Le Mans 2010

Yet another trip (#14?) to La Sarthe for a week of cold drinks and watching motorcars.

We had a decent crew of attendees this year, 6 in our sub-group who camped which 6 of Marshy's comrades plus meeting at the weekend with Dickie, Lucy, Martin the Plumber etc.

Despite forecasts of rain we managed to time movements so we were indoors or under canvas when the heavens opened.

Photos include Friday roadtrip out to the Classic British Welcome at St. Saturnin and the Hotel de France in Chartres-sur-le-loir.

We race itself seemed like it was going to be a Peugeot whitewash after they got the first four places on the grid, but dull German reliability won out with Audi taking the whole podium as each French car dropped out.

Le Mans 2010

South Africa Trip Day Twelve

Today we went to Ngwenya Glass to watch some glass blowing (no cameras allowed for some reason) and then to Malotja reserve for a pootle around the tracks and admiring the view whilst eating petrol station pies.

According to the entry log at the reception we were the only two visitors inside the 4,500 acre park today.

South Africa 2010 - Day 12

South Africa Trip Day Eleven

Just a touristy day today, went to the Swazi Candles site to check out the tat and eat the world's biggest piece of carrot cake.

Didn't take any photos during the day, so thought I'd not break the chain and get a couple of shots of the evening cooking and the politically incorrect KFC billboard that leers over the back wall.

South Africa 2010 - Day 11

South Africa Trip Days Nine & Ten

Day Nine

Visited the Swazi Cultural village for dancing and a guided tour of the pretend village.

South Africa 2010 - Day 9

Day Ten

After a slight delay whilst we jump started the pink pajero after Timothy left the doors open all morning, we went cycling through the Mlilwane reserve amongst several zebras. It was very hot, and Timothy was lying when he said it was all flat.

South Africa 2010 - Day 10

South Africa Trip Days Seven & Eight

A trip to Hlane Game Park for camping and driving about looking for animals.

We had a couple of close encounters with some rhino, and saw some lions from a distance behind a fence but no sign of any elephants this time around.

We had the campsite to ourselves other than the tame ostrich that seemed to live there.

The next morning (Saturday) we went a few miles up the road to another game park to meet up with some of Tim and Heidi's friends who'd rented a lodge. Again we camped up without any neighbours.

South Africa 2010 - Day 7

South Africa 2010 - Day 8

South Africa Trip Day Six

From Golden Gate National Park to Manzini, Swaziland.

Another long trek in overcast weather.

South Africa 2010 - Day 6

South Africa Trip Day Five

The long drive from Grahamstown to the Golden Gate National Park

The roads varied from world class driving roads to ones with huge potholes. Whilst we passed a couple of road crews filling in the holes, they were using dirt rather than tarmac.

South Africa 2010 - Day 5