Video Blog and some personal stuff

I'm going to take a bit of a liberty this week and not write my normal blog. Instead I've recorded one while driving from my home near Cape Town to Gauteng. This written blog is of a more personal nature.

It's been a memorable few months, both for good and bad reasons. My wife Gwynn has finally released her first novel, after an exhausting, four-month blog tour. We've had the nastiest winter I can remember here in the Cape and some shooting of the video trailer for Gwynn's book was a real battle against the weather. Then the process was interrupted with me having to rush off to assist my parents when my Dad fell critically ill. I finally completed the shooting and editing of the trailer just before having to rush back to my father's side. He passed away on Tuesday at a little after 7pm. He was one of the greatest people I ever new. His compassion for others, unbridled generosity and wicked sense of humour are irreplaceable. We never had a normal conversation. We always laughed.

The picture shows me and my Dad doing what we both really loved - flying in my plane.

My 4x4 video blog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4FY1CXq1_c&feature=share&list=UULL44RCPuw8XIslZBB8jf6A

Gwynn's book blog:

http://todayinshenaya.blogspot.com/

The book video trailer:

http://youtu.be/yFA-p6Xq01s

The dysfunctional family

I recently had a very bad experience with a South African trailer manufacturer and wonder how many others out there are having similar problems.

The nature of trailer design is that most components are standard but there are always items that are customized. And this is where the trouble starts.

In my case I ordered a trailer for a client from Desert Wolf. It was to be their standard Lynx model with some customizations. I was required to place a 50% deposit and then, after telling me that ‘it’s almost complete’, asked to make another payment totaling over 95% of the total bill. I got on an airplane and flew up to Gauteng to see the progress, take pictures and report to client. When I arrived, the trailer consisted of a pile of pre-fabricated stainless sheets. There wasn’t even a chassis.

The project was ordered three months before the client was due to arrive from Thailand and go on his trip. Two weeks before his arrival, I got back on a plane. This time there was at least a chassis, but no wheels, and the body was not much more than a shell. So Desert Wolf had to rush the final phase, leaving no time at all for corrections. There where two serious ones, and neither could be sorted before the client would arrive. So the trailer was shipped to Cape Town where R&D Off-road toiled over a weekend to get things right. But even that wasn’t enough to get it all right and some things had to wait for the client to return from his first trip. Desert Wolf’s local agent did sort out a few minor teething problems, but that was all. I fitted the bill for all the corrective work.

Now here comes the real nub… Desert Wolf claims that there is an outstanding amount owning, which I dispute, and which totals about 2% of the total invoice.

But no matter who is right or wrong in this, because of it, Desert Wolf is refusing to honour the warrantees on their trailer. They like to call theirs, ‘The Desert Wolf Family’. It would seem it’s a highly dysfunctional one.

Warning. When paying for any project, withhold a substantial sum before final delivery. Don’t be foolish and trust the supplier. (Like I did) As with Desert Wolf, the only time when my complaints were responded to with any energy was when there was money involved. Once they had my cash, their service and response to my requests fell on deaf ears and their levels of service were shameful.

Defender replacement - a hoax

Last year the magazines and motoring press were awash with horror stories that Land Rover was about to release the replacement to the Defender in the form of the DC100. It caused such a stir for two reasons: Firstly, it was nothing remotely like the vehicle it was destined to replace, and secondly, it was a hoax.

The DC100 was developed as a concept car and sent out to cause as much of a ruckus as possible. I even fell for it. How can a two door, short-wheelbase vehicle, with low profile tyres and a stylish SUV appeal be a truck? It can’t, can it? Land Rover’s only mistake was, that for while we all thought you were a bunch of ignorant morons, with no clue as to what or who drives your cars. But the truth is far from what the press has to say (That’s a good lesson for life generally).

The furore over the DC100 has been unprecedented, and from it Land Rover learnt two main lessons: Defender owners will hate it. And, lots of people who couldn’t care less what a Defender is, will love it, and would rush out and buy it.

