We could count on a lot of help and advice. But there was also a great deal to be done. That’s why we decided to divide up the tasks.
Hans and Bert gave the Land Rover a thorough technical inspection and made sure it had all the important spare parts and tools on board. The Land Rover turned out to have some issues; it tended to overheat. So we decided to replace the radiator. We didn’t have a garage, so we worked under the fluorescent lights at the entrance to our lab in the evenings. And the next morning, we headed to work, neatly dressed, through the same door!
Remo planned the route, handled the logistics, and took care of the “paperwork.” In the photo below, we see him surrounded by maps.
A routine quickly fell into place. After work, we’d eat in the cafeteria. Then we’d change clothes and get to work. And at the end of the evening, we’d sit around the table with a glass of Cape wine to discuss our progress. And on the weekends, we’d write our reports, because we didn’t just have a serious job. Our our study supervisor in the Netherlands also expected us to submit a detailed monthly report on what we’d done that month.
But it was definitely worth the effort. After working on it like that for six weeks, the car was ready – technically reliable and packed for “four weeks in Africa.” With a well-planned route, we set off. The photo above was taken just before our departure September 20, 1975.