WEST COAST TOUR – DECEMBER 2010

ANDRÉ AND CORRIE KAMFFER

We met Neville of Sherpa Leisure in October 2010 and we placed an order for a Sherpa Tiny caravan and he took our existing caravan away with him as a trade-in, all with just a handshake!  We wanted a smaller caravan to use for camping and touring and we wanted it custom sprayed to match our newly built-up 1939 Chevrolet.  Our Sherpa Tiny was delivered on the promised date of 11th December 2010 with his proud family beside him.  What an interesting business family we have met. 

Our desire has been to tour the west coast. Packing our Sherpa Tiny caravan we were amazed with all the storage place and practical layout of the caravan.  We reckon this is a big Tiny!

On 13th December 2010 we were on our way on a totally unplanned west coat holiday with our 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe motor vehicle and our Sherpa Tiny caravan.  As the car has a small fuel tank, we were forced to stop for petrol quite regularly.  What should have taken about 10 minutes at each petrol station, took us almost an hour due to people eager to ask us about our car and caravan.  We met a lot of interesting people – thank you to you all.

Our first sleep-over was at the Kimberley Caravan Park.  We went out for supplies and on our return we found a crowd of people around our Sherpa Tiny.  Thank you Neville for all the brochures!

We took on gravel roads, potholes and non-existing roads.  The Sherpa Tiny came all the way with us like a glove on a hand. We have never experienced such steadiness whilst towing.  People say that it is a tiny caravan but what more do you need from a caravan, especially when touring, than a bed, plenty of storage, a fridge and a stove.  We stayed over at Orania with just the roof lifted up and a pleasant night’s sleep.

We left Orania and decided to visit all the small towns that one normally never has the time to visit.  These included Hopetown, Strydenburg, Britstown, Victoria Wes, Loxton, Carnarvon, Williston, Calvinia, through the Van Rhyn’s pass travelling in rain and mist to Van Rhyn’s Dorp where we had a sundowner and braaivleis.

The next day we travelled to Clan William dam and the Cederberg – what beauty!  Next was Vredenburg and Suldanha Caravan Park which was well-situated to visit the surrounding bays, Yzerfontein, and Darling (a must see with Plaaskombuis with the hottest and freshest farm-baked bread).  On to Paternoster and Tietiesbay (do not attempt this with a very low car.)  Christmas day lunch at the Paternoster Hotel with its owner Johan Carosini was very special.  He was born the same year as our 1939 Chev.

Heading back home we visited Elandsbay and Lambertsbay. Back to Clan William Dam and on the N7 to Bitterfontein, Garies, Kammieskroon and Springbok.  En route to Augrabies we had to replace the fuel pump.  The lodge 3km from the waterfalls is a wonderful stop-over.  We passed Upington, Olifantshoek and stayed over at Kuruman.  We arrived home in time for Old Year’s Eve having travelled 5800km.  This was a memorable vacation. Thank you to Neville and the crew of Sherpa Leisure.  The craftsmanship and quality is of the highest standard as not one screw or rivot came adrift and due to the aero-dynamics of the Sherpa Tiny, towing made little impact on our petrol consumption.

Our condolence and prayers go to the family of John Delport of Sherpa Leisure who passed away on the 23rd December 2010.