January 7th, 2008

Due to the civil unrest (post election) in Kenya over the past 2 weeks, there was plenty of time to work constructively on further preparations for the NLL trip. Our 1995 Landrover Defender is like any aged women and starts to look better and better every day. Recent modifications include a brand new stereo and speakers, mainly installed to keep the baby quiet during the long driving hours, and guard wires to protect the front windscreen from branches (in the desert?). Some might say I am wasting my time, but I (SL) am starting to enjoy my new hobby. In addition, a full service has been performed under the professional supervision of Johan Luchters. New blood is running through all the veins and all filters were replaced. She was purring like a kitten! Unfortunately, not long after, we were once again standing along the road near Ukunda with a broken down car. However, the recent 1-day car mechanics training has given us all the confidence and indeed the car was fixed within...... 4 hours and the assistance of various groups of people. Anyway, this gave the opportunity for yet another operation: a new bearing for the idler and new serpentine drive belt. Lastly, new brake pads were installed for the rear wheels.

January 4th, 2008

Walhalla! Diesel fuel was found at the Kenol petrol station in Mombasa after a few days of scarcity. It was time to measure the fuel consumption of our "new" Landy and a miraculous average of 16.55 kilometers per liter was achieved over the last 854 km. Julia was soo happy that she screamed it out and told everyone at Kenol!

December 25, 2007

A trip to Tsavo East National park with nearly the whole Luchters Family from December 22 until December 25, was a sort of a try-out for how to load up the car. Everything that could be found around the house which was heavy was packed into one of the 6 boxes. The newly installed heavy duty yellow coil springs were liking it and had no problems with the heavy load. All seems ready, now it only remains to convince Eowyn that camping is actually fun?