Read of the Month (Nov 2019)

Travelling and reading are suppose to broaden a persons understanding and experience.

Read of the Month Sept 2019

As the date of my departure drew closer I decided I needed to increase my knowledge of Africa.

My first port of call were the travel books such as;

• Lonely Planet, 
• DK Eyewitness, 
• Rough Guide. etc

These were very interesting as they gave a lot of information about the physical geography of  places (where and what to see etc) A good place to start but not very much about the "essence" of a place or country.  

In my experience wandering around and talking to local people is essential to  gleaning the "essence" of places.  Having a dog with you greatly facilitates this.

I wanted to know more about not only the continent but also about the many different countries of Africa.  There are in fact some 44 countries. (New to me!)

I was especailly interested in Botswana and Namibia as I would be travelling through them and knew almost nothing about them.

My only knowledge of  Botswana was from the novels by 

Alexander McCall Smith "

Ladies No 1 Detective Agency"

(Not Read of the Month but a good read nonetheless)

Then I found a book somewhere (senior moment; don't remember where) that was

• recent; published (2005)
• comprehensive (20 pages of index)
• evidenced based (18 pages of chapter notes; 27 pages of bibliography)

which I found hugely informative and influential. 

The State of Africa 

by

Martin Meredith

History of 50 years of independence

The eagle eyed among you will notice this is its second appearance as "Read of the Month".

I flagged it up as the October 2019 Read having just read the first couple of chapters.

I have now finished it.
It is not an easy or uplifting read.
It really needs a health and safety warning;
contains descriptions of gross human violence and destroys any concept of goodness overpowering evil.

No one comes out well.
All succumb to greed and self interest including we in the West, the UN and the various charities. It is hypocritical to think that we know best and would do things differently.

The book also illustrates the fragility of democracy.
How easily it can be circumvented. 
No one can afford to be complacent

And in today' s current climate in the UK it is a timely reminder that ordinary people do have the power to change things if they have the will and voting is an important way to exercise that power.

So please everyone who gets as far as this please

• register to vote
• vote.

If you do not know who to vote for DO NOT stay at home.  

Go and vote but spoil the ballot paper. (One way this can be done is to tick all the boxes)

Why should you do this?

Every returning officer announces the number of votes each candidate gets. 

At the very end they announce the number of spoiled ballot papers.

Imagine what would happen if there were thousands of spoiled ballot papers in each constituency rather than the hundred or so at present. 

 

Africa (Part 3) Animals

Quite justifiably Africa is renown for its wildlife.
This is the quintessential view of Africa;
wide open spaces populated with a diversity of wildlife.
( The view was awesome. The photo does not do it justice as the profusion of wildlife is not evident unless it is greatly enlarged)


Throughout my trip through all four countries of Southern Africa, everywhere I encountered wildlife, unique to the continent from


 elephants to lizards
     






I did not take as many photos as I wanted for 2 reasons:

• the zoom lens I bought especially for the trip proved to be faulty.  This so disheartened me I found it difficult to sustain any enthusiasm for taking photos.
• driving; scanning for wildlife; taking photos all proved a bit too much.  I had to be careful because I found myself doing none of these very efficiently.  Definitely not ideal with regard to driving, especially considering the state of the roads. (see previous blog post)

So rather than take lots of photos I decided to just enjoy the experience of quietly watching all the different animals.  

I was fortunate to see so much.

Looking through my photos I am surprised at how many I did take.

Herds of Water Buffalo are huge

Some of them are not bad.

 What do you think?

Cheetahs resting in heat

Cheetah yawning 

Deer sheltering from the sun under a tree

Elephants enjoying themselves at a waterhole

Giraffe stretching for tasty leaves at top of the tree

The usual habitat of hippopotamus 

Hyenas are generally nocturnal. 

Lions are difficult to spot because they blend in so well 

A lion and lioness resting after their meal

A lion cub feeding at night from a recent kill.

An ostrich. (They are BIG birds)

A Zebra checking me out

At some waterholes there were huge herds of Zebras

Which one do you like best?
Every time I look at them I change my mind.

Africa (Part 2) Roads

4 countries  + 29 Campsites + 35 days  =  5,000 km of roads


The countries we travelled through were

• South Africa
• Botswana
• Zimbabwe 
• Namibia

It all started in Johannesburg (the airport) and ended at Cape Town (the airport)

South Africa

The majority of the roads in South Africa were tarmac so driving was straightforward.  

There was some traffic to contend with but not nearly as much as in the UK. 

The biggest problem was everything else on the road; people waiting; people walking; cattle.  

In the Kruger National Park, which is the size of Wales, it was the wildlife.

Botswana

The major roads are tarmac with very wide gravelly "shoulders". 

These were used as grazing by livestock; as a thoroughfare by carts pulled by donkeys as well as  people.

Set far back from the road and the gravel "shoulders" were the buildings surrounded by fences. 
This was to keep out the wildlife. 

The driveway to the campsites and villages was mostly sand sometimes gravel necessitating careful driving.


