Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2016 i Caravan and Outdoor Life

It’s funny how, as we grow older, we forget many of the lessons we were taught as children. The really simple ones, like play nicely, don’t call people rude names, sharing is caring, and don’t shake a stick at the dog who lives in number seventeen because he will chase you down the street, nip your bottom and make you wet your trousers in terror. As we grow older, we seem to become more selective about these sorts of rules. There’s a whole lot less sharing and a whole lot more name calling. It’s the latter that is starting to concern me the most. In this beautiful country, at this time, we seem to be calling each other names an awful lot. I think that name calling is very damaging.…

In this month’s back issue from March 1964, we take a look at the beauty of the Natal south coast and the Monte Carlo Rally, with a bit of a twist. The south coast of Natal is known for its wonderful beaches and warm seas which bring people to its shores every summer holiday. But even when looking back to 1964, one must acknowledge that the Natal South Coast was (and is) more than just beaches and an ocean. In 1964, there was an annual hibiscus festival held every May to coincide with the blossoming of the hibiscus trees. A magnificent sight indeed! KwaZulu-Natal has many different festivals, especially during the summer months. The Durban July is quite the spectacle every year; but, in 1964, one could also go and…

XCAPE MODS After our first excursion with our newly-acquired Xcape, we decided to make some modifications to the kitchen area. My wife hadn’t been happy with having to lean across the stove to retrieve dishes from the shelf unit. So, I fitted a sliding top to the stove unit using conventional drawer sliders and introduced a separate 25 mm thick Formica hard top to the work top. Not only does this move the stove to a more convenient work location, but it also allows one a 600 x 900mm Formica work surface; when travelling, it’s removed from its locating lugs and stored inside the Xcape. We did away with the stove’s windshield and metal box assembly, and mounted the stove into the Formica top cut-out. We now open the door…

Fiddlers Creek campsite, Vioolsdrif Fiddlers Creek campsite is the base camp for Bushwhacked Outdoor Adventures. The campsite is located in Vioolsdrift, on the banks of the Orange River, and has 14 grassed campsites. Each site features an undercover kitchen, basins with running water, counter-tops, lights, power points and a built-in braai area. Some of the larger sites also have large tables and benches as permanent fixtures under the roofed area. Almost all the sites have been enclosed with a reed fence. Other facilities available at Fiddlers Creek include a small shop, a pool table, pay-per-coin filtered water, and a volleyball court. River-rafting excursions available at Bushwhacked range from half-day to five-day adventures. There is a great quirky pub overlooking the river, and breakfasts, lunches and dinners are available if booked…

A FREE SERVICE FOR YOU! HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FREE TEXT AD Besides the description of the item you want to sell, your email must contain your name, contact number and the province in which you reside. Then, simply email all this information to classifieds@caravansa.co.za. If you wish to display an image with your ad, your text is limited to 40 words, and such an ad will cost you R456 - email the address above for more details on how to go about placing such an ad. We reserve the right to withhold any ad, or to edit the text supplied to fit the space available. Free text ads are published on a first-come-first-served basis, and must be resubmitted every month that your item remains unsold. MOTORHOMES 2010 Fiat turbo…

GOOSENECK MOD While sitting in the traffic, I noticed that the car next to me had a gooseneck towball which had been modified by having a bracket welded to it to accept either an anti-sway device or another towball lower down. It had been neatly done: the bracket had been slipped over the top of the towball, lowered down the neck and welded on right around the shaft of the gooseneck. Regrettably, I could not get a picture as the traffic moved and I never saw the vehicle again, hence my drawing. What do you think – good idea? Richard Jarvis Godfrey Castle: Probably a bad idea, but I'm open to correction. A gooseneck towball is made from hardened steel, and it has to be, in order to…

SIT BACK, RELAX, ENJOY The Cape Union Kickback Chair is an oversized armchair for you to kick back and relax in. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, this durable, light-weight chair folds up into a compact size and fits into a carry-bag. Don’t forget this camping comfort when you next hit the road. R599 Available at Cape Union Mart stores. For more information, contact them on 086 033 3329, or visit www.capeunionmart.co.za SHARP AS A RAZOR When out camping, or on a hunting or fishing trip, you never know when you may need to sharpen your knife. The new Lansky Blademedic Knife Sharpener is like having an entire sharpening kit in your pocket, for you to use anywhere, at any time. Made from Tungsten Carbide with ceramic sharpening rods…

KOALA The Koala, sometimes known as the koala bear, is a herbivorous marsupial native to Australia. Its closest living relatives are the wombats, also native to Australia. The koala is found in the coastal areas of the mainland’s eastern and southern regions. It is easily recognised by its stout, tailless body and large head with round, fluffy ears and a large, spoon-shaped nose. It comes in colours ranging from silver-grey to chocolate brown. Why is a koala’s fingerprint interesting? PLATYPUS Also known as the duck-billed platypus, this is an egg-laying mammal which lives half in water, half on land. This animal is endemic to Eastern Australia. The male platypus is venomous. He has sharp stingers on the heels of his rear feet and can use them to deliver a strong…

KALAHARI GEM Kgalagadi Lodge, situated between the red sand dunes of the Kalahari, is the place where modern meets wilderness. 250 Kilometres away from Upington Airport, and just five kilometres from the popular Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, this family-owned and -operated lodge is perfectly located for travellers to this region. Recently established, Kgalagadi Lodge now occupies what was once empty, desert land. SJ and Denise Koortzen, founders of the lodge, saw the potential in the bare terrain to create a luxurious lodge which offers only the best. Whether you’re looking for a pit stop en route to your destination, wanting to explore the famous national park, or simply needing the perfect getaway, Kgalagadi Lodge meets every guest’s needs. With a 50-seater restaurant offering authentic, South African cuisine, a fully-stocked grocery shop…