The initial plan for the next morning was a shoot taking place just outside Sesriem with the hot air balloons as background. It meant a real early start since there is a very small window of opportunity for ideal take off conditions. The weather report wasn't in our favour and it was agreed that a sequenced wake up call would take place should the weather permit a balloon launch.
Sleep was a precious commodity during this trip since the whole crew was up early, making a fire while the girls was preparing breakfast. In the evenings the girls again was the last to finish after supper and we were prepping bikes, while the content crew were often fast asleep and oblivious to what actually happened behind the scenes.
They woke me up the following morning and still half asleep I made my way to the bathroom to get ready. Moments later the call came that it's off. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry and I'm sure I saw a grin on Hardy's face as he watched this all unfold.
Be that as it may, we proceeded later that morning on the C27, our first stop being in a little oasis called Betta. It's basically a filling station and shop, and that's it. We refuelled and then had a lifestyle shoot at what proved to be quite an iconic little venue.
The day was strewn with challenges. Our camp site was at a place called Koiimasis on the D707. With the recce done a couple of months prior to this event, it was never taken into account that the bike transport vehicles will not be 4x4. The D707 is known for deep sandy patches and our camp site was pretty much in the middle of this road. Even with the heavy trailer with all camping gear in tow, this was a challenge.
While we were still busy with the shoot, Hardy, Gene, Chantal and Mark left to set up camp. With some local knowledge in hand, they decided to approach Koiimasis from the southern side, off the C13. Just as they were about to veer onto the D707, they received news that the southern section was far worse than the approach from the C27. The whole convoy had to turn around and make their way back. They all made it through the thick sand but it put a lot of pressure on the team to get camp set up in time.
This however left us with Gary in the Hino and Oubones in the Crafter, an impossible task to get those vehicles to camp. We made the call that these two vehicles will not attempt getting to camp and should head straight towards Helmeringhausen and meet up with us the next morning. I handed my gps to Gary and off they went, while we set off for camp.
We arrived at the camp site as the sun was setting and after missing the one turn off on the farm, got to a view point and was rewarded with another beautiful sunset.
Gene and Chantal busy preparing supper.
While the content crew look at the days footage.
We had no coms with Gary and Oubones and only learned the next day that they ended up spending the night at a camp site, sleeping in the truck but at least had a good meal. Hardcore okes these!
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Topic: Chasing the light (Read 11703 times)
