South Africa Oct Nov 2010

South Africa October 2010
We arrived at Johannesburg airport on the 19th October (Vic’s mothers 88th birthday) after a 3 hour stop over we flew on to George in the Eastern Cape. We were met by an employee of our dear friend Anneke who then drove us to Knysna about 35 mins from where we are staying.
Knysna is a small town on the east coast and a popular holiday area. We are fortunate to have the use of Vic’s sister’s holiday home here as it is very close to the retirement village where his mother Mary lives. After a quick shower it was off to celebrate Mary’s birthday with some family and friends at a local restaurant called Mo’s. It was a super evening togwther with a surprise birthday cake.
After a few days we were getting itchy feet and needed a project to help us settle so we decided to take on the vegetable garden which would ensure lots of lovely summer vegetable for everyone. This done Vic was offered the job of test driving the latest Mercedes AWD 4x4 light weight truck. This required us to fly to Joburg and pick up the vehicle which had been at the SASB for testing first (South African Standards Board). Having done this we then stayed overnight with family in Crowthorne (a suburb of Joburg) before heading to Bloemfontein to pick up an off road pop top caravan as our accommodation for the trip. We then headed North West for the Kalahari Gemsbok Frontier Park which lies on the South African, Botswana and Namibian borders. Part of the brief for testing the vehicle was that we had to cover certain types of terrain, the destination we chose was ideal in every way with rough unsealed roads, corrugations, sand steep inclines etc. We found campsites each night either on the edge of a town or on someone’s farm, which were the best as the farmer sets aside a lovely little area with trees for shade, and has built a small ensuite rondarvel with a shower hand basin and flushing toilet, plus a place to light a camp fire and a BBQ area. The weather in the day varied from 32-38c so in the late afternoon the temp was perfect and a great excuse for a cold beer as we set up camp. Later as the sun went down and night closed in the night sky was absolutely magical, no light pollution and literally millions of stars. We slept like babies. The following morning we headed north into the park and as it is the off season camp spots were readily available. This all sorted and our caravan parked, the awning up we had lunch then headed off into the game area. We were not disappointed as there was an abundance of wild life all to be seen at close range hence many photos were taken until the battery in the camera needed charging. Three hours later in the late afternoon sun we headed back to the campsite as it was now beer o’clock. During our time away three other groups had made camp after introductions and an exchange of stories we lit our BBQ and camp fire and asked a young Flemish couple who were in a tent next to us to join us, they had been in NZ on holiday a few months earlier and we had recently been in Belgium so we had lots to talk about. After the Kalahari we headed south making our way back to Knysna via Calvinia and Oudtshoorn in the little Karoo. We had been away 6 days. Two days later after the clothes had been washed we were off again this time just an overnight trip through the Prince Albert and Baviannskloof Passes which are breath taking and had just the sort of terrain we needed for stage 2 of the trial. Once again we saw lots of wildlife including a rooikat ( roy cat) a small lynx type cat with small pointy ears, lots of baboons and blue ball monkeys with babies on their backs, so cute. We stayed in a self contained cottage in the middle of the Baviannskloof overnight which was over 100 years old and would have not looked out of place on a hillside in Tuscany. We arrived home late on Friday night tired but happy. In the interim we have caught up with people we made friends with last year as well as some old friends of Vic’s who just by coincidence also enjoy the odd glass of wine.
This week so far we have pottered around the island, however tomorrow is the 3rd and final trial for the vehicle. This is to be held in some large sand dunes on a farmers property in the Mossle Bay area which is south west of Knysna, this will more hair raising than the trails to date and photos are required to send through to Germany, we will ensure that we put some up on the blog with the next update. There is so much to see and do but our new truck will not be ready until early in the New Year so it’s a good time to do lots of research and reading.
We are waiting daily to hear news of our new grandchild’s arrival, Anna & Hamish being the proud parents of baby #2.
We have a postal address and landline here; they are P.O.Box 420 Knysna 6570 Sth Africa: Ph # 0027443846009. Vic is using a Sth African sim card so is not contactable on his NZ mobile #, my mobile remains unchanged and of course we are both available on our gmail addresses.
Love to you all
Michele & Vic
“The Weranui Wanderers”

