Wednesday 9 November 2016

Visiting the Kruger in November 2005

Tuesday 15 November 2005
I have been organising the packing for our trip to the Kruger Game Reserve in South Africa. This has been going on for weeks now and here we are, 6 days away from our flight.
I have packed, unpacked, repacked several times - trying to pack things that were in rigid packages into softer covers. So many things to take for such a short trip. Medicines, necessities and ‘might needs’ etc. Will we have room for our clothes I wonder?
We are to spend the night of arrival in a hotel in Sandton, 4 nights in the Kruger and two nights back at the hotel.

Saturday 19 November 2005
Our big bag was far too heavy so borrowed a wheelie bag from Maureen. However today we decided that wheelie bags were a good idea so bought a couple for ourselves and will use those. So now things are not too tightly packed or too bulkily and the bags are not too heavy. Also means we can take a tripod for filming.

Sunday 20 November 2005 Joe’s back went out as he lifted the big case onto the bed. He said he twisted himself.

Monday 21 November 2005
6.15 Arrived at Heathrow  just before 6 and now in Terminal 1 and Joe is off getting drinks, tea and coffee.

Tuesday 22 November 2005
We are now at Sandton at the hotel. Usual tiring flight with unappetising food, crowded, cramped uncomfortable seats. Exhausted. Couldn’t sleep on flight and when we thought we might just be dropping off some people stood behind out seats. We were right at the back where there are just two seats which give one a lot more space to the side and they talked loudly for ages. I told them they were disturbing us - it had never entered their minds - profuse apologies.
Joe’s had tremendous trouble with his back on the plane which was extremely painful and at one time thought he would not be able to get out of his seat.
It was a complete shambles at Johannesburg Airport going through customs and immigration - too many people in very small an area and outside little regard for parking cars at the entrance. Found our guide Joy easily at airport. She seems a very considerate person, wants to do everything for us.
Joy drove us all round the houses to our hotel to give us a chance to get to know each other and discuss what we had in mind for our trip. We leave at 7.30am tomorrow morning.
Went up to our room and lay down for a sleep just after 1 and slept until 5.30ish.
The air conditioned suite consists of a lounge with comfortable seating and TV with a kitchen, cupboards, fridge, cooker and equipment. A bedroom with adequate wardrobes and a bathroom with separate shower.
After waking we showered and felt somewhat rested and are now going down to dinner.
Later: Buffet style dinner - food looked good and was.

Wednesday 23 November 2005
Left Sandton at 7.45am after rising at 5.45 this morning.
On way to Kruger

Drove via Benoni and Witbank to Numbi Gate. This was a longer trip than Joe had expected and Joy didn’t stop talking all the way. Pointing out places of interest and telling the history of the country and the Kruger.
On entering the Kruger we first encountered a rhinoceros then a herd of water buffalo crossing the road, a distant elephant and a hippopotamus also at a distance. We then came across a new born impala being eaten by vultures, with its mother nearby who tried to drive off the vultures. It was probably still born.
We then saw another rhino and some elephants closeup.

Someone we passed on the road said there was a leopard at the next turn to a lake but when we arrived there were so many cars there we could only see the leopard’s hind quarters in the long grass. It was sleeping. A few of the idiots were almost out of their cars to see the animal. Very dangerous because everyone's attention was on the leopard and not on anything else which might approach us.
We then had to make tracks for Skukuza where we were to spend the night.
Later: The accommodation is fine with an air conditioned room and bathroom off, and a stoep (veranda) outside with a fridge and sink.
Now Joy is cooking  dinner. Joe has showered and after dinner I shall do the same and then to bed early.
Joe: We have been very lucky to see 4 of the big 5 on our first day in the park. The elephants were very close so we had a good view. Magnificent animals.

Jean has left out that we saw a single hyena walking along the road on our way to Skukuza.

Thursday 24 November 2005
We were up at 3.50 and I think Joy was surprised to find us up and about but having visited before I knew an early start was essential. I had my kitchen timer which was ideal. Small so it didn't take much room in my bag. Set the amount of time you want to sleep and then it goes off when you want.
We set out early and spent the next 14 hours on a game drive with breaks for breakfast and lunch and rest stops for the toilets.  What rewards we have had today - as we drove out of the gate at Skukuza a ‘gaggle’  of banded mongoose went romping by, catching us by surprise.
Had to photograph through the window!

Just down the road was a pack of hyenas who lived under the road. One female was exceedingly pregnant. Then watched as a small elephant family having a mud bath and when the baby saw us he ran towards us a few steps and then bravely trumpeted, to see us off!
Later we came across a large herd of elephant of all ages which crossed the road in front of us and soon had us surrounded. Joy had, of course stopped and switched off the engine. One elephant auntie was just a few yards away and looked very aggressive for a moment, trumpeted just to warn us off and then ambled off after the others. It was a very exciting few moments. One moment they were there and the next they had disappeared into the bush.
Did you get close? someone asked. Errr. yes!

As the day progressed we saw impala, rhino, buffalo, crocodile and baboons etc before we arrived at a place where lions had made a kill and were sleeping off their meal.

We saw much else and had an excellent game viewing day but the elephants made it for us. They were what we really wanted to see.
When we returned to Skukuza it was to discover that the monkeys had raided the fridge and taken all the bananas and other fruit and had made quite a mess. The maid had cleaned it up but I think she was worried in case we thought she had stolen the fruit.
As we sat after dinner an empty yoghurt pot fell out of the tree next to the bungalow and two bush babies appeared and Joy ran for the torch so that Joe could film them.

