I had a pleasant surprise last week. Towards the end of last year, I accidentally dropped my Vortex Viper binoculars, which I bought in 2014 while we were on our year-long trip in Ufudu. Much to my dismay the eye piece was damaged. Roger made a rudimentary repair with a pair of pliers while I started looking around Joburg for an agent that would repair them professionally. I realised that it may be costly but figured that it would still be cheaper than buying a new pair. I found an outdoor shop that sells Vortex Viper, but they were not particularly interested in helping me. They tried to convince me to rather buy a new pair, telling me how expensive a repair would be, etc. etc.
They did in passing mention the name of the distributor, Whylo, in Durban, so I contacted them directly. What a pleasure! A lady called Tini answered the phone and provided all the information I needed in that initial phone conversation.
After our planned game reserve visit I couriered the binocs to them. They were cleaned, recalibrated, damaged parts replaced and couriered back to me, all within 2 weeks. AT NO CHARGE! Vortex Viper carries a lifelong guarantee, which I didn’t even realise, and certainly did not expect to be honoured. I dropped them, after all. Oh, and the return package included a peak cap to be added to my collection…
But, all was not good for the week. After the prolonged exposure to the extreme cold over the past weekend I came down with a serious head cold. By Tuesday evening I was sick. My throat was on fire and my head felt like it was going to pop. I dosed myself with over-the-counter meds and went to bed early. Sadly, it was Roger’s uncle and aunt’s memorial service on Wednesday but there was no way that I could go coughing and spluttering to such a gathering. I stayed in bed for Wednesday and Thursday and by Friday I was over the worst. I had to be. We had plans for the weekend, and I was a crucial part of those plans!
Most of the gang at Silver Creek Gorge were going to the Airweek. Two of the guys, however, share an airplane and this posed a slight logistical problem. Who will be flying and who will be driving? Sue (the wife of one of the shareholders) came up with a solution that could work. Sue and I would drive to Middelburg in Ufudu. That way we can transport everyone’s gear while John, her husband, flies with Roger. I was quite happy to avoid facing the cold again, especially as I was still recovering from my head cold. I like driving Ufudu anyway.
Roger and I arrived at Silver Creek at 1:30 pm on Friday afternoon and immediately started loading gear into Ufudu. There were tents, chairs, gazebos, cooler boxes, bedding and more. It took a while for everyone to arrive and load and we eventually got away 45 minutes later than planned. We needed a lot more travel time than the flying squad and it is always good to get to your campsite before dark. After refuelling in Mooinooi we were finally on our way. Google maps indicated a 2,5-hour drive to Middelburg. It was already 3:15 pm.
Traffic was rather hectic as it was the start of a long weekend. We had no issues though and between Sue and Google maps’ navigation we arrived at the venue at 6 pm. It was already dark and very cold. As we approached the entrance a guy came running up to the truck, arms held in a cross in front of him, shouting:
“Stop! Stop!” at the top of his voice.
I was apparently about to drag the gate posts into camp with me. There was an unmarked cable strung between the posts, meant to stop trucks from entering, which I did not see. Roger was coming down the road at the same time. The cable was already hooked on the solar panel but after reversing a little Roger and the marshal lifted the wire and I could enter. Fortunately, no damage was done.
Due to our late departure the planes got to destination an hour before us; it is not often that Bathawks are the faster mode of transport! Everyone was eagerly awaiting their ‘stuff’, more specifically their cooler boxes, I guess. The camp was made in laager style and within a very short space of time the braai fire was going.
Ufudu was officially dubbed HQ for the weekend, with everyone coming and going as needed for ice from the freezer, meat and beers stored in the fridge, boiling water for hot drinks, or just getting out of the wind for a while. It worked well and it was great fun. Back at SCG we always to go to other folks’ houses for socials, so this was a good opportunity for some reciprocal hospitality.
The aerobatics displays were jaw-dropping, gravity defying; absolutely breath-taking.
We had fun walking around admiring all the aircraft, meeting and chatting to people we haven’t seen for years and generally socialising. A special half hour was spent with Martin Louw who had coffee with us in Ufudu. Roger and Martin were reminiscing about the SAAF and Comair days and catching up on all the latest airline news!
Saturday evening meal was a communal one at an awards event in a hangar. The food was really good; it just needed to be rounded off with a little dessert, which was sadly lacking…
That night was even colder than the previous one. I felt sorry for everyone sleeping in little two-man tents but very thankful for our solid Ufudu with double bed and down duvet! Buzz even had frost on his wings in the morning.
Sunday morning saw a scramble to break camp and load everything back into Ufudu. The plan was to go to Tranquillity Lodge near Cullinan for breakfast. Sue and I left an hour before the airplanes, so we arrived at the venue simultaneously. It was a pleasant drive until we turned off onto a 4 km dirt road. The condition of that stretch was atrocious, bringing back memories of the bad road from Jozini to Sodwana at the end of last year. Just as well I was driving and not Roger… The breakfast was delicious though and good value for money. Well worth the detour.
Back at SCG Roger and I settled down with a well deserved beer and a gin after everyone had collected their belongings. Instead of cleaning Ufudu as per plan, we both voted for a much-needed nap. Marlene brought her two nephews for a flip with Roger at 4 pm, and while the boys were having fun, the two of us had a glass of wine and a catchup.
We travelled back home on Monday morning. A truly enjoyable and memorable weekend.
