Maxxis Tyres

Botswana 26 April to 3 May 2022

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Mad Manny
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#31

Post by Mad Manny »

Bugger wrote:
Wed May 18, 2022 7:21 pm
Monday 2 May Sunday Pan CKGR

Wessel made the promised Potjie Manny was nagging about, but Wessel did not share any of his Potjie with Manny or any one else other than Divan.
Hom se...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

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#32

Post by Bugger »

Mad Manny wrote:
Wed May 18, 2022 7:45 pm
That's more Car Trouble than I've had my entire life... :D Image :shock:
I don't owe money on any of.my 15 vehicles
Most is classics and still with breakdowns more fun than a Tuna tin to drive

The Syncro is 30 years old with 600k on the clock.
Expect to give the old boy lots of TLC

HOM SE

HOM SE SE SE SE SE
Syncro Cox Camper
SJ 410 TarzanTiny
Millennium Beetle VR6 T Liberty
And a few VW Air cooled Toys

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#33

Post by Bugger »

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...


Tuesday 3 May Sleep kubu Island

Woke up around 06:30 am with the usual coffee and rusks. And we had very little to pack up seeing we only had Gazebo pitched and Started to camp Andreas style very light.
We were ready to go at 07:30am as agreed by everyone and Pappa Beer said we got another long day of traveling ahead of us.
We all Waited at the watering hole for Wessel as he decided he was a dirty young man and had to have a quick shower (LOL not at the watering hole but in his Bush lapa)
Andreas(Pappa Beer) made his voice thick as we had about 3 and a half hours of driving alone just to the gate around 25km/h speed then still to Lethlakane and off to Kubu Island.

Got to the gate and found the 2 French couple again with the Autovilla camper looking Landrover possibly a 110 chassis that was used to build the camper(Clèmenson) on and a Britz rental Hilux.
They ask us if we did not see there Yellow Jerry can on the road as they did a pit stop and forgot to put it back in the Vehicle.

At the gate we threw our rubbish bag's in the provided bin space and set off the 45km of Gravel road to the tarr close to rakops also at snail pace but did good time.
Got to the tarr road and inflated tyres back to normal pressures.
We all were good with fuel so we pressed through to Lethlakane Engen.
This is basically where we waved good bye to Avon and Wessel as they were heading to Khama Rhino sanctuary direction Back home.

Renay asked at the Engen availability of water to fill our tanks and the manager directed here to a tap with a hosepipe to use no charge the staff was super helpful they even carried our fire wood and cold drink tins to the bus I bought and Again I organized cash when I paid at the Garage.
There were fire ants at the Water tap and Renay made a plan standing in a water dish to eliminate getting bit by the Ants hehehe.

We told Andreas there were water available to fill his trailer tank but he said he just bought alot of fresh water and had sufficient.
We still wanted to tell Manny about water availability but they gone to Nandos already.
I filled 116L of fuel wich was not essential to fill the 2 extra Jerry cans as my range was actually good so far on the trip but I had the cans so I Filled it.
Stopped at Spar and stocked up with some supplies.

My shopping list
Re fuel Jerry cans shopping 4 Nights

Get cash Poela
Coke Light tins
Soda Water tins or 1L bottles
Tonic water
5x5L Drinking water
Tomatoes tins for sauce
Tomatoes
Onions- A very hard to find in Botswana item so I did not get
Cheese
Spinach Also very hard to find
Yellow green and red peppers
Peaceful sleep spray tin
Fire wood-Bought at Engen garage P50 a bag
Ouma rusks for Pierre Morning Coffee
Flour for bread
Eggs-Not a single egg available at Spar
Orbit bubblemint Gum to keep the mouth occupied



Recharged my Botswana simcard with P50 at one of the street vendors and Renay called Colleen to find out how grandchild and family is doing while I bought some French fries at the Lions head shop.
While waiting on Andreas and Manny Renay re packed our freshly acquired stock in fridge.
We set off in the direction of Kubu Island passing Orapa mine and reached the office of the Gaing-O-Comunity Trust who runs Kubu Island bookings.
Andreas produced our Paperwork and we wete given a few pages with all the booked guests to Kubu Island on and adked to deliver to the camp sit manager.and was told the short route was impassable wet still and to take the longer route adding 25km to the distance to the Island.
We reached Kubu Island just before 5Pm after traveling more than 9 Hours from Sunday Pan CKGR but a enjoyable casual drive not racing to get to Our destination without CAUSING damage to our vehicles

