Logsplitter’s travels in his Grenadier.

[bigleonski]

So sorry @Logsplitter

 

[David van Breda]

Horrific.
Condolences Dave

 

[IG_in_AZ]

Wow, that's horrible! So sorry for your loss, @Logsplitter. Stay safe!

 

[Logsplitter]

Hi everyone I feel it’s time now to get involved in the forum again as we are slowly coming to terms with what has happened to our friends. A lot has gone on since my last posts and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride to be honest. So I’ll get up to you all up to speed over the next few days with what we have been up to.
Initially when we got the bad news we were with good friends and decided to stay longer as needed the good company. When we did decide to move on we drove for three long days solid to get to the Khutse game reserve and the Central Kalahari game reserve for some solitude.
Long days behind the wheel of the Grenadier are a breeze. Cruise control set at 110kph ot 100kph depending on roads for most of the journey. We can attest to the quality of the door locks and door strength as driving through Mahikeng formally Mafeking we had some guys trying to get into the vehicle as we were stuck at traffic lights behind another car. One guy climbing up the back ladder and a huge guy trying to rip the drivers door off whilst shouting UK, U.K. a bit unnerving with more guys running down the road to join in. Luckily the lights change and car in front moved off sharpish so we could do the same and loose our assailants. We then checked into the poshest guarded hotel for the night to calm down before an early crossing into Botswana. What a difference to be in Botswana after the madness of the South African border town. Botswana is very peaceful orderly and civilised, an absolute delight to travel there although distances are huge. we spent a few days staying on farm camp sites in Southern Botswana and testing the Grenadiers off road capabilities before heading up to the Khutse game reserve. Where the real test of the Grenadier began. Heres a few photo from the time between South Africa and Khutse Game reserve in Botswana . All went well with Grenadier whether on long tar roads , extremely corrugated gravel or deep soft sand . As we headed north the temperatures steadily rose up to 40c in Central Kalahari

 

[Tazzieman]

Just read the traffic light incident to my wife and she said that's it , never ever want to go to Africa now.
I'm very glad you have your trip back on track , albeit subdued after the previous tragedy.
Stay alert , stay safe , soak it up and we can all live the trip vicariously. Cheers!

 

[Logsplitter]

To be fair of all the travels I’ve done in Africa inc. quite a few in South Africa this is the first serious incident we’ve had. We learnt afterwards that this a particularly dodgy border town so will give it a miss In future.

 

[Eric]

Hi everyone I feel it’s time now to get involved in the forum again as we are slowly coming to terms with what has happened to our friends. A lot has gone on since my last posts and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride to be honest. So I’ll get up to you all up to speed over the next few days with what we have been up to.
Initially when we got the bad news we were with good friends and decided to stay longer as needed the good company. When we did decide to move on we drove for three long days solid to get to the Khutse game reserve and the Central Kalahari game reserve for some solitude.
Long days behind the wheel of the Grenadier are a breeze. Cruise control set at 110kph ot 100kph depending on roads for most of the journey. We can attest to the quality of the door locks and door strength as driving through Mahikeng formally Mafeking we had some guys trying to get into the vehicle as we were stuck at traffic lights behind another car. One guy climbing up the back ladder and a huge guy trying to rip the drivers door off whilst shouting UK, U.K. a bit unnerving with more guys running down the road to join in. Luckily the lights change and car in front moved off sharpish so we could do the same and loose our assailants. We then checked into the poshest guarded hotel for the night to calm down before an early crossing into Botswana. What a difference to be in Botswana after the madness of the South African border town. Botswana is very peaceful orderly and civilised, an absolute delight to travel there although distances are huge. we spent a few days staying on farm camp sites in Southern Botswana and testing the Grenadiers off road capabilities before heading up to the Khutse game reserve. Where the real test of the Grenadier began. Heres a few photo from the time between South Africa and Khutse Game reserve in Botswana . All went well with Grenadier whether on long tar roads , extremely corrugated gravel or deep soft sand . As we headed north the temperatures steadily rose up to 40c in Central Kalahari View attachment 7832676View attachment 7832677View attachment 7832678View attachment 7832679View attachment 7832680View attachment 7832682View attachment 7832683

Something you'll never get over, but glad to see you back on your travels. Just stay safe.

