Wild Dog Adventure Riding
Riding: Plan, Report and Racing => Ride Reports => Topic started by: Mother on May 16, 2011, 09:32:45 pm
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Paying Attention on the roads in Namibia …..May 2011
We had long planned this trip with Grant and it happened to be back to back with bike Week in Margate….so after a quick trip for the weekend to Margate via Coles burg and Cradock on the Harley 2400km…..it was back home to change it for the GS and another 4200 odd km this time taking in a bit of Namibia…long overdue…first trip for Grant AKA “Turtle” a mostly peeping tom or lurker on the forum..
We left Friday morning at 5.30am to miss the Jhb traffic and also to get distance under the belt as Upington was the destination for the day
830km with a few stop and goes….but it went by quickly….probably first day fever thing…we ended up staying at Die Eiland….which as mentioned before on the forum was a bit run down but in the end better than camping
Like normal we planned the next day later that night and decided to head to Namibia via the Onseepkans border post….which is a nice and quiet border post between the Vioolsdrif and Ariamsvlei border posts on the south of Namibia
When we arrived we where the only ones there
On way to Onseepkans
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Border post
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Namibia
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Crossing into Namibia was an easy and friendly affair and in no time we where travelling along the Namibian “highways”
In Karasburg we stopped for lunch refreshments of a pie and coke at the local Spar….after having a minor incident outside with a local drunk…..we pressed on for Ai Ais
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Think it was here that the trip started to change a bit for us….we where breezing along nicely at a hundred and plenty….under the assumption the gravel highways where just that….gravel highways….
I for one should have seen the signs…..water everywhere…..dams here…dams there….mmmmmm
Well as we crested a rise still chugging along merrily……there straight in front of us almost no road….all of a sudden out of nowhere…one moer of a frikkin wash hole thingy
Well first thing that goes through ones mind….is how clean are my undies gonna be after this one….having my loving wife as pillion…and who believes I got talent to take her safely around the country….I had expectations to live up to
I remember glancing the GPS as we stood up bracing ourselves…..I yanked heavily on the steering and lifting this years body to get as much lift as we could….we hit it at over 140…..and the big bad Mother…my GS that is …went flying over with the exception of a large thud….as if nothing happened
……Maybe I should have checked….but I didn’t….luckily a lesson learnt about assuming that the roads looked good they where good…(assumption they say is the Mother of all F@#$% ups)…we soon found out later the roads in Namibia where in the worst condition I had seen in ages and thanks mostly to the excessive rain they had had recently
We arrived in one piece in Ai Ais a nice easy day….we decided to camp and it was hilarious watching Grant put up his new tent…we had a good laugh with our neighbours’
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Later on a group of bikers rolled into camp it was Moondog from the forum and his buds….we had a few introductions then later on settled into an evening of relaxing in the indoor hot spring baths and a hearty meal at the nice restaurant
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Next morning we quickly planned that days riding and decided to head for the fish river canyon and then a lovely camp site we had stayed at a few times before around 50kays north of Helmeringshausen…
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The roads started to get worse and one had to go slow through the washes that where plentiful….infact the road to Seeheim was partly closed and you had to make a detour in the direction of Keetmanshoop…
Don’t get too excited about getting fuel in Goageb either…luckily Grant was carrying an extra 10litres for the 800
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Helmeringshausen is sort of closed on a Sunday with the exception of the hotel and the Garage so we where lucky to get a meal at the hotel and petrol….also the Gent at the petrol station was kind enough to sell us a pack of frozen wors for us to have for supper as we where camping that evening in the middle of nowhere
There is more water crossings in Namibia than Baviaanskloof
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You need to pay attention!!
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Farm Aubures where we have camped twice before…its really awesome…cheap and the farmer and his wife are as friendly as they come….I highly rate this camp site 50 kay north of Helmeringshausen on the C27…..look out for it its worth a stay
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That night we sat around the campfire reflecting how blessed we are to do what we do and see parts of the world that most don’t….also chased Leonie around the campsite with the Namibian Goggas….it was a special time we had there again
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Next morning Grant and I took a walk up the river and we swam in some of the pools unusual to see this time of year…water was in abundance in Namibia….we where having fun just like school kids again …..It was special
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Wild Gogga vs Wilddog
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That day we headed on to Sossusvlie......the roads where in rocky sandy condition and as Grant said….you had to “pay attention”
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Sossusvlie seems to have become an exclusive tourist thing….well its not biker friendly no more and you can only access the Vlei if you have your own vehicle or use the bus provided at an exorbitant rate… at a time chosen by the park…..needless to say they where also full and where prepared to charge us normal rates for camping in the overflow area…..
