Maintenance Steps, Malls and Mosquitoes in Upington

November 28, 2022 Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Although I am very much a creature of habit, e.g. I use the same brand of toothpaste and tomato sauce as I did when my mom did the shopping and, I still wear the same brand of knickers, and have used the same fragrance for 40 years, I am not keen to repeat experiences. Firstly, life is too short for that, and secondly, with my FOMO, I’m far too curious to know what else is around the corner or what's around the next bend in the road.

Butch, on the other hand, finds it more convenient to return to the same haunts. In this instance, his priority was to replace the Honey Badger’s steps and have our solar panels seen to. Where we stayed was academic, and we argued that Monate campsite, a well known favourite campsite en route to the Kgalagadi, would suffice. We’d stayed there before and had enjoyed our experience. Plus, they had a pool, and while Butch was busy with maintenance tasks, I could bask in the sun poolside.

The tourism industry was one of the hardest hit by Covid in South Africa, and we agree it’s surprising so many businesses survived the devastation. It would be unkind and unjustified to criticise this campsite too harshly, for one I can’t pinpoint my criticism albeit to say that we both found the set up to be “tired”. The once-manicured lawns were slightly neglected but not enough to give a bad review.

Could it be that familiarity possibly breeds contempt? The simple explanation is that first-time experiences can’t be repeated with the same results. We decided we’d move on after one night.

---oOo---

Butch invited me to accompany him into Upington on the first morning, where he hoped we could have our solar panels checked. Since installing our new Blue Nova batteries, we noticed that our electricity charge was taking longer to build to 100% strength. Unless we were plugged into an electrical supply point or had driven all day, our panels were not up to muster. At night with two fridges running, we would lose 25% of our charge, and if we used any appliances or charged any batteries, e.g. our bikes’ batteries, our supply would dwindle to 35%.

Recharging our blue Novas could take days in good weather, but we pondered what bad days in remote areas would do. We were trying to avoid an Eskom situation. Technology has changed remarkably; we were convinced that new solar panels would be more efficient. Everyone we spoke to agreed.

---oOo---

Battery Center in Upington was the recommendation from Butch’s contacts in Worcester. Off we went. Specialising in solar heating and stockiest of batteries and Thule gear amongst other brands.

There, our solar panels were disconnected to make a diagnosis. Yes, they could be improved, but we didn’t have sufficient space on our roof for one additional panel. Our best option would be to replace both our panels with two new boards, which would give us the maximum power compatible with our battery system, we would double our capacity—a no-brainer.

Off came our old panels and on went the new ones. While all this was happening, Butch and I could enjoy the Kalahari Mall, where we could do the bulk of our shopping for the next leg of our journey. We could tick a few items off our want list, e.g. some shoes for Butch and I could browse in the bookshop for children’s books and if there was time, we could have coffee and toasties at the Wimpy. Good old Wimpy coffee!

---oOo---

There’s an Indian curse that goes something like this “I hope you get what you wish for”! We all love shopping and sometimes I "need" some retail therapy. My wish was granted. On my phone I had my list, I was ready for a few hours browsing, shopping and a coffee to reward us.

The reality was something like this: Browsing in the bookshop 20 minutes, Butch’s shoes 10 minutes, shopping at Woolies 25 minutes, Wimpy rendezvous 30 minutes, Checkers 10 minutes, Game 14 minutes. After 2 hours, we’d done everything we needed to do. Little did we know we were stuck there for seven hours. What on earth does one do for seven hours, you ask? You shop. You drink coffee, tea, and iced coffee. You buy more data, then shop for “in case you’ve forgotten something”. You sit and play Wooduko and eventually bug everyone you know with What’s App calls and messages. When the grandchildren have had it with you, you sit and contemplate upsetting someone at work. Then you walk the length of the center again, get those exercise circles closed, and buy something else you don’t need. And repeat.

---oOo---

It was suggested that we move to Onranjerus Resort, 25km from Upington. Situated on the Orange river, surrounded by farmlands. We couldn’t be happier. Once again, we’d be parked on green lawns and beautiful trees and hear the sound of a river cascading over rocks. There was a restaurant and pool on site to boot. We could enjoy sundowners on the deck while watching the sky and the river turn orange in the evening. The river does turn orange.

