Check out the photos on the WEBSHOTS website

Namibia – what a place!  By Anne and Bob Finch

 If you want to drive dirt roads, good dirt roads, Namibia must be one of the best places.  As soon as we crossed the border at Matamata, we were impressed by the fast smooth, near tar like roads that were sometimes four lanes wide.  Along the way we came across grader drivers, sometimes two and three times a day, towing their cabooses behind them.  We wanted to ask them if they would like a job in Australia, as this is what our graders do in the remote areas, work away towing their house behind them, dropping them off at a point and working back to it,  but I don’t think as good as these Namibian drivers.

           

Quiver Tree Forest                                           The Finch’s at Klein Aus Vista

 Our first night was at Quiver Tree Camp near Keetmanshoop, expensive but inclusive price included the quiver Tree Forest, Giants Playground and the chance to go into the pen with the Cheetahs when they are fed.  The Giant Quiver Trees impressed us, a photographer’s heaven at sunset.  The nearby town of Keetmanshoop is just a town with a couple of supermarkets, lots of service stations and banks.

 We were on our way to Ai Ais and like to take the dirt roads when possible, well this one was a beauty the D608 was the scenic route through spectacular gorges and hills and then on to the C10, a worthwhile route to take.  It was our first taste of the vastness of Namibia with not a lot in between places.  Stark and beautiful in its isolation.  Bit like Australia really but more so.

 Ai Ais is truly a lovely place after a drive down into the gorge.  We enjoyed two days using the hot pools and clean camp situated in the middle of an oasis like setting. 

 Fish River Canyon was our next stop; we appreciated the views without hoards of tourists at every stop.  Amazing to think that this was the second largest canyon in the world and hardly no one there.  We moved on from here to Aus an interesting historic place with a campsite –Klein Aus Vista - that had amazing views which we couldn’t really enjoy owing to the extremely cold wind, well we were at 1400 meters.  We camped with a couple of Aussies that we had met at MataMata, huddled around a fire which was woefully inadequate to keep out the cold, so we adjourned to our truck and crowded inside with the diesel heater going drinking coffee and port.

 The way to Luderitz was a continuous straight road, very few corners in over a 100kms, going down and down to sea level.  We did stop and check out the wild horses grazing beside the road, said to have been left by Germans after the war.  Luderitz is like going back in time – a forgotten town.  It didn’t help that the wind had followed us and it was miserable perched on Shark Island Campsite, so other than a drive around and a visit to the Ghost Town of Kolmanskop, we did not stay long.  Of course we were casting our eyes down to the ground in this forgotten diamond town.

 Travelling back into the centre of the country, we had a night, actually Bob’s birthday at a camp perched on the side of a stony outcrop called Taris Mountains Conservancy, nothing for miles and a memorable sunset enjoyed with a glass or two of very nice South African red wine.

 Soussevlei Sand Dune

We enjoyed some more back roads to Sesriem, where we lined up at 6am at the gates for the mad 60km dash to Soussevlei dune, the largest of an awe inspiring mass of red sand dunes, it was 0.5 deg C so it was a quick dash up the dune before breakfast.  We loved the little stop up the road of Solitaire with its quirky art of old vehicles with cactus growing through them and a yummy bakery.

 Other than a visit to Swakopmund and a drive up the Skeleton Coast, we headed up through the Damaraland area, impressed by the Community Camp Grounds in lonely isolated places.   Granitetop, with private ablution areas built into the rocky outcrop and open to the air.  The Donkey lit night and morning to provide the hot water.

       

Granite top community Campsite              Epupa Falls.

But one of the highlights of Namibia for us was Epupa Falls; we were so pleased we had taken the time to drive the extra distance to see this beautiful place.  We had rather too many wines and Yagermeisters with a crazy guy from Western Cape, which blurred things somewhat.  Our drive the next day on along the border with Angola turned into another one of those amazing coincidences that have occurred relating to your 4WD club.  We were enjoying lunch just off the road when we realized a mass of vehicles were driving past.  We made the comment that wouldn’t it be amazing if it was the Durban  Club and poked our heads up over the bank right at the time that president Kevin was driving past, he could be driving anywhere in Africa and be easily recognized.  We only had time for a couple of quick words as they passed by in convoy.  Isn’t the world a small place.

 We loved the camp that night beside the Kunene River for free.  Wish we could do that more often, but felt uncomfortable camping by ourselves.

 I’m sure that you will hear all about this part of the world from your club members, we will enjoy finding out what you did and where you went.

 ______________________________________________

Our next Club outing will take place at Highstakes on the 25^th July 2010.  Someone, who shall remain nameless for fear of retribution, with a couple of similarly sexed Committee colleagues decided to call this a “Mixed Gender Fun Day”,  The look of pure panic on Phil’s face during the Committee Meeting as the detail started to become apparent was classic.  Due to the very real threat of violence, I can not divulge the details of this Fun Day.

 Rest assured, please ensure that you have someone/something of the opposite “sex” in your vehicle.  Just a hint for the single members out there – if you are not in a relationship then take one of the following options:-

 o       Find someone quickly willing to take a chance with you in your vehicle.

o       “Borrow” someone from a participating and willing Club member (Be careful of Club members who appear to be too willing to allow you to “borrow” - This may be part of a hidden strategy).

o       Be “creative” and buy a teddy and claim that this is your partner.  Please maintain an honest and serious face when making this claim.  Remember that this is a family club!

 Regards

Hugh

______________________________________________

Our next Club campout will be at Stoneybrook Ranch near Kokstad between 06^th and 09^th August 2010.  Stoneybrook Ranch will host the “Head for the Hills” again this year. 

 Our new members who have recently joined the 4WD Club are encouraged to participate in the Club event.  Remember, kids are more than welcome to join their folks.

 This weekend of 4x4’ing, with quads and off-road bikes thrown in, proved to be a huge success last year with many of our members enjoying the weekend thoroughly.  Kevin had arranged and planned outings which kept us all busy and interested.  Evenings were spent around a fire cooking, enjoying good company and chatting about the day’s events.  We will most probably camp next to the airfield again.  The event can be likened to a Splashy Fen Festival for 4x4’s.  Kevin appears once again to have made some plans for a lot of 4x4’ing fun on the weekend.

 Those of you that did not join us, please make a concerted effort to do so this year.  Some of the members have indicated that they will travel down on the Friday already to set up camp with the rest coming down on the Saturday morning.  Please get in touch with Hugh, myself or any one of the Committee members at our next Noggin’s and join one of the groups going down.

 Regards

Phil

---