I have a whole lot of things to post, so I started a new topic. Hopefully it will be interesting enough to come back to, as I will be posting bits and pieces over the next few weeks.
First thing, packing the bus!
Just being the two of us, I decided to remove the roof rack, and pack everything in the back. In retrospect, not to grand and idea BUT with consumption figures of 9.7km/l on the first day, maybe worth it at the diesel pump. (Eat your heart out 4e!)
I removed the rear jump seats, and filled the hole with tools, recovery gear, water, kettle and cool drinks. Some bubble pack in the bottom to stop anything rattling too much. Over this went the fridge and drawer system. Worked a charm, except having to fold the mattress back to open the fridge. Need to figure out a sliding system for the fridge. Spent and almighty R 175 on the drawer system!
Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
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Lock
- Country: South Africa
- Vehicle: Pajero 3.2 2002
- Location: Horison Park, Roodepoort
Post
Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
- Attachments
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- Everything packed including mattress
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- Drawer and Fridge
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
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CATS
- Contact:
- Vehicle: 2001(Gen3) Pajero 3.2 Did, 2008(Gen4) Pajero Did
- Location: Centurion
Post
Re: Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
Love the drawer system! Sometimes the greatest solutions are the cheapest ans easiest.
Will be looking around at my local Plastic Wharehouse for something similar.
CATS
Sent from my GT-P7100 using Tapatalk 2
Will be looking around at my local Plastic Wharehouse for something similar.
CATS
Sent from my GT-P7100 using Tapatalk 2
2009 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS (Gen4) - Casper (Starting to grow on me)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
-
Lock
- Country: South Africa
- Vehicle: Pajero 3.2 2002
- Location: Horison Park, Roodepoort
Post
Re: Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
Itinerary
Initially, when planning the Flower Trip, it was just going to be a straight run to Springbok, look around and home. Then the itchiness got hold of me and I started adding things to see on the way. Final planned itinerary looked like this:
Riemvasmaak (Hot springs)
Pella
Klein Pella
Witbank
Grootmelkhoutboom
Goodhouse
Vioolsdrif
Ai-Ais Richtersveld (De Hoop)
Alexander Bay
Port Nolloth
Kleinsee
Hondklip Baai
West Coast National Park
Namaqua National Park
Springbok and surrounds
Back home to Joburg
Total trip just over 4000 km’s.
We left on early Saturday morning, heading west via Venters dorp. Would have been One in the morning, but SWAMBO does not do well without coffee, make up, last minute packing and a smoke or two. So we only hit the road at 3h00. Not happy!
The N14 just before Venters dorp has been closed for years. Unfortunately, nobody told my Nokia maps that! When we hit the detour, it got all confused and took us via Potch instead.
Except for that, the trip to Keimoes (Kai !Garib) was uneventful. Filled up in Keimoes and was stunned with a 10.3l/100km. Especially as we were not hugging the speed limit all the time. From Keimoes, we selected the shortest route to the hot springs at Riemvasmaak. Ah, said Nokia, there is this dirt road that is really short….
At first, the dirt road was a nice graded road, with very little corrugation. However, this worsened as we went along and eventually I had to stop and drop the tire pressure.
Initially, when planning the Flower Trip, it was just going to be a straight run to Springbok, look around and home. Then the itchiness got hold of me and I started adding things to see on the way. Final planned itinerary looked like this:
Riemvasmaak (Hot springs)
Pella
Klein Pella
Witbank
Grootmelkhoutboom
Goodhouse
Vioolsdrif
Ai-Ais Richtersveld (De Hoop)
Alexander Bay
Port Nolloth
Kleinsee
Hondklip Baai
West Coast National Park
Namaqua National Park
Springbok and surrounds
Back home to Joburg
Total trip just over 4000 km’s.
We left on early Saturday morning, heading west via Venters dorp. Would have been One in the morning, but SWAMBO does not do well without coffee, make up, last minute packing and a smoke or two. So we only hit the road at 3h00. Not happy!
