What we did last wekend

[El Stiemo]

OK some pics from our camp in the Namib desert, this is on Farm Constantia right next to Soliatire where they had a huge desert festival.

First pic of us plucking the sandgrouse for use as lunch on "skottel" (type of gas wok), second pic of padda and Mühle in the river (white 110 is mine) while packing up and third pic is of yours truly standing on the roofrack on top of spreetshoogte pass retightening the rubbish bags.

Spreetshoogte pass: 1:4 on gravel. No trucks, no trailers allowed. Some dead (who cannot read or drive or both) every year. Practically impossible to get up in a 2wd passenger vehicle due to corrugations, down is no problem, although staying on the road is...

The roof carrier is getting a touch - up now by the way.

[Geobloke]

By eck is it dry enough there? :p Sounds like you have been having alot of fun there matey! and to think we are all battoning down the hatches in preparation for the cold stuff! :rolleyes:

[El Stiemo]

By eck is it dry enough there? :p Sounds like you have been having alot of fun there matey! and to think we are all battoning down the hatches in preparation for the cold stuff! :rolleyes:

Geo, check out the beverages in the third photo. We're getting into summer now, around 35 - 40 deg in the shade in the day. No rain for another four to six weeks, if we're unlucky.

[Marc Lurie]

El,

It looks like you had a good time for sure... Did you shoot the grouse yourselves? If so, what's the season in Namibia? What are the regulations for SA citizens to bring a shotgun into Nam? Do you do wingshooting tours?

I see a can of Windhoek Draught on the fender. I usually drink Becks if I can find it. If not, Windhoek Draught is my choice, although it's probably better in the desert being a little lower in alcohol, and being 500ml :D

I don't think that the road safety organisations will be using your third photo for publicity though...


Geo, summer in Namibia is unbelievably hot. The sun down south at Fish River Canyon actually takes your breath away, and it feels like you're standing under a blow torch. I had a bottle of gin stashed under the passenger seat, and it exploded in the heat. :eek: Further north, in the desert itsself it is so dry in places that dead trees remain intact but dessicated for decades. Some of the dead trees at Deadvlei are paper soft, but haven't rotted after many years.

Namibia is a fascinating country. I've seen sand dunes "walk" across the desert near Luderitz, a whole town engulfed by sand at Kolmanskop, a river that simply dissapears into the desert at Sossusvlei, wild desert horses left behind by the German forces during WW1, and a host of other really memorable things. (And I've never been further north than Mile 108, only 2/3 up the country). One of my favourite memories of all time was watching the sun set at Sossusvlei on 31st December 1996, and then watching it rise again on 1st January 1997. We were camped under an enormous camelthorn tree, in the middle of a majestic desert, with only peace around us. Priceless...

Marc

[El Stiemo]

Hi Marc

yes, we did shoot the grouse ourselves. As it is not a commercial hunt but rather a "owner use" affair, it is basically possible whenever independent of season. Obviously, we don't go doing it too often, as we don't want the grouse to go drink somewhere else. Maybe two three times a year.

Not quite sure what the shotgun regs are, I know for hunting rifles, I suppose shotgun would be the same. Just Pistols and Revolvers are a no-go. Yes, we organise hunting trips depending on what type of game you want to hunt. Wingshooting is still very new, it's not yet really established here, but it's possible. If your'e interested, PM me, I'll send you more info.

BTW, the crayfish season has now started at 01 Nov. Yummy.

Marc, that can of Windhoek draught on the fender is not mine. Mine is standing in front of the steering wheel. It was a break, after all. :D :D

[Marc Lurie]

PM on its way...

Crayfish :D :beers: :D ...

and I'm having Nandos for lunch - boooring.

[Geobloke]

Geo, check out the beverages in the third photo. We're getting into summer now, around 35 - 40 deg in the shade in the day. No rain for another four to six weeks, if we're unlucky.

I really miss being south of the equator! Ok so it was in asia but still hot! The nearest I have got to you is Lagos. I will get to Nambia and SA though, on my list of places to go visit! ;)

[Geobloke]

Geo, summer in Namibia is unbelievably hot. The sun down south at Fish River Canyon actually takes your breath away, and it feels like you're standing under a blow torch. I had a bottle of gin stashed under the passenger seat, and it exploded in the heat. :eek: Further north, in the desert itsself it is so dry in places that dead trees remain intact but dessicated for decades. Some of the dead trees at Deadvlei are paper soft, but haven't rotted after many years.

Namibia is a fascinating country. I've seen sand dunes "walk" across the desert near Luderitz, a whole town engulfed by sand at Kolmanskop, a river that simply dissapears into the desert at Sossusvlei, wild desert horses left behind by the German forces during WW1, and a host of other really memorable things. (And I've never been further north than Mile 108, only 2/3 up the country). One of my favourite memories of all time was watching the sun set at Sossusvlei on 31st December 1996, and then watching it rise again on 1st January 1997. We were camped under an enormous camelthorn tree, in the middle of a majestic desert, with only peace around us. Priceless...

Marc

So we talking fry eggs on your bonnet hot then?? don't know why have always wanted to try that! these silly ideas we get! :p

I can remember my first flight over the Sahara and spending it staring down at all of the dried up ancient river systems, mountains and dunes. Truly amazing part of the world!

[Marc Lurie]

I've never tried it, but I'm sure it's possible. (Frying eggs on the bonnet that is...)

The Namib and Kalahari Deserts don't get as hot as parts of the Sahara like the Quatarra Depression, but I think that they are, on average, hotter than the Sahara.

May I be the first one to offer you a beer or three when you get to SA...

Cheers,
Marc

[El Stiemo]

Geo,

as far as the heat is concerned: 45 deg C in Summer during the daytime is a common occurrence in the desert. This is in the shade, not in the sun.

Problems: Overheating cars; no sleep at night inland, as the temp stays above 25 deg. at night (desert cools down more); tarmac melts; stuff explodes in cars (like Marcs Gin bottle); people die - from overexertion, dehydration, etc.

What makes it somewhat more bearable is the fact that there is usually less than 30 % humidity. And namibian beer, of course.

I would say the hottest place in Namibia is probably Noordoewer, a border post at the Orange river over to South Africa. Not nice at all. The only advantage is that the customs officials are very hesitant to check your vehicle at that border post as it means they need to get up and do something.:D

By the way your first beer in Nam is on me.

[Geobloke]

Well hell you two are making it very difficult not to start planing a road trip to SA! :D What more reason does a man need than the offer of at least 2 beers to get an expedition started!!??!?!?! :yay:

Is very kind of you both! Be sure that if you ever make it this far north there will always be brews and beds for ya!


So the quickest road to SA, Via Nambia!!!! Hmmmmm! ;)

[Geobloke]

Geo,

as far as the heat is concerned: 45 deg C in Summer during the daytime is a common occurrence in the desert. This is in the shade, not in the sun.

Problems: Overheating cars; no sleep at night inland, as the temp stays above 25 deg. at night (desert cools down more); tarmac melts; stuff explodes in cars (like Marcs Gin bottle); people die - from overexertion, dehydration, etc.

What makes it somewhat more bearable is the fact that there is usually less than 30 % humidity. And namibian beer, of course.

I would say the hottest place in Namibia is probably Noordoewer, a border post at the Orange river over to South Africa. Not nice at all. The only advantage is that the customs officials are very hesitant to check your vehicle at that border post as it means they need to get up and do something.:D

By the way your first beer in Nam is on me.


I hear it is possible but the cleaning part is a little more difficult!! wonder if either of you will try it next time you go bush!!! ;)

Hmmm lazy customs officials, surley thats unheard of!!! ;)