Land Rover, I am told, is taking the Defender replacement very seriously, calling in users from inside and outside the company all over the world to find out what they want. They’ve been testing Land Cruisers, Merc G-Wagens and Nissans, to name a few, to compare and ask to be compared. As someone who has always loved the Defender, I am confident that whatever comes will be a vehicle suitable to replace the Defender and hopefully will keep some of its character. No easy job. But it will be a modern vehicle, that is far, far easier to live with (that part, not very difficult).

Andrew

The fight of the three 4x4 titans - Disco, Prado, Pajero

For decades, the three titans of the mid-range, luxury 4x4 off-road wagon market have beed the Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Prado. There are others in the segment, namely the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Hyundai Terracan, but they have not been fierce contenders, mainly because they aren’t very good. Some may suggest that vehicles like the Audi Q7 and BMW X5 should also mentioned, but they aren’t off roaders. They are just SUVs with four-wheel drive. There is a huge difference.

At first the Prado lead on-road, while the Discovery lead off-road. Then when the Discovery-2 was launched, it plummeted to the worst off-road, and it stayed worst on it. It’s fall from grace was due solely to some stupid person in the development team deciding to remove the centre diff lock and to force the vehicle to rely solely on its mostly pathetic traction-control for all its grip. The result was a vehicle that had pitifully poor traction off road. At this stage the Prado lead both off road and on it, the Pajero remaining steadfastly the middle runner.

Enter Discovery-3. When it arrived, so did its brand new traction control, which happily, worked. And it worked superbly. And with it, ride height control. It shot straight back to the leader in the off-road stakes, and amazingly, easily matched the Prado on-road. Mitsubishi, it seemed, had lost interest in its Pajero and did almost nothing. It fell to worst off road and worst on it - where it remains today. But the big question now is, how does the Prado stack up against the Discovery-4. It too has traction control, and the VX model has a lockable rear differential. Both vehicles have clever electronics and both are brilliant long-distance cruisers. Is there a winner? Yes I think there is, but it depends what you are looking for.

If you want long distance comfort and a diesel, the Discovery wins hands down. No contest. The Prado diesel is a lame horse by comparison. But the petrol model is a different story. The Toyota still doesn’t perform as well, performance and towing wise as the Discovery, but it’s great. Overall comfort, the VX Prado and the Discovery-4 are a tie. As vehicles to live with, day-by-day, I prefer the Discovery, for a few reasons. It’s very light and airy interior is a much more pleasant place to be, compared to the comparatively dark and gloomy Prado. Ride quality to, and the Disco is a bit better, but not much. On corrugations and a rough track, again, the Disco wins by a nose. But the Discovery’s split tailgate is, for me, a deal clincher. A drop-down tailgate is something that very few vehicles have, because it’s more expensive to make two doors and than one. The Range Rover has it, as does the Land Cruiser-200. But the Pajero, Prado and even the Range Rover Evoque, do not. I have lived with both, and it’s something that makes living with a station-wagon such a huge pleasure.

As an overland vehicle, the Discovery has only two downfalls, which are not shared by the Prado. The wheel size of 19” cannot be reduced to fit more practical tyres and, the ride height automatically drops to its ‘normal’ setting at only 55-kph, low enough to be very annoying at times. Are these two deal breakers? Maybe. As for the electronics; the Prado VX has just as much, so the two tie. However the Prado TX does not. Its suspension is old fashioned springs (not air-springs) and the chassis is the same as the old one, which means a good ride on most surfaces, very good off-road, you can modify it with smaller wheel rims and even give the clearance a bit of a lift. But alas, the D4D engine. It’s just too flat for that vehicle. Sure, you can live with it, but unfortunately for me, I’ve been driving in a diesel Discovery-4 these past few months, and I can confidently say, it’s even better that the V8 petrol version, for many reasons, not just economy.