Austria

EUROPE

Germany
After leaving Copenhagen we drove south and caught a ferry across to Germany were we then drove through o Hamburg and found a lovely site to camp right in the city in large park overlooking the ocean which was free. Here we met 4 great young Australians who were doing a camper van trip before returning home after their OE in London. Hamburg is a thriving city with new buildings going up, it is clean and welcoming. From here drove north across the top western corner towards the Netherlands taking the scenic route and avoiding the autobahns and travelling in and out of the picturesque little villages where all of the houses have the most wonderful hanging flower baskets and pots full of colour. Stopping of overnight where ever we found a nice spot. The history of some of the villages is fascinating and most of the people derive their income from small farm holdings and growing grapes for making their own wine. The people are always friendly and the local produce is good.
Netherlands
We entered the Netherlands at a place on the border called Nievwschans and then drove a little further to Luawersoog which is right on the northern coast in the Frieisland area. Here in fishing village we stayed for 4 days and once more indulged ourselves in fresh seafood and fish while exploring the country side on foot and cycle.
Cycles are simply everywhere in the Netherlands and the school yards are full of bikes as even 5 years ride to school. All roads have cycle ways for this reason. While in the Freisland we met up with our friends Josefine and Theo and were delighted to be able to join them at their holiday house on their own island of 40 hectares. This is the most beautiful place, and on the Friday morning we set out in their classic motor boat on the canals and around the island before later in the afternoon driving through to Amsterdam where they live in an apartment in the area of Jordan which is super, so close to everything. We parked at Camp Zeeland which is only 10 mins from the city centre on a tram. Here we had a ball, wandering all over the city and dinning and at our favourite restaurant which in our mind is the best restaurant in Amsterdam “Toscanini”. It is owned by a friend Leonardo. The food he prepares is to die for. The next day after a morning of shopping and coffee Leonardo and his partner Karen took us all on an afternoon’s cruise of the canals of Amsterdam. The weather was good and we sipped good red wine and ate divine cheese. Reality will hit soon, I am sure. After dinner in an old Spanish restaurant we returned to Moggy tired and happy.
The next day we drove to Rotterdam to surprise Patrick and Jolanda and deliver their wedding present to them, regretfully we missed Jolanda as she was away on a cycling trip with a girlfriend. So we had a cup of coffee with Patrick, looked at their wonderful wedding album before heading across the border into Belgium for the night.
Belgium
We found a perfect spot just outside the village of Sportin, where we overlooked a beautiful green tree studded valley, it was enough to make you want to yodel. Belgium is a small country studded with small farms. It is very clean and orderly and the beer is good.
Once again we avoided the motorways and took the small scenic routes through the villages which are amass of flowers, corn, fruit trees and cows. Our weather continued to be superb, an” Indian Summer” the locals said. We decided not to visit Brussels on this occasion as we are over big cities so we drove into Luxemburg. This is a lovely country, very small but the city centre has been faithfully maintained with cobbled streets beautiful patisseries and coffee shops and designer stores a plenty, but very pricy. After we walked from one end of the city to the other we went back to Moggy in the late afternoon and headed out. As it is a duty free country we decided to make the most of this factor at the border by buying fantastic french wines for 6 euro a bottle.
Germany (a second time)
One of the funny things about travelling in Europe is that you cross from one country to another almost without realising. This was the case when we exited Luxemburg and entered Germany. We found a lovely little spot to camp in Mosel on the river which is the border between the 2 countries. Once we were settled we then walked back into Luxemburg for dinner on the other side of the river where we feasted on mussels and chardonnay. Then after a little walk through the village crossed the bridge pass the police check home to Moggy. The next day we continued to meander through villages in the Black Forest stopping for a coffee, lunch or a beer, talking to locals and generally having a super time. We camped on the lake at Etang de Hanau which was so peaceful and met a couple from Hungary and two German couples. The countryside is so beautiful and clean and orderly (typically German). Travelling in this part of Europe is safe and great facilities for motor homes or caravans.
We visited Strasbourg and the amazing Cathedral in the town square; once again there are cobbled streets and lovely old house and shops. Everyone is interested in NZ and ask lots of questions.
Austria
Next it was Austria our final stop on this journey to stay with our friends Gerhard & Seigrid, but before getting to Bregenz where they live on the shores of Lake Konstance we stayed on another lake in a small village called Kingbergsee (Germany), the weather was a warm 25c, the village is the size of the old Silverdale shopping centre. From here we drove through to Bregenz which is only 10mins over the German border. It has a population of 29,000 and built on the side of the mountains overlooking the lake. From the apartment we can see Switzerland and Germany. There is a little snow on the Swiss Alps in the distance which is beautiful. We can walk into the centre of town in 10 mins along the lake front.
Since arriving we have done a lot of day trips and really taken to Alpine Walking with sticks, there are so many tracks and the autumn colours are breathtaking. We were fortunate enough to spend 4 days in Seefold, a beautiful summer & winter resort village where Seigrid & Gerhard have a town house. Andrew joined us and we walked daily which also helps to shed the extra kilo we have both added since leaving Moscow, which is due to wonderful cheeses and great wine. Still you only live once.
Today we pack up our belongings to ship to South Africa, for stage 2 of our journey, and we will put Moggy into hibernation until next summer. Tomorrow we fly to South Africa via Dubai where we visit Julia for 4 days. Andrew will also join us as he is on route to NZ for the summer.
We will continue with the blog once we arrive in SA and upload photos of the new truck and keep you in the loop as far as our plans are concerned.
I am dashing home for a short break in Jan as my mother Elizabeth will celebrate her 85th birthday, plus I can see Beth and her new sibling which is due in mid November.
Until then love to all of you. Please continue to email us during this time as we do miss you all and love to know what’s happening in NZ and in your lives.
This has been the most amazing journey and we are so fond of Moggy, she is like one of the family and we feel sad to leave her here, but know that she is in good hands with Gerhard and Seigrid.
Keep in touch with us as we enjoy your email updates.
Love Michele & Vic