On the Sau Pan we tried assisting a Truck that was stuck with Cattle on
I managed to pull him slight forward but his weels gone deeper in the pan and diff on the ground so the Syncro could not pull him any further.
Andreas spotted a interesting set of spoor possible large cat
They said they will be ok and will dig the truck out.
On Arrival at Kubu we had our eye on stand 5 but moved closer to the pan and we all 3 set up camp out side designated area seeing another camper done the same we thought it was ok.
Just after we set up the site manager told Andreas we not allowed to camp here and if his manager arrives in the morning he will be in trouble.
We humbly ask forgiveness and if we can spend the night and move in the morning.
All ok I lit the small braai and the wind keeping us on our toes blowing like hell
Finished supper and enjoyed the darkness with all the beautiful stars.
Just before bed time we put most of our stuff in the Gazebo Tent out of the ferocious wind.
Syncro Cox Camper
SJ 410 TarzanTiny
Millennium Beetle VR6 T Liberty
And a few VW Air cooled Toys

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LesseW
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#34

Post by LesseW »

We just wanted another coffee for the road…..What is 9min vs a 30min Stop-over at Nandos? Is peli-peli chicken more important than coffee?


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#35

Post by Bugger »

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...

Wednesday 4 May

Woke up with a stunning sun rise over the Pan.
Had a look at the map book of the camp sites and there names then Manny Renay and my self walked around checking out the camp sites
With a few priority items on our wishlist

Made a short list of camp sites to move to and had a chat with Andreas and he also inspected GPS Camp site 3
Every one happy we all set out to move to site 3.
Packed most of the stuff in the bus and took a drive around the Island to our new site and wow what a sight.
The Flamingos make nest on the Island so we Saw baby Flamingos walking front the island in to the pan on search of the flock and water in the pan and seen some baby birds that did not make it laying on the pan.

After moving campsites I set the shower up and we had a very enjoyable shower.
Renay made a sardine mix with Chilli sauce with our pot bread for brunch.
Now with a different view of the pan we enjoyed our brunch.
Some more campers pulled inn and the 2 French couples with Landy Autovilla also and we were told they traveled the short route previous night to Kubu Island.
Manny was immediately interested that we drive the short route and investigate if we make it then we will take that route back to Lethlakane when we leave.

So Andreas also keen off we go
Syncro was only vehicle with a winch so we decided I'll go last if Andreas or Manny get stuck ill be able to winch them out.

Was told around kilometer 6 to 8 is the worst and if we through it is good.
As we get to around 6 Km from the Island the hard surface change in a instance to soft muddy water logged stinking mud.
Andreas is enjoying this slippery sliding driving playing sort of drifting in the mud.
Manny also slipping and sliding through and I with the Syncro only with rear diff lock engage also playing in the slippery mud.
At 9km out from the Island we decide to turn around as the slippery is gone and harder surface.
Same back I'm in the back taking a video and getting sprayed with mud we all Enjoyed the drifting in the mud.
I could not imagine that this mud would go where it did.And would not have gone to ay if known better
The gear shift was very stiff and even power steering was not smooth anymore.
I stopped at the office building and for P50 they assisted me with 10L of water and we washed most of the thick mud off the side of the bus and windows
Renay said to me after the wash we take a drive around the Island to try and shake off some of the mud.
It did not help.
We found a couple and there Land Croozer a distance away from the camping area om the Pan doing a bit of Birthday suite tanning. And later we saw them Jogging past our camp site alot more energetic than me.

Had a casual evening around the camp fire laughing and discussing our reccy route.
Syncro Cox Camper
SJ 410 TarzanTiny
Millennium Beetle VR6 T Liberty
And a few VW Air cooled Toys

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#36

Post by Ricof4e »

Awesome Pierre.
Ranger Mildtrak
Scorpio Curry Cruiser
A tos-lookin', lunchbox, lipstick and powder puff carryin' home-built trailer

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#37

Post by Bugger »

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Thursday 5 May
Woke up with normal coffee and rusks and noticed the Duel battery voltage was low as I filled all the ice cube making tubs the previous night and set the Fridge freezer side -17 to make ice for my Jamesons and Renays G&Ts causing high amp draw of power to get to that temp.
I Attempted to start the bus to charge the Duel battery but the starter just spun This ment the solenoid did not push the bendix towards the fly wheel to start the engine.
Or the bendix had lots of Mud from our Reconicance trip the previous day on the Wet parts of the pan
I tell you what-I could not believe where this mud all gone in to on the suspension and engine bay.
I borrowed Andrea's small hammer as I know out of experience by tapping the starter it help to loosen stuff and sometimes work
Tapping did not work alone and Manny had one of those 5L pressurize pesticide pump action canisters with spray jet. He brought with as a back up to shower with what he did not use. I used that to pressure spray water on the starter to clean the starter and try and spray water in to the starter to flush the cement type of Mud out if the starter and see if it will engage but to no avail still not working.

