I just got back from a 3 month stint working in South Africa and as usual I really enjoyed the experience especially on the weekends which I spent exploring the area. You need to keep your wits about you as there are plenty of people who earn little or no money and are always looking for an opportunity to get a few $$ out of you (legally or otherwise). When I left the small regional airport last Friday they made me put everything I was carrying into plastic trays and put them through the scanner which included my sunglasses, wallet, watch, belt, hat, shoes, jacket, laptop, ipad and carry on bag. After I passed through the metal detector one of the security guys said that he wanted to look in my carry bag so I opened it and we both went through the contents. All checked out OK and while I was trying to gather my belongings he kept hustling me along telling me that the plane was waiting for me, Sometime later during the flight I realised that my $200 sunglasses were missing, no doubt the guy who had been operating the xray machine had pocketed them while his mate had kept me busy with the bag search and then hustling me along in the hope that I wouldn't notice (it worked). After clearing immigration in Joburg I went through security and they confiscated a really nice cheese board set that I had bought as a gift for a friend, it was too late for me to put it in my luggage because I had booked everything thorough to Sydney from the regional airport. I should have known from past experience that they would probably do this but I hadn't really been thinking about it when I when I was trying squeeze everything into my bags - reluctantly I left the item with them. Really "cheesed" me off when I found that they were selling exactly the same thing in the curio shops on the air side of the securiuty gate.. Anyhow it's good to be back home as we intend to hook up the van and head off again at least until they call me out of retirement again. One thing about being retired is that I can pick and choose whether I want to go or not.
Cheers
BB
Gaylehere said
11:04 PM Aug 5, 2019
Always interesting to hear about some of your overseas experiences. Cheers.
Sheba said
06:24 PM Aug 6, 2019
Glad you're home safe BB. Just watched "Blood Diamond" the other night. Wouldn't want to live over there.
The Belmont Bear said
09:05 AM Aug 7, 2019
Thanks guys we are planning on heading out to Broken Hill, down to Mildura, along the Murray then back home in a couple of weeks time. It will be nice to spend some time on home soil never know we might even run into a few GNs on the way.
Cheers
BB
Olive Oil said
07:35 PM Aug 8, 2019
The Belmont Bear wrote:
Thanks guys we are planning on heading out to Broken Hill, down to Mildura, along the Murray then back home in a couple of weeks time. It will be nice to spend some time on home soil never know we might even run into a few GNs on the way.
Cheers BB
Take a run north of Broken Hill up to Packsaddle Road House.
The Silver City Hwy is bitumen all the way now.
It runs parallel to the Barrier Ranges, great views.
-- Edited by Olive Oil on Thursday 8th of August 2019 07:42:01 PM
The Belmont Bear said
12:33 AM Aug 9, 2019
Thanks for the tip OO would the Packsaddle Road house be worth basing ourselves for a couple of days I see that they have powered sites available ?
BB
Radar said
07:30 AM Aug 9, 2019
Hi welcome home.
Great time to be out that way, have only just returned, nights were fresh but the days were good.
There is a old saying we have learnt from our young ones living in Austria in regards to weather. "There is no such thing as bad day, just you are wrongly dressed".
Enjoy out there.
Olive Oil said
12:03 PM Aug 9, 2019
The Belmont Bear wrote:
Thanks for the tip OO would the Packsaddle Road house be worth basing ourselves for a couple of days I see that they have powered sites available ?
BB
Its a great drive up there. The roadhouse is great, nice meals, friendly service.
Sites are basic as are the amenities, but quite adequate.
Great sunset views from the verandah while enjoying a drink.
They are in the process of sealing the road right through to Tibooburra.
Definitely worth a few days.
Some nice camp spots along the way adjacent to creek beds, particularly Euriowie Creek.
I just got back from a 3 month stint working in South Africa and as usual I really enjoyed the experience especially on the weekends which I spent exploring the area. You need to keep your wits about you as there are plenty of people who earn little or no money and are always looking for an opportunity to get a few $$ out of you (legally or otherwise). When I left the small regional airport last Friday they made me put everything I was carrying into plastic trays and put them through the scanner which included my sunglasses, wallet, watch, belt, hat, shoes, jacket, laptop, ipad and carry on bag. After I passed through the metal detector one of the security guys said that he wanted to look in my carry bag so I opened it and we both went through the contents. All checked out OK and while I was trying to gather my belongings he kept hustling me along telling me that the plane was waiting for me, Sometime later during the flight I realised that my $200 sunglasses were missing, no doubt the guy who had been operating the xray machine had pocketed them while his mate had kept me busy with the bag search and then hustling me along in the hope that I wouldn't notice (it worked). After clearing immigration in Joburg I went through security and they confiscated a really nice cheese board set that I had bought as a gift for a friend, it was too late for me to put it in my luggage because I had booked everything thorough to Sydney from the regional airport. I should have known from past experience that they would probably do this but I hadn't really been thinking about it when I when I was trying squeeze everything into my bags - reluctantly I left the item with them. Really "cheesed" me off
when I found that they were selling exactly the same thing in the curio shops on the air side of the securiuty gate.. Anyhow it's good to be back home as we intend to hook up the van and head off again at least until they call me out of retirement again. One thing about being retired is that I can pick and choose whether I want to go or not.
Cheers
BB
Glad you're home safe BB. Just watched "Blood Diamond" the other night. Wouldn't want to live over there.
Cheers
BB
Take a run north of Broken Hill up to Packsaddle Road House.
The Silver City Hwy is bitumen all the way now.
It runs parallel to the Barrier Ranges, great views.
-- Edited by Olive Oil on Thursday 8th of August 2019 07:42:01 PM
Thanks for the tip OO would the Packsaddle Road house be worth basing ourselves for a couple of days I see that they have powered sites available ?
BB
Hi welcome home.
Great time to be out that way, have only just returned, nights were fresh but the days were good.
There is a old saying we have learnt from our young ones living in Austria in regards to weather. "There is no such thing as bad day, just you are wrongly dressed".
Enjoy out there.
Its a great drive up there. The roadhouse is great, nice meals, friendly service.
Sites are basic as are the amenities, but quite adequate.
Great sunset views from the verandah while enjoying a drink.
They are in the process of sealing the road right through to Tibooburra.
Definitely worth a few days.
Some nice camp spots along the way adjacent to creek beds, particularly Euriowie Creek.
Thanks again for the tip and also the photos we will definately be heading up that way to check it out.
Cheers
BB