We chose to move on to Solitaire and camp for R70.00
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As we stopped to take off the tent I noticed the one side of my tyre was rubbing smooth….on closer inspection I noticed the whole driveshaft stabiliser arm was bent and rubbing the rear wheel and shock…..mmmmmm then the wash before Ai Ais came back to me…..as since then I had taken it fairly easy with the speed and don’t remember a big hit again
After setting up camp we set about evaluating the damage and discovered the inside arm had broken off and the outside arm had bent badly but was still holding things together ….
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Two oomies from the nearby camp provided Gas stove and hammer and wood blocks and in no time we had the parts banged straight again….we found an old pipe by the garage and I cut it to size using the grinder in the workshop (as all the tools where locked up for the night by the owner) next we jammed the broken inner driveshaft stabiliser arm into the pipe and I coached the pipe around the arm with a hammer and Walla…we bolted the two pieces together back on the bike and….over 1500km of bad Namibian roads im still going strong
Next day we set out for Swakopmund around 260km away…took it easy not exceeding 100kph just to check out my handy work
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By the time we hit the Kuiseb river or at least me thinks it was the Kuiseb we where hot and bothered riding in the desert…anyway the river was flowing very nicely and its not often one sees a river flowing like this in Namibia….so we found a nice spot to relax and out came the camping mattresses……we where going river rafting
Talk about having a load of fun…the kids in us came out….Grant and I laughing from the belly it was great and who knows when one can river raft in Namibia again soon
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The fact that Grant lost one plakkie and I punctured my sleeping mattress did not dampen the experience….it was once in a lifetime deal….
Only later did I discover I lost my wedding ring only then did I feel a bit of regret for being so impulsive…..to me it was a priceless experience…..and lesson learnt …..Next time get a ring that fits
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Swakop was great and we vegged for a few days at Chico apartments….being sick and tired of camping and staying in the run down A frames
We spent the next three days walking around town taking in the sights and enjoying Kukis pub and the Bauhaus Eisbein
Having fun in Swakopmund
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Friday morning came too soon and we headed to Windhoek via Walvisbay and backtracked around dune 7 to the C28 via Komashogland…reason being the Swakop river was in flood so we had to make a 30km detour to pick up the C28
In Windhoek we had an appointment that evening to see one of our new Wild dog Chommies “Davido” at Joe’s beer house
I worked out I had last done this rode in aprox 2005 and suddenly there was about 50km of tar and some Uranium mines …..at least after the tar things got back to normal….
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After the lookout by the top of the Komashogland it was back to “paying attention” as the road just deteriorated badly for at least 80km
In Windhoek we found a spot at the Gecko lodge and after settling in we set off to Joes Beerhaus to meet David
Don’t know what’s it with some places but Service and the food had gone south since our last visit but meeting some Wild dogs and having a lekka kuir far outshone the poor food delivery
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David it was awesome meeting you and thanks for sharing the evening with us!!!
We crawled into bed after midnight….making the next day a long one…
Saturday was the long boring Trans Kalahari to Kang 670km and the next day the last 400km to Gabs
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Taking away the boredom of the long ride
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You need to pay attention in Botswana too
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Home in Gabs
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All in all 3800km till Gabs and Grant still had to do 400km to Jhb
As usual Namibia was special…..you just had to pay attention this time
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No Pay attention: It was lovely, thank you hubby & Grant! :D
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Well done! Nice pictures and seems that you had a jol!
Thanks for sharing!
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Thanx for sharing, looking good!!
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Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing!
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thanks....this trip was inspired by Pistonpete.....after i started the thread Namibia in pictures
the pictures all got me going.....
Namibia is just a beautiful place to ride a DS bike no matter what condition the roads are
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Nice one, Mother!
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Altyd lekker om jou ride reports te lees , dankie :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:
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Short and to the point with good photos to support the experience. Time for a career change?
