Go! Drive & Camp Aug/Sep 2023

It never ceases to amaze me how rapidly technology is advancing these days. Sure, it's not a recent phenomenon and it has been happening for a while now. But it all feels so much more relentless and farreaching than before. I'm trying hard not to be one of those backin-my-day people, but the other day I caught myself explaining to my child how we used to fix an unravelled cassette tape with a pencil. I wanted to elaborate on how you had to stick a piece of tape over the block at the top if you wanted to copy your buddy's tape on a radio with a tape-to-tape deck, but she interrupted me to ask what a cassette tape was. The teenager simply couldn't comprehend that we didn't have every…

INBOX We recently camped in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park at Twee Rivieren, Nossob, and Mata Mata. Here we were privileged to meet two special people and learn more about SANPark's honorary rangers. Danie and Humilta Koch are from Langebaan and their hearts belong to the Kgalagadi: “The red sand has my heart,” says Danie. Some of what the Koch's helped with are a blocked toilet at a picnic spot and a motorist who had battery problems. They also provided some excitement by catching a Cape cobra in the Nossob campsite where they camped near us. Honorary rangers are nature lovers who are trained for fundraising, information sessions, provision of resources, and service delivery to preserve the natural heritage of our national parks for future generations. The helicopters that restrict poaching,…

Linda wins a cooler bag worth R220. Whether you're a camper, fisherman, or sports fan next to a cricket pitch, this cooler bag has room for a lunch box and a 1,5 ℓ cooldrink bottle. The lid also has space for a coffee flask. The interior is lined with PVC, which makes it easy to keep the bag clean and hygienic. The bag has a short strap that reaches over the top and attaches with a Velcro strip, as well as a longer shoulder strap if you're going to carry it over longer distances. It's an ideal picnic accessory or a padkos bag for a road trip. winkel.weg.co.za…

I recently purchased a copy of Routes that Rock 2023 from Checkers. While waiting in the queue, I commenced reading this magazine, starting with a simple but well written editor's letter. I extend my sincere congratulations to the team for a well-researched magazine. The design, layout, factual stories, coupled with ample relevant photographs, plus handy tips, advice, do's and dont's, as well as GPS co-ordinates, reveal much thought and planning. No doubt borne out of years in journalism as well as the experienced team members, conducting reconnaisance missions on those routes under review, thus conveying first-hand information to readers. Being a lover of road travel, I must confess, whilst reading every article, it seemed as if I was on those journeys. Unfortunately, I do not own a 4×4 off-roader, thus…

Allow me to tell you about an interesting event. We're camping at an advanced age and decided on a month-long booking to join the camping fun we always see on social media. This campsite had about 40 caravans there for the month – some for up to three months. For three consecutive days, a lady would come and join us. She chatted to my husband, Tinus, as if I wasn't there, and even put her hand on his leg. She got a bit of a shock on day three when I asked her why she didn't talk to me and touch my leg. On your way to the bathroom, everyone would strike up conversations. It felt like it took an hour to walk there and back (just 30 steps) –…

INBOX A fishing weekend at the Bosparadysdam usually provides a story or two for the future. This one happened during my teenage years with my father Johan his brother Donnie and my cousin Ruan. Some of these outings stay in our memories, and that's a good thing. We lived in Bokfontein just outside Brits, from where we would drive through Skeerpoort to stop at Magaliesburg for fuel. Our ride was usually a hot-white Audi A4 station wagon. We made the fishing rods fit in-between everyone and the boot was loaded with everything but ice. When we could see the buildings of Bekker High School, we knew it wasn't much longer. Once we arrived, we kids usually had to get out at the gate so that everything wouldn't shake loose over…