Friday 25 November 2005
Joe’s back has totally frozen up on him completely and the pain really shows on his face. We set out early again and saw several lions walking down the road, very exciting. We could have reached out and touched them they were so close, but didn’t, of course!
Joe had been taken so many pain killers for his back that they have caused a nose bleed. Our next camp was Satara and after we booked in Joe decided to stay behind to lie down but because there were still a couple of hours before dinner Joy took me on a drive. At a river crossing we saw a green heron close up and a small crocodile. I won‘t go into details about the elephant we passed, nor include a photo. He was standing by the side of the road in a state of arousal!! I will say however that Joy and I joked about it and relayed the details back to Joe when we arrived back.

Saturday 26 November 2005
Drove to Oliphants. The river was very dry there because the water is being taken for the sugar factories which is considered much more important because it brings money into the country.
Joe had another nose bleed but not nearly as bad as yesterday. On our return journey to the camp we passed someone who told us there was a lion up ahead on a road off to the right. This we took just as a lightening storm brought the rain down in torrents. The dirt road was flooded for a while and we parked and waited for it to stop and then continued on, skidding all over the muddy track. Eventually we saw the male lion lying in the long grass a little way off the road. We watched him for quarter of an hour or so while he looked round at us and decided we weren’t worth bothering about. Then we had to make tracks back to the camp because the gates would soon close.

Sunday 27 November 2005
We return to Sandton today and are leaving by the Orpen Gate. On the way we saw ostrich but the piece de resistance were three bull elephants who came ambling down the road in front of us. Joy stopped the car and and they continued approaching until about 30 feet away from us when they stopped and the one in the front turned and seemed to be consulting with the other two.



He then turned and they continued on towards us and just as Joy was thinking of starting the engine and getting out of their way they turned off the road and took a path parallel to us. It was almost as though they had conferred and decided not to face up to us.
We left the park shortly after and the area immediately outside was crowded with badly built small houses built on tribal land. which were cramped and clustered together. Rubbish lay all along the side of the road.
We had hoped to take a scenic route back but the weather was extremely overcast and it rained heavily at times. It stopped briefly so we were able to drive in to see Pilgrim’s Rest an old gold mining town, now a historic site.
The lion sleeps

Then drove through a town called Belfast, quite an awful place.
We next stopped at a popular souvenir shop and I bought a couple of glass elephants, one of which I gave to Joy at the hotel, just  before she left us.

Monday 28th November 2005
Joe and I went into Sandton by taxi, Joy having told us it was too dangerous to walk in. Went into the mall and had a wander around and bought a china elephant, had a coffee and took photos of the Christmas display. Then our taxi driver returned to take us back.

We were having drinks at the hotel when Joy arrived with gifts of a soapstone elephant for me and some mango chutney for Joe. Showed all the photos I had taken (over 1000) and we again thanked her for a wonderful trip to the Kruger. She said it would be a pleasure to take us to the Kalahari if we ever wanted to go because we were her ideal customers. She said she didn’t ask all her clients to go to the Kalahari but we had shown an interest in everything we saw and were easy to get on with.
For us, apart from never stopping talking which even then was full of interest, she was was the ideal guide. At our beck and call and had made all the arrangements in the Kruger, did all the cooking and washing up and was there for us every moment apart from when we were sleeping. She took great care of us and we would certainly recommend her tours. Joe and I both feel this is the best hioliday we have ever had.

We returned to our room after lunch for a short sleep because we were due to  leave for the airport at 5.30pm. While sleeping I received a phone call from Ann (Dot). She had been trying to contact us since our arrival back yesterday and had left numerous messages for us because they wanted to come in and see us before we left. None of these messages had been passed on to us and now, since we were soon leaving, it was too late for them to get to Sandton. I apologised to her and said how upset I was that the hotel had not passed on her messages because we’d had plenty of time to meet them today.
I was really angry and went to Reception and asked about the messages and the manager at first denying they had received any until I told him the person concerned had actually called in and left a message at the desk. He then admitted that messages had been received and not passed on. I was really very angry and told them that my daughter had wanted to see me before we left and this was probably the last time I would ever see her. It was very disappointing.

Wednesday 30 November 2005
The journey back was in similar seating to the journey out and, as expected, uncomfortable  made even worse by the fact that people again stood behind us and talked loudly in the middle of the night. The stewardesses refused to ask them to speak quietly or do anything to stop them annoying other passengers. The film was the War of the Worlds but the noise of the engines made listening difficult.
Since we arrived back we have been sleeping a lot probably because of the long journey and all those early mornings.
We agreed it was one of the best holidays we have ever had, despite Joe's back, and one we shall always remember.

Monday 7 November 2016

Our holiday in South Africa 1997-1998

Friday 28 Nov 1997
8.10am Cindy is in the kennels and we leave this am. We are all packed and the house is clean and tidy. No last minute rush as we (or rather Joe) has planned it carefully so we were able to relax last night.
We leave at 10 and I am dressed and just have face and hair to do and breakfast.
Weather dull and severe weather expected. The sun is shining on Treliske Hospital - so it cannot be that dull. We depart on SA 0239 at 2015 from Heathrow and are travelling up by coach.
9.15 pm We caught the coach on time. Everything went swimmingly until we got side tracked at Reading due to an oil spillage on the motorway. Instead of arriving at 5.20 pm at LHR we were about one and a half hours late, arriving at 6.50pm - so Joe, who was planning a leisurely double Scotch, had to forgo this pleasure, and we rushed through the terminal.
The Saga rep was not available at the terminal so Saga was a disaster. They should have booked us on an earlier coach - it being a Friday and the roads were horrendous the closer we got to London.
We caught the plane OK and are now flying 571 mph at 27,000 feet. We left 45 minutes late!
Because we arrived late at the gate they were going to split our seating but we complained that we had been booked for months and months so we are seated together after all.
We are now over the River Seine and Le Havre.

