19th Aug. Sth of Swakopmund

19th Aug. South of Swakopmund.
Finally caught up with the blog.
We left Palmwag fairly early as we wanted to get to Henties Bay, the first place to get provisions. It’s on the coast and meant we were to pass through the Skeleton Coast NP on a one day transit pass. This whole coast is so fascinating, so dry and lacking in vegetation. In the past it was a graveyard for any shipwrecked survivors as there is no water no matter what Bear Grylles says. The ship wrecks didn’t end with the beginning of steam, we visited a large Chinese trawler, the Zeila of Hangana that came ashore on the 25 Aug. 2008. It is still there looking like the day it landed. Incidentally we were in Sth Africa at the time suffering some of the severest gales they had had for years.
On the way out to the coast we had or first blowout after hitting a rough river crossing too fast. We have 2 spares so no problems but we only had three cars pass us while working on it. They first 2 stopped to see if we need help but the third car was Max & Moira. It’s funny, I had a feeling they would come along.
The camp site at Henties Bay is one you wouldn’t recommend. Almost new it is strewn with signs saying what and what not to do, the vibes were not good as soon as the white woman came out of her fortress. Some Sth Africans we got talking to had asked for their money back they were so upset with their treatment, of course she wouldn’t give it. Two years ago we put off stopping there as it didn’t feel right. That was the old camp site. I have posted a photo of the ‘don’t’s’ they listed.
At Swakopmund we had to have the van pressure cleaned. The road all the way along the coast is what is called a salt road. Not sure if the salt is in the road surface or salty water that they spray on the road. It’s a great smooth surface but deadly on the vehicle if not washed off.
Weather suddenly cool here with the Atlantic mist rolling off the sea. Fleeces and thick socks weather.
We are staying at a campsite at Long Beach Leisure Park. A bit like a Butlins camp in winter. There is a pier going into the Atlantic with a building of some sorts on the end. This place is deserted at the moment. We braved the cold winds and walked to the end of the pier expecting an empty building. To our surprise it turns out to be a bar with a barman whiling away his time watching football on the telly. We warmed ourselves with a couple of stiff drinks.