Madelein does not want to 4x4. She normally gets out at the obstacle.
She is in the car for the game drive...
These two posts go to the heart of why our Great & Glorious Chairman decided to host this event.
Andreas noticed the need to have your spouse/passenger as proficient behind the wheel as you are.
Scenario 1:
On a Namib Tour he noticed how a spouse, who usually guided her hubby when parking at campsites or negotiating a ditch or a river etc. was totally incapable of guiding her hubby (who was towing a camper) down Van Zyl's Pass.
She got the poor man stuck & Andreas had to step in
(*Andreas can correct me if I retold the story wrong).
Scenario 2:
You are in a remote spot (Nam, Bots, Moz, Kalahari, Kalagadi etc.) you get injured from a fall or a snake bite or whatever.
You could even be feeling poorly, migraine, Covid, severe flu - whatever.
Your spouse is now in a state & ill prepared to drive you (& or your kids) to help/safety.
Yes, you may be traveling with friends, but that means their spouse must now drive a vehicle they don't know.
Scenario 3:
You are again in a remote spot, tough terrain, you get stuck, you need to reverse back to try abetter route.
Now you must get in & out & in & out to check if it's safe, because your spouse lacks skills.
I think (& Andreas certainly agrees) that is vital for Overlanders to have a spouse (where applicable) who is able to assist you or even replace you, in an emergency.
Especially if there is no one else traveling in your vehicle who can rise to the occasion*
And not only in emergencies, sometimes you are just tired & it would be great to be able share the (off road) driving...
* - I added that because Grips always has his kids tagging along in their vehicles and they drive better than he does!
I'm sure there are even more reasons you need to travel with people who are proficient...
You may feel that this doesn't apply to you, for whatever reason - you travel with your brother & his son is jacked or some such story.
But, firstly, will the son always be there? & even so - why not solve the problem? It's only R300?
I understand your frustration with the turnout. I cannot afford any potential damage to the vehicle, nor potential injuries to my 3 small children. My wife has never driven offroad before, and never even driven the Everest since I have got it. I can't leave my 3 kids at home, don't want to risk them getting injured while in the car and something goes horribly wrong because of a very nervous driver, that does not want to do something like this at this stage. I will rather take her for a one-on-one lesson at some stage, after she is used to driving the car as it is.
So say what you want, I'm not going to force my wife to do this is she does not want to. It will be a good few more years before we even attempt anything remotely the likes of an overlanding trip. So for now, we are out.
New jackets
Renier {4XL} (was 3XL)
Cornell {L}
Shane Life Member{XL} (Was L)
Vic {L} (Was M)
Please arrange to collect from me at Ribbokkloof or the YEF.
But since you were not at either event, nor at the lunch on 28 December or at Sandturion in January 2021, I am still holding onto your jacket (for over 5 months now).
I'll give it to you at the Ladies Day...
Annie & I will attend.
She may not do the whole course/trail depending on what it is, weather etc.
... and of course wrt council of her respected ‘Off-road Advisor‘...
... Famous Fiver VoorLoper ...
... Veni Vidi Vici ...
Chas, switch your hearing aid on - she said "Alcoholic? well, you are not a recovering one"...
... sorry son ,
... don't matter how pickled you are,
now , or then,
... the big Rover wont fish you out the poo !
... maybe wait for the Ford ... again ... ?
... Famous Fiver VoorLoper ...
... Veni Vidi Vici ...