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TDA: Final Preparations

Our departure from OR Tambo Airport on the Egypt-air flight to Cairo is rapidly approaching, with final preparations made both in Prince Albert and up in Johannesburg. 

These included... Dropping our dogs, Blake and Mercutio off at the long-term boarding Kennels in Oudtshoorn. Travelling to George for our final inoculation booster injections, collection of our passports with the required visas for Egypt and Sudan, and the collection of foreign currency at the Bank.



Boxed bikes - Departing for Cairo
Our dogs in Prince Albert wondering where we're off to...

Our good friends from PASOC (Prince Albert Sonder Onderbroek Club) who assisted us greatly with our cycle training preparations throughout 2016, gave us a farewell braai and wished us well on our African adventure.

The Mons family, were of major assistance, helping us to pack up the house (defrosting fridges, moving of outside furniture, relocation of pot plants, etc) prior to our departure. They then departed for Johannesburg after their holiday in Prince Albert, on the same day as us.

Having packed up our kit and bikes and left Prince Albert, the road trip from the Karoo to Johannesburg was uneventful.  Although the road was extremely busy, traffic was free flowing and the majority of drivers were patient and courteous.

Over the weekend in Johannesburg, we had a farewell breakfast with the Niemans and Rosensteins, lunch with the Ferreiras, afternoon tea with Mary-Jean & Mike, followed by a quick visit to Mark, Jo-Ann and Grandchildren who had just returned from their trip to Thailand, said our goodbyes to Judith's mother, and finally had dinner with our "Train Buddies".



Last minute shopping for outstanding bike spares and accessories, medicines and supplements was done rather hastily, but successfully completed.

We finally finished the packing of our kit, to ensure it made the required weight restrictions (we are allowed two 90-liter bags of 23 kg each) and the boxing of our bikes for their transport to Cairo.



Our thanks go to Dave, Heather and Sam who hosted us at their home during our brief stay-over in Joburg,  before catching our Egypt-air flight out to Cairo - their hospitality was greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Mike T



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