I got Manny to press the starter push button and I tapped the starter with the hammer
a few taps and more pressurized water the starter Motor bendix engaged the flywheel and the engine started straight up.
Whalla victory and while engine warmed up I flushed the starter a bit more with muddy water flowing out the starter.
Take note this is a BRAND NEW CHINESE starter I installed 4 days before we left on the trip.I could not be upset over the starter as I put the new starter and bus through this muck.
After engine was on temp I test push the starter engagement and it worked and I was happy to switch the engine off.

Manny had a problem with his fuel tank guard tearing off so I used my Battery drill and drilled small holes in the plastic cover and used cable ties to tie it up and away out of harm
After the Fix on Mannys tank cover the Patrol,Fortuner and Syncro we all set off on a drive to the Fallen Baobab tree named Chapman's Baobab.

Drove to Chapman's Baobab like most of the other roads a 2 spoor road a 100km slow drive taking inn nature.
There are quite a few roads leading to and from these places and some driving right through Farmers back yards and at ons such spot Andread warned Manny about a large hole but Manny was to slow to react and drove right in to the hole.uckily no major damage but a steering rod definitely bent as Manny complained his steering wheel not straight any more


it was awesome but quite disappointing to find the tree nearly disintegrated only fibers laying on the ground.
Browsed around the fibers taking some pictures and time to find a tree for shade and had a lekker sit down lunch and a rest before
Driving back the 100km to Kubu Island.
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We Baked another bread and braai meat for padkos the next day when we Leave Kubu Island I dropped my pots lid on a rock and broke off the lid eye.If I could find Murphy I would have killed him

Manny and myself walked over to 2 large groups thats on tour and found out everyone will be leaving Kubu Island Friday morning.
Had a nice chat to some of the people and heard some of there stories.

Back at our camp I Filled my Jerry cans fuel in main tank and started to pack rear roofrack with everything that will not be used again on the trip to make more space in the bus.
Andreas brought out a bottle of Jeager and Renay also brought out 2 bottles of shooters.
Had a few or more hehe shooters around the camp fire chatted about the trip
We brought out the Rubber Snake and put it down close to Andreas chair. He did not even see it and sat down but when Ally came to sit she immediately saw the snake.
Andreas still confirming are you sure it is rubber Snake-He Seriously dislike snakes.
We had a laugh and chats confirming departure time 06:30am and finally called it a night.
Syncro Cox Camper
SJ 410 TarzanTiny
Millennium Beetle VR6 T Liberty
And a few VW Air cooled Toys

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#38

Post by Bugger »

Ok ok ok
You guys must be wondering what's happening with the rest of my trip report

Just hectic werk and busy at the shop

Hou vas my dop watch die move

I'll get to it in a day or 5
Syncro Cox Camper
SJ 410 TarzanTiny
Millennium Beetle VR6 T Liberty
And a few VW Air cooled Toys

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#39

Post by AndreasR »

Enjoy the dop Pierre.

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#40

Post by Shane »

You mean theres more???


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#41

Post by AndreasR »

Wait! He hasn’t got home yet!

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Mad Manny
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#42

Post by Mad Manny »

Bugger wrote:
Wed May 25, 2022 10:07 pm
Ok ok ok
You guys must be wondering what's happening with the rest of my trip report

Just hectic werk and busy at the shop

Hou vas my dop watch die move

I'll get to it in a day or 5

SIX Days later... still nothing.
Tick, tock, tick, tock...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

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#43

Post by Shane »

I think Pierre has used up all his words...




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#44

Post by Bugger »

Lol I had some time today to work on Fridays report
Nearly done

Moet nie worry nie
Alles sal oraait wees amper klaar




Syncro Cox Camper
SJ 410 TarzanTiny
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And a few VW Air cooled Toys

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#45

Post by Bugger »

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....


Friday morning 6 May
Wished Renay a happy birthday -No not what you thinking but with a lekker fat kiss
Got up 05:40am and had our normal coffee and rusks
And packed up rest of our camp and was ready to leave Kubu Island at 06:30am
Guess what everyone was on time.

Wessel
Hom se hehehehehehe



Our trip out to the Gain o trust offices took just over 3 hours, what a nice drive it was the sun just poked its head out over the horizon as we got on to the pan what a beautiful sight. At the offices we inflated tyres for tarr section to Lethlakane then traveling to Khama Rhino sanctuary our last night in Botswana.

