Next stop Botswana and Francistown. A modern town with much development on the horizon. We camped at a Hotel Resort with excellant facilities. Unable to locate tyres again we headed to Maun. We confirmed all previous reports that the Caprivi Strip was out of bounds becaues of border problems with Angola so our trek would take us Sth West along the Kalahari Desert. There was approximately 150kms of rough dirt to cover so the Metzler was employed to cover the next leg to Windhoek in Nambibia where we hoped to get new tyres. We covered the distance without problems stopping overnight at a campground outside Ghanzi. The owners had been doing it tough over the past couple of months with flood waters flowing through the camp at around 60cm deep. We were entertained by a flock of wild Ostrich who appeared to show no fear of us and walked close to our campsite. The next two days we would prefer to forget but this is all part of travelling.

The first flat tyre (rear) occurred around 80kms from Ghanzi. The repair took a couple of hours as more than one hole was found. 30kms further on we experienced the same horrible weave as it went flat again, tearing the valve stem out of the tube. Replacing the tube we headed to the next town (Gobabis , Namibia) No campground was found in town but we were directed to one abouut 10kms out of town, Very pleasant after our day of woes.

THe flats could only be linked to tube failure as no foreign objects could be found in the tyre. Next day after an unsuccessful attempt to obtain another tube we pressed on to Windhoek. 40kms out the rear tyre was flat again. On removal, scars on the tube were similar to the previous days holes. Checking the tyre again found a divot of rubber on the sidewall that must have pinched the tube. We cut it out patched the tube only to have both our pumps fail (electric & hand) Carol showed her skills and flagged down a passing motorist and we were soon on our way. The tyre and tube survived the remainder of the journey to Windhoek. Tyres at last.

We now sporta NEW Kenda with a heavy duty enduro tube on the rear. The front will last to Sth Africa. On this journey we have been in constant contact with another couple of Aussies travelling the world on a Harley Davidson. Finally after many delays we have met Peter and Kay Forwood. We are camped at the Roof of Africa Backpackers and our travel tales are keeping us entertained for many long hours. We will now travel a little around Namibia before heading to Sth Africa.