Trip Report #27 (29 - 31 July):

We have irrefutably established that the EQ of our Volla is below average.  We pass more kombi’s than we can manage to keep count of and we are childishly excited, taking numerous photographs of  especially funky prototypes.  Oddly, the Silver Bubble does not catch on to our mood and as we begin to negotiate Tsumeb’s intersections and traffic signs, the clutch dies :-(

At least we are stuck this time round in ‘Namibia’s prettiest town’.  We limp to the nearest backpackers, shunning the safe yard parking option for a sidewalk-based launch position.

Wise move as it turns out.  The next morning Carl-Hein is escorted (I will have you know!), by Nico our first contact mechanic, to the local VW expert in town.  It is only with the help of local brawn that the Syncro covers the last 200m into Franco’s Executive Auto Repair shop. 

New master and slave cylinders had to be ordered from Windhoek and we had bought an extra day in Tsumeb.

The day spent in Tsumeb is surprisingly eventful!

1.) We meet an interesting UN project team from Luanda doing landmine clearing in Angola and have an impromptu coincidentally-shared brunch. 

2.) I spend a few hours in the local FNB branch to sort out some bank stuff with incredibly friendly and helpful Namibian bank officials struggling with their not-so-helpful South African counterparts. 

3.) And to top the day, dinner is a bizarre but fabulous event in a bakery, pizza cum video store run by a vivacious Italian girl (Francesca), her sullen, wheelchair-bound German hubby (Barend), their well kept Jack Russell cross breed, their aristocratic cat as well as a diverse stream of friends who pop in for a quick hi and drink.  We are informed of what our pizza selection will be and I am allocated a scrumptious kudu salami pizza! and Carl-Hein an Italian Sausage and home-made chilli pizza that had even me drooling.

Regards M-L