A small misunderstanding when we Stopped in Lethlakane to draw poela get fuel and the rest of the group stopped at Nandos for toilet facilities as Renay was very excited to get to Khama to see Rhinos in the flesh .

Arrived at Khama and upgraded camping to chalets as Andreas called ahead and booked 2 chalets for our group.
Drove to check out the Chalet and a quick drive to the watering hole and we found
Rhinos
Large eland
Impala
Springbok
Giraffe
There are not many areas where you find Impala and Springbok together.
Called the group directing them to the watering hole to see the Rhino.
Back to the gate and sort payment.
Renay and I bungalow G 4 bed right next to the Restaurant.
And Manny and Andreas A Frame 6 sleeper. On our way back we found 2 Huge Rhino right next to the trail
Snapped some pics and made sure we could drive past in a slow but hurry up way in the back of your mind.

Back at the gate the staff was very helpful assisting us and getting a booking in Serowe to go and get out PCR tests done.
On the way to Serowe we drove past a small but latt koppie and I noticed some guys running right on the very top of the koppie.
As we approach the small town we saw Millitary guys running across the road and that explained what I saw on the koppie.
The millitary guys busy with physical training.
Amazing if SA did that still.
At Serowe Mia at DIAGNOFIRM was also super helpful
And 5 minutes all done. Gave us the address and contact details to get our results at Palapye on our way out the next day (not knowing what awaits us - read on)

Off we go to our Chalet and park the Syncro close to the water tap and use my hosepipe and started to spray lots and lots of Kubu Island mud off
Now remember this mud is quite salty not good for vehicles especially the wiring.
2hrs later Renay already had a nice shower and refreshed she was excited to go game driving again and see some more Rhino
Still kilograms of Mud everywhere on the bottom of the bus I stopped to have a shower and get ready to go game driving.
Thought I'll just start the bus and move it off the concrete block I parked rear right back wheel on for elevation. But the bus would not start up
I started (no punn intended) investigating and found the coil not sparking at all.

Replaced with spare coil pack and distributor but still no spark. I did not spray water top side of the engine so all should be still good but water got in somewhere.
And the Salt in the mud mix from the pans can cause alot of havoc .
I tried spare ecu still no spark,till eventually I checked main power to the Ecu and ignition power all good
Manually Spun spare distributor I plugged in still no spark from coil.
I check power on distributor and all power was where they were supposed to be and on injectors and throttle body had power when ignition is switched on.
I checked the earth wire connections as I had similar problem in Richtersveld but I was not so lucky this time.
I Unplugged all plugs one by one and re plug them and sprayed them with water disapating spray.
Just before I had to go get ready for Supper at restaurant I tried cranking again and the coil pack gave out spark but still the engine would not start up. Seem that the water repellent spray started to dissipate the very conductive salty water mixture from the pans.

Went for supper hopefully when we return the wires are dry and engine will start up.



Great group at restaurant Andreas,Ally,Manny,Tanya for Renay's birthday and I had a good few cold ones.
Then a group of 10 punters sat down at a corner table right adjacent to us.
The group had the loudest speaking (change speaking to Shouting in a squeeky high pitch irritating voice ) female in theire group.

We could not even hear Manny Speaking and let me tell you Manny is normally the loudest mouth around and he was trying to hide under the table
Andreas I could see the RPM of his Moer meter was close to boiling point and he tried to stay calm and not saying something
We really rushed our meals down and decided to go sit at the Bar Area a distance away from them to avoid any confrontation or words as this group had absolutely no respect for anyone else in the Restaurant.

The wish was for Renay to have a better end to her birthday.
We all had a few shooters and a few cold ones and birthday Desert.
Eventually Andreas had enough and at one stage just said QUITE and the all of a suden was no more load but I thi k thete mouths was full of food
After supper off to our chalets.

I thought let me just try fire up the bus and the engine fired up not to happy but I immediately reversed it out if the bush side to the front side of Chalet and the engine died again. I tried to start it up again but would not.

Now off to bed and I knew I was not going to fall asleep easily. The brain was repairing that starting problem and running through all the cenarios and tests and checks I did before supper.
You can imagine all the thoughts going through your mind what could play off the next day.
Not getting the engine to fire up
Towing the bus to the border
Sending some of the other guys to get our pcr tests and get to border before the PCR results expire
Getting trough border in time
Getting bus home
But you stay in a positive mind set knowing you will find the problem and drive home
But did not sleep much through the night.

.
.
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Syncro Cox Camper
SJ 410 TarzanTiny
Millennium Beetle VR6 T Liberty
And a few VW Air cooled Toys

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