A call from Post Net came on Wednesday morning. Our new automatic steps had arrived. This time I declined to accompany Butch into town, I would do some writing and get my blogs up to date. With all the time in the world at my disposal I decided to bath, a long soaking bath. Bliss. The rest of the week could wait. I spent two days on the deck with my laptop typing my blogs. Now and again, a sympathetic server would bring me a coffee and a glass of water or stop to chat.

From my seat on the deck I enjoyed guests coming and going, gardeners moving hosepipes around and the Vervet monkeys swinging from tree to tree. I particularly enjoyed the group photographs taken by enthusiastic conference goers. The smiles and poses told a story of pure joy.

On Thursday evening, hours after he thought he'd be "home" Butch clocked in to say he was done, the work finished and we could move on. Whoopee. We opened a bottle of bubbly and celebrated.

The service Butch received from the Battery Center in Upington was first class. The guys were professional, knew their oats and served us well. Butch, who spent much of his time in the workshop, reported how impressed he was with the team working there and how much he respected the precision with which the work was done and the steps installed. He felt confident because of the service, the quality of workmanship and the high standard of materials used that we had upgraded on the solar panels.

The steps are not the same brand as our previous ones, the quality looks excellent, but the style is different. Much larger and less compact with a laborious folding system and closer to the ground, we hope they’ll be as efficient.

Our time at Oranjerus Resort was perfect. The ablutions were lovely, and I had a choice, a bath or shower. Although we didn’t swim, the option was there. My time on the deck was very productive, and I managed to upload a few blogs and download my photographs using the available Wi-Fi. The staff were extremely hospitable, friendly and helpful. The only criticism would be that the maintenance crew were a bit slack. The rubbish bins at our site and in the bathrooms were never emptied. (we stayed for four nights.)

One afternoon shortly after Butch arrived back from a long day in Upington he met our new neighbours. He stepped up to greet and introduce himself and he didn't come in for at least a half an hour. A sure sign he'd found a kindred spirit. He had. They were chatting up a storm. I hadn't seen Butch this animated for ages. Allan and Sue, sometimes one meets a stranger who becomes an immediate friend. That you are. Over the course of the last few weeks we've had opportunities to catch up and Butch has enjoyed Allan's friendship tremendously. We certainly hope our paths cross again and tht we can pick up where we left off.

There were a few wildlife surprises eg the mozzies were hectic followed by moths and other flying critters attracted by lights. We switched everything off and plodded about in the dark! A surprise awaited me one morning making the bed. A little pointed reptilian tail snaked and wriggled beneath Butch's pillow. A lizard. Oh my beating heart!

---oOo---

I persuaded Butch to treat me to lunch at the Zest Bistro to celebrate his successful week. According to Trip Advisor, the number one eatery once again proves how subjective a star rating and reviews can be.

The restaurant in the upmarket hotel Zest was abuzz with lunchtime guests. In the shady quart yard, a sixtieth birthday celebration was well on its way, and the ladies were in full swing. Numerous groups arrived for conference luncheons, and other guests like us trickled in. I was impressed by how well-supported the restaurant was as we took up our seats at one of three empty tables.

Service was quick, and soon we had our drinks. The waitress, a lovely, well-spoken lady with the biggest smile, welcomed us and took our order. We’d share a starter, and for mains, we’d have a pear and blue cheese salad, and I would have a Turkish Pannacotta for dessert.

I was telling Butch about the excitement of the Pannacotta, wondering how different a Turkish flavour would be, when the waitress stopped by our table. She handed us the menus and informed us that the starter was unavailable (skaapstertjies). Fine, we’d settle for just the salad. Off she went to the kitchen. Five minutes later, back she comes sheepishly. Unfortunately, the kitchen couldn't produce the salad, but she’s hidden the last Pannacotta for me!

Butch thought we should leave, he wasn’t in the mood and didn’t have an appetite anyway. I always have an alternate lined up, which I gave. Butch knows the look “you can’t shoot the messenger” and ordered tuna salad, I would have ravioli.

The plates arrived, the waitress, still smiling, was kind and did her best. We enjoyed our lunch, the ravioli was surprisingly good, as was the Pannacotta. As we departed, I could see happy faces lined up at the buffet counter, that’s probably the kitchen’s forte and not some old fuddy-duddies ordering from the menu.

At least I could glimpse the 200-year-old quiver tree planted on the pavement where we’d parked the Honey Badger. After a week of eating out we were ready to roll.