Just sinking in that this will be our last day with Fang.
Charlie and the T-Zero crew really changed the rally experience for us. While other teams spent long nights replacing major innards, adding yet another clutch, or lashing onward our four weary Rally Round mechanics to perform miracles, we were gifted with a very solid car. Gravel roads were unkind, mountain passes tested brakes, clutches and nerve, heat withered, and yet Fang persevered, noble and sure footed, day after very long day. So a big thank you to all who turned a wrench, wired a panel, fixed a this or hammered a that. Bravo!
And to Laurie. She became the heart and soul of our little band of adventurers. By day two she knew everyone’s
name, their car stats and probably what brand of transmission they ran. She distributed healing potions for tummy, rashes, and colds, tried to feed me health foods ( no!) and finally, organized a rally chat group that the organizers even use.
I can only imagine what the macho men thought when we showed up. She changed their minds quickly on the road and track, and then slipping into her mechanics suit and crawling under Fang. A huge cheer for a real champion.
To all who followed our exploits, thank you. We hope you enjoyed the ride.
Your Nav
Be sure to check Beastly Fang Home Page for more posts.
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Friday, October 26, 2018
Day 24: Penultimate Rally Day
Knock out scenery, storybook villages, and a visit to the dreamy home of a renowned wine maker. Tomorrow we parade to the finish line, drink a little champagne and head into Cape Town for our final evening together.
Your Nav
Your Nav
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Day 23 Driver Photo Log
Be sure to follow Laurie and Pam along on Polar Steps
Good name for a dining room
Fang in front of our room
Drink up
Markers
Garden Art
Sophie's Choice Restaurant
Quirky Place
Day 22: Swathberg Pass-Nav Log Update:
A very long hot day. And the best one too. We did not put lips to beer until after 7PM, so jazzed from the Swartburg we could have continued driving all night.
The Swartburg ranks among the premier mountain passes of the planet, sufficiently hair raising and seriously spectacular.A total blast to drive. Some prefer not to look down and keep eyes on the narrow, twisting dirt track.
High dessert, yucca, wild flowers, no people. Occasional well funded farms, mohair country. Seldom any cars at all on the hundreds of kilometers of roads we ripped down. Fang almost achieved the 120 speed limit when I forgot to mention to Laurie we had 90 minutes to make our time control 188.9 kilometers away! Twenty five km of that passage was a raised concrete single lane. Grand fun for me, not so much for our driver.
Fang soldiers along, the 150 km of gravel on route vibrated his extremities. Lots of racer tape appearing on rally cars, patching hoods, trunks, lights, roughly in place.
Noise wise we are now silent except for the in car giggling. In emergencies, I play the Mexican Hat Dance. It works well on goats and the SA army.
Your Nav, her work almost done
Be sure to check Beastly Fang Home Page for more posts.
The Swartburg ranks among the premier mountain passes of the planet, sufficiently hair raising and seriously spectacular.A total blast to drive. Some prefer not to look down and keep eyes on the narrow, twisting dirt track.
High dessert, yucca, wild flowers, no people. Occasional well funded farms, mohair country. Seldom any cars at all on the hundreds of kilometers of roads we ripped down. Fang almost achieved the 120 speed limit when I forgot to mention to Laurie we had 90 minutes to make our time control 188.9 kilometers away! Twenty five km of that passage was a raised concrete single lane. Grand fun for me, not so much for our driver.
Fang soldiers along, the 150 km of gravel on route vibrated his extremities. Lots of racer tape appearing on rally cars, patching hoods, trunks, lights, roughly in place.
Noise wise we are now silent except for the in car giggling. In emergencies, I play the Mexican Hat Dance. It works well on goats and the SA army.
Your Nav, her work almost done
Be sure to check Beastly Fang Home Page for more posts.
Day 22: Top of Swartberg Pass
Photolog via your Driver:
Milling at the top of Swartburg
Looking South East
Video of Arrival On Top
Follow Laurie and Pam via Polarsteps: Link: https://www.polarsteps.com/LaurieLyford/1067569-coffee-hotel?s=b9cdc111-303e-45ba-aba6-3c3ab6ad8ceb
Be sure to check Beastly Fang Home Page for more posts.
Day 21 Nav Log: Eastern Cape, Craddock
Waking In the quaint village of Craddock is like stepping
back in time. Restored row houses, a true Victorian Hotel,
Jazz band on the porch, gin and tonic in pitchers, iron bedspreads. New Orleans amid the diamond hills?
Landscape yesterday semi desert, huge mesas in the distance, yuccas in bloom and high altitude passes. Our
bumpy test was a military training area with the good name of Commando Drift. We are without an accurate GPS but rally on.
Huge and long day now as we head to the hills.
Your Nav
All posts 'Home' select here
Link to more related photos posted by Driver in yesterday’s Log
back in time. Restored row houses, a true Victorian Hotel,
Jazz band on the porch, gin and tonic in pitchers, iron bedspreads. New Orleans amid the diamond hills?
Landscape yesterday semi desert, huge mesas in the distance, yuccas in bloom and high altitude passes. Our
bumpy test was a military training area with the good name of Commando Drift. We are without an accurate GPS but rally on.
Huge and long day now as we head to the hills.
Your Nav
All posts 'Home' select here
Link to more related photos posted by Driver in yesterday’s Log
Follow Laurie and Pam via Polarsteps: Link: https://www.polarsteps.com/LaurieLyford/1067569-coffee-hotel?s=b9cdc111-303e-45ba-aba6-3c3ab6ad8ceb
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Day 21: Umngazi Photolog via Your Driver
Sunrise today
Lunch Stop
Our Room. We're staying in little houses you see in the picture. We estimate late 1800s. Destined for raising, a woman bought them all and refurbished along with The Albert establishment.
This evenings dining venue
Downtown Cradock
The band has been playing for hours, the same tune. I think they are quitting soon
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