First voyage ... sort of.

Careful strapping down!

We checked the weather forecast: clear, hot, with the possibility of thunderstorms near our destination. At four in the morning we were off, heading south. Some miscommunication with the truck driver lost us an hour, but we loaded the mast and other cutoffs, then went to the scrapyard where she was moored. In fact, chained: wheels can be stolen off unattended trailers!

Inches to spare at the tollgate

Highveld thunderstorm

Strapping her down took another half hour, and then we were on the road! At first we took it slow, gauging every sway and swing from the following car, but as he gained confidence the truck driver added some speed. After about 80 kilometers we stopped to remove the tarp, it served no purpose and distracted us. A few kilometers further a few traffic cops were checking their speed camera, and belatedly pointed the driver to the weigh bridge. He gaily waved back at them and we continued on our way.

The day was a scorcher: in the high thirties Celsius. We cooled down as best we could, and later it became cooler, with some clouds developing.

Our first toll gate had a bypass, but at the second one we carefully slid through, with inches to spare on each side. Entering Johannesburg we heard radio reports of thunderstoms and even hail. We did get some raindrops, but managed to thread through the columns of rain. Nearing our destination we went down a last long hill, bane of many heavy loads, but we had no problem! And then we were at the factory, where she will be moored for the next few months until the welding, painting and interior is complete.

A nerve wracking first voyage, but a successful one. Let us hope the rest will go as well as this one.

A safe arrival