Saturday 29 November 1997
As expected, an uncomfortable night. Both pleased we are nearing the end of this part of the journey. We left Jan Smuts Airport five minutes ago - time now is 10.50. Lunch, or whatever, now being served.

Sunday 30 November 1997
We are now at Sani Pass Hotel. A hectic day yesterday. Chris, Kathy and Walter met us at Durban Airport and took us back to Pinetown. Mechel had a birthday party that evening in a hall in Pinetown.  Home by 12.30.
Woken at 8.20 this morning with tea and biscuits. We were to leave by 9 for this hotel. It was a 3 hour trip, stopping on way for scones at The Pickle Pot.
Later: Had lunch at the hotel with Chris, Kathy and Walter and they left soon after. Whilst they were there I took Walter down to the play park for a short while.

Our room is very comfortable - 3 foot twin  beds, TV, bathroom with shower, lockable wardrobes, ceiling fan and a great view. Good helpful reception. We were lucky to get in because the school holidays start right after we leave.
We sat out after dinner. It was still and black and silent with a profusion of brilliant stars glittering down on us.

Monday 1 December 1997
I woke early this morning and took a peek out of the window at the mountains and then woke Joe for him to come and see the dawn, which he videoed.
When the sun touched the distant mountains and rocky outcrops the snow glowed pink and lilac and the growing shadows looked like a paint by number picture of light and shadows. A mist was slowly rising above the river and the birds, woken by the light, started a gentle morning chorus while a solitary black cat made his way across the grass in search of game. It was a very special moment for us.

We had arranged to meet Simon and Ann at 8.30 am  but they arrived early at 7.30 and we met them a little later downstairs. They were staying nearby in a backpacker hotel which they soon found was uncomfortable. We breakfasted together. Meal prices at the hotel are very reasonable. Breakfast R25 which is about £3. A large orange juice and half a pint of lager cost R8.50 which is about £1.
They left at about 10 and we bought postcards then sat on the terrace writing them out while sipping cold lemonade. The view is quite magnificent from the hotel terrace. Hills, mountains and trees in the valley.

It is very hot and Joe has just gone to change into shorts. I, as usual, sit in the shade. Being so high up the air is a little thinner, so is a little tiring for us.

We have arranged with Simon and Ann (Dot) to go up  Sani Pass to Lesotho on Tuesday. It costs R100 per person plus R35 for lunch. That is about £12 each for the trip and about £4 for lunch. 
When we were flying from Jan Smuts to Durban the weather was overcast and snow had fallen on the Berg . It had also been raining but that has stopped and the sky now is  clear. All is peaceful and quiet outside, and the sky is filled with stars.

Tuesday 2 December 1997
We went up Sani Pass on a Bedford ex Army  truck, and into Lesotho where we visited one of the huts and met one of the local ladies who made a local beer and then had lunch at the highest pub in Africa from where the scenery was breathtaking. 

The hairpin bends and sheer drops on one side of the road both up and down the pass are quite terrifying. Perhaps worse coming down because one is travelling with a sheer drop on the left.

A wonderful trip and well worth the money. The driver was very experienced and well worth the R40 tip we gave him.

Wednesday 3 December 1997
Took a walk to a nearby waterfall and back. A hot but pleasant ramble through beautiful scenery and passing a waterfall on the way. Thora back home had asked me to bring back a little SA soil to be buried with her and I collected this on the way. We sat under the trees for a while and on the way back watched some horses wander out into the water to drink. Joe was not feeling too well on the return walk. Too much travel? The altitude? No! Too much sun.

Thursday 4 December 1997
Spent the day out with Simon and Ann. They drove us to Underburg where I bought some presents to take back to UK. The hotels entertainments director is interested in someone learning line dancing and persuaded us to give a teaching session tonight at 8.30.

11th December 1997
We left Sani on the 5th and spent everyday until yesterday at Pinetown which was a good rest for us. Chris and Kathy are both out at work all day and Walter was left with us which though it was a little tiring and not as restful as we had hoped, allowed us to get to know Walter. He was not a problem when he is with us, probably because we give him attention. He understood the rules we made. Through the day I would read to him for about half an hour, Joe went swimming with him in the pool for an hour or so and we played games with him but when we were tired he had to behave. And he did. Really he just wanted a little normal attention.

This morning at about 8.30  Kathy said we shouldnt leave too early because we were driving to Margate for breakfast. I said I couldnt go long without food because  it made me feel ill. She said it wasnt far but it was one and a half hours later before we had breakfast. Poor service at the first place we stopped for breakfast so we left.
Joe sat in the front and I sat in the back with Walter and he didnt play up with me and listened when I gently curbed his behaviour.
We drove on and crossed the Transkei border and visited the Sun Casino. Kathy and Walter went to the childrens play area and we went into the casino and blew £40 on the machines. Actually Joe got fed up and gave me half his money so I blew most of it.
We met up with Kathy and Walter and going down in the lift Walter got out too soon and was left on his own and was in a panic, in tears and yelling from the fright for being left on his own. Kathy was yelling at him Stay where you are(He got lost in Woolworths a few days earlier and had panicked then.) I got out on the next floor and ran up the stairs.  The weather was foul, both there and back.