So there it is. Soon, the Pajero, with its dated styling, even more dated engine and old fashioned ergonomics, is being left so far behind, I wander what will replace it?

As the shooting for my TV series comes to a close, the time to hand the Discovery back looms. Of the Prados, Pajeros, Jeeps, Porsche, Subarus, Land Cruisers, Fortuners, Hiluxes, Mahindras, Patrols, Fords and the rest, I can count on one hand the test vehicles that I’ve been truly disappointed to give back. Discovery-4 is near the top of that short list. What’s at the top? Porsche Cayenne, if you must know.

A roof tent or ground tent? A tough decision:

What’s good about a roof tent:

·      Secure from wild animals, to a point.

·      Secure from scorpions. Insect security varies with quality.

·      Takes a shorter time to erect than a ground tent, perhaps by 20%.

·      Some are awkward to pack up and return to its cover. Some are easier.

·      If the ground is not level, the vehicle can be made level with rocks etc.

·      If you move around a lot, the vehicle rocks to and fro.

·      The mattress and sleeping bags can be left inside as the tent is folded away, saving space in the vehicle. A huge advantage.

·      Some models of rigid (boxed) roof tents can be extremely easy to erect and pack away. Others are not, so insist you practice it in the shop!

What’s NOT good about a roof tent:

·      Must be collapsed and packed away fully before the vehicle can be moved, for a game drive etc.

·      You have to be a bit of a contortionist to get dressed and undressed inside.

·      Heavy. Reduces remaining weight permitted on roof. Lifts the centre of gravity.

·      Even the large ones can only sleep two adults, and even then it’s cramped. Leave the bags in the vehicle.

·      If you are getting on in age, you have to climb on the rack to unpack and repack, which on a slippery ladder in the early morning can be hazardous. Over 50s’ – take this seriously!

What’s good about a ground tent:

·      Tents advertised as 3-man bow tents can easily accommodate three adults and their bags. Others can barely fit two people, so don’t judge a tent by its packaging.

·      Often less effort to pack away, depending on the make.

·      Self-standing which means far more convenient.

·      You can almost stand up.

·      By comparison, far less weight and can be carried anywhere.

What’s NOT good about a ground tent:

·      Less secure from wild animals although they are not a real danger, more a perceived one.

·      Scorpions - keeping the flap zipped up is more important.

·      Tent must be emptied when packed away.

·      If there is no level ground or it’s covered with rocks, too bad! The ground can be very hard and cold.

Coincidence? I think not. More on Zimbabwe

Last week a met a man at my flying club who told me he was from Zimbabwe. I had told him that I had recently gone there on a look-and-see trip to find out if it was still as bad as people (including me) thought. I found out that he had lived there, when I did. That was back in 1966, when I was six. We had stayed just six months, living in a thatched cottage not far from what was then called Salisbury. Then he got talking about his primary school - Highlands. The coincidences came one on top the other. He also lived in Highlands. It turned out that not only did he live in the same suburb, he went to the same school and his sister was in my class. Not only that - he lived in the same street - on the same side of the road about ten houses apart. Now why am I telling you this, you may ask?

Because it’s my job to get things right, especially when people’s safety is at stake. This man was a blessing to many a would-be Zimbabwe visitor. He explained that he had travelled from Beit Bridge to Vic Falls, and onto northern Zambia in February this year. (Three months ago) And his story was the polar opposite from my own. It had taken more than US$1000 in bribes to get him through the country. The police would stop them, arrest them without even asking questions, and tell them they had to pay a spot fine or see a magistrate in three days, and while they waited, it would be in a jail cell. The offence was sometimes speeding, when in fact the radar camera was not on display and the actual speed bore no resemblance to that claimed. There were claims that the front reflectors were not the right size and others ridiculous charges. They had also been hijacked in Harare. This I am told (and was warned during my visit) is common practice. In the centre of Harare, gangs will spike a tyre and when you pull over to repair it, you are hijacked and your cameras, wallets and cell phones are taken. The warning is, even if you destroy a tyre – drive on! Even if you wait until the ‘coast is clear’, they wait, hidden and wait until your backs are turned.

