Platbank Camp & Wheel: 22 to 25 September 2023

[Mad Manny]

Tree C to C added, only 5 spots left...

[Triton1]

i m in Paid

[Mad Manny]

Only 2 spots left.
Friday 28 July 17:30

[Mad Manny]

Only the last spot remaining....

[Mad Manny]

This event is now FULL!
I will check the account on Tuesday.
If payments are not reflecting by Tuesday I'll remove the participant & open the spots (See post #2).

So, if you are waiting to post "Awww missed this, if only I'd known' just hold on until it's full full...

The event 'Sold Out' in 4 days - which is great.
Well Done Alison!!!!

[Mad Manny]

Post #2 updated. All spots paid (either in Full or the Deposit)...

[Mad Manny]

Peter, Georg & Douw - your balance is due...

[Douw]

Paid in full now , thanks Manny

[Mad Manny]

Monday September 11th.
Everyone has paid.
I have paid Platbank.
I have arranged with Swift for the SA vs Ireland game on Saturday night.
I will set up a WhatsApp group shortly.

[Trolly Fan]

Hi Manny

I cannot seem to find much information on this place.

Facebook does not seem to say much about the facilities:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064321652457
Is there ablutions for each campsite site, or combined?
Hot water?
I want to persuade my missus to join.

And this website does not work
https://www.platbankadventures.com/

It is apparently a 3 hour drive, so presumably will need to leave quite early on the Friday.

[Mad Manny]

Alex, did you click the link at the bottom of post #1....?

[JohanSwift]

Hi Manny

I cannot seem to find much information on this place.

Facebook does not seem to say much about the facilities:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064321652457
Is there ablutions for each campsite site, or combined?
Hot water?
I want to persuade my missus to join.

And this website does not work
https://www.platbankadventures.com/

It is apparently a 3 hour drive, so presumably will need to leave quite early on the Friday.

Maybe some info that would clarify the questions above and other uncertainties:

1. The campsite is roughly 5km from the main entrance to the farm, which as approx 30km past the Vaalwater dorpie. The campsite is located at the foot of a cliff, with a little stream running into a dam wall that has a restricted opening. This time of year there is only a little stream that flows and not a dam as is the case in rainy season. The stream and sand bank offer plenty opportunities for kids to play and those who want, to drive on the sand ban, do figure 8's and all those things that normally go against club ethics...
2. Fill up at Vaalwater if you don't drive a plaasbakkie that goes forever on a single tank of fuel. There is a garage, a SPAR and Liqour store just as you go through Vaalwater on your left hand side. I always stop there.
3. Make sure you bring along enough drinking water, ice and sunblock. Make sure you have enough storage for footage as there is plenty opportunities for photos and videos. Don't forget the ice..
4. On arrival there normally is some wood at the main boma, but that normally lasts two evenings only - maybe longer this time of year. Aubrey does have bags of wood he sells there should we need more.
5. There is no cell phone reception at the campsite. You will need to drive halfway back to the main entrance to find some signal (2.5km).
6. There is no electricity either. There is some basic lighting powered by either batteries or solar lights. Ablutions have some lighting, although very limited. The main boma area has a solar light. I suggest you bring along enough lighting and back-up batteries if you run 12v fridges.
7. The campsite has 2 main ablution facilities. The one has two showers and 2 flush toilets and is heated through a donkey and is not gender specific. The other one has two showers and a flush toilet for men and two showers and a flush toilet for women which are all heated by a gas heater. Both ablutions are primitive but clean.
8. The specific camping spots aren't marked - you find a level spot and you setup camp there. Don't unnecessarily occupy large spots if you don't need it. Some people will need them for their trailers/caravans.
9. There are three water taps at the main camp. You should have access to a tap within 30-40m max from your spot. The water comes from the stream - it is more than clean enough for showering but I wouldn't recommend drinking it.
10. There is one large grid to braai on at the boma but I would rather recommend bringing your own toe-knyp roostertjie just for in-case.
11. Aubrey has a cabin that runs off solar. He has dstv and has extended an invitation to whoever wants to watch the rugby.
12. The 5km road from the entrance becomes a bit rough as it starts to descend to the main camp. The last 2 km is a bit rocky and you might want to watch your clearance if you have a high rig.
13. Please make sure you close gates after you if they were closed when you got there.
14. This time of year the climate is quite pleasant - even at night it is not too cold, unless we get an unexpected cold front. Daytime can be quite warm, but the river offers plenty of opportunity to cool off.
15. Make sure kids have enough old-skool entertainment - there is no signal for tech toys. Remote control cars work well. So does some stick bread and marsh mellows for the campfire. Swimming in the river stream at the campsite also is favored.
16. We normally standardize the radio comms on one of the ORRA channels.

I'm not sure whether there is a dedicated Whatsapp group for this event, but I have found that it works well for arrangements and general info sharing. If there is one, please add me to it. There is signal availability in certain locations on each of the 4x4 routes.

Let me know if there is anything else you need to know.

[Mad Manny]

Baie Dankie Swift.
Some good tips.
* No power
* Bring water
* No signal.

We will definately be catching the Bokke vs the Irish game.
Thank you Aubrey.

I've been wanting to set up the WhatsApp group for days, but life gets in the way.
I'll try do it tonight...

Looking forward to this trip pie....

[Trolly Fan]

Andre, did you click the link at the bottom of post #1....?

Dear Emmanuel

My name is Alex, and yes, I did click on it..
That was this one link: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=551&p=10851#p10851

It took me to an older thread started by Anthony, with the following links

Their website: https://www.platbankadventures.com/
facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/platbankadventures/

This was what my questions were based on.

Thanks Swift, for the info.

[Mad Manny]

Some photos until I write my report....