12 December 1997
We are now in Scottburgh for a couple of days. Chris wasnt with us all the time as he had a job which kept him at the workshop. He went down one morning and found he had locked his keys in the car so had to drive back to get a second set. Since Kathy wanted the car he had to drive back and pick up his own car before going to work.

We spent part of the day on the beach and Walter enjoyed himself splashing around but it was a little too hot for Joe and I so we walked up to a café to cool down.

13 December 1997
Weather excellent. Chris was making a braai for us but I felt very ill with my stomach which was playing up again. So I went to bed and missed it. There was an electrical storm late in the evening when the braai was over and Joe video-ed it while I watched it from the bedroom window.

14 December 1997
Weather is bad again today. We are back from Scottburgh. The flat we had was two bed roomed with a lounge and kitchen off, a stoep which went round to the  front and large terrace at the back with a built in braai.
Before leaving this morning we visited the owner of the block of flats we were staying in. He had converted four flats on two levels into one. It was very airy and spacious.

Tuesday 16 December 1997
Public holiday today and Chris and Kathy organised a Harley meet (Chris is the Chairman of the local group and Kathy is the Secretary) at an airfield at Cato Ridge. Chris arranged for Joe to fly up there with Greg, an airline pilot, who had a 1937 Tiger Moth. This was truly a treat for Joe who thoroughly enjoyed the trip from Victoria airfield on the coast. They left early, at seven-ish and he took lots of video during the flight.
Meanwhile at 8 Chris drove us up to Cato Ridge but first we had a stopover at a place called the Pavilion, a shopping Mall, to meet up with other members of the club. Kathy was with us on her own Harley. It was well after 9 by the time we left.
It was fairly windy at Cato Ridge and  Joe and Greg had trouble landing and had to go round twice and soon after landing it was decided to close the field because of cross winds. 
By the time we arrived sometime later  Joe was beginning to wonder where we were, having arrived there at about 8 am. It was the hottest day of the year 
The rest of the club then arrived and everyone started eating lunch at about 11. Fortunately a friend, Jo, who had once worked as a game ranger, shared her lunch and drinks with us.
Kathy rode her Harley there and back, wearing only a singlet shirt and jeans and when we arrived back at Chriss workshop she collapsed, a combination of low blood sugar, heat exhaustion and lack of liquid. The ladies gathered round and tried to persuade her to take off her jeans, which she strongly resisted.
As soon as she had partially recovered Chris took Kathy and I home and returned for Walter and Joe. I quickly got Kathy into the pool and gave her something to drink and she soon recovered. As she undressed she explained  the reason she had been reluctant to take off her jeans. She was wearing a thong! She said that because her job involved visiting factories such as Toyota, she found they which often had no facilities for womens toilets so  she drank very little during the day and did not need to go to the toilet. This had become a habit and today was no different and through the heat she had hardly drunk anything.

18 December 1997
Kathy had business in Pietermaritzburg, about 42 miles away and she picked us up during the morning for the trip. On the way we visited the Comrades Marathon wall. (The Comrades Marathon commemorates those who fell in WW1.) The weather closed in with a thick mist so we saw very little which was a pity however we did see some of the buildings which appeared in a book of photographs sent from SA by someone in my grandfather's office back in about 1910.

20 December 1997
Hot day - sunbathed and swam and had a braai in the evening but Chris had to return to work and was working all night with a motor cycle he had promised to complete by tomorrow.

21 December 1997
When we first arrived in SA Kathy said she would arrange any trips we wanted to make. We wanted to visit to a game reserve for 3 or 4 days and she said she would arrange it.
We were going to drive up to St Lucia today but Jo (who shared her lunch with us at Cato Ridge and who had worked as a game ranger ) arranged to take us up to the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park in Zululand which is 280 K (about 174 miles) from Durban. She and her friend John would arrange a vehicle and do the driving.
Kathy said we should leave at 3am but we were reluctant because Chris had been working late last night still we were up at 5.10am and on our way shortly after in Kathys car. It was a long drive to where Jo lived and her partner John met us on his motorcycle because Chris was not sure of the way to their place.
We then went to Johns place for coffee and we hung around for ages waiting for someone to say Lets go. Considering we had been expected to get up at 3am we thought it strange that no one seemed to think it necessary to get going.
The vehicle was a four wheel drive buckie which had a covered area, a bit like a hatchback and behind were rear bench seats which seated three. In the front were two bucket seats. So it seated two at the front and, at a squeeze, three in the rear. We were seven and Chris and Walter had to sit in the unseated back area on a blanket. Chris suffers from back ache so it was not a comfortable ride for him. I sat between Joe and Kathy because both wanted to video or photograph.
Eventually we were off and after another long drive arrived at last at the game reserve.
Jo was a good driver but Johns driving made Joe and me nervous because he didnt keep his eyes on the road and if he thought he had seen something would turn his head to watch it while still driving.

We stopped for lunch at about 2. During the drive we saw lots of game, rhino, giraffe and, just as we came out of the gate at the end of the visit, wart hogs.

