Day 20 (Solitaire)

Left the Lagoon Chalet camping at the crack of dawn - unbeknown to us it is also a small truck stop!  Had a haulier start his vehicle at 5:30am - he needed to warm it up for about 30 minutes - no rest for the wicked!  Dave, sorry - we missed all your suggestions as I only log into the 'puter once per day (round about now) and, of course, by now we are at Solitaire.  Road was a bit rough (C19) - plenty corrugation but surroundings still pretty.  Lots of stubby grass around now, getting longer as the journey progresses, and ..... trees!!!

The grass colouring varies from yellow to orange, rolling up to the mountains.

Bit of "wildlife" has started appearing - ostriches and the odd ground squirrel.
Kuiseb Pass is really pretty - not high but enough to give you a vantage point.

Had to get a shot of Luis posing with the Quiver Tree (his answer to the pole dancer!)

Arrived at Solitaire - not quite what we expected - a lot of  "overlanders" arrive for their lunch, trash the 'blutes then leave.  Worst still, 2 huge bus loads arrived in camp for the night - took over one of the camp sites that newfound acquaintances of ours had staked a claim to (but they lost!).  The term "overlander" was coined by a couple we bumped into way back in Kgalagadi (seems like months ago, now) - they warned us about them with regard to the Etosha camps. Etosha wasn't too bad as they seem to have their own demarcated areas but since then, we have learned to appreciate the derogatory way in which the previous couple referred to them as "The Overlanders" - it's a name that's now stuck with us, as well!!!
On the turn off to Solitaire, we had a "slight" mishap with the Rad that resulted in:

No, seriously now, all good this side.  Dad, any guesses on make of above?

There are some stunning cactus (cacti?) plants here; Cliff and Susan:  Eat your heart out!!!

Some are about 1.5m high (excluding the prickly pear which grows huge in SA as well!)

Tomorrow, we are headed out for Sossusvlei and Sesriem - will decide once we get there how many nights we stay before heading on to Luderitz.

Do not have any firm plans for the tail end of the trip but we are probably still a good week away from home!