Into the Desert

No idea when we will get WiFi...but writing this in the unconnected desert ...so here goes....

...We leave the luxury of the Swakopmund campsite for a 300km drive to Solitaire, but before we get under way, there's the matter of a visit to the local garage for remedial work on Charles' air-con. With Mr Fix-it's assistance, it's done in a jif (well 1 1/2 hours) and we join our patient travelling companions for a coffee before we set off, travelling through the Namib desert area. 

As it happens, the mist has cleared by the time we arrive at the challenging Dune 7 (such an evocative name..) so, of course, we have to climb it. Hellish satisfaction, I recon...and a fantastic view, too. Dune 7 - tick.

We drive (with blissful air-con) through the wonderful Kuiseb and Gaub passes and some quite magic, stark scenery before arriving at the wierd, v. small town if Solitaire, population 97 and rising. Another braai then to bed.
.......

Next day, we're off to Sesriem  and, for a change, we're first there to get info on the Sossusvlei Dunes before dropping off our tables to mark our pitch.. as we're not last for a change...

..then we're off into the amazing park with hge highest dunes in the world. We climb Dune 45 (Hell but satisfying..Dune 45 tick), take a 4x4 trip to the ring of Sossusvlei dunes, do a 2 km walk and generally go Wow! Goodness! before returning, quite late, to camp.

......

Next morning, we get up at 4.15 (really!) to set off at 5.00am to see the sunrise in the dunes. Brilliant!.... but we didn't expect to see around 50 youngish fit-types climbing Dunes 45. Been there done that!
We get some dune-in-the-morning-light pics before returning, at some speed, to meet friends for breakfast in the campsite restaurant.

Then we walk for a couple of hours in the nearby hot, hot gorge before fuelling and getting under way ... or so we thought... Puncture! ... not ours but a travelling partner's. So we change it, repair it at the garage. Then we're off .... until we stop to help another Bobo group with a PUNCTURE!

The rest of the day is a long drive through D Roads as the original route  has deteriorated too far. We arrive just in time for a communal braai, cooked by ... you guessed .. Mr fix-it. Great stuff.

More desert tomorrow.

Dune 7 - Tick

Dune 45 - Looks like a Challenge

Dune 45 - Tick

 Looks dodgy, Sue

Goodbye Dune 45