 

[ECrider]

To be fair of all the travels I’ve done in Africa inc. quite a few in South Africa this is the first serious incident we’ve had. We learnt afterwards that this a particularly dodgy border town so will give it a miss In future.

Good to hear from you and appreciate the update and pics. As Tazzie said we can 'experience' a little of the epic journey with your write ups.
How many miles on the ODO now and when will you have a change of it's oil etc?

 

[rovie]

Hi everyone I feel it’s time now to get involved in the forum again as we are slowly coming to terms with what has happened to our friends. A lot has gone on since my last posts and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride to be honest. So I’ll get up to you all up to speed over the next few days with what we have been up to.
Initially when we got the bad news we were with good friends and decided to stay longer as needed the good company. When we did decide to move on we drove for three long days solid to get to the Khutse game reserve and the Central Kalahari game reserve for some solitude.
Long days behind the wheel of the Grenadier are a breeze. Cruise control set at 110kph ot 100kph depending on roads for most of the journey. We can attest to the quality of the door locks and door strength as driving through Mahikeng formally Mafeking we had some guys trying to get into the vehicle as we were stuck at traffic lights behind another car. One guy climbing up the back ladder and a huge guy trying to rip the drivers door off whilst shouting UK, U.K. a bit unnerving with more guys running down the road to join in. Luckily the lights change and car in front moved off sharpish so we could do the same and loose our assailants. We then checked into the poshest guarded hotel for the night to calm down before an early crossing into Botswana. What a difference to be in Botswana after the madness of the South African border town. Botswana is very peaceful orderly and civilised, an absolute delight to travel there although distances are huge. we spent a few days staying on farm camp sites in Southern Botswana and testing the Grenadiers off road capabilities before heading up to the Khutse game reserve. Where the real test of the Grenadier began. Heres a few photo from the time between South Africa and Khutse Game reserve in Botswana . All went well with Grenadier whether on long tar roads , extremely corrugated gravel or deep soft sand . As we headed north the temperatures steadily rose up to 40c in Central Kalahari View attachment 7832676View attachment 7832677View attachment 7832678View attachment 7832679View attachment 7832680View attachment 7832682View attachment 7832683

Hi @Logsplitter Nice to have you back. I hope that things will be more relaxed for you again after the really bad experience and what is happening now. I look forward to more great photos and reports. Take care of yourselves.

 

[[ Adam ]]

Great write up and pictures, glad to hear you have stayed safe. Tragic news about your friends, so sorry to read.

 

[anand]

Welcome back @Logsplitter, glad to see you posting again!

 

[PBD]

Great to have you back, what about those pyjamas on your washing line, I bet you look a right sight in them!

 

[IGL]

Hi Dave and wife, it's good to see you back on tour . My wife and I wish you a safe and thrilling journey (but of course no more bad thrill like in Mafeking).

 

[nickelnoff]

Hi Dave - Good to hear you pushing on and leaving SA behind you. Stay safe.

