Posted 2009-08-06 12:31 PM (#109058) Subject: Cherokee returns after Zimbabwe Tour
Veteran
Posts: 177
Location: East London South Africa
Hello Guys
Well we made it 5780km round trip in 13 days... what an experience. Everything started well, except that I must admit we were slightly overloaded...well no we were well over... It took us two days to get from the coast to a town called Louis Trichard which is just 10km from the SA/Zim border. We all gathered there all 30 odd of us with 28 horses in total. The following morning we all left together and arrived at the Beitbridge border post at 7am....well that is where the fun stoped... it took us 9 1/2 to get through the border and into Zimbabwe... our poor horses, just had to stand...there was no way we could off load them. Fortunately we had enough water to keep them hydrated.
Once through the border it was a 300km journey to Bullawayo where SA would play Zim in three Polocrosse Test Matches...to cut it short SA lost the Tour but my side (the open mens) beat Zim in a nailbiting final which went to a sudden death decider...I believe it is the 1st time anyone has beaten Zim on home soil....
It was an experience next to none and would do it again in a blink of an eye...even though it took us a further 6 1/2 hours to get through the border on the way back.... Here are some pics of our journey...
Posted 2009-08-06 12:43 PM (#109059 - in reply to #109058) Subject: RE: Cherokee returns after Zimbabwe Tour
Veteran
Posts: 177
Location: East London South Africa
I forgot to mention the most important thing... The Cherokee performed like a star....I was so proud of my rig and where the others towing two horse BP all had to deal with punctures.... I sailed in and out of Zim without as much as a hickup.... well done Cherokee.... you sure do build a solid trailer... it has now stood up to probably the worst conditions on Earth... ZIMBABWE roads are almost non existent.
Posted 2009-08-06 6:17 PM (#109086 - in reply to #109058) Subject: RE: Cherokee returns after Zimbabwe Tour
Location: Central Arkansas
Glad things went smooth for you. Loved the pics.
While you were in the big Z did you happen to figure out what your rig was worth in Zimbabwe $'s? I carry a 100 Trillion dollar Zimbabwe bill in my wallet to explain why you can't print money without the gold to back it. It is worth 22 cents US. But, cost us a dollar on Ebay plus shipping.
Posted 2009-08-06 11:35 PM (#109104 - in reply to #109058) Subject: RE: Cherokee returns after Zimbabwe Tour
Veteran
Posts: 177
Location: East London South Africa
Hi Guys
I think the Cherokee
would be worth about 900000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000Zim$
They actually trade in US$ and Rand now..but mostly US$.. the problem is they dont have new money so the notes are quite well used..and they dont have much in the way of change...so if you go into a pub or resturant and pay for your drink or meal and the dont have change (in either R or$) they give you little square pieces of paper with a number on it... as your change...only problem is you can only use that at that store... and everything is priced in $ incriments...no 1 buck 99....its 1, 2,or 3. or leave it.
It is however very sad to see a country so ravaged by poverty and hardship...everyone you talk to says that the MDC has won the last three elections outright...but everything is so rigged....very sad. The people remaining are strong and make do with what little they have...I take my hat off to them.
More updates later... its 6am here and Im off to site..Cheers fellow trailer trash,,,lol
Posted 2009-08-07 9:25 AM (#109113 - in reply to #109058) Subject: RE: Cherokee returns after Zimbabwe Tour
Veteran
Posts: 177
Location: East London South Africa
The weather in Zim was surprizingly cold..considering we were so close to the equator... we did have two very hot days..otherwise the climate seems to be quite mild.
I think I am already their spokesman...pity I dont get paid hey...lol
Im just very proud of my rig...it gives us such pleasure and we have had no problems at all...(fingers crossed)