November 4, 2024

Doing pretty much nothing on the public holiday

Since today was a public holiday in Zambia, we decided have a rest as well. It was great sleeping late under the trees and lazing around our tent on the grass. While sitting in the shade (alone in the campsite) an entourage of SUV’s and pickups arrived. There were at least 15 of them, some of which were police vehicles. Only two cars entered the gated area and a couple of well-dressed people and some armed guard got out. An hour or so later they left again and we went for a swim. At the dining area we saw red carpets and heard the president had just had breakfast here. He is good friends with the owners and we are SO sorry we didn’t meet him. From what we’ve heard he is a great man.

After the swim and some more lying around we made roosterkoeke and had lunch and another nap under the trees.

We don’t have a mixing bowl, so I had to make the dough in our cooking pot:

Dough
The result worth the trouble and we’ll definitely do it again:

Food - result
Tonight there are two other groups (of over-landers) in camp, so we’re not alone anymore. Tomorrow we’ll be heading off to Malawi. Let’s hope we get through the border without having to pay unnecessary taxes like we did entering Zambia. Apparently the road toll and Council levy are just for trucks?! We have also heard a lot of stories about Malawi regarding fuel problems and the like, so fingers crossed!

Since we don’t have much else to blog about tonight, I have taken the time to show you what my bike is carrying (upon request of my brother), so here goes:

We both have two Oxford saddle bags, an Ortlieb Touratech dry bag, a tank bag and a 7 litre fuel bag (which takes 6 litres!). Then we each also have a backpack and a cargo net for loose stuff.

The Touratech bags are full of clothes (some of which I am not going to use!) and our sleeping bags and mattresses. Tania also has the tent and she has all the food and cutlery (see previous post in Lusaka).

I have a braai grid on the back and the following in my saddle bags and tank bag:

The right hand side has the satellite phone, GoPro spares and other charging devices. It also takes the loo paper, Q20 and spare CDI and rectifier.

Right hand side
The left hand side has all the cooking equipment, spare batteries, more charging devices, spare cable ties (a lot) and three rolls of duct tape (Chinese bikes, remember!) and our LED camp light which plugs into the left side cover.

Left hand side
The tank bag has all the tools, maps, spare note books and pens as well as small spare parts. My note book and pen is in the top to write down trip stats and fueling figures as well as the costs every day. I have the GoPro in the top pocket sometimes (with a safety rope attached to the left mirror). This makes it easy to take videos and pics while riding through small villages. The three most important items usually go there (Leatherman, head torch and blow torch).

Tank bag
Everything is easy to get to and I know where to find it. The golden rule is to put something back where it came from directly after use!) After two weeks we’ve perfected breaking up camp and both bikes can now be ready to go (including rider gear on) in less than 20 minutes.

We’ll try our very best to send our first update from Malawi tomorrow, but please bear with us if you do not here from us tomorrow.

8 thoughts on “Doing pretty much nothing on the public holiday

  1. Jinne, julle lyk omtrent georganise!! 🙂 Thanks viri moeite, seuna! Eks bly julle kon biki uitrus. Geniet elke oomblik in Malawi – die mense is vreeslik vriendelik daar… Sal aan julle dink opi grens 😉

  2. Ai maar daardie roosterkoeke en stroop laat my mond water! Julle is beslis goed toegerus. Hoop jul is nou uitgerus en dat die grenspos deurgang glad sal verloop – sonder “rip off’s”. Hoop jul sal oral die nodige petrol kry. Geniet jul self en voorspoed. Ek en Esther gaan paar dae plaas toe. Mooi loop en ry!

  3. Just came across your blog. I was facinated with your last trip – so will therefore be a keen follower of your Cape to Cairo trip! I am especially impressed with the fact that you are doing the trip on Motomia’s again – and they actually use your trips to promote their brand. Brilliant! Travelling mercies to both of you…

  4. I will comment in English so that Brad can also follow the family conversations. I can see you are quite bored today (because it is not not ur natural inclination to re-pack luggage) but it helps to re-organise your stuff!Please publish the rooterkoek recipe for Villiers and my trip to Gonazarou next month. It looks mouth watering – I must just remember the maple syrup. Take note Villie. Jou baard kom mooi aan Frankie.Leka dag more. Luv. Vrankois1

  5. Iv also become a follower as i am new to bikes and all so cease every chance to link..
    Well must just add that u all have alot of space on those bikes what is ur max traveling speed

  6. Hallo Francois / Tania – Bly om te sien dat dit goed gaan met julle op hierdie epiese reis ! Julle foto’s is pragtig en julle inligting baie interessant. Ek kan nie wag tot die volgende “rapport” nie ! Het ook aangestuur vir seun Deon in Stellenbosch vir sy kennisname. (en om te “copy” vir sy trips!) Lekker ry en GENIET dit. Oom Abie vanaf Katima Mulilo.

  7. Sorrie Franswa, mar jou suitcase is nie interessant vir ons meisies nie! Volgende blaaskans wat julle kry is Tania se beurt om te wys – ons brand van nuuskierigheid om te sien wat ry jy als saam!!!!

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