Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

[DASKOP]

Then all hell broke loose, as two elephants decided to have a bit of a battle. Unfortunately, it happened behind the bush, but one unfortunate baboon was caught up in the tree which they were constantly bumping during their tussle.

For the rest of the baboons, it was business as usual.

Eventually, peace settled over the river bank as it was nearing sunset.

I had an inquisitive visitor as I was having my beer.

 

[DASKOP]

Sunset at Maramba.

My accommodation for the night.

I treated myself to a decent meal, which I did not have to prepare.

 

[DASKOP]

09 July 2021

I had my Covid results, so it was off to Botswana.

I stopped at Loose Goose to put up sticker no 23 for Brandon.

On this road, heading out of Livingstone, I got stopped for speeding, 70 in a 40 zone, but the traffic officer was kind enough to let me off with a warning. Another blessing, because I know that I was in the wrong.

Over the Kazangula bridge into Botswana.

 

[DASKOP]

I stopped at Rex Kelly's place, Chobe Safaris, a friend from 2014, but he was in the Savuti, so after some searching, I found accommodation at The Old House.

Heavy restrictions in place, no beer with my meal tonight. Vehicles passing with messages blaring over mounted speakers.

Apart from that, I had this ominous feeling, something I cannot describe and have never felt before on any of my travels. I felt like I was not supposed to be in Botswana, and that I needed to leave the country ASAP. Never happened to me before.

At least Matilda was safe, security guard in place, so I enjoyed the sunset, had a meal and went to bed. We will see what tomorrow brings.

BWP 1044,00, it was not cheap.

 

[DASKOP]

10 July 2021

The feeling was still there.

I stopped at Tienie and Karen Riekert's computer shop and had coffee with them. Then it was through the Chobe National Park to the Ngoma Border Post to cross into Namibia again.

 

[DASKOP]

Ngoma Border Post.

It all went quick and smooth, it felt good to be back in Namibia, and the ominous feeling was gone.

And 120 km/h plus, it was.

 

[DASKOP]

Katima Mulilo, Zambezi River Lodge, cold beer on the deck.

 

[DASKOP]

I set up camp and went around collecting firewood for my braai.

The sun was setting and it was time to get the fire going.

 

[DASKOP]

What happens to firelighters on the back of an Adventure Bike? It turns to liquid.

 

[DASKOP]

But, it still works.

The staff gave me a few beers, ice and an ice bucket.

I had all the ingredients for an amazing braai. Which it was.

 

[RobD]

Matilda really is a faithful companion and a hard worker! :ricky:

 

[DASKOP]

Matilda really is a faithful companion and a hard worker! :ricky:

That she is my boet, which is why I will never, as long as I am able to, ever part from her. she has served me so well. She has seen me laugh, and she has seen me cry and she is a therapist of note.

 

[DASKOP]

It was time for bed.

I was, as far as I could see, the only inhabitant at the lodge. It was very close to the main road and no security, so I attached Matilda to the roof post with a bike lock.

Little did I know how cold it was going to be that night.

 

[DASKOP]

11 July 2021

It really was extremely cold the previous night.

I decided to have a chill day and did some laundry, then asked the staff for some blankets, which they gave me.

I collected some more firewood and anything else which would burn. It was only when the fire was going that I thought it a good idea to put the tent undercover and move Matilda under the tree.

 

[DASKOP]

So, as the sun was setting, and the fire was going, I did the swop, had my braai and it was bed time, with some blankets. They definitely helped.

 

[DASKOP]

12 July 2021

Time to head out. Not quite sure where to, but firstly I must return the blankets to reception.

 

[DASKOP]

I did not want to do the B8 from Katima along the Caprivi. I checked the accommodation possibilities on my GPS and Camp Livingstone came up. I asked the lodge receptionist if she would mind phoning them to check the road conditions, which she duly did. I was assured that the road is great and they have self-catering campsites availability.

Off to the local Spar to stock up. Oh, and I bought a blanket. As I am packing everything on Matilda, a German comes up and greets me. And I am off to the village of Sangwali.

It is tar all the way, then the turn off to Sangwali. There are no signs, so I stop at the local police station to make sure I am on the right road. The cop looks at me, then asks me, you sure you want to go in there, there are lions, buffalo and all kinds of animals which could kill you.

 

[DASKOP]

Remember the phone call, nothing was said about sand.

This was merely a section of the sand road, then the GPS did not know where I was going, so I just followed the road most traveled, had to pass by flames which were literally on the road when I passed by and had to stop to let Matilda cool down. Apart from the conditions forcing me to travel slowly, it was also an extremely hot day and Matilda was feeling the effects. Temperature was rising.

The last section was fine. Weight restriction? I will never call my lady fat, just well proportioned.

 

[DASKOP]

My accommodation for the night.

While I was setting up camp, a bakkie roared up, it was driven by the same German I had met at the Spar in Katima. He invited me to supper.

 

[DASKOP]

Sunset at Camp Livingstone and supper with my host Jorg Seufert, also known as Mr Moringa.

Home made German dumplings with meat and veg.