Go! Drive & Camp August 2015

The first cowboy movies that I can remember weren’t what the experts considered to be “real” westerns. They were known as “spaghetti westerns” – a derisive term for movies with American actors, made using European money and directors. Some of the most famous of these were the Dollar Trilogy: A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The lead actor was a young, upcoming star called Clint Eastwood and the theme song of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, composed by Ennio Morricone, is arguably better known today than the movie itself. But what does that have to do with off-roading? Usually not a lot, but recently I had the opportunity to do some off-road driving with Jeep in the…

Same name, same game Johann Groenewald writes our bi-monthly GPS column and travels almost as much as he breathes. Tell us one of your best travel memories My first real bush camping experience was back in 1991, more or less where Mabuasehube’s gate is today. I was travelling with an experienced group of campers and they stopped right next to the road to set up camp for the night. I tried not to show it, but I slept with one eye open. What’s your favourite place in the bush? The lesser known parts of Zambia, but it changes often. What do you always pack for a trip (apart from your GPS)? A passport and a credit card, the rest is optional. Top travel tip? Don’t be upset if a place…

“THE GOLDEN OLDIES” DO SANI, IN A SANI! We loved your feature on Lesotho in the June issue (Drive Out #90) because our team of bucketlisting over 70’s have also just conquered the Mountain Kingdom! Four couples set off in an old Nissan Sani and a Toyota Rav from Port Elizabeth to overnight in Dordrecht. Overnight brought a cold front, pouring rain and snow on the mountains. But that was the last of the bad weather and on we went on slushy roads under clear blue skies to snowcapped mountains. We entered Lesotho at Tele Bridge and travelled north to stay two nights at Mmelesi Lodge and from here we climbed Thaba Bosiu. It was a steep scramble, but excellent guides and views made it worth the while. The next…

Daan Louw is a farmer from the Bonnievale district and Deon van Wyk is a businessman from Stellenbosch. These two men have shared a mutual love of old cars since their varsity days. What better excuse than that to take part in the Drive Out Bull Run? What vehicle are you taking to the Bull Run? A Dodge Monaco four door sedan from 1966. It is a 3-speed automatic with a 5,2litre V8 engine and it weighs a solid 1755kg. Where did you find it? It belonged to a farmer who used it as a family car up until 1997. Since then it has been sitting in a store room for the past 18 years! How did it get its name? The farmer’s son reupholstered the interior a few years…

Anyone can participate in the Drive Out Bull Run. This year we chose 120 participants, but entries are now closed. If you weren’t chosen, you’re still welcome join us at Vosburg as a spectator. Every team that enters must have a vehicle that can get to (or at least try to get to) Vosburg on their own steam. The purchase price of the vehicles, as well as any improvements or repairs may not exceed R20 000. Your vehicle must be older than 30 years (a 1985 model or older). Entrants must arrive with a four-door sedan, but organisers can make an exception for other vehicles that fit in with the theme and spirit of the event. The vehicle and team members must be kitted-out according to a theme. This also…

Attention meat lovers: Calvinia is where it’s at! The Hantam Vleisfees was started in 1990 to promote the region’s mutton. This is still mutton country 25 years later. So if you’re vegetarian, you’d best keep going until you reach the next town. The Hantam Vleisfees takes place in Calvinia on the last weekend of August. Here you’ll find mutton on the braai, the stove, in curries, on kebabs, in potjies and in a roosterkoek. And if you’re a fan of sheep’s head, you’ll have a ball here. When you’ve eventually had your fill, there is also music, a dance and a classic car rally. Don’t forget to swing by the largest post box in the country in Hoop Street! Apart from the festival, Calvinia is also a great destination at…