Open Cockpit - Namibie- 2013.

[Louis Cole]

After much deliberation about the weather in Upington for today I have to admit that we pressurised ourselves into flying against our better judgement. There was a front moving through and forecast for Upington was a 20 nm.north- westerly wind and crappy weather until Tuesday. Lynette, our one ground crew member decided to fly with me today. All I can say is "slap chips "most of the way. Eighty four nm's. in 81 mins. Ignorance is obviously bliss as she enjoyed herself where-as Blue Max and I were kakking ourselves. We were happy to see our halfway destination, Kalahari Oryx. It is a game farm and no sooner had we landed on a tar rwy. in a strong crosswind, when two bakkies sped up to us to see if we were not poachers. We were informed by the farm manager,Chris that we actually did not follow protocol (whatever that meant). Fortunately Blue Max calmed the situation by asking if we could stay over free of charge for a day or two until the weather clears. I could see that he was under intense pressure not to say no but the Witgees won the day and we were shown our quarters in the hunting lodge called "Die Grot". A little later we received two parcels of biltong and boerewors which we reluctantly accepted.

After settling in Blue Max and I went to the training field to practice for the Bokdrolspoeg event that will take place later when the wind is more favourable. After a few practice rounds we decided on a handicap system of two yards in favour of Blue Max based on his years of smoking and 9 year age gap. Fotos to follow.

[hermand]

16 May 2013

[Martinvt]

Nice man.

Klink na baie pret.

[nicow]

After settling in Blue Max and I went to the training field to practice for the Bokdrolspoeg event that will take place later when the wind is more favourable. After a few practice rounds we decided on a handicap system of two yards in favour of Blue Max based on his years of smoking and 9 year age gap. Fotos to follow.

Hy moet net oppas om nie sy tande saam uit te spoeg nie .

[hermand]

17 May 2013

[IceAge]

Good luck on the rest of the journey.

saw the following article on the Beeld website and thought it might be worth sharing: http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2013-05-21-st ... rstom-twee

Louis en Paul ons is trots op julle en wens julle 'n veilige reis toe.............

[Blue Max]

Ons sou vanoggend na Ariamsvlei gevlieg het maar moes omdraai toe louis n 'power surge' gehad met opstyging..Nogal n probleem as die runway kort is. gelukkig was die runway so paar kilometrs lank en kon hy weer veilig land.
Het nou mooi gekyk hoe Eben Mocke die probleem met sy Carbs uitsort en is seker ek verstaan waar die 'surge' vandaan kom.!!
Ek slaap sommer hier in die aankoms saal van Upington lughawe op n paar stoele wat ek bymekaar getrek het en as Louis en die span more hier arriveer gaan ons probeer vroeg in die lug kom...Om die Doeana personeel hier 6 uur te verkry betaal os R200 per aerie.!!
Hoop ons kom hier weg want almal het ons afgeraai om op Ariamsvlei te gaan land.!!!

[KlapperKnop]

Safe fly Louis and Oom Polla.

[hermand]

Upington by Car!

[Bundy]

Any news? Whats the dust like in Nam guys?

[hermand]

Upington 24 May

[Bundy]

SMS from Louis earlier...

"No internet, just landed at Ariamsvlei. Police picked us up, took us to immigration and got cleared within 15 mins, then taken back to the lodge...no problems...will blog later. Cheers Louis."

So it seems "elvis has left the building"

Nice to hear it all went smoothly guys...have a blast!

[hermand]

Erens op die grens!!!

[Bundy]

The guys are struggling with internet signal so I'll post a few pics here on their behalf as they appear on FB.

They have made their way to Aussenkehr as per track posted by Herman above.

Next flight Fish River Canyon? Sure looks like its just around the next bend....please look after yourselves guys! Fly safely through this beautiful and rugged landscape.

[hermand]

Namibia