The N14 just before Venters dorp has been closed for years. Unfortunately, nobody told my Nokia maps that! When we hit the detour, it got all confused and took us via Potch instead.
Except for that, the trip to Keimoes (Kai !Garib) was uneventful. Filled up in Keimoes and was stunned with a 10.3l/100km. Especially as we were not hugging the speed limit all the time. From Keimoes, we selected the shortest route to the hot springs at Riemvasmaak. Ah, said Nokia, there is this dirt road that is really short….
At first, the dirt road was a nice graded road, with very little corrugation. However, this worsened as we went along and eventually I had to stop and drop the tire pressure.
- Attachments
-
- First flowers of the trip. Jay!
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
-
Lock
- Country: South Africa
- Vehicle: Pajero 3.2 2002
- Location: Horison Park, Roodepoort
Post
Re: Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
After a couple of turns, we came to the first gate. Swambo not impressed when I explained the duties of the co-driver in this regard. The road become more and more basic, until it ended up in a 2 spoor track following a stream bed. Fun!
And then disaster struck. At the end of the trail, a locked farm gate. Distance to go 7km’s, re route 74km’s . What to do? No seriously, what would you do in this situation?
Checking the T4A maps later, I found a locked farm gate about 8kms from the locked gate we found. Thanks Nokia Maps!
Riemvasmaak is a really small town with some 70 widely scattered houses. The camps site at the hot springs is less than 4km’s out of town. Which is a good thing, as the keys for the campsite is in town!
Nestled in a gorge, the view at the hot springs campsite is fantastic, with 4 chalets perched on the shoulders of the mountain looking out over a dry river bed. The chalets are very basic, but do have air conditioning. Camping is sparse. Wood available in town at Anna’s house
And then disaster struck. At the end of the trail, a locked farm gate. Distance to go 7km’s, re route 74km’s . What to do? No seriously, what would you do in this situation?
Checking the T4A maps later, I found a locked farm gate about 8kms from the locked gate we found. Thanks Nokia Maps!
Riemvasmaak is a really small town with some 70 widely scattered houses. The camps site at the hot springs is less than 4km’s out of town. Which is a good thing, as the keys for the campsite is in town!
Nestled in a gorge, the view at the hot springs campsite is fantastic, with 4 chalets perched on the shoulders of the mountain looking out over a dry river bed. The chalets are very basic, but do have air conditioning. Camping is sparse. Wood available in town at Anna’s house
- Attachments
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- A huge Social Weaver nest. The collapsed part of the nest was about twice the size of the remaining bit. The weight of the nest broke branches as thick as 20cm! Spent a quiet moment wondering how long it takes to build up that much nesting material. And what happened to the poor nestlings in the collapsed bit.
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
-
Lock
- Country: South Africa
- Vehicle: Pajero 3.2 2002
- Location: Horison Park, Roodepoort
Post
Re: Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
The gate that impeded our progress. Nokia and Google maps are happy with this, but T4A stops 4km's before this gate.
- Attachments
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- The gate that impeded our progress
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- You sure this is the right road?
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
-
Lock
- Country: South Africa
- Vehicle: Pajero 3.2 2002
- Location: Horison Park, Roodepoort
Post
Re: Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
Dawn, and the rising sun pours gold over the cliffs, stirring a Black Eagle pair to soar and play like new lovers.
We wandered down to the hot springs and had an early morning dip. Just over the rocks from the hot springs, there is a coldwater pool, enclosed by natural rocks on all sides. Amazing site but freezing!
The road from Riemvasmaak to Kakamas is very rocky and rutted. So much so, the GPS gave up in disgust and tried to take a 50km detour. The rattling of the dash, always a popular topic with the Gen 4, was drowned out by all the other rattles and bangs. Did notice the dash moving vertically by more than 2cm. Still, if you remove everything from the cubbyholes, it is almost quiet and drowned out by the other noises.
