|
Sunday August 5th, Albert Falls, Natal, South Africa August 2nd. - We finally tear ourselves away from the wonderful life we had begun to enjoy at Injasuthi and head off to - well, we did not know. As we left the chalets, the cruiser chugs to a stop. Oh shit, now what? I remember my Toyota guru in Toronto, advised me about the fuel pump, and Jimmy, told me the only thing that would stop a diesel is air in the fuel line. So, a quick pump of the manual fuel pump actually allows the machine to start! Gasp, I do not like living like this! However, we are off out to the wild world again. On the way, up an extended (admittedly slight) incline, the motor over heats again, and just for good measure, on the way down the hill that caused the overheating on the way in, smoke begins to pour out of one of the break shoes and the break drum becomes very hot....... It's only 11:00AM, and already, I'm having a really bad day! We head off to Escourt (an apparently rare example of a safe town) about 40 Km away, to have a decent coffee, and stock up for the days (or weeks) of waiting for the vehicle to be fixed. At the small shopping centre we have lunch. The proprietress (?) Upon being told by yours truly that the establisment's Cornish Pasties are the best he's tested for years, she tells me about her husband who was killed in a farm raid 8 months ago. (Duh, "Oh dear" etc - well what else can you say?) We select Albert Falls Dam, 25Km. outside of Petermaritzburg (PMT), and make it successfully down the hills. On route, we stop in a small town called Howick. A very pretty place, with a small water fall, especially geared to tourism. We stop for a milk shake and directions at a local café. We pick up the local news paper (with a readership/ area of no more than our local Swansea "Bloor West Guardian") which has the headline "Kwanulu reacts to latest farm killings" detailing the latest acts of violence against the local white farmers. Something akin to "Toronto Mayor talks about the latest Bloor West store owner to be murdered". I'm sure no comments are needed from me on this. We arrive at Albert Falls by 3:00PM. A very pleasant small privately run game reserve. Eighteen chalets (for 4 or more) and rondavels (for 2 only), several giraffe, 2 rhino and lots of impala (again). Our chalet is, if not spectacular, then at the very least, totally functional, very large and very comfortable (not to mention very cheap!) We settle in and go for an evening game drive. Just before dusk, near the camping area, I look over my shoulder, and see the two Rhino charging at us out of the bush. We retreat. As the dusk deepens, we watch the Rhinos (Aiden & Kayla name them Bob & Marley), sniff around trying to get into the camping area. Tough luck, it's pretty well locked up.
In the morning, we notice that there had been a merest sprincle of rain, and a fine mist is in the air. This is the first sign of moisture of any sort we have seen here. Now, I'm off to PMT for to seek professional advice. The Toyota dealer sends me off to get an engine/ radiator test - it shows that there is something leaking into the rad from the engine - VERY NASTY! As the cruiser is an import, the Toyota dealer sends me off to a 4 x 4 specialist. Neil Wooldrich Motors. We book up for a full day of in-depth analysis for the following Monday - 4 days away. Internet some of these updates, and cannot believe how difficult it is. 3 hours, 10 messages sent! Come Friday, back at the ranch, we make some hesitant drives around the neighbourhood: Wartburg (about 20 Km.), a small town with a definate German flavour. We do lunch at the Wartberger Hof, and stock up with week end vittles. We also manage to get back without mishap - a bonus day! Meet a couple (the only other souls here this week) from a rondavel - Mike & Kerry, she runs a pup near Durban, he's a doctor with some more hair raising stats on the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. We do a game drive and all get pissed at the nearby game viewing hide - nothing appears. Distance travelled this entry: 250 Km. Distance moved on trip this entry: 75 Km |
Too dark to watch any more, we head off to our by now regular braii for the night.