Confusing road signs in Norway. What to do!

OSLO TO COPENHAGEN
We have continued to make our way south and in doing so stopped off in Bergen, an old sea port city. You can image the seafood, and of course being foodies we had a feast of freshly caught oysters, crab, and lobster, with just a little caviar to start the ball rolling, while sitting at the water’s edge on a beautiful Norwegian autumn day. We wandered the cobbled streets of the city looking at sites before making our way to Oslo stopping over in the mountains for a couple of nights. It was absolutely beautiful so we ventured off on a couple of hikes, and camping at the edge of waterfalls and in forests, snapping hundreds of photos.
Oslo being the capital is busy and our camping spot was about 10kms from the city centre so we bought a city travel pass which gave us access to museums and all public transport, which in Norway is excellent. We did the round of galleries including one solely dedicated to the work of Evard Munch, and a fascinating military museum which was in the old fortified city of Oslo (Richard Cooper you would have loved it). Once again we walked the city decided to buy tickets to the Oslo Philamonia performance, it was fantastic, and then we caught the late bus home to Moggy at the Bogstard camping ground which is run by the city parks and recreation dept. Next we moved across the border into Sweden and on towards Malmo which is the most southern part of country .Just outside Malmo we burst a fuel line so pull off the motorway into a service station where the guys were really helpful and called a mobile Mercedes mechanic who came out within 30 mins and put a new fuel hose on and away we went. We then drove across the famous bridge between Denmark & Sweden, the toll for the bridge was 750 Swedish Kroner. It was cold and wet for most of the way, however as we entered Denmark the rain stopped and the sun tried to shine as if to say welcome. There was a camp site right in the city in a place not dissimilar to Logan Campbell Park or Hagely Park in ChCh, meaning that city is in easy walking or cycling distance and as the season is now closed we got to camp for free. Here we met 4 young Aussies who have been doing there OE in the UK and are having a camper van trip before going home in November. The famous statue of the mermaid on the foreshore is presently on loan to China so we were not able to see that, just a screen image of her, not quite the same. The moment you enter Denmark you can see they have an eye for design, thank goodness Moggy hasn’t any room for furniture or home ware accessories, we will have to be content with just looking.
Thanks t those of you who sent us info about the ChCh earthquake, and sent us personal emails, we get quite excited when we receive these. WIFI has been difficult to connect to in some of the areas we have been travelling in so sometimes it takes us a while to get back to you. From here on is should be more readily available and if not one can always rely on finding a McDonalds who have free internet access for the price of a coffee or hot chocolate.
Vic will upload more photos in the next few days. It is now 8 pm and dark, a contrast to the north where we had twilight until 10.30-11pm so off to think about cooking supper and opening a bottle of 2004 Spanish red wine that we picked up for a very reasonable price in Sweden.
Love and best wishes to you all Vic & Michele

Norway