Today marks the eigth day before we depart from Park Station in Johannesburg and arrive in Prince Albert the morning of 18 June 2015. The first day of boot camp for the Ranger Odyssey 2015 competition. The train will come to a screetching hault at 07:35 in Prince Albert Station but Olienhof camp is situated 45km out of town. I am reminded by the words of the famous Afrikaans song "... dis te ver om te loop en te naby om te ry ..." Although this time round it definitely is to far to walk with our baggage, sleeping bag and pillow under our arms. 

Correct me if I'm wrong but our group has great team spirit and we should not only pitch at Olienhof Camp at 10:00 in the morning. We should ARRIVE and what better way to arrive than with local transport. Yes, you guessed it. We have arranged with a local taxi driver, Billy van Rooyen, to pick us up at the station and drop us off at camp. It is just a another way to make our trip a more memorable one.

Now on a more serious note. This morning I stumbled onto the Ranger Odyssey press release posted on Facebook. I don't want to hoot my own horn but when I received the long awaited phone call from Ford last week Monday, I was told that I am number one on the list. Obviously I was over the moon and then maybe just maybe thought that everyone gets told that to make them feel more special. Not that the call did not do that in the first place.  Well ... after reading the press release I got to the part where they mention all of the contestants names. My name was first on the list. I am excited all over again and all I can say is thank you for the panel who chose me. I am heading into this competition with a quote from Steve Martin - "Be so good they can't ignore you." 

May the full force of 4x4 be with me at boot camp and thank you to Ford for making this dream a reality. 

Facebook post link: https://www.facebook.com/notes/ford-south-africa/ranger-odyssey-journey-begins-for-40-boot-camp-contestants/895566113835708?pnref=story

13 days left ...

It is only human to not trust someone's driving ability that you don't know from a bar of soap. A lift club seemed like the only option to get us from Centurion to Prince Albert in the Northen Cape, which is  1 115 km away.  Driving at average speed would make the journey 10 hours and 22 minutes long, excluding bathroom breaks and making time to eat.

We started with four passangers and as the day progressed we ended up with 10 fellow travellers. The initial plan was to drive there in one car, but to fit 10 people in two cars, baggage included would have been a mission of note. It would have been definite fun getting to know fellow competitors but add stress and a confined space to the mixture and it is a recipe for disaster. 

A bus was the next option. But would have been an even longer journey as they may only travel 100 km/h and sitting upright for x amount of hours with someone sleeping on your shoulder is not my idea of fun. 

Although I have travelled by train before I have not travelled that far ... I consulted with the group and many agreed. I was on it, arranging with South African Railways / Sun African Travel who is really helpful. I would recommend them to anyone who want to take the train to anywhere ... The route stops at Prince Albert station, I mean come on! Who wouldn't want to take the train then! Having a stress free day, sleeping in a compartment and being able to walk around while we can take stunning pictures of South Africa as we travel. The rates are over and above what convinced me to rather travel with them. R460 oneway. Petrol and accomodation for one night would have been double. 

I am so much looking forward to our trip. Meeting follow competitors, assessing them as they are are there for the same objective as me. The question is, who is built tough(er)?

Ranger Odyssey

After sending a write up about myself and taking a ever so tough pose in front of a branded Ford Ranger, the  odds were stacked in my favour. I received the long awaited phone call last night ... I am one of 40 people who got chosen out of 11 000 entrants. Eleven thousand. That is a lot. If you think about it - what is the odds?

The next step in this once in a lifetime adventure is bootcamp and it is only 18 days away. The exact dates are 18 - 22 June and it will be held in the Karoo. The home of beautiful landscapes and great tasting lamb chops. There is just no other way to describe it.

There is no way to contain my exitement. I truly feel like a child the night before Christmas. Only it's not the night before, it is still 18 days away. During the course of my adventure I will keep you updated on the progress, my nerves as well as the excitement that is building. 

Last but not least I would like to thanks my family and friends for their support thus far. Thanks for being exited with me and for my warm socks. It will be of excellent use during the cold winter nights in the Karoo. 

Coincidently my favourite quote by the great man himself, Henry Ford. "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't. You're right." Coincidence - I think not!