Zimbabwe 

Road to Victoria Falls was tarmac.  It was a relaxing trip as we were taken by coach

Namibia

Only the major routes were tarmac. 
All other roads were gravel tracks commonly called "washboard" roads. These were so called
because the ridges running across the road looked very similar to the old fashion washboards.
Driving on these roads was an experience.
To have a smooth ride one needed to find the optimum speed;

• too slow and everything shook; 
• too fast and the vehicle was out of control..

Also finding the best place on the wide track could greatly improve the ride.
On these roads the greatest hazard was having a puncture.
The average number of punctures was 15 so many spare tyres were carried.
To aid those who found themselves with a dud tyre we travelled in pairs on these "washboard" roads.

The compensation for such a challenging drive was the spectacular scenery.






We must have all been excellent drivers because our group only had 5 punctures in total.
For this we all received a distinction in the "Driving Extraordinaire"

However I also received the "Wooden Spoon" as I had 2 of the 5 punctures. 

Enough said!!!

Africa Trip (Part 1)

Well now I have completed my African Trip.

I really had no idea what to expect.
The first week was a tusanmi of different sights, sounds and people.
It was all a bit overwhelming.


With reliable internet I can resume blogging.  It was impossible to post whilst away as access to the internet, when available, was very erratic.  In addition the schedule was so packed there was just no time.

What an venture. With this being my first time:

• In Africa
• On a organized tour of any kind for many many years

It was all a very novel experience.

First was the meeting at the airport of the other participants in this adventure.

Second was the collection of the motorhome; 

• removing my belongings from the suitcase into the various lockers in the motorhome
• learning the layout and operation of the inside of it
• learning how to drive it as it was an automatic.
• completing the necessary paperwork

This was a lot to grasp in just a couple of hours.

Then we were off on the start of ultimately our 5,000km trip with a short drive of 75km to a shop to stock up on food and then to the first campsite of about 29 of the tour. .

What a day!!!!!!  This was just the start.  34 more days to go.

Read of the Month (October 2019)

This time I am early as it is not quite October yet.

The reason for this is simply that tomorrow my trip begins as I travel to Africa.

This forthcoming motorhome tour of Southern Africa has influenced my choice this month as I have been reading a lot about Africa.

The book I am currently reading is not new.  It was first published in 2006.  I have no recollection of where or how I obtained it.

It is rather a large tome so I have only read a few chapters.  Nevertheless it is fascinating and informative.

The Read of the Month (October 2019) is 

The State of Africa 

by 

Martin Meredith

It chronicles the history of many African states from the end of WW2 up to present time.

As my knowledge of Africa is sketchy this is extremely enlightening.

Unlike the pre-African book I was reading it is not a laborious read .

This trip has opened up a new avenue of interest.  I have some more books about Africa to read. 

Life repeats itself

Well only a few days and then I am off on what some have called "the trip of a life  time"

No doubt this will be an amazing experience but it will be my second "trip of a life time".

Just over 40 years ago (wow I cannot believe it was that long ago) I was preparing for another great trip; an overland journey from London in England to Sydney in Australia.

This involved travelling by bus across Europe; London to Brindisi in the SE tip of Italy.
Then a ferry to Igoumenitsa in Greece across Turkey and Asia including Iran, and Afghanistan as well as India. 
Another ferry to Malaysia and on to Thailand and Singapore. 
Finally a ship to Perth in Australia and the final leg to Sydney.

As you can see the vehicle was shipped across intervening seas

We travelled in this yellow bus which we nicknamed "Buttercup".
Here we having a lunch stop.
A group is preparing the food whilst the rest of us wait.

I am in the blue top sitting reading on the left.


The similarities between the two trips is uncanny.


1. The over-riding itinerary of both trips was to see and discover as much of the tourist and not tourist places as possible. To me this meant travelling by road wherever possible.  Both trips are long road journeys.

Inside "Buttercup"

2.  If I was going so far away I might as well do the longest trip on offer. 40 years ago I decided to go on to Australia instead of stopping at Singapore.  This time  besides South Africa I am also going other countries in Southern Africa.

3. Again I am going as a lone woman. Though both 40 years ago and now many lone women do travel independently I lack the confidence.  I prefer the protection of a group or tour. Hence 40 years ago I took a "bus" and this time I am on an organized motorhome tour.

There are some differences

1.Then from England to Australia (bus all the way); now Southern Africa (fly to and from and drive in between).
2. Then bus with bus driver:  now motorhome me driving.
3. Then 5 months:  now 5 weeks
4. Then me and most of the group young and single
now old and hopefully wiser with mostly couples.

Here I am 40 years ago trying to take a photo of the incredible salt rocks at Pamukkale in Turkey.

Even though there are these differences the pattern is uncannily similar.  I wonder if the experience will have as similar an impact as my trip 40 years ago.  We shall see.

No photos of my present trip as I have not yet been!!!!

My Africa Trip

I have always wanted to visit Africa and now I am going.

Because I do not know the continent and because I am unable to take my companion Pearl I decided to sign up to the Camping and Caravanning Club Southern African Tour.