22 December 1997
I dont think we have had two consecutive days of good weather whereas we have certainly had more than two consecutive days of bad weather. Today it is raining however we need a days rest after spending yesterday cramped up for so long in the buckie. Kathy has left to pick up a cheque from Toyota.

23 December 1997
Weather today is bright and sunny. We are off to Durban beach in half an hour with Kathy and Walter and his friend, Braveman.

Later: We spent the morning to mid afternoon in Durban , on the beach. Visited Sea World, which I remembered from my visit in 1990. We were not disappointed, especially with the sharks but they were not feeding - they just ignored the food which was being offered to them - too well fed, I guess.
We left Kathy and Walter at one of the pools, which Walter thoroughly enjoyed and went to look at the funfair. We took the chairlift, which made us both feel distinctly nervous but we got some good shots. The weather was hot and sunny. Back at Pinetown later we found that the weather had been overcast all day - so perhaps our experience of the poor weather means that inland the weather is worse than that at the coast. 

24 December 1997
Spent day at home.

25 December 1997
Christmas Day. Up at about 3.30 to watch Walter open his presents. Later to Kathys parents, Ken and Ann, for the rest of the day. They have the whole family over for an all day party including Christmas lunch.

Sunday 28 December 1997
Spent the am and part of the pm at Umhlanga Rocks where one of Kathys brothers has a flat overlooking the beach.
We stopped there for drinks and then walked down to a natural tidal pool a short way along the beach. We had to rely on the good grace of the others who allowed me the full use of a large umbrella and cool drinks. It was far too hot for me to sit out on the s but was great fun playing and swimming with Walter in the pool. Joe was very good with him and kept trying to get Walter up on to his shoulders so he could jump in from there but it was a struggle which they gave up in the end.

1 January 1998
Kathy and Chris had a small New Years Eve Party and we showed them a few line dances which Ann was most keen to learn because of the exercise.
Later when the fireworks started two terrified Alsation dogs, who lived nearby,  ran into the house for shelter. They refused to leave and wouldnt be chased off. They had probably been left alone by their owners and wanted our company.
When Ken and Ann were ready to leave, during this, Ken opened his car door and one of the dogs jumped in and sat in the drivers seat. Ann was disgusted and horrified at the amount of dirt which it had on its paws and which were all over the front seat but everyone else thought it was funny.
We are now coming to the end of our holiday and are looking forward to getting home but I am dreading that long flight again.

Sunday 18th January 1998
We returned from our SA trip on 3 January. The weather when we arrived was truly awful. Gales, wind, rain and the facilities at Heathrow for coach travellers is a farce. The coach terminal cafĂ©, with steamed up windows, was full of people trying to get out of the rain and outside there were just an over hanging canopy in the waiting area which provided very little cover in the driving rain . Apart from this it was cold. We were frozen and wet and were glad to get on the double decker coach where it was nice and warm. 
It rained almost all the way to Plymouth where the wind was so strong that before crossing the Tamar Bridge we had to change to a single decker coach to cross it being closed to high vehicles containing passengers. We then changed back on the other side.
When we arrived in Truro there was no sign of any taxis and no shelter and Joe had to go up to the taxi rank in Boscawen Street to find a taxi.
It was good to get home and start settling down again. We had a good holiday and Chris and Kathy made us very welcome but it is always nice to get home.
Cindy was in an awful state when we picked her up from the kennel. It isn't owned  by the same people who owned it a couple of years ago and who looked after her so well.
This time our lovely Cindy had lost 10 lbs in weight, hadn't been brushed or cleaned properly and her eyes and ears were very mucky. She was very subdued and being blind couldn't see us at first but she heard me talking to her at a distance and perked up. Thank goodness, with lots of good food, snacks, love and attention, she has made a quick recovery and is back to her normal happy self now.
I had a lot of correspondence to catch up on but at last am almost up to date. We've been home over two weeks now and had to hire a car to get around but last week we bought a Toyota Corolla for £4000 from Falmouth Garages and they will deliver it this coming Wednesday. It will be good to be mobile in our own car again.

Sunday 30 October 2016

Journeys in our Camper in the 1990s Part 2

1993 continued


25 March Mileage 55690
Me: We decided to go to Leeds Castle  and set out at about 10.15 and filled up on Reigate Hill. [This was our first trip since we visited Hever Castle on the 17th. which I have not copied here.]
Our planned route was the M25 East then on to the M26 and M20.
At the top of Reigate Hill, where we should have joined the M25, we found the traffic lights working and the M25 closed.
Returned  via Reigate Hill to the A25  and missed the motorway exit and found ourselves on our way to Coulsdon and before we got there found ourselves caught up in a traffic jam so turned off onto a B road to go through Caterham and then connect with the M25. Discovered then that the M25 was closed  and found ourselves in a terrible traffic jam on to the A25 so decided to make for East Grinstead by which time it was 2.15pm!!! We had lunch in a lovely lay-by and decided the fates were against us and, unsurprisingly, I had a migraine coming on by then so we headed home. Well at least the weather was fine! Had a laugh telling it to Heather later on.

13 April 9.45 Mileage 55774
Me: We dropped Cindy off at the kennels and were away by 10. Arrived  at Shire Hall, Reading at 11.30 and spent a few hours successfully searching records for my Basters. Left about 4.30 and found our way to Four Oaks Caravan Club site at Henley where we were to stay the night.
We couldn't get the electrics to work so lots of grunts and groans and sighs - and still no electricity until a nearby camper came over  and said he'd had the same trouble and to twist the connection at the outlet and hey presto everything worked.
Walked into Henley to get Joe some whisky, about a mile there and back and then had carbonara for supper.

