Update of Trip back from Durban to Moorreesburg

Shocked realiasation that I was last on this forum in March when in Durban.
I had mentioned that I would give feedback on the Durban trip and the car used, well late but some feedback.

Durban:

We decided due to the roadworks we encountered on the way to Durban that we would use the N3 and go via Harrismith, Ficksburg back to Cape Town.

All was well on the N3 until we left via Harrismith then onto Bethlehem. All seemed good and looked like a relaxed drive ahead as we passed through. The first roadworks we encountered was on route to Ficksburg, and then the nightmare experience that took very long time to get through was experienced.  When we were not waiting at the roadworks we were crawling around huge pot holes that seemed to ingulf the whole road. Finally just nearing Zastron we seemed to be through the worst of it. I was glad to be through and also reminded myself that the roads were being worked on and that that was a good thing.
We overnighted in Hanover at the hotel and we were treated to a lovely country meal with desert. The owners were ex Hermanus people who decided to move inland. We were up early the next morning and continued our way to Cape Town on the N1 roadworks in progress most of the way.
We had breakfast in Laingsburg at a family run restaurant just next to the Engen garage where we reflected on the journey so far hoping that the next process would be smoother.
We arrived home in Moorreesburg later that night after leaving the N1 after the Du Toits Kloof pass and passing through Paarl, Wolsley, Riebeek and finally home. Glad the trip was over.

Car:

We used a Volvo C30 D2, we believe the first diesel C30 to be sold in South Africa for this trip. Well that is what the Volvo dealer at Tygervalley told us when we collected the car. We found the ride to be great and secure, now and again a bit hard, but then again this is supposed to be for use in the city and surrounds.
The huge potholes in the Free State were very nerve wracking and when we stopped at Colesburg for Diesel, I looked at the tyres and rims and all seemed good. When we stopped for breakfast in Laingsburg I had a closer look in the day light and all seemed 100%, tyres good, rims good and bodywork good.

We eeked out 700 kilometer a tank. We left Moorreesburg on a full tank we filled up next in Port Elizabeth having done over 700 kilometers. At the next fill ups we resolved to fill up when on 1/4 tank as running tank nearly empty not really a good idea.

The cruise control was really great enabling us to keep to the various speed limits, in some places were were not sure and cruised at 100 km (Open road) just to be on the safe side. The seating was comfortable and the boot big enough for our meduim bag as well as our laptop, netbook and on the move bags which contained snacks and drinks for the road.

The main reason for investing in a Volvo was for the safety and reliability we had heard of through the years. When Lynne first saw the C30 when it first came to our shores, Lynne had decided that was her next car and so was very pleased that she could secure her dream car and know that it was not just a cool design but also a safe and reliable car.

More next time on my thoughts and what has happened since our Durban trip.

 

Where is the year going

Hello,

Yes I last blogged in January and now find myself in Durban, just of Umbilo road listening in on a social media course, currently discussing twitter, blogging and face book. You tube and the other many social media sites have already been mentioned.

Lynne is now concentrating and Blogging and why you should blog and how to use it for branding and other options.

The course is being run in Nikki's beautiful home which overlooks the harbour and at the moment a lovely cool breeze is blowing through the open doors. The home is a renovation in progress and Nikki has been at it for 18 months and looks great. Has 2 floors, with a big swimming pool and water feature that puts you to sleep at night with the sound of the running water.

We are here for a short while and then will be doing the road trip back to home, it takes about 2 days and hope to have a less frustrating drive back.

More next time about the road trip to Durban and the trip back, may even give my take on the car we are using for the road trip as it is billed as a city car by the manufacturers.

Later

Greg

New Year Resolutions

Have not blogged in months, so have decided to actively become part of the global social media and time permitting keep people updated with my latest thought on life and the world.

Have always not paid much attention to new year resolutions as by the end of the month most of us have forgotten them and are back at work and busy with life.

I have decided that this year I am going to set myself goals and attain them.

- Do everything in prayer

- Keep informed about what is going on in the world

- Sort out priorities

- Live a meaningful life

- Love everything in God's creation

- Remember to be thank full and grateful for friends, family and people I encounter on my journey through time.

- Make a difference.

Quite a list of goals, I believe that if I priorities the do everything in prayer and love everything in God's creation the rest will fall into place and my attitude and outlook will be positive knowing that what I do reflects in eternity.

:-)