We left Francistown at 7am and headed anxiously for the next border crossing.  Come hell or high water we were super determined to get to ZIm. However, we were in for a complete surprise – there was no need to be anxious.  The border crossing at Plumtree was pain free and everyone was helpful, courteous and friendly – we were out of Botswana and in Zim in just under an hour.  What a pleasure.

We then found ourselves on good roads (much to our surprise) and whilst we had to slow down for 4 police roadblocks we were not stopped once. The police smiled and waved.   The GPS took us down a sand road which cut off more than an hour from our journey and we were soon our campsite, where again everyone was helpful and friendly.   After patting ourselves on the back at our good fortune we opened the caravan door to unpack.  Oh boy !!!   The fire extinguisher had gone off – what a mess!!!   I wish we had taken a photo but in the heat of the day with everything covered in powder, this was the last thing on our mind. 

So the moral of this tale – if good fortune smiles on you, DON’T speak about it …… 

There are a few other tips we can share:

1. If you see a laundry, wash what you have dirty – even if you strip off what you’re wearing

2. If you think it’s going to rain – it sure is and yes everything will be soaked

3. If you plan a special meal that needs a stove, a great big wind will come out of no-where and you will end up having cereal

4. If you plan on having an early night and a good nights sleep, you can bet an overlanding truck will pull in as your head hits the pillow

5. If you are hot, sweaty and not at your best – you will bump into someone you know

6. Make sure you have plenty rum and coke – a sense of humour is not going to get you through the trip on its own.

7. Life will be full of BCM’s (Butt clenching Moments) but you will most likely survive to tell the tale

8. Clothes pegs are amazing – they are useful for everything.  Velcro, whilst useful, can be a pain when it sticks to the wrong thing.

9.  Take lots of super strong, super sized tent pegs and a 4 pound hammer as the ground is hard as granite in a lot of places.  Try not to hit your hand whilst hammering them in.

10.  When you can’t think of anymore tips, it’s time to pour the next rum………..