Cape Town (Rupert Ready At Last!)

22nd December, finally after months of planning  the Landrover was nearing completion. JDI had made the roof racks but because of the Xmas closure all the powder coating workshops had closed so all we could do was spray paint them black, not ideal but all we could do.

The Hannibal roof tent and both Engel fridges are now in place and the Awning, Spade, Spot light, Snorkel, Work light, Water Filter/Shower and Hi Lift Jack mounted. The ARB rear diff locker is due back today and the split battery and storage systems are being installed as we speak, Rupert is looking the part and almost ready for the off (see the photos on the equipment page).

We decide to fit a further reserve 45L fender fuel tank under the nearside rear wing. It directly connects to the main tank and filler so there is no need to switch on pumps etc. We still have another 56L reserve tank fitted under the driver seat but this fills at the side of the seat which is a bit tricky and the fuel is pumped up to the main tank using a small electric pump as and when required.

We now have a total fuel carrying capacity (including two 20L jerry cans on the roof) of around 220L, every drop of which will be needed when we reach places such as Kaokoland in Namibia, where there are massive distances between fuel supplies. 

That evening we went with the Nedens and two other old Gabs Hash friends, Bill & Wynn Phillips, to see a jazz concert in Cape Town, excellent. Next day we moved back to Hout Bay where we were able to start packing Rupert for our journey, no easy task when you see the list of kit we will take with us.

Christmas Eve was spent buying even more kit in Outdoor Warehouse and Christies, camping eqpt stores. It is indicative of the culture here that both were packed with people getting their last minute necessities before the Xmas holiday. Sue saw  a quite expensive anti sting kit which works by using a syringe to suck out the poison (providing you use it straight away). Its supposed to be good for Scorpion, Spiders & Tsetse Fly stings, I'm sceptical but Sue prevails so we bought one, more on this in January's journal!

Christmas morning finds us still packing, we then drive over to the Nedens for lunch. Geoff & Beth have their children, Graham & Alison (plus their partners) out for the holiday. Bill & Wynn who also live in Cape Town were there along with their daughter Judith so it was a jolly gathering. Geoff  & Beth had fore warned us they like to dress for Xmas dinner and this years theme was anything ecclesiastical (vicars, nuns, pope, god)!

This was the first Xmas since Sue's parents passed away so it was going to be a very poignant occasion and we were naturally uncomfortable about throwing ourselves into the spirit of the occasion but luckily we were with old friends who despite the sad memories made it easy for us to enjoy the day, many thanks to all.

Boxing Day was a quiet day spent sorting out the vehicle and chilling with the dogs. We decided to leave Cape Town the next day to head up the East Coast to a nature reserve called De Hoop.

At long last after years of dreaming about our trip in the bush we were about to head off on our adventure!