 

[DaBull]

Hi everyone I feel it’s time now to get involved in the forum again as we are slowly coming to terms with what has happened to our friends. A lot has gone on since my last posts and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride to be honest. So I’ll get up to you all up to speed over the next few days with what we have been up to.
Initially when we got the bad news we were with good friends and decided to stay longer as needed the good company. When we did decide to move on we drove for three long days solid to get to the Khutse game reserve and the Central Kalahari game reserve for some solitude.
Long days behind the wheel of the Grenadier are a breeze. Cruise control set at 110kph ot 100kph depending on roads for most of the journey. We can attest to the quality of the door locks and door strength as driving through Mahikeng formally Mafeking we had some guys trying to get into the vehicle as we were stuck at traffic lights behind another car. One guy climbing up the back ladder and a huge guy trying to rip the drivers door off whilst shouting UK, U.K. a bit unnerving with more guys running down the road to join in. Luckily the lights change and car in front moved off sharpish so we could do the same and loose our assailants. We then checked into the poshest guarded hotel for the night to calm down before an early crossing into Botswana. What a difference to be in Botswana after the madness of the South African border town. Botswana is very peaceful orderly and civilised, an absolute delight to travel there although distances are huge. we spent a few days staying on farm camp sites in Southern Botswana and testing the Grenadiers off road capabilities before heading up to the Khutse game reserve. Where the real test of the Grenadier began. Heres a few photo from the time between South Africa and Khutse Game reserve in Botswana . All went well with Grenadier whether on long tar roads , extremely corrugated gravel or deep soft sand . As we headed north the temperatures steadily rose up to 40c in Central Kalahari View attachment 7832676View attachment 7832677View attachment 7832678View attachment 7832679View attachment 7832680View attachment 7832682View attachment 7832683

The road can help ground you after your experience. DaBull

 

[stickshifter]

Hi Dave - welcome back! So sorry to hear about your friends. Wishing you the best in the rest of your travels.

 

[AnD3rew]

Fabulous to have you back and back on track

 

[globalgregors]

Hi everyone I feel it’s time now to get involved in the forum again as we are slowly coming to terms with what has happened to our friends. A lot has gone on since my last posts and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride to be honest. So I’ll get up to you all up to speed over the next few days with what we have been up to.
Initially when we got the bad news we were with good friends and decided to stay longer as needed the good company. When we did decide to move on we drove for three long days solid to get to the Khutse game reserve and the Central Kalahari game reserve for some solitude.
Long days behind the wheel of the Grenadier are a breeze. Cruise control set at 110kph ot 100kph depending on roads for most of the journey. We can attest to the quality of the door locks and door strength as driving through Mahikeng formally Mafeking we had some guys trying to get into the vehicle as we were stuck at traffic lights behind another car. One guy climbing up the back ladder and a huge guy trying to rip the drivers door off whilst shouting UK, U.K. a bit unnerving with more guys running down the road to join in. Luckily the lights change and car in front moved off sharpish so we could do the same and loose our assailants. We then checked into the poshest guarded hotel for the night to calm down before an early crossing into Botswana. What a difference to be in Botswana after the madness of the South African border town. Botswana is very peaceful orderly and civilised, an absolute delight to travel there although distances are huge. we spent a few days staying on farm camp sites in Southern Botswana and testing the Grenadiers off road capabilities before heading up to the Khutse game reserve. Where the real test of the Grenadier began. Heres a few photo from the time between South Africa and Khutse Game reserve in Botswana . All went well with Grenadier whether on long tar roads , extremely corrugated gravel or deep soft sand . As we headed north the temperatures steadily rose up to 40c in Central Kalahari View attachment 7832676View attachment 7832677View attachment 7832678View attachment 7832679View attachment 7832680View attachment 7832682View attachment 7832683

Gawd, that sounds super sketchy. Safe travels, great pics!

 

[James]

onwards, forwards, into tomorrow.

thank you for re-engaging. Hope the very warm welcome hits home; theres a lot of love.

And what photos - amazing sky; a big sky like we get here, but it has its own flavour and smells.
travel well

 

[ECrider]

One more thing I have a TireTek tyre pressure gauge that I use for accurately setting on the on road tyre pressures. I tend to slightly over inflate then set accurately with the gauge as you can deflate in very small amounts. I find the indeflate very good at View attachment 7829157quick deflating and convenient when pumping up all tyres but I find the TireTek gauge more precise. Other brands are available as they say

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