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Date	Original Topic
4th January 2002	Battlefield visit 2002 By David Williams Inspired by the 1964 film, and after reading countless books on the subject, I am finally making the pilgrimage to Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana on the 24th/25/26th Jan this year. The trip will coincide with my 50th Birthday, making it even more memorable. I intend laying two small crosses of remembrance on each battlefield. One for the British and one for the Zulu warriors who fought there in 1879.It should be a very humbling experience.
Date	Replies
4th January 2002	Peter Critchley Hi David, Having done a similar trip last year, I have no doubt that you will enjoy your trip immensely! Tell us all about it when you return... All the best, Peter Webmaster
4th January 2002	Martin Everett Hi David, It is always nice to score one over our webmaster - I might see you there at the mission station.
4th January 2002	Peter Critchley Ah, tis true... :) Give our regards to all at Fugitive's Drift. Peter
5th January 2002	Arthur Bainbridge have a great time David it should be emotional just go with the flow have a happy birthday are u taking any pics i'm sure the people who run the site will put them on if u wish enjoy yourself
5th January 2002	Alan Critchley David, I went to SA three times last year. Watch out for the black dog at Fugitives' Drift lodge. It was one of two dogs which bit me on my last visit to SA. (My fault at Fugitives' Drift the other just took a dislike to me). Isandlwana lodge is also well worth a stay. (No dogs there). Brilliant views over Isandlwana. Alan
5th January 2002	Peter Critchley Indeed we will.. As recently reported, we have added a new section, 'Your Stories' which is there for people to submit their travelogues and pictures for publication. If anyone has any submissions to make, please let me know. Peter Webmaster
5th January 2002	Barry Iacoppi On those days I be with you in spirit if not body. Have a good safe trip.
7th January 2002	Stephen McDonald David, Have a great time and let us know about your visit. Thats fantastic and a great way to celebrate your 50th. I'll make the pilgrimage from Canada, some day. But in the meantime it nice to Zulu War enthusiasts heading to SA.
17th January 2002	Richard Reid I am also planning on visiting the battles fields later this year. Could anyone recommend Travel Operators or books which might prove useful in helping me to plan my intinerary?
21st January 2002	CLIVE DICKENS I am visiting Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift and Fugitives Drift in MArch 2002 any give me any tips please. Clive Dickens
22nd January 2002	Peter Critchley Below is some advice I gave to David.. A) Is it safe to walk around? From our experience, it is perfectly safe to walk around. We had no problems at all. If you are in remote areas, I would suggest that if asked for money, you don't give any as you will only encourage the practice, and instead a packet of sweets might be handy to carry. B) Are there places to buy water, food, souvenirs? The Rorke's Drift site is well kept with a museum (with a shop) and a local community crafts centre. I can't remember if they sold drinks there, so I would recommend taking a good supply with you. The museum is excellent, and well worth visiting. The battlefield at Isandhlwana is at the opposite end of the scale. There is no centre, and it would be wise to take all you need with you. I would also recommend a good wide brimmed hat. C) Are the roads OK for a normal saloon car to negotiate? The main road to Rorke's Drift is fine, if a little stony, for a normal car (we had a VW Polo, and it managed fine). The road we took to Isandhlwana however would not be passable with a normal car. We were taken in a land-rover, and it was needed! Have a look at a map, as the road from Rorke's Drift to Isandhlwana may not be the only way there. D) Are there people on hand to offer advice, or information? Not really. You should take a guide book with you if you are doing it on your own. I would recommend contacting Fugitive's Drift Lodge, as David Rattray runs this, and he is EXCELLENT as a guide. E) Things to see: Rorke's Drift, Isandhlwana, Fugitive's Drift and the memorial to Lts Melville and Coghill. At Rorke's Drift I climbed up Oskarsberg (overlooks Rorke's Drift) to the rocky outcrop which the Zulu commander observed from, and it provided me with an excellent view. You'll know where I mean when you get there, as there is a bell tower there now. I approached it from the left, with a little care over some pretty big boulders! There isn't much to avoid really.. It's all very beautiful. If you drop into the Fugitive's Drift Lodge (which is also a superb place to stay) do say hello to the guys there, and keep a look out for Martin Everett - The curator of the SWB Museum in Brecon, as he should be there at the same time.. At Isandhlwana, you can take a road up to the left of the main battlefield (towards Isandhlwana Lodge) which will take you to the top of a hill overlooking the entire battlefield. Well worth going up there, as it really will give you an excellent idea of the lay of the land. Keep an eye out for "Durford's Donga" too. If you haven't already seen it, the website has a number of photos I took last year, http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/visit/visit.htm. F) What weather conditions should I expect (I'm expecting it to be very humid)? The weather will be very hot. Not particularly humid, but watch out for the sun! Isandhlwana offers very little in the way of shade, and if you're not careful you'll burn to a crisp! At night it will be cold, so take a sweater to keep you warm later on. When it rained, it rained heavily - so maybe take a light raincoat you can easily pack. Also, bear in mind that power at most of the lodges is a sporadic affair, so take lots of batteries, and make sure you have nothing important that needs power! Hope this helps. Peter Webmaster