The Club do 2 African tours;

South Africa  - The Garden Route, which runs from around Cape Town along the south coast of South Africa towards Durban.

Southern Africa  - This tour starts in Johannesburg goes north into Botswana, then into Namibia and back into South Africa ending in Cape Town.

I decided to opt for this tour for 

2 reasons:-

• If I was going all that way I might as well explore as much of the continent as possible.  (Unfortunately I could not afford the time or money to do both tours).

• After having read the  No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books by Alexander McCall-Smith which are set in Botswana I wanted to visit that country.  I hope that my experience will be more like the ones described in the books rather than what is usually portrayed on the TV. 

Though there are 14 motorhomes taking part with tour escorts we do not travel in convoy. We can leave when we like; arrive when we like; stop on route for as long as we like.  We just have to be at the campsite by the end of the day.

There are some communal events such as our trip to the Victoria Falls.  Also there is a "sweeper-upper" who follows the last motorhome to ensure we do not have any problems such as punctures which apparently are very common and we all arrive safely.

Having spoken to my vet, who is South African, he said because it is so hot the rhythm of the days is different to here in the UK.  Things start about 6am when it is cool. By early afternoon there is little happening until early evening.

He suggested setting off early.  When it gets dark, which it does very quickly to relax and prepare for the next days activities; (ie. sleep)

We estimated a travel time of 100km an hour.  In order to make the most of my journeys and not feel rushed, I should halve that (50km an hour).  Some routes I should reduce it even more (25km and hour) to allow for stoppage due to animals etc on the road.  This sounds like a good plan.

Not long now.

Read of the Month (September 2019)

Increasing my knowledge of Africa by before I went seemed a sensible thing to do. 

Upon hearing about the amazing Map Shop in Upton-on-Severn, I decided a visit was essential.


What an amazing place. 
It was a travellers Aladdin's cave.
Books about every corner of the globe.
I found plenty both books and maps



There are many books of different genre about the country of South Africa. 
With regard to Southern Africa, especially Botswana and Namibia, the two other countries I would be travelling through, choice was very limited.

And the read of the month for September 2019 is..................................................

     
Botswana & Namibia     Lonely Planet


This seems an appropriate book as I am of to Africa shortly. 

Like most books in the Lonely Planet series it is packed with information.  This is especially useful for the independent traveller.  Even, if like me you are part of a tour group, it offers an insight into the country. It is, however a very specialized travel book. 


Contrary to my assumption each book often has several contributors.  Considering the amount of detail information this is not surprising.  
A wish of mine had been to be a Lonely Planet contributor.  
On reflection I am too independent and opinionated. 

Off to Africa

My New African Motorhome

As my impending motorhome trip to Southern Africa fast approaches I have been involved with preparations which have been rather time consuming.

Consequently I have not been out in MY motorhome nearly as frequently even though the weather has at times been glorious.

I have had to deal with some things that I have put off.  One of these was my phone.  It had developed a minor glitch (I had approached tech people to resolve it, but they were not interested).  I decided the only solution was to get a new phone. (I needed a new one anyway).

Then other unexpected difficulties have arisen, all of which took up more time.

Checking my social media somehow dropped off my radar (That is probably a generation thing).  As a result it is some while since my last blog post.

On 1st October I am off on a 35 day motorhome tour of Southern Africa.  I am a bit nervous but also a bit despondent as I am not able to take Pearl with me (will she understand?) So I will be completely on my own.


Fortunately there are 11 other motorhomes going so I will have people to talk to.

We travel independently, not in convoy.  We just have to be at the designated campsite by the evening. If we encounter a problem on the way there is someone to assist.

Though this is not my preferred way of travelling it is the best in a place that I have so little knowledge and experience of.  However I am learning fast.  By the time I return home I will know so much more.

I fly into Johannesburg.  Here I meet a college friend.  I want her to take me to a supermarket to stock up on food. (Being Coeliac I my diet is restrictive so I want some time to become a little familiar with shops in Africa before setting off.)

Then we go to the motorhome depot.  Collect our motorhomes. Then set off

Winterizing the Motorhome

Usually it is late November; sometime after the clocks have gone back; that I begin the process of winterizing my motorhome.

This year is very different.

I have just returned home after a trip away.
It was not an exploration or discovery outing but a business trip made much much easier because of the motorhome..
Unfortunately things took longer than expected so I did not have the opportunity to continue investigating various campsites.

Yes I know it is only the end of August.  If the rest of the year is anything indication September is going to whizz by then it will be October when the adventure begins.



September is going to be a busy month.

First I have a college reunion. This will be interesting and fun but time consuming.

Second I have to apply to various literary festivals to continue to promote my books.



Third I have to winterize the motorhome.

Fourth I have to complete preparations for a special trip.

On the 1st October I am off on the adventure of a lifetime which, even my vet, who is South African, agrees looks amazing.

I am off on a 35 day motorhome tour of Southern Africa.

Besides the practical preparations; international driving licence, malaria tablets etc I have lots of reading to do.
September is going to be a very very busy month