Category Archives: 0 South Africa
Please Help Me Come Full Circle
I’ve got very behind telling the second half of the story of our journey. In 2018, from Egypt to Kenya, I was mostly too ill to write. In 2019, from Tanzania, I was stronger, but got derailed by my daughter … Continue reading
Joining the Dots… Reflections on Corona and Compassion
NB. This was written before news broke of the first death from COVID-19 in South Africa. 1. On Killer Viruses and Perspective Unlike most South Africans, we’ve been here before. The Ebola virus, which originated in the deep forests of … Continue reading
So Near And Yet…
Written mid-November 2019 We can’t deny it’s been a tough few months. We re-entered South Africa at the end of July and confidently expected to be back in Cape Town to support our daughter through her Prelims in late August … Continue reading
Third Time Lucky
Today is our sixth day here at Boesmanland Werkswinkel. Saturday they took the head off the engine, Monday they took it to the engineer who skimmed it and ordered the parts, Tuesday they put it all back together and Wednesday … Continue reading
Not So Bok* in Springbok
So we are running a sweepstake on how many breakdowns we will have between Cape Town and Tangiers. This is Number 1. Friday night, on our way to the Namibian border, when the exhaust brake jammed, black smoke was pouring … Continue reading
We Have Lift Off!
Well we finally made it. Yesterday the Big Green Truck pulled out of Cape Town into a glorious sunset like some sort of movie ending. Our Great Escape. The weekend had been horribly frustrating. Everything that got fixed on the … Continue reading
Lastminute Heroes
WHOOO-HOOO – WE FINALLY GOT OUR CONGOLESE VISAS!!!! We were dancing around PostNet in the Longbeach Mall yesterday when we went to collect them. All thanks to our saviour Sylvere Youmbah at the Congo-Brazzaville embassy, whom our faithful friend at … Continue reading
Thankful for Small Mercies… and Small Boys
Saturday was Zola’s 9th birthday, and we started the celebrations early with supper at the Bluebird Market in Muizenberg on Friday night. It’s our favourite place for treats as each of us can indulge in different delights – prawn parcels for … Continue reading
Wrestling Red Tape
Amidst a frenzy of packing, the Congolese visa story has managed to stretch over yet another week. Visa applications to both DRC and the Republic of Congo a.k.a. Congo Brazzaville both require an accompanying letter of invitation from a resident … Continue reading
Countdown Underway!
In typical Sampson style, we are rollercoastering towards the finish line of preparations. Last Monday, Big Reg failed the first roadworthy – not on all the things we were worrying about, but on brakes. After Mark spent a day consulting … Continue reading
Africa Clockwise 