WHY?

Some of our friends and family think we are crazy, (if you want to get to Europe just fly!), and others see it as a great adventure.

For us it was a natural progression. We have already done 3 to 4 week overland trips in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and we have really enjoyed those experiences.So the question was, what next?And, while John is not quite in his prime years, he is in his prime retirement years and, with Marina somewhat younger, and still enthusiastic enough to climb onto the carrier and sort the tent etc, (eat your heart out guys) it was a too good a chance to miss and a case of it is now or never.

So, Cape to Cairo it is in the best traditions of Cecil John Rhodes.Then Libya and Tunisia just to get us on to a ferry to Europe with the Beast and then on up to the UK via Italy and France and then finally on to Portugal to ship the Beast back home.

PLANNING & PREPARATION

January 2009 onwards - A huge amount of work has gone into the route planning, including which countries to visit, things to do, places to stay etc. We found ourselves knee deep in maps, guide books, travel paraphenalia and hours spent until late at night on the excel spreadsheets etc, but had tremendous fun in finalising the trip.

Organising the Beast (landcruiser) has also been an important part of this process, with a proving trip to the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Fish River Canyon and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in April 2009.

Having been used to our Oryx offroad caravan and its comforts and packing space, it took quite a bit of planning to get the Beast re-organised for the BIG trip. This meant removing 4 backseats and leaving one only in the back. We installed the drawer system and an extension, inside water tank etc. We had to be pretty ruthless as to what we were taking and what was staying behind.

August saw us having our medical and dental checkups, vaccinations and attending a bush mechanic course - thank you Loftus (www.ngonyamarentals.co.za). Marina can now change the Beast's wheel bearings if the need arises whilst John supervises.

We also did a two day personalised first aid course through Pulsepoint in Johannesburg, which included basic first aid and level two as well as additional expeditional considerations eg suturing, snake bites etc. Thank you to Carolina, Donovan and Lebo at Pulsepoint (www.PulseP.co.za). Have a look at the photos of a chicken breast being stitched.

In addition we are sorting out the carnet de passage, vehicle insurance and medical evacuation/insurance - still not finalised.

September is the Beast month - final service and sorting out spares.

October off to Pretoria to sort out the visas for Tanzania, Ethiopia and Egypt and our farewell parties in Johannesburg and in Cape Town.

DATA SOURCES for the planning:

Mike Copeland's Cape to Cairo (indispensable) - in fact it was this guide (a 2008 Christmas stocking gift for John from Marina) that inspired us to stop dreaming about the trip and actual do it. Other useful sources were the various Bradt Guides/Lonely Planet for each country as well as google.

Thanks also to our dear friend Vivien Velthuis (in Johannesburg) and her general manager in Addis Ababa - Graham Nundy for their assistance with Ethiopia. Gee, Graham we almost had to bring our trailer to accommodate the Ethiopia and Addis maps you got us - thanks.

Thank you too to Alan, Andrew & Brian at Northern Offroad in Randburg - your help in getting the Beast ready for the trip and for your valuable advice. (www.northernoffroad.com)

Still some fine tuning for the BIG trip, but overall we are pretty happy with the progress so far.