South Africa sacked, Ferry Booked (2 Viewers)

[MR. FUSION]

Now you've booked your ferry I'd turn left and head north to Lofoten Islands in Norway

View attachment 152577

Lofotens......bestest MH destination in Europe

 

[MR. FUSION]

I know 'Kruger' has become the byword for game viewing, but we found that it was a bit of a free for all; everyone dirves around the public roads looking for game to pounce upon. When we saw a small pride of lions they were totally surrounded by cars and coaches, where the lions were having to weave through. Yes it was close but natural? It was a bit like the crowd at the boxing day sales.

We had a much nicer experience at one of the private game reserve s attached to it. We stayed in a treehouse with eating on an elevated deck and went for game drives in an open land cruiser with a tracker sat on the front bumper. We saw more and it was lots more natural. Pricey but you only need 2/3 nights.

Certainly when I was there in 2005 it was quiet this post has reminded me of at that time, there were apparently too many bull elephants in the park. One decided to charge my car head on, reversing is usually my weak point, in this case I feel my bottom sphincter muscle kept my arms straight

 

[Dazzlin]

You are in Belgium - give away flag in the background.

Have you ever seen the Boat Lift at Strepy Thieu Martin. Quite a spectacular piece of Engineering and there is a free spot downstream from the new lift, quite close to the old lift - can be found in Campercontact.

Alternatively I believe you can park overnight close to the new lift.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attra...Lift-Le_Roeulx_Hainaut_Province_Wallonia.html

Yup. We stayed at the one at Thieu on the canal in october.

Lovely peaceful spot and we are still eating the walnuts we picked!

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[GeriatricWanderer]

Certainly when I was there in 2005 it was quiet this post has reminded me of at that time, there were apparently too many bull elephants in the park. One decided to charge my car head on, reversing is usually my weak point, in this case I feel my bottom sphincter muscle kept my arms straight

Long, long ago, when we were young and off to explore the world, we were in Rhodesia in a place then named Wankie Game Park - yep, that's what it was called then - now it's known as Hwange Game Park.
Similar situation, in our old Beetle, on a narrow dirt road, came round a bend to be greeted by a big bull coming our way, ears flapping and feet stomping. No place to pass, doubt I could've driven fast enough in reverse so we just jumped out and legged it.
Hid in the bush for a while and eventually crept back to our car and back to the rest camp.
Windsor Safari Park just doesn't do it for us.
Can I have those years back please and carry on where we left off?

 

[MR. FUSION]

Long, long ago, when we were young and off to explore the world, we were in Rhodesia in a place then named Wankie Game Park - yep, that's what it was called then - now it's known as Hwange Game Park.
Similar situation, in our old Beetle, on a narrow dirt road, came round a bend to be greeted by a big bull coming our way, ears flapping and feet stomping. No place to pass, doubt I could've driven fast enough in reverse so we just jumped out and legged it.
Hid in the bush for a while and eventually crept back to our car and back to the rest camp.
Windsor Safari Park just doesn't do it for us.
Can I have those years back please and carry on where we left off?

Lol yes I see that. Not being down, but you will have seen the best of the world back then .......which is the very very important point of travelling whilst you can

 

[buttons]

Forget Kruger. Too big, too commercialised, in malaria risk area.

Been in and around South Africa, and it's game parks, for 40+ years.

My suggestion - fly drive into Cape Town, loads of safe and affordable guest house type accommodation. Lots to see there then along the coast to Port Elizabeth. Not the prettiest of towns but only 30 minute drive to the Addo park. Self drive, face to face with the animals, like it? go again the next day or stay in camp overnight.
Avis rental about £10 day.
Easy and cost effective to put together a diy package.

Just a few safety rules to stick to but most are common sense.

Do make the effort to try again.

.

This recommendation is second only to a personal helicopter ride up through Namibia....

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[funflair]

Interesting and very expensive looking pieces of art in a shop in Brugges.

Martin

 

[MR. FUSION]

This recommendation is second only to a personal helicopter ride up through Namibia....

Mine is cage diving with Great Whites.....

 

[buttons]

Mine is cage diving with Great Whites.....

This was the geriatric warrior's helicopter ride not mine. If you haven't read his threads about flying with his son in Africa I recommend reading them. He @GeriatricWanderer don't do bad for an old bugger....

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[MR. FUSION]

Lofotens......bestest MH destination in Europe

1st pic From the ferry, we snuck on it as the last vehicle because the next day was misty.

 

[funflair]

Thanks @canopus great suggestion, Thieu in campercontact

Just been a bike ride along the old canal and past the 4 old Boat lifts.

Designed by the same guy as the Anderson boat lift at Nantwich.

Then along the canal cycle path to the big one.

Dwarfs the van? Each trough is rated up to 8200 tonnes and they run independently via a counterbalance system plus motors and pulleys, the older ones counterbalance each other.

You can see the boat in the trough and the counterbalance on the outside as it lift 8200 tonnes.

There is a visitor centre after April 1st.

Martin

 

[canopus]

Just a few minor corrections Martin - its the Anderton Boat Lift and the trough is actually called a caisson. Sorry to be a canal anorak and glad you enjoyed your bike ride. The old lift is still operational and if you see the Éclusier (lock keeper) they are happy to show you the mechanical bits.

