26/10/07 

Day 11 - Garies to Orange River

Crossed the Orange River into Namibia.  See Africa  Diary 2 for details

27/10/07

Day 12 - Orange River to Fish River Canyon

A lazy start to the day, and then some practice at off roading before heading to Fish River Canyon, most impressive, where we had our lunch.

We drove on to the campsite which had a restaurant and and swimming pool.  Cool swim, and then to the restaurant for springbok fillet and ostrich steak with wine. 

28/10/07

Day 13 - Fish River Canyon to Luderitz

Up early and onto the road, after an unsuccessful battle with the tent zip.  Found a dilapidated Commonwealth War Graveyard on route, unusual sight. 

Drove on to Aus where we found all shops shut but there was a hotel open.  It had a curious menu which was mostly 'off'.  However we ate well and drove on to Luderitz, where we found a very windy campsite, from where we could see flamingoes, seals and penguins.  Zip sorted, light tea and bed.

29/10/07

Day 14 - Luderitz to somewhere near the C13

2 weeks done - so we started the day  by sorting some of the little jobs needed on the land rover and then visited Kolmanskop, a deserted diamond village.  Discussed the price of diamonds.

We started the long drive towards Sesriem, where we planned to camp.  En route it became clear we wouldn't make it and a friendly farmer told us of a dry riverbed where we could camp.

We got stuck in the mud  a couple of times, but had a super meal and a bottle of wine to celebrate  our first bush camp.

30/10/07

day 15 - S26° 02.759'  E 016° 41.089' to Sesriem

Early start and a lot of care taken to get Betty back on to firm ground.  We then visited Duwisib Castle, built by a German Baron before World War 1.  There were no Health and Safety regs, so we got to the battlements  via a ladder and a sloping roof (no crawling boards)

We drove on to Sesriem camp site, to give us an early start for the nature reserve where we would watch the sunrise over the dunes. 

31/10/07

Day 16 - Sesriem to Swakopmund.

A very very early start today.  We were at the park gates ready at 5am, and raced for the dunes once we were let  in.  Found car park and headed for the top of our selected dune.  Superb sight, colours changing over the dunes, well worth getting up for. 

After practising driving in soft sand we headed North along the eastern edge of the Namibian desert.  Crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, photo shoot stop. 

On then to Walvis Bay, where we bought a good meal, and found a doctor who advised us on a bad reaction to anti-malarials.

We headed on to Swakopmund and the camp site, and after a very long and successful day, turned in.