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extremely cool ride and pics. thanks for sharing :thumleft:
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Excellent RR Mother and some stunning pics :thumleft:
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Very, very nice and some really beautiful pictures!!!
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Ai my lus hang uit!!
Thanks for posting Mother. :thumleft:
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Lekker mother and kie :thumleft:
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Wow, great report.
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Awesome RR Mother.... :thumleft:
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Thanks u guys.. glad u enjoyed the read an pics....cant wait for the next ride.....mmmm me thinks Lesotho calling
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A pleasure to read...as usual :thumleft:
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Nice one Mother.
Excellent pics :thumleft:
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A pleasure to read...as usual :thumleft:
It ur time now bud....time to be like the nike advert...
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Great stuff Mother, felt like I was on the trip with you guys as I read your report, brought so many memories back. We had similar experiences as you did. Namibia "highways" almost caught us out too. But hey, it is always nice to do Namibia.
We will be back.
Glad to hear you made it back safely. :thumleft:
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Lovely pics..nice ride!
Was great meeting you guys! :thumleft:
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Lovely pics..nice ride!
Was great meeting you guys! :thumleft:
:thumleft: awesome same this side
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Thanks for sharing. I have to get to Namibia!!!! Soon!!!
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dankie vir al die fotos dit laat my weer verlang Nam is my no 1 plek
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Great RR, glad to see that the old tricks of "boer maak 'n plan" have not died out. :thumleft:
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Die plek 50 km Noord van Helmering is my swaer se broer se plaas. My swaer boer net bo hom op die plato. Julle kan maar in Walvis kom hallo se as julle hier verby kom.
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Thanks for the report :thumleft:
We're going in October, can hardly wait. :biggrin:
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What a lekka trip :thumleft:
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Great ride report!
Makes me want to go back there real soon...
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Great RR! Thanks
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Great RR, thanks for sharing. So it looks like you guys cabin in Gabs? :thumleft:
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Great RR. Namibia looks awesome.....would like to visit!!!
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Great RR, thanks for sharing. So it looks like you guys cabin in Gabs? :thumleft:
yip...but its a long story...orso got spot in Pta...so hang between both places
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Great RR. Namibia looks awesome.....would like to visit!!!
yip soon.....its a must go place for adventure bike riders
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Thanks for another excellent RR... you guys always get to the 'heart' of the places you visit.
:)
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Thanks for another excellent RR... you guys always get to the 'heart' of the places you visit.
:)
nice compliment thanks... :thumleft:
makes each trip so much more speshil :biggrin:
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NiceRR
Ons was net 2 dae agter julle, het Spreetshoogte gedoen en lekker modder getrap daarna! Sal probeer om RR te doen, wag net dat kids van koshuis af kom dat hulle my kan wys hoe om foto's te laai!!
Duiwel groete
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Great RR - thanks Mother!!
I'm planning to do a similar trip with my wife on our GSA and was wondering whether their is a way to proactively strenghten that stabiliser arm thingy, lest it happen to us as well? Do you perhaps know?
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Ek weet, ek weet! Kry 'n KTM! :ricky: :pot:
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Ek weet, ek weet! Kry 'n KTM! :ricky: :pot:
Nee hel, ek weet nog minder van waterpompe en enjins regmaak as stabilser arms!! :biggrin:
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:laughing4:
ek dink nie dis n probleem nie as jy net dit rustig vat nie
Nambia was full of ruts and washes and they caught me out
i was going way too fast ......first day fever probably.....have ridden a collection of GSAs many many kilos with pillion
i wouldnt stress if you going to take it easy
im not the greatest mechanic....but maybe a chat with ur dealer as to recommendation if support required
my mate Leo has had his strengthened....but he rides like a maniac.... ;D
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Thanks for the sound advice Mother! :thumleft:
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As always - nice photos and RR.
Thanks for sharing.
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Nice RR ... thanks for sharing :thumleft:
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What a really Super RR. Thanks a lot for sharing your Trip with us all. :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:
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Thanks Mother! What a grea :ricky:t trip & pics - thanks for sharing!
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Great RR and trip. Thanks for making my a** itch. :thumleft:
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thanks :thumleft:
just took my bike in to Bavaria for repairs...they where impressed with the repair job we did
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Stunning trip, makes me wanna go for a long ride :ricky:
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Thanks for the RR. I really enjoyed it. :thumleft:
I was discouraged from doing that Hoogland road from Walvis to Windhoek. I should have done it last year. Well a reason to get back there then. ;D
I am glad to see that I am not the only one that feels the Sosousvlei has become a bit over crowded and might I say exploited?