If you've never been to Namur then the walled citadel is worth seeing and if you venture down into Luxembourg there is some fantastic scenery and some good camp sites around Esch-sur-Sûre and Heiderscheidergrund in The Ardennes.

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[canopus]

If you're stuck for bread if you bike across the canal facing where your van is parked, there is an automated fresh bread machine just behind the church. Sounds bizarre but it was still warm when we bought some.

 

[funflair]

Just a few minor corrections Martin - its the Anderton Boat Lift and the trough is actually called a caisson. Sorry to be a canal anorak and glad you enjoyed your bike ride. The old lift is still operational and if you see the Éclusier (lock keeper) they are happy to show you the mechanical bits.

If you've never been to Namur then the walled citadel is worth seeing and if you venture down into Luxembourg there is some fantastic scenery and some good camp sites around Esch-sur-Sûre and Heiderscheidergrund in The Ardennes.

Hi Ken

I blame autocorrect for the Anderton blunder and yes I read the info board about caisson but thought I might get the spelling wrong so put trough you know if you get it wrong some pedant will always put you right

Bread sounds interesting might get some just for the experience.

Martin

 

[funflair]

The old lift is still operational and if you see the Éclusier (lock keeper) they are happy to show you the mechanical bits.

I think the old lifts might not be operational till the 1st April when the tourist trips start, could be wrong but all the ones we saw looked a bit "out of service"

Martin

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[funflair]

The interesting comparison between the old "Anderton" hydraulic system and the new monster is that the Anderton design uses the opposite empty or full caisson as the counterbalance so energy input is minimal, the new one has two independent caissons each one individually counterbalanced but there can be a difference of 1200 tonnes in the caisson mass depending on canal water level, they can between 7200 and 8400 tonnes.

Martin

 

[funflair]

[QUOTE="canopus,

If you've never been to Namur then the walled citadel is worth seeing and if you venture down into Luxembourg there is some fantastic scenery and some good camp sites around Esch-sur-Sûre and Heiderscheidergrund in The Ardennes. [/QUOTE]

Thought we might try Monschau as it's on the way to Polch, we have to pay homage at the N+B factory I though if we mentioned Robert's name @Robert Clark then we might get a good parking spot on the Stellplatz

Martin

 

[Robert Clark]

[QUOTE="canopus,

If you've never been to Namur then the walled citadel is worth seeing and if you venture down into Luxembourg there is some fantastic scenery and some good camp sites around Esch-sur-Sûre and Heiderscheidergrund in The Ardennes.

Thought we might try Monschau as it's on the way to Polch, we have to pay homage at the N+B factory I though if we mentioned Robert's name @Robert Clark then we might get a good parking spot on the Stellplatz

Martin[/QUOTE]

While you're there Martin can you please pop in and ask when my new van will be ready ?

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[The Old Man]

If you want to wile away sometime and have a laugh or two;

Why You Should Never Trust The Pictures Hotels Post Online

 

[canopus]

' it's on the way to Polch, we have to pay homage at the N+B factory '

Never mind Robert Clark, me thinks you may have an ulterior motive Martin.

 

[funflair]

Thought we might try Monschau as it's on the way to Polch, we have to pay homage at the N+B factory I though if we mentioned Robert's name @Robert Clark then we might get a good parking spot on the Stellplatz

Martin

While you're there Martin can you please pop in and ask when my new van will be ready ?[/QUOTE]
No problem Robert, if I have a spare afternoon I could finish it off myself if you like.

Martin

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[funflair]

' it's on the way to Polch, we have to pay homage at the N+B factory '

Never mind Robert Clark, me thinks you may have an ulterior motive Martin.

What like Pizza at the imbis

Martin

 

[funflair]

Well we arrived in Germany with a BUMP literally heading to Monschau and a big sign says,

ROAD TO HELL

SHAKE FOREVER.​

 

[funflair]

Well we are in Monschau if the road in is anything to go by I am not sure how we are getting out again

Parking say for 5 vans but the car park is empty anyway other than two other motorhomes.

Nice little town down in the valley bottom.

Nice beer now I don't care about the road out

Martin

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[funflair]

OK this is a "guess where we are" and it's just for @Robert Clark

Martin

 

[funflair]

Had a nice walk this morning before we left Monschau through the Eifel and right past the front door of the Nurburgring, was very tempted to stop in a lay by and look through the fence, anyway we didn't and have the last but one parking spot at N+B in Polch (oh I have given the answer away, don't read this Robert)

Maps.me was great for the walk, if we had know where we were heading I could have downloaded the maps before leaving home

 

[Robert Clark]

OK this is a "guess where we are" and it's just for @Robert Clark

View attachment 154056

Martin

Have you dared go in ?
(Just for a look)

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[funflair]

Have you dared go in ?
(Just for a look)

Ooooooo not yet, but Mrs Funflair has just said "are we going in for a look" so when we finish this cup of tea YES.

Martin

 

[funflair]

Po

' it's on the way to Polch, we have to pay homage at the N+B factory '

Never mind Robert Clark, me thinks you may have an ulterior motive Martin.

Pockets aren't deep enough

Martin

 

[Robert Clark]

Ooooooo not yet, but Mrs Funflair has just said "are we going in for a look" so when we finish this cup of tea YES.

Martin

Would you mind asking them what's new for 2018 on the Arto please ?

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