14 April Mileage 55860
Me: Left Henley at 10 and drove to Benson in Oxfordshire (once name Bensington and where there is an RAF camp - RAF Benson - which houses the Queen's Flight) where we bought salad for supper and visited the church. Then drove on to Newbury where I called in to the Museum where they gave me some information about Joseph Baster of Rowde and Devizes who was the older brother of George of Shalbourne and Inkpen, my fifth great grandfather. Then on to Salisbury where we visited the Cathedral.
Joe:  Arrived at the camp about 6pm and filled up with water. Still a slight leak from water tank. The salad supper was excellent.

15 April 10.20-ish Mileage 55963
Me: On way to Trowbridge, stopping for petrol and milk. Arrived at county record office to find we were in the staff car park and subject to clamping so made a swift retreat and found correct car park.
Good day searching. Found an earlier couple of Basters and discounted a couple also. Then on to Longleat. Friendly site. The house is very impressive. Children would love it. Found the Longleat Arms, and had a couple of drinks and chatted with the friendly barman.  We plan to visit tomorrow and take some video including the impressive drive and the bluebell wood.

16 April Mileage 56024
Toured Longleat House and saw the doll's houses and a collection of miniature cups and saucers. Then checked out and then drove round the estate taking video of the views and the safari park (from a great distance.)
On way to Winchester engine overheated, water boiled and there was some leakage so stopped for a cuppa which is where we are now. Have had problems with engine overheating every now and then over last few days.
Mileage 56065 - We have stopped twice for water so far!
Mileage 56083 - Another stop to top up with water!  Now on A34 to Winchester  and the Morn Hill Camp site.
Mileage 56100 - Arrived at campsite OK and called out the RAC. The thermostat was on upside down!!! and he thinks the radiator needs cleaning out. Suggests we take the return home in stages  and get the radiator seen to.
Joe: Had a very nice meal at the Percy Hobbs pub right by the entrance to the camp. The pub was named in 1982 after an old chap who drank there every day for sixty odd years.

17th April
Joe: While getting ready to leave started talking to a chap who had an auto sleeper. It had been raining quite heavily overnight  and he told me that he had bogged down at a campsite near Sidmouth and had to be pulled out by tractor. It turned out to be Little Bulstone  - the very same site we had to be towed out. 
In future avoid Little Bulstone.
We nursed the camper back and it behaved OK. Heating up a little bit but then dropping back. I'll still have the rad flushed out. Picked up Cindy who was very pleased to see us, and arrived back at Sherwood Crescent just before 12 noon.

12 April
Joe: Neal flushed out the radiator and put in a new thermostat and did a test run to Smallfield and the van did not overheat so fingers crossed - everything is now OK. Especially as a new radiator would cost £175! He found a crack on the top of the tap on the water tank and has promised to repair it with fibre glass.
Me: Neal tried to repair the tap but it is still leaking.

29 April Mileage about 56200
Me: On the spur of the moment we decided to take a trip to Kent, taking Cindy with us. Just for an overnight stop. Saw some lovely cottages and oasthouses on the way. The orchards were close to blossoming and the bluebells are out. Spent night at Normanhurst Court, a very nice quiet campsite. Not many people there.
At about 9pm when we are in the camper we start preparing for bed and Joe now builds up the steps into the van and makes Cindy's bed on top.

30 April Mileage 56291
Me:  Woken early by Cindy snuffling at the door and acting strangely. Very unusual for her so I opened the top of the door to see what it was about and found the field was filled with rabbits! We left the camp about 9-ish after breakfast and took the wrong road as we had intended going by Herstmonceaux and instead went through Bexhill.
Sometimes it seems such things are pre-ordained. We took the A27 to Polegate and then, I think, the A27 to Hailsham but turned off to Michelham Priory (which sounded interesting being founded as an Augustinian priory in 1229) and found ourselves in Arlington where a bluebell walk was signposted. I couldn't resist (having nostalgic memories of the woods round Reading and Caversham in 1940-41) and we decided to stop and take the walk. It was a beautiful day and we had a lovely time meandering through the woods with Cindy on the lead. The bluebells were magnificent.
Cindy enjoyed her walk and had a good snuffle and peer down a badger's sett. Good job we had her on the lead or she would have been down there.
Back in the camper we took the A27 to Lewes, A26 to Little Horshed (Ridgewood), A 277 to Newick and up to  Haywards Heath, B2111 via Lindfield , B2028  to Turner's Hill and on to Copthorne, Shipley Bridge and home. What a wonderful trip. Mileage 53638
Joe: An excellent trip out although engine still overheating but not boiling. Must keep an eye on it. The most memorable part was the Bluebell Walk. I have never seen so many bluebells. It was beautiful and made one realise that England is the best country to be in.

19 May Mileage 53638
Left home at 10.40 and proceeded via Charlwood to Horsham then down the A272  to make straight for Winchester at our own pace - slow - and saw some lovely cottages and houses. Stopped near Midhurst for coffee and bickies. Beside us (we had parked on a disused part of road, still with its road markings) the verge was a mass of wild flowers including clover in bloom. If it weren't for the passing traffic it would have been very peaceful there.
On the way to the campsite we passed Avington and looked around the Georgian church. It looked very small inside compared to the outside, probably because the pews were divided by 4 feet high partitions into box pews reputedly made from Spanish mahogany taken from one of the Armada fleet.  
I was rather upset when I noted that the path to the church was made with monumental stones which were wearing down.