So, my conclusions… would I take my family on a motoring holiday through Zimbabwe? I'm not that keen any more.

Zimbabwe is great!

Zimbabwe is, how can I say this without sounding harsh?... a hole. It’s a friendly hole. Even a fairly clean hole. But it seems like a deep dark pit where people live, hoping for the day when someone will come along and relieve the pain.

As a tourist, it was pleasant. Within a few days I had relaxed and felt welcome. The people are friendly, to the point where it’s almost as if they are saying, ‘Hey look… white people. D’you remember them? They were the one’s who brought us work. Wouldn’t it be nice to have them back?’

The lack of white people is staggering. Looking carefully into cars, houses, back yards and streets, I counted a grand total of three; yes three white people who were neither tourists or people working in the tourism industry or scientists or students studying the wildlife. Resident whites are conspicuous by their absence. It’s alarming to say the least. And with them, gone are so many businesses and the life they create.

My travelling companion was Dave Van Graan of Masezane Expeditions, Like me, the purposes of the trip for him were also two-fold. Apart from keeping me company, he wanted to set out a new route for his self-drive tours and also needed to find out if Zimbabwe was a safe bet for his clients. My reasons were to shoot my TV show, and to find out if it is a place I would want to return to.  

Route

We began at Great Zimbabwe near Masvingo, then Matopos, Hwange, Vic Falls, Lake Kariba via Matusadona and Mana Pools. It was mostly tar roads broken by two days of very rough going driving between Vic Falls and Kariba, which required a ‘bush camp’ because the distance and slowness of the road meant it couldn’t be done in a single day.

Security

This was a pleasant surprise. Asking around and it seems as if Harare and Bulawayo are the two hotspots. Do not leave your packed vehicle unattended in these two cities.  (Much like downtown Joburg). Vic Falls isn’t a good spot either, but apart from that it’s relaxed and, we were told, hardly ever and issue.

The Parks

Clean, tidy and efficient, but run-down. I watched the employees, many of whom hardly ever get paid, making great efforts to keep things working; the ablutions clean and the paths swept. They mostly welcome you with bundles of firewood and let you now that if there is anything you need, they will be there. And I didn’t get the feeling that they were just looking for a tip either. It occurred to me that they were trying to make things right again.

Road blocks and police

There are road blocks aplenty, and cops with a speed camera outside of towns. Be very careful how quickly you speed up again after leaving a town. If you get caught, they will likely tell you that you were going to fast to pay an admission-of-guilt fine, and that you’ll have to see a magistrate in a few days time. This provides them a ploy to get some personal payment to let you go. Not unlike our own Joburg Metro Cops. The main difference is, our cops get decent salaries.

Border posts

Avoid the big border posts if at all possible. Beit Bridge is a nightmare even when it’s not busy. We were helped no end by a brilliant article in SA 4x4 Magazine written a few months back. And have all your papers ready. Keep calm, polite and don’t let it be obvious that you’re in a hurry - like all of the Third World, it’s the best way to get border officials to slow down. Be cool to be quick! Avoid going through at night. It makes an unpleasant situation much worse.

Conclusion

I’m frustrated when South Africans look with scornfull eyes at our neighbours. Look at South Africa. Fuel is more expensive, groceries are more expensive, the security situation for the most part is worse than in Zimbabwe! I am happy to announce that Zimbabwe is easy, relaxed and as long as you do a little extra preparation (vehicle paperwork mainly), it’s a great place to take your family.

Highlights

Mana Pools is truly fantastic with animals keeping us awake most of the night, with lions and hynena around the tents and grumpy buffalo in the campsite. Hwange is a great alternative to Kruger, with far fewer people and almost as much game. While Kariba Town is a bit of a dump, the lake is a truly brilliant venue if you’re on a houseboat.

I'll be back soon.