I had already deflated the tires the previous day, and once we hit the tar road before Kakamas, we stopped to inflate the tires and for a cold beer. Annoyingly, the gauge on my el cheapo compressor had failed, and I had to visibly gauge (read guess) the pressures. The result, underinflated fronts and over inflated rears. After dutifully kicking the tires and disposing of the empty beer bottle (trash bag in car, what were you thinking!) we proceeded to the nearest garage. The first garage in Kakamas also had faulty gauges and after some consultation and argument the pump attendant said the pressures look OK. Stopped at the next garage and discovered how wrong we were!
There is a tar road from town that winds through the “wine lands” towards Pofadder. Just after Pofadder, about 140km’s from Kakamas there is a dirt road to the right, the start of the Namaqua 4*4. This road leads to Pella. Another 10km on the tar road and there is tar road to the right, also leading to Pella. Turns to a smooth dirt road after a few hundred meters, but way better than the 4*4 trail.
We wandered down to the hot springs and had an early morning dip. Just over the rocks from the hot springs, there is a coldwater pool, enclosed by natural rocks on all sides. Amazing site but freezing!
The road from Riemvasmaak to Kakamas is very rocky and rutted. So much so, the GPS gave up in disgust and tried to take a 50km detour. The rattling of the dash, always a popular topic with the Gen 4, was drowned out by all the other rattles and bangs. Did notice the dash moving vertically by more than 2cm. Still, if you remove everything from the cubbyholes, it is almost quiet and drowned out by the other noises.
I had already deflated the tires the previous day, and once we hit the tar road before Kakamas, we stopped to inflate the tires and for a cold beer. Annoyingly, the gauge on my el cheapo compressor had failed, and I had to visibly gauge (read guess) the pressures. The result, underinflated fronts and over inflated rears. After dutifully kicking the tires and disposing of the empty beer bottle (trash bag in car, what were you thinking!) we proceeded to the nearest garage. The first garage in Kakamas also had faulty gauges and after some consultation and argument the pump attendant said the pressures look OK. Stopped at the next garage and discovered how wrong we were!
There is a tar road from town that winds through the “wine lands” towards Pofadder. Just after Pofadder, about 140km’s from Kakamas there is a dirt road to the right, the start of the Namaqua 4*4. This road leads to Pella. Another 10km on the tar road and there is tar road to the right, also leading to Pella. Turns to a smooth dirt road after a few hundred meters, but way better than the 4*4 trail.
- Attachments
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- Rock Pool
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- View of the gorge
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- Dawn at Riemvasmaak
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
-
Lock
- Country: South Africa
- Vehicle: Pajero 3.2 2002
- Location: Horison Park, Roodepoort
Post
Re: Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
The best part of the day...
- Attachments
-
- Breakfast Beer
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
-
LowRange
- Country: South-Africa
- Vehicle: Gen 4 GLX LWB
Post 
Looks like a great trip. Keep them phodies coming!
Re: Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
Indeed!Lock wrote:The best part of the day...
Looks like a great trip. Keep them phodies coming!
Johan
Gen 4 GLX 30th Anniversary Edition (Gravel
)
VW Tiguan 2.0TDi (Tar
)
Bushlapa Boabab 4.2 in tow
Gen 4 GLX 30th Anniversary Edition (Gravel
)VW Tiguan 2.0TDi (Tar
)Bushlapa Boabab 4.2 in tow
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RyperdRy
Post
Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
Uhmmm Lock,
Aren't you forgetting something? Where is the rest???
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Aren't you forgetting something? Where is the rest???
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
-
Lock
- Country: South Africa
- Vehicle: Pajero 3.2 2002
- Location: Horison Park, Roodepoort
Post
Re: Springbok Flower Trip Sep 12
Annoyingly, my PC got stolen with all my photos. 
O well, it just means that the trip is now classified as: Do over!
O well, it just means that the trip is now classified as: Do over!
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008