Joe: We then made for the campsite next to the Percy Hobbs pub and booked in and then took Cindy for a walk along the country lane next to the pub. What a feeling of freedom! Then back to the pub for a drink before returning to the camper for supper.



Saturday 29 October 2016

Journeys in our camper van in the 90s Part 1

 

1993
8 January
Me: We purchased our van, a Toyota Hi Ace Hilton today. Now we can say we are staying at the Hilton!
It's old but will suit us fine as long as it keeps going. No doubt we shall have 'adventures' in it.
Much of the equipment for it can come from the house because we have lots of duplicate pots, pans, cutlery, dishes, mugs, duvets, pillows etc.

16 January
Me: Joe picked up the van and brought it back home and then checked it over. Drivers seat belt lock is broken which the dealer said he he would fix. Started stocking it out.
Joe: Driving it home the steering appeared a little loose. The wind was gusting driving back so would not like to drive too far when it is windy.

17 January 1.30-ish Mileage: 54547
Me: My first ride in the camper. Had to repack some of the items I had stored because of the rattling. Must remember in future! Went to Tesco to stock up on some food etc. items. Much has been provided from the house apart from this shopping expedition and we still need a kettle.
3.50 pm
Me:Took Cindy out for a quick trip to see how she liked it. She didn't! Panicked when driving along the narrow street in front of the house and overhanging branches of a tree scraped along the side of the van.  She was straight into the front. Joe (his first law) was insistent - she wasn't to ride in the front! It took a lot to persuade her to sit on a seat in the back and she sat there trembling, terrified. She didn't like all the rattling and even refused a crisp!

18 January
Me:Think household pots and china are too heavy and add too much weight to the van if we are going to carry a TV and other paraphenalia. Went to the caravan shop and bought a kettle, 2 light saucepans, 2 large plastic plates, 2 ditto cereal bowls, 2 ditto mugs, a fie extinguisher, a teapot and a 10 lite water bottle. Cost £44.
(Later note: 19 June 1994: The kettle has sprung a leak and has been ditched!)
Later we measured the drive to see if the camper would fit. 
Joe:  Parked camper in driveway. A bit of a tight squeeze. Dealer phoned to say the seat belt was not in stock and he had ordered it and will phone later in the week.

23 January 
Joe:  Took camper down to dealer and had new seat belt fitted.

27 January
Joe:  Took camper out to get Cindy used to it - went via Dorking, down to Horsham and back. Cindy not too happy.
Me: Understatement. She did not stop trembling.

3 February Mileage 54689
Joe:  Out in camper again to get Cindy used to it. She was a bit restless and is still nervous. She doesn't like the bumps and rattles in the back. Jean has sorted out Cindy's bed - so she will have to get used to it.
Me: Famous last words!Yes, Jean has sorted Cindy's bed alright - in every possible permutation! She still doesn't like the rattles, bumps and bangs. Joe thinks she will get used to it.

10 February 
Joe:  Out in camper and picked  up petrol (Mileage 54942) at Tesco, Gatwick and drove down the M23 - A23 and turned right just before driving into Brighton (A27) 
Cindy still very nervous and jumpy. Went through Portslade, Horsham, Worthing and then through Arundel.
A29 up to Five Oaks then on to A264, past Horsham on to Crawley via Gatwick to home. 92 miles altogether. Cindy had a run on the beach at Lancing and seemed a bit happier on the way back!
Me: As we drove through Shoreham Cindy smelt the sea and became very excited - jumping through the hatch from the back and trying to get across my lap to the window and I had to force her back - obviously she remembers visiting Perranporth and her runs on the beach.
The beach at Lancing is having great piles of pebbles piled up to prevent the sea at high tide wearing away the sea wall.

Joe and Cindy at Sidmouth
21 February
Joe: Drove camper out of driveway on to the road to carry out water and oil checks. Needs oil. While I washed and polished the outside Jean did an excellent job of the inside. Cindy sat in her new seat where I had made for her and she seemed quite happy.
Afterwards we drove to Tesco and topped up petrol and tyre pressures. Mileage 54939. Bought oil and topped up when we got home. Cindy was still shaking but was not too bad this time.
Me: Now here we have a complete turnaround! Cindy was to ride in the back if I remember rightly. It was clear Cindy was not going to settle riding in the back of the camper. I tried lying down back there when I had a migraine one time and it was hell on earth! I can sleep in the back seat of the car but it is impossibly noisy and bumpy in the back of the camper.
The cab has bucket seats and between them a hinged engine cover on a level a couple of inches below the seats. Joe has built a little stand to go on top, topped by  her bedding and Cindy sits there between us while I had her on her lead so she couldn't jump across Joe. It works very well and she is prefectly happy. Probably thinks she is one of us! Every now and then I will say to her 'Look, Cindy Cows (or horses or whatever) and she looks across at where I am pointing as though she knows what I am talking about!

22 February
Joe: Bought a second Calor gas cylinder which just squeezed in next beside the one in the gas compartment in the back.

