2 December 2011 It is worse case scenario. The whole gearbox has to come out as they could not find the fault elsewhere. Not with the hydraulics, nor the linkage, so now they have to take out the whole box and my heart sinks as I the further they go with the operation the more bolts and nuts and parts are lying around and wondering if they know what will need to go where once they have to put all back together. Problem is, there is no one we know and we don...

1 November 2010 First thing in the morning, went to a mechanic who we were told was good on Land Rover. Turns out John must be the combined age of all Land Rovers in the world put together. But still going strong. An old-Rhodesian (as he calls himself), he has been living here for the last 14 years. His wife past away only some 5 months ago, so think he must be really lonely. He is not sure but recons it might be the lever system in the gearbox but can't hel...

27 November 2010 Distance Covered: 565km Total Distance: 3909km Start: Lusaka Finish: Mama Rula Bed &Breakfast, Chipata, Zambia This morning we were up and ready (and dry as we had no rain) by just after 7am. Some 100km east of Lusaka we were driving through some beautiful landscapes - winding roads cutting through hills and forests and dropping from 1200m down to 320m crossing the Luangwa river and back up again to the same altitude. The various trees...

24 November 2011 Distance covered: 825km Total Distance: 2430km Start: Pretoria from Eduan and Enit's home Sleep: Nata Lodge, Nata, Botswana This morning was the day! After a quick farewell, we left Eduan and Enit, took the N1 north to Bela Bela and took a beautiful drive through the bushveld with its rolling hills and green bush to Ellisras. Magical countryside, roads so-so. Got to Groblers Bridge and within 30 minutes we were finished with both SA and Bo...

22 November 2010 Start - Sasolburg Sleep - Eduan & Enit (Arina's son and his wife) Today is Visa Day. Left Sasolburg at 06h00 and tackled Johannesburg traffic. Thanks to good advice from my brother Adrie we did good time and 08h20 stopped at our first embassy, the Ethiopians. Asked them in a super sweet voice if they can help me the same day. Friendly assistant said yes, but we must give them 3 months' bank statements. Off we go to the closest bank an...