming pool in Joe's garden then Chloe took some exercise on the trampoline. She was happy being left with me which shows good adjustment. At about 3.30pm Duncan and I went and played tennis at the tennis club. It was enjoyable but I find the balls to be light in the hot sunshine and they feel lighter. At home, the balls are always damp and the courts wet. Must get used to the conditions for tennis. Prefer doubles in the heat as singles now too demanding. Always a glass of wine or beer afterwards.

My granddaughter Chloe age 4

Sunday 20th December 2015

Went shopping at ta big store Macro. Took a trolley and bought mainly Christmas presents. Had to get a Macro card before I could pay for the items. Went to Customer Services and filled in a form and got a card then paid for my items. Again on the way out of the store I had my trolley searched. Felt tired and achy after tennis yesterday so had a quiet chill out day and just sat around and did very little. Duncan had a couple from Amsterdam arrive who had driven from Holland to Cape Town over 7 months. They were going to store their vehicle at “African Overlanders” return to Amsterdam, then maybe come back in 2016. Duncan is quite an expert on travelling through Africa and can offer help. He tells me a trip by 4 x 4 costs about £2000 per month, a motorbike a £1000 per month. Most of the frustration is caused by visas.

Loading vehicles into a container at the docks to go to Europe

Cars for transportation

Monday 21st December 2015

Went and did some Christmas shopping. It does not feel like Christmas one bit, but I have some parcels to wrap up. In the afternoon went out with Duncan to buy a tent pole and some carburettors for the classic cars. I tried to ring my bank about a transaction which did not make sense but did not get through after a 30 minute waiting period. Later during the day, a lorry delivered a classic car.

Shakira who cleans the house for Eli

Tuesday 22nd December 2015

Chloe did not have to go to school today so when I got to the house she was having fun with her play-dough. For a while, I played with her until Duncan got up. Later I helped Duncan put a roof tent onto the landrover and afterwards I went to the “Bugs Park” with Chloe. She really enjoyed playing on the swing and rides for two hours. Later I went to Cape Town with Duncan for him to see an old Toyota which he did not buy. In the evening we had a barbecue which was very enjoyable. In the social area of the camp-site, Craig and his girlfriend appeared and are staying at the camp. They plan to motorcycle to North Africa next year.

Wednesday 23rd December 2015

A better nights sleep and in the morning I went to the shopping centre with Duncan and Chloe. We bought food for nine people on Xmas Day. (everyone contributed) Don't know how we are going to cook it all. No Yorkshire Puddings or parsnips. Other vegetables were substituted. I bought another couple of presents. After returning home I rang my bank about a rogue transaction that I could not account for. Do not think they took me too seriously and I did not want to cancel my debit card so agreed to keep an eye on my bank account. Afterwards wrapped the presents that I had bought so apart from cooking, all was organised.

Thursday 24th December 2015

It's Christmas Eve and I discovered that the three chicks that I had been asked to feed, had disappeared during the night. Their cage was secure but something had got into the cage and eaten them. Some difficult explaining to do after Christmas. My body ached all night, worse than it had done before. Had increased (PMR). I think the discomfort was due to all the physical work I had done helping Duncan with his business. I went into town to draw some money and to buy a battery and a plug for the social area. Somehow I lost Duncan's debit card which upset him somewhat. In the evening we drove to Gordon's Bay and visited Duncan's friends in South Africa who now lived in the house where Duncan originally set up his business. We had a lovely Christmas meal which was the first indication of Xmas. After arriving back at African Overlanders all the presents were placed under the Xmas tree ready for Christmas Day.

A Christmas meal at friends near Gordon`s Bay

Friday 25th December 2015 Christmas Day

Woke up to a beautiful sunny day. My first Christmas away from home for as long as I can remember and in the Southern Hemisphere too. Chloe was very excited about all the presents around the Christmas tree. After a small breakfast, we sat around the tree and opened the presents that took ages because there were so many. As soon as all the presents were opened, Christmas dinner had to be organised as there were twelve people coming, so the three turkeys were prepared and cooked plus all the vegetables. Most of the people from the camp-site came and helped to prepare everything and after three and a half hours, dinner was served. It was a successful day and Duncan was the organiser and did well. By the time everyone disappeared it was quite late and plates and dishes had to be washed and put away.

Christmas with three turkeys for the whole campsite

Saturday 26th December 2015 Boxing Day.

