Our 4wd
“Ruth” is a 1994 Toyota Prado Landcruiser purchased from fellow Aussie
volunteers when we arrived in Zambia.
|
Ruth on her way to Sioma Falls, Western Province, Zambia |
|
This photo got us a fine (opps!). Ruth on the Victoria Falls Bridge |
She was
named by her previous owners after Ruth Mallory, the wife of George Mallory, a mountaineer
who died in 1924 while climbing Mount Everest; Ruth was considered as a loyal,
dependable and loving wife, always waiting patiently for her husband to return
safely from his various adventures. These are the same qualities considered important
for a 4X4 in Africa.
|
Ruth Mallory |
Ruth the
car is a 8-seater vehicle previously exported from Japan, no doubt owned by a
“soccer mum” in a previous life.
In the time
that we have had Ruth she has undergone some major “plastic surgery”, including
new suspension, fixing the 4wd hubs, the inclusion of a roof tent, “tyre cover”
braai”, an inverter and car fridge, four new mud-terrain tyres, new spotlights,
a snorkel, window tinting (or eyelash tinting, hehe!) and a rear differential.
She has also had some major mechanical work done to ensure she can get us to
Ethiopia.
|
Ruth with her roof tent, mud-terrain tyres, tyre cover braai |
|
Car fridge |
|
Ruth fitted with her snorkel |
|
BF Goodrich Mud Terrain Tyre |
|
New Ironman suspension, shipped all the way from Australia! |
Ruth has
already taken us through some pretty tough terrain such as Chobe National Park
in Botswana and the rocky roads of the Skeleton Coast Park in Namibia; she has
driven through Southern Africa’s searing heat and taken on angry elephants in
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe (actually she sped backwards but still kept her
passengers safe). So we trust Ruth to get us to our destination.
|
Ruth before most of her additions and work, but I just love how tough she looks in this photo taken in Etosha National Park, Namibia |
|
In the Okavango Delta |
|
Ruth looking tough on the Skeleton Coast in Namibia (And also the lead up to getting her new tyres) |
Ruth will
make appearances and probably even star in a number of my posts making this
introduction necessary.
|
Ruth pretty much as she is today (minus her new "eyelash tinting") |
Ruth will be available to others who would like
to do an overland trip in Africa from late September 2012 in Addis Ababa.
Please go to Overland Ruth: http://overlandruth.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment