Gael back in Africa.

[Drumacoon Lad.]

How can you bear to leave, Jim?

Great photos and report. On my next visit I am expecting to find an African animal proudly wearing a badge: ‘not photographed by Jim Sherry’


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A fruitless search Simon

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

Sounds like a superb trip Jim.

Looking forward to hearing all about it over a pint!

Will do Ed.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

Well my accommodation was great in the East Gate campsite, just on the Namibian side of the border. The little hut was comfortable and it had an excellent shower block. The 2 other guests were cyclists who were camping. I met them in the dining area and turned out to be British, from London. They had come on the same road as me and we initially discussed today's road conditions and that we'd both benefited from the following wind.

I then asked them where they'd come from and they said, Egypt! I love meeting people doing really impressive adventures, it makes what I do feel pretty normal. We swapped stories and I hope I listened more than I talked, because they had a great tale to tell. Both recounted the incidents on the road quite calmly and they seemed a pretty unflappable pair. It was great to spend the evening in company, telling tales of the road.

Rob and Annie left early and I caught up with them on the road.



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[Drumacoon Lad.]

There was a fair bit of activity with firewood along the side of the road. This family seemed to all have a role in gathering sticks and bringing them to market.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

I saw this lady throw down this heavy load of sticks, with some relief, just seconds before this photo. Clearly it had been a real strain to carry it as far as she had. Travelling does give you an insight into some people's hard lives.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

We've got to have a family in a cart photo and this is a pretty animated one.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

As I passed this spot it seemed familiar and I then remembered Kit, Simon and I had stopped here, on our way to Maun, about 3 years ago. I had to pull over and buy a coke from the same shop and toast my two friends back in England.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

I'll should perhaps break this gently to some, but this is the last proper ride of this trip, as my destination is Windhoek. I thought it prudent to use up some of my additional fuel, so I removed the 2L fuel can strapped to the pannier frame and emptied it into the tank. I also poured in the petrol from the 1L coke bottle. I'll use up the remaining two 1L petrol cans in the next few days. I'll give some thought as to whether I should get an additional 2L can, to mount on the pannier frame, but in fact the 2L can didn't get used on this trip.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

As I approached Windhoek Airport I passed the entrance to the farm, where the bike will be stored, but more about that next week.

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[Britishbeefy]

As I approached Windhoek Airport I passed the entrance to the farm, where the bike will be stored, but more about that next week. View attachment 525411

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Definitely got an Itchyboots feeling……..good evening internet! Love your report.
Stay safe and let there be many more.
Ian

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Seems I missed out some of yesterday's photos, but I just recieved them this morning. While I was photographing Rob and Annie, they took some of me. It seems the photos I took are the only ones of them riding, since they started. Thanks guys pleased to have these! This also proves, my 250cc motorbike goes faster than a couple of cyclists, but not as far!

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

Definitely got an Itchyboots feeling……..good evening internet! Love your report.
Stay safe and let there be many more.
Ian

Thanks Iain, in my dreams! I can do the report on my day with photos piece, but not the, standing on the pegs and attacking that sandy track bit.

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[adventuredon]

Great selfie. Enjoying the trip and photos. I can remember seeing 3/4 yr old toddlers walking to the shops to get refunds on glass bottles and the bottles would only be about 15cm off the ground. Indeed, we have a very privileged life here and yet the less privileged seem happier and smile more.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Great selfie. Enjoying the trip and photos. I can remember seeing 3/4 yr old toddlers walking to the shops to get refunds on glass bottles and the bottles would only be about 15cm off the ground. Indeed, we have a very privileged life here and yet the less privileged seem happier and smile more.

Yes, I've slipped into pitying the people I see at the side of the road at times. We come to these countries with a 1st World perspective and apply our standards to the people we see. The question I ask myself is what is their quality of life and how content are they.

I suspect the lady I photographed, dropping the heavy load of sticks, may not be too content with her lot. Also he guy I saw in Malawi, making gravel at the side of the road with a big hammer. These are tough ways of making a living and one benifit of travelling is seeing the lives people live. Many lives in these countries are not that tough and I've seen many smiling faces as I ride along.

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[Norton]

Reading 23 Pages in one sitting was probably not the way to do it but at last I've caught up with you!
Cheers
Trevor

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Reading 23 Pages in one sitting was probably not the way to do it but at last I've caught up with you!
Cheers
Trevor

Wow, so much in one sitting could give you indigestion. Well done though. It took me many weeks.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

So the bike is now parked up in store and I'm sitting at Windhoek airport, having checked in. The trip was about 6,000 km and apart from the puncture, the bike never missed a beat. I may do a lookback when I get to UK but overall the trip went well and I got to all the places I hoped to see.
Thanks for the attention and comments, good to have you along.

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[jeffa]

Its been great reading about your trip, thank you for keeping me/us entertained. The bike looks like it was a good choice.I am already lookin forward to your next trip/adventure, Have a safe journey home. best wishes

 

[gspod]

Great RR Jim, as ever.
I take it, you’ll be back there for more adventures at some time.

 

[Greyrover]

Very enjoyable read Jim look forward to a catch up next week.

Hi

Yes, I've slipped into pitying the people I see at the side of the road at times. We come to these countries with a 1st World perspective and apply our standards to the people we see. The question I ask myself is what is their quality of life and how content are they.

I suspect the lady I photographed, dropping the heavy load of sticks, may not be too content with her lot. Also he guy I saw in Malawi, making gravel at the side of the road with a big hammer. These are tough ways of making a living and one benifit of travelling is seeing the lives people live. Many lives in these countries are not that tough and I've seen many smiling faces as I ride along.

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Very enjoyable read Jim look forward to catching up next week.