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Thanks for the RR. I really enjoyed it. :thumleft:
I was discouraged from doing that Hoogland road from Walvis to Windhoek. I should have done it last year. Well a reason to get back there then. ;D
I am glad to see that I am not the only one that feels the Sosousvlei has become a bit over crowded and might I say exploited?
:thumleft:
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Great RR :thumleft:
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thanks :thumleft:
just took my bike in to Bavaria for repairs...they where impressed with the repair job we did
w.r.t. that repair job you did,... :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: Fark'n impressive!!! given the situation & location you guys were in,.... that was a damn fine job!! Ell done. :thumleft: ;)
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thanks :thumleft:
just took my bike in to Bavaria for repairs...they where impressed with the repair job we did
w.r.t. that repair job you did,... :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: Fark'n impressive!!! given the situation & location you guys were in,.... that was a damn fine job!! Ell done. :thumleft: ;)
thanks man....yeh not bad for a pen pusher :biggrin:
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Great RR, have to do Namibia, have to, have to........
Good work on your bike under the tree, thats so much part of adventure riding :thumleft:
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Monday morning, not so keen on work......
but thank you for making me dream in broad daylight ......
dust, heat, sweat, great sundowners, fantastic views, time in hand and enjoy every second of it ....
yes, i payed attention and it took me away .... far away from work and the blues ......
thank you for sharing !
Peace & Harmony
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Nice RR and the advice Mother. We r going that way in 3 weeks time and will take it easy on the Nam dirt.
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Great report.
Pity about the bad service at Joe's in Windhoek.
I have in the recent past heard quite a few similar reports about bad service as well as poor food selection (availability).
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thanks to all for your nice words re our trip report it was great doing the trip and sharing it with u
if you going in that direction....have loads of fun and take it easy....as there are lots of washes at the moment
if u havent been to Namibia in a while i advise you to go ASAP......its a great place to ride a DS bike and the people are nice
and life is short.....enjoy the ride :thumleft:
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thanks to all for your nice words re our trip report it was great doing the trip and sharing it with u
if you going in that direction....have loads of fun and take it easy....as there are lots of washes at the moment
if u havent been to Namibia in a while i advise you to go ASAP......its a great place to ride a DS bike and the people are nice
and life is short.....enjoy the ride :thumleft:
:drif: :drif: :drif: I so long for the day when my turn will come around. :drif: :drif: :drif: :drif:
Thanks again for a really Gr8 RR. :thumleft:
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I would love to see Namibia with all the grass. I need to get and excuse to get away from work ... Maybe a looooong story would work. :bueller:
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Good RR Mother - great photos , where you spent some time in the Kuiseb pass next to the river was one of my favourite Namibian free camping sites - I came across hyena there and also plenty of baboon - its lovely floating down that river especially that it was in flood and so full .
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Thanks Mother!! :thumleft: :thumleft:
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I love RR. Thank you for sharing buddies.
Check mine out: http://mzee-jaki.blogspot.com/2009/10/everyone-has-dream.html
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Thanks for the RR. I really enjoyed it. :thumleft:
I was discouraged from doing that Hoogland road from Walvis to Windhoek. I should have done it last year. Well a reason to get back there then. ;D
I am glad to see that I am not the only one that feels the Sosousvlei has become a bit over crowded and might I say exploited?
+100 on the Sossuvlei thing.
I love the Khomas Hochland roads ...
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Finaly got computer sorted,best trip ever.Will do Namibia over and over again.Mother what can I say,if you have got the trip and i the time count me in.
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:biggrin:
glad u back on line.....yip was a good trip think its time to do a short one to Lesotho.....all this work is getting in the way
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Absolutely wow pics, thanks :thumleft:
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Thanks for the RR, Mother. Great stuff.
We are going to Lesotho beginning of October. You have youre dates yet?
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nope not yet.... work interfering with riding ......in Oct we going to the states and riding a Harley across again..... :biggrin:
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Nou verlang ek
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:patch:
geez just came across my thread on page 2 .....thort it was way back by now........cant believe over a year ago was last in Namibia
sure miss the place