23 February 9.15 am Mileage 54943
Me: Camper packed and ready to go. This is a sort of shake-down trip to find out how things go and hoping to make our way to call in and see Thelma in Sidmouth.
Joe: Headed south via Dorking through Shalford then to Haslemere. Then on to Petersfield, then onto A272 to Hinton Marsh. North on B3046 to Old Alresford, Hants, birthplace of Jean's Mum - when we got there we realised we had visited before. Took video of village and church. Mary Sumner, wife of the vicar in 1851, started the now global Mothers' Union organisation of Anglican women there.
Back on the A 272 and bypassing Winchester and on to the A33 / M27 / A31 to Ringwood and then on to A338 to Fordingbridge where the mileage was 55066.
On the way stopped for lunch near Rownham Services where we joined the RAC. 
Arrived at 1545 at 21 Hillbury Road, Alderholt and parked the van on the hard-standing. 
Me: I had pre-booked at a number of small sites along the way which could provide hard standings. It was soon getting dark and there was a small toilet block with a tap from which we could fill up the water tank.
We were the only ones there so Cindy was able to have a good run around.During the evening Joe decided to fill up the camper's water tank because we were have problems with the water pumping up from the hot water. I shall leave it to Joe to explain what happened.
Joe: After I had put in about 40 litres of water  I noticed it was pouring out from underneath the van. Then realised the tap had been left open. No wonder the water wasn't being pumped up!!! I put in another 40 litres  but the tap kept dripping. 
Me: We decided that Joe would sleep in the top bunk, over the cab, and we would made the bed below for me. Through the night we both felt chilly (not cold)  and have now decided we would make the bed up double below and use the upper bunk for storage. That way we can use both duvets.

25 February
Joe: Stopped for lunch at a Little Chef and took the opportunity to top up the water tank. Carried on down to our 3rd stop at Little Bulstone in Devon. The site there was a big field on a hill - with no hard standing and as we drove in it started to rain heavily. We parked at the top of the slope where it was flat and the taps were. There was no one there  and Jean took Cindy for a run. and when they got back I noticed the ground at our door entrance was very muddy so moved the camper back about four feet, then connected to the electricity. It was still pelting down with rain and there was a hose pipe lying on the ground alongside and I thought nothing of it.
We then changed and got ready to drive over to Thelma's which was about 5 miles distant. I said that if we phoned for a taxi we would get soaked so had decided we would unhook and drive into Sidmouth in the camper. 
I drove about 4 feet where I became bogged down. The ground was all churned up and then I realised the hose I had seen earlier had been left on and flooded the area where we had parked.
Jean took two of Cindy's old towels and threw them down under the rear wheels but it was no use. We were well and truly bogged down. No way would the camper move. We went down to the farm to see the owner and only after a long time did he answer our call and came to the door. He had a heavy cold and had been in bed. I told him we were stuck and he was not very happy but agreed to get his tractor our to pull us free. |Meanwhile we were getting saturated because it was still raining heavily!
He wanted to pull us out backwards but there was no tow hook at the back. Eventually he pulled us free and then started to tell us where to park when we came back. I told him we would not be coming back but would stay in Sidmouth. We shall never forget Little Bulstone Farm.
[Some time later Joe was chatting to someone on another site and mentioned staying at Little Bulstone. He didn't have a very good opinion of it either!]
Me: We eventually arrived at Thell's and she suggested we stay there for the night. We were too weak by now to resist such an offer and were glad we did because we had a lovely visit with them and a good chat. However the beds were most uncomfortable but didn't say so and both woke feeling that our backs were broken!

27 February
Me: We then made for Truro via Okehampton and arrived at Leverton Camp site at about 3 after driving round Truro to check out the carparks and call in to leave a note for Heather. 
Tonight we had a small problem getting the electrics connected only to discover the electric power indicator light had blown. The electrics were working fine but the bulb did not light!!!

28 February 9.30 Mileage 55272
Me: Visited Heather and A and when they brought us back seemed most impressed by the idea of a camper. Left then for Calne  in Wiltshire and it snowed on the way. Just snow showers but it is very cold. Cindy a bit of a pest for much of the morning. Up and down, up and down until I put her on a short lead kept her lying down in the afternoon. Icy cold at Calne - especially standing still. It was a freezing draughty night!

1 March
Me: Woke to discover a sprinkling of snow so decided to make straight for home in order to avoid getting snowed in somewhere inhospitable. Filled up at Ilchester then on to Marlborough. Mileage 55426. Total mileage for trip: 668
Joe: Left Calne about 9.30 - roads  were clear all the way!!! One or two showers of hail. Went through Compton Bassett - a beautiful village with some lovelt old houses. Arrived back at Reigate about 1400 hours. All in all we learnt quite abit during trip. Although Cindy was no real bother she did get in the way. It was inconvenient when we were walking round Truro - one of us had to stay with her outside while the  other shopped. We couldn't even have a cup of coffee together. So we have decided to put her into kennels in future. I'm sure she'd be a lot happier.
Me: We found we had a lot of items with us that we did not need and are able to remove them on future trips. We took too many clothes and have decided not to take 'hanger' clothes in future.
Our main meals were taken during the day and apart from soup just had a cold snack later. So frying pan not used.
Joe: During the trip, when going downhill, the camper was backfiring.

9 March
Joe: I have arranged for Neal Shephard, a neighbour, who always services the Capri, to have a look at the camper - the backfiring and also check the brake cylinders as we noticed slight staining on the rear tires which could be brake fluid. Neal did a full service. One of the plugs was broken and the lead to it was US. The brake cylinders had a slight leak so Neale renewed them. The exhaust had no seals so was emitting gases and noise. Altogether it cost £179.02, I would have thought the dealer would  have at least carried out a service. Neal was quite impressed by the camper.