Equipment Outfitters

A long journey by car is not half the ordeal it used to be in the past, but it still pays to get your car serviced and have all the crucial functions thoroughly checked; don’t skimp on repairs. Roadside breakdowns are no fun, and anything you can do to avoid them is well worth the trouble. If you suspect a major fault, book the se^-vice well ahead of your departure date — and factor in more time for taking back the vehicle to have any ’settling down’ problems sorted out as well.

Buy a good road map or two, which are available in a variety of formats from pocket-book guides to larger, more detailed, fold-out versions. These maps make navigating more fun, but they’re also educational, showing many places of general interest to the traveller.

And knowing distances can be handy when you’re estimating arrival times. I usually try to ignore the ‘how long till we get there’ question, but occasionally it’s nice to be able to say, ‘Oh, in about 45 minutes…’ and be absolutely right.

Leaving an urban home unattended for even a short time is not wise these days, unless under the watchful eye of a reputable security company. Even then … and this is no reflection on security companies! You may wish to organise a house-sitter instead. A person — or couple — known to you is one of the best options. If you have pets, find someone who is good with animals, who understands their habits and who is generally well disposed towards them. I say this because I know several people who ‘have a thing about cats’. If you own one or more of these fascinating creatures, it would be unkind — to both parties — to leave them in the hands of someone who does not like them. Birds and fish can also be extremely temperamental (birds get lost and fish often just die) when left in uncaring hands.

That taken care of, it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty. In these days of multi-vehicle families, we still try to pack everything we own into our largest vehicle. There may be sound logic behind this, but more and more people are opting to take both cars on holiday — and from here it’s a short jump to going in convoy with several families and groups of friends. This can be great fun and provides for a wonderful feeling of security on the road. It’s difficult to experience loneliness on a long, open stretch of the Great Karoo with three friends laughing hysterically on the back seat and another guffawing in your ear. Draw lots to drive the car full of kids, but remember, if you get the short straw you can always insist on swapping cars as time and stops allow.

If you wish to travel with a firearm, contact your local police station or the South African Gunowners Association (SAGA) to find out what is officially acceptable regarding storage and travel. You will be dealing with officialdom if anything goes wrong, so be sure to act within the law. The consequences of laxness can be dire, so as the licensed owner you need to be fully aware of your responsibility and take the necessary steps to ensure the security of your weapon. This does not mean that you have to carry it around with you the whole time.

Speak to the resort owner, who may provide a lock-up facility.

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