Flight to Elands Bush Camp

[maximilian]

Hi all

Last weekend I decided that it is time for an old toppie like me to break out of Microland and fly further away then just the Bubsfontein airfield! I joined up with a few buddies of mine and we decided we would take a flight to visit Oom Paul, on his Elands River camp near Marble Hall, specially designed and catered for all our microlighting needs! After two hours and 15 minutes, according to GPS information, and yes with a knee board map, Old toppies always use a map for back-up, we arrived exactly overhead Oom Paul’s camp. As we landed an entrach of four-wheelers and camera flashes welcomed us and we were guided to the taxi way into the camp where good old Oom Paul welcomed us with a well deserved welcome coffee. After we got everything packed away we enjoyed an awesome branch and once our stomachs were satisfied Oom Paul took us into Marble Hall to get petrol and food for that evening. Once we had a little siesta Oom Paul took us to the Loskop Dam and along the river to the Groblersdal airfield, what a lovely scenery, one I never expected in that part of our country, after we took photo’s we saw the sun was setting very quickly and it was nearing to the end of our day, so we shot from Groblersdal with the bar tightly against our body at 100km/h to hopefully make it back to our base camp before dark, after landing we had hardly five minutes before we could hardly see our hand before us, we packed all away with a dash of speed and got prepared for a lovely braai and a beautiful story from Oom Paul about his flight around South Africa, after a few more “Coke’s” (okay with a bit of Brandy involved) we fell deeply into slumber land! 5 o’clock Sunday morning all were up refueling and doing our pre-flight checks, a quick coffee and a rusk and a final safe flight from Oom Paul, one hour and 40 minutes later we touched down at Microland with fond memories of a beautiful but short weekend with Oom Paul, but with the knowledge that it will not be the last he will see of us! Once again thank you very much Oom Paul for your warmest hospitality that is seldom seen in South Africa now-a-days!

We arrived as strangers and left as friends
Your buddies Max, Craig & Gerald

(This is my story composed by my daughter)
(Unfortnately the photo's we added would not come up on this website when we paste them into this block for whatever reason)

[wiskeyfoxtrot]

Pity that there are no pics!, sounds like a great time was had by all.

Later

[maximilian]

Here are some pics of our trip

[Vertical Tango]

Is Oom Paul having guests as a business or was this trip a very "private" party ?
If it is open to other pilots, can Oom Paul give the coordinates of his venue and explain more what the whole thing is about ?

[Blue Max]

Hi Max,
Tx for your vissit. I like to read the stories and you did a good job of the photo's aswell..

Vertical Tango.
Check on my Aviator, the co-ordinates are there.
You and anybody else are welcome to come and visit me.
The Bushcamp is only an hour and half flying time from Microland. Sittuated in the loskop valey near Marble Hall, Groblersdal, Loskopdam, Rhenosterkopdam and Orabiedam.
We have two Pilot cabins adjoining the hanger. They sleep 4 persons each.
If you call me before you come I will organise you a breakfast/brunch and or a braai in the evening...Fuel is not a problem..
I ask R125 ppp nite and a lyttle extra if you want a breakfast and a braai...About R80 for the 2 meals.
Read the thread about 'lair of Blue Max.'

[Vertical Tango]

Many thanks Blue Max, we will plan soon something.