Visited Jonkershoek Nature Reserve which is near Stellenbosch. We drove around trail road then stopped. Duncan, Eli and Chloe sat by the Eerste River and paddled. I walked along a walking trail up towards the peeks which are over 1000 metres. Did not to too far and I had no water but enjoyed the quietness. Kept an eye out for Cape Cobra snakes (deadly) and baboons and leopards but did not see any. Did not feel like Boxing Day as it was so sunny and hot, not like England where the rain is falling all the time.

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

Jonkershoek Nature  Reserve

Sunday 27th December 2015

Duncan, Eli, Chloe and I drove to a car wash where the Landrover Discovery was thoroughly valeted. I talked to an African and complimented South Africa but was told the usual story of how much better it used to be. We then drove to Signal Hill where there are wonderful views of Cape Town and Table Mountain. We then went to Blouberg Beach where we had a meal in a restaurant. I always have something I can identify so had fish. After sitting on the beach for a while we returned home. Duncan had a row with three blacks in a car who stole our parking place after we had been waiting for it. He also got a fine ticket as his number plate did not match his windscreen disc. He ripped it up and said he never paid his South African fines and nothing happens. Wish it was the same in the U.K.

View from Signal Hill showing Table Mountain

View from Signal Hill showing the World Cup Stadium and
Robyn Island where Mandella was imprisoned

Monday 28th December 2015.

Took the dustbins to the local tip. Had to leave details with the attendant. I took Chloe with me but she was not allowed outside the Landrover. After dumping all the rubbish and returning I had to take three more bins to the dump.

Tuesday 29th December 2015

Got up early and travelled with Eli, (bike in the back) to Somerset West where she works for a German Telephone Company. I saw Chloe's school and went inside then unpacked the bike from the car. Had breakfast in a café opposite. After this, I cycled down Victoria Street to the seafront where I made my way to Gordon's Bay by track, beach and road against a stiff easterly wind but with boiling hot sunshine. Many barriers and fences to overcome around clusters of residential buildings. Security always a problem in South Africa. All I wanted to do was to drink some water and cans of Coke. The beachfront was crowded with coloured holidaymakers sitting in shaded parts getting protection from the sun. Coming back was easy with the wind behind me, I flew along then sat on the beach after buying a bottle of drink loaded with sugar. The trip back up Victoria Street to Eli's office was hard, uphill with a headwind. Had to stop and rest several times. Arrived at Eli's office just in time as she had finished work and was ready to drive home. It was a relief to be sitting in the car as I was hot and exhausted.

Near the beach

Wednesday 30th December 2015

Again left early with Eli and Chloe and she dropped me in Stellenbosch. I went and had some breakfast and coffee then cycled towards the turn for Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. Suddenly I felt a puncture in the back wheel. I stripped it down and found the inner tube to contain green slime which seals punctures. After ringing Duncan and discovering I was on my own, I found a bicycle shop. They pumped up the tyre and it stayed hard. How long would it last? Should I go home? I cycled the 8km to the Nature Reserve and all was well. After cold drinks in the café, I paid my 50 Rand to go in. As soon as the road became rough, the back tyre went down so I had to walk back to the entrance, padlock the bike to a notice board pole and began my hike through the reserve. This went well and I climbed up towards the mountains keeping to a designated track. It was so hot and my water reserves were diminishing fast so I turned back and I did not want to run out of water. I reached the gate but had to buy a bottle of water for 10 Rand (50p). I tried pumping up the tyre without success. What am I going to do? I walked the 8km to Stellenbosch and met Eli outside KFC. I was exhausted and glad to be going home.

Inside the nature reserve

Looking for snakes in the Nature Reserve

Having a rest in the heat

Thursday 31st December 2015

The end of 2015 and my feet hurt so much after yesterday's puncture and walk. I was glad to have an easy day but I took Chloe to Cape Gate Shops and bought an inner tube for Duncan's bike and got a key cut for the Rondaval which had broken. I then bought Chloe a milkshake and me a coffee and Chloe a piece of carrot cake. After returning back to African Overlanders I slept in my tent and later went out to the Palms. I had a meal and had to wait one and a half hours to eat after ordering. By the time my meal came everyone else had finished. I was so hungry and had low blood sugar. I felt a bit irritable. We later went to Joe's to see the New Year in and watched a firework display in the Township across the field. They seem to have money to burn.

Happy New Year and the end of 2015

The End