They said we wouldn't use the winch!

Retreating to the rim of the conference venue, we setup the rooftop tent. Shereen expressed concerns that if people arrived at the chalet, that we were in their parking spot. I retorted that they could park elsewhere and that I thought it was unlikely that people were still coming, and if they were, they were likely from the conference and thus amenable to discussion. Let's just say: I was wrong.
Two hours later we were disturbed by a van dropping someone off. Then at around 11pm, a bakkie arrived. Shereen said, "Now you're going to have to talk to them, and then we're going to have to move the car". It was pouring at the time and I hoped that was not the case. Well, I was wrong.

Next moment the wheels spun. Then the car backed down the slope, then the wheels spun again... a lot! Eventually I pulled on my pants and stepped out to assist. It turns out that they thought they were in the wrong place because of our car, and were tired from a long journey from a festival, and were now thoroughly stuck.

I examined the situation and said that if he backed down and across the slope I thought he might be able to extricate himself. He did manage to get some purchase, but then embedded himself thoroughly in a dip in the wet grass. I figured there were only two possibilities left: the row rope, and THE WINCH!

Shereen pointed out a third possibility, the use of the Maxxtrax tyre plates. We hurriedly poopoed that suggestion and I set about emptying the back to access the mechanical box that then needed taking down, but it's a f-off heavy box, but I didn't want to disturb Shereen further and so I took it down myself, straining my back slightly.

In moving the car to a better position, a stream of water unleashed from the roof like an icy torrent from heaven in a spoof movie. This single celestial stream stroking me precisely on my done. I couldn't believe my dumb luck, and I just sat there, resigned and in disbelief as the torrent continued to flow onto my head. In retrospect I could have released it and pulled it out, but I forgot how.

I then took charge of the red control, turned it on and activated the unwind button. With much straining, the car slowly emerged from the sallow and even when close to my car, still couldn't gain traction. We had to retreat further before the bakkie, I afterwards found - which was with diff-lock and traction control on, on a very gentle gradient - finally found purchase on the wet grass.

We all rejoiced at the great success and use of the winch that I had been told is typically never used on a trip and is an expensive and unnecessary accessory... yet here we were using it within the first week!

A very interesting discussion followed the next night about Shereen trusting her man, my taking exception to that sexist philosophy, and believing that we should be in this 50/50. Questioning that I was the leader, and ultimately deciding that she needs to express her concerns and provide input but leave the ultimate decision to me, with us both accepting the consequences. A philosophy i'm slightly uncomfortable with, but that's okay.Read more