roundafrica-2003

Today we enjoyed a pleasant flight into Ghanzi, Botswana. Customs proved to be less hassle than we expected and Botswana seems full of smiling faces so far. However we spent 1 hour in the bank trying to change travellers cheques. (via Keith) Comment by Michael_Sheehan (2003-11-06 23:17:13) Hi Jysky, As soon as I saw the Finnish I knew this had to be you. How do you fancy doing this trip? You are probably flying in the snow by now.

Smooth flight c/w tailwind until last 20 minutes, then headwind and very rough. Windy when we landed at Gobabis. Nobody about. Eventually Jim and Ingrid taxied three miles to town with wing off, causing much amusement. When we got there we were looked after really well. Hopefully ready for border crossing into Botswana tomorrow. (via Keith) #92

A relaxed flight to Bittervaste today, apart from the climb over 7000ft mountains. Turned out to be gliding centre of international repute. Lovely spot, strong wind in the afternoon again, but incredibly hot and dry. Comment by Jysky_Viitasaari (2003-11-06 19:02:41) Good luck to journey! Wild plan, right attitude you have already, I wish a big sack of good luck to your attempt. It is not heavy to carry, if you do not need it!

Had a great day off today although still up at 5am!! Enjoyed a ground based trip to Sossusvlei, largest sand-dunes in the world. Truly awesome and harder work hiking up a dune than flying over!! Hoped to take a local flight this evening but as usual the wind was blowing strongly from about 2pm through until dark. Back to the flying again tomorrow with a 2.5hr leg planned at first light.

Sorry we’ve been out of contact for a couple of days guys but communications have got more difficult and we’ve been hard at it travelling.Friday 31 Oct Hondeklipbaai - Viooldrift. Not a big flying day 2.5hrs only but not short on excitement!! In order to clear immigration into Namibia we landed on the road at the SA border doging road signs. We then walked to SA immigration to get exit stamps and then hiked the kilometre through no mans land to get our entry stamp to Namibia.

We finally got away. Third time lucky. Fistly held up by bumpy weather yesterday, then foggy this morning. Our first stop was Lamberts Bay, some 3 hours and 150 miles north. On the way we saw whales, dolphins, seals, and John saw some flamingoes….git.After that a 40 minute flight inland to Vredendal, where some local guys took us to the filing station for fuel. Thanks guys. A further flight took us to a village on the edge of the diamond mining area.

Hi Guys, Good news at last! Yesterday the trikes were cleared through customs and we collected them from the BAX Global depot. An ingenious method of transport was used to get the trikes to the airfield. Both trikes and wings on a pick-up an trailer…… A worrying drive for us all esp John following in the car!! We counted our blessings when the trailer came off when leaving the airfield after unloading the trikes, lucky escape….

Just heard that the trikes have cleared customs and we’re off to collect them at 11am tomorrow (Tuesday).Will believe it when we see them!-Jim (SMS) Comment by Steve (2003-10-28 12:48:36) You hoped their loved ones had a good journey? How would they know - they haven’t collected them from customs yet… Comment by Graham_and_Margaret (2003-10-29 08:48:31) Hope you are now airborne and that Africa looks beautiful.All the best for the next stage.

Still waiting for our aircraft alhough worst places to be hanging about I guess…. we had a trip to the Cape yesterday, it’s actually quite windy at the moment. had a few beers the evening before with Ricky, local trike pilot who’s planning to fly around the world leaving 17th Dec. I’ll try and get the link for his site. We’re vainly hoping we’ll get the planes tomorrow, otherwise it will be monday.

Jim and John now in Capetown. Lovely sunny weather with favourable winds but no trikes yet - possibly Friday but more likely Monday. Julie arrives Thursday and Ingrid Saturday. Still, not all bad; found an apartment overlooking the bay…Jim (SMS) #84