#LockDownChallenge – Day 11

With all the vitamin sunshine we have been getting the last couple of days, we were energized and ready to get our hands dirty and do some cleaning – “The Task” gave us the task of washing the rod pods. It sounded fairly easy and quick but it was not. Both of us prefer to have our rod pods in the water, as close to the water as possible.

This is just our personal preferences. It does however, provide some hilarious scenes when we literally dive into the water after a running reel. A very big, massive splash! Placing the pods in water constantly results in algae build up on them regardless of wiping the rods when we pack up after a session.

As we sat, each with our deconstructed rod pod in a bucket of water in front of us, soft brush and sponge in hand, we had a lovely chat of the history of the pods. We won them at the World Carp Master South African qualifying event, back in March 2018. These pods have big sentimental value to us. We considered selling them to raise funds for the trip abroad to the World Carp Masters, but we just could not sell! The mere thought broke our hearts. These Fox MK3 Ranger Sky pods were the first “high quality” brand items we have owned since starting our Specimen Journey. The pods accompanied us to the World Carp Masters in Czechia that same year.  

Oh, so nostalgic on this sunny day! It is a beautiful design, inspecting the pods, attending to every corner, fold, mechanism and handle. If these pods could speak, what tales could it possibly tell us?

In the 2 years we have abused and misused the pods. The colours are not the dark black it used to be, treating the pods regularly with liquid silicon has improved the appearance of wear and tear but maybe it is time to revamp the pods. Maybe Hydro Dip?

Day 11 was completed after a nostalgic cleaning session. The Rod Pods are now ready for a few more sessions and camera ready! Packed away in the carry bags, we too decided to call it a day. Next task from the “Task Hat” is cleaning the camping cookware. A task for the next day.

Have you ever had a pot, pan or even a utensil that makes cooking so much more fun? As if the item gives off an aura of inspiration and joy? I have a few of those products… day 12 arrived and it was time to clean my gorgeous set of camping cookware.

Besides the Carp Gear, my camping cookware is my pride and joy! After nearly a year, my set is now complete, and I am chuffed! Nobody but me, Molli, is allowed to use my pots and pans! Nobody! Not even Wors! Wors will only use the kettle for rigs and to make a hot cuppa.

My camping set consists mostly of the RidgeMonkey cookware range. Oh these are beauties! They are versatile, compact, stylish and makes cooking on the bank a breeze! Interestingly, I also use it at home! Not just for fishing!

The pans and pots have changed the way we cook at home and on the bank. Inspiration flows over when the thought of making meals come up. Using only a gas stove at home, the square kettle is perfect for boiling water for 2 cups of coffee. I use the pans and pots for everything from pastas to breakfasts, toasted sandwiches to cooking hearty meals like chicken, steaks and so much more! Perfect for when you can’t have a braai or are tent bound due to rain on the bank.

What makes this set so unique from other camping cookware? The handles are removable! The 2 smallest Toaster Pans include a set of 4 utensils that fits INSIDE the pan stylishly packed away in a soft pouch. Even though I use the cookware at home, I always keep it stored after use, in the stylish cookware luggage. Depending on the menu for a weekend away, I might not pack the whole set, but rather just take the necessary pots or pans. I also have a full cookware luggage bag,  always packed and ready to load as is. This specific luggage bag is filled with essentials like coffee, longlife milk, sugar, oil, spices and most importantly, dog treats! Always ready to go! Just get some fresh ingredients for the weekend and we are sorted!

After cleaning, sorting and packing the kitchen necessities, we decided to tackle the big elephant in the room – the feed. We started preparing a separate room that is used for storage, trying to find and make space for the feed. After a few hours we have managed to repack and organise a closet to make space. Half of the big elephant is now tucked away in a closet! Yes!  The biggest headache of all the things to do is halfway done! Seeing all the feed stacked high, ready to be loaded, did not help much with the fishing fever … luckily, seeing fewer and fewer fishing gear, the fish fever is subsiding slowly. We are productive and managed quite a lot during the LockDown so far. So much more to do, but now it is time to celebrate our success so far.

We had a chilled day 13. Snacked a bit and enjoyed some sun and gave some extra special attention to the four-legged “kids”. The wind picked up and was very chilly, signs of a cold front. We decided to make some lekker cheesy pasta with a mouth watering sauce.

Then it happened. The incident with the gas bottle. 

Halfway through cooking, the gas stoves’ gas was finished. So we got the gas bottle from the camp trailer and continued cooking. This gas bottle will last us a few weeks, more than enough to last for the duration of the LockDown. Then suddenly the frightening smell of gas filled the house. Knowing the risks of using gas, fear consumed us and it was split seconds between closing the valve and flames growing bigger. We were very lucky. It could have ended much worse. Immediately the bottle was taken outside, doors and windows opened to clear the gas from the house. A sigh of relief but inside, the emotions were very high. We have been using gas stoves as our primary source of cooking for more than 10 years. Never has this happened before! We were reminded of the dangers once again. How fragile life is, and how quickly life can change. We finished cooking the meal in the microwave and tried to enjoy the lovely creamy pasta…. no photos even… the mood was way too tense to even think about taking photos.

After calming down, we made a plan. We will go to town the next day and find gas, buy new or refill the other bottles, then take the faulty gas bottle to be inspected, serviced and repaired.  Honestly… I just feel like throwing it away! It is quite a drive to the nearest town from our small suburb, but we will take a chance to find gas suppliers.

While we are going to be in town, we might as well see what we can stock up on that which we could not find. Strangely, it looked like a normal day. Except for Wors, he looked like he was going to rob a bank with his face mask! That surely made some fellow shoppers laugh! Other than that, some non- essential shops were closed. Yes, shelves were stocked to the brim. No sign of shortages. Except Cacao, maybe everybody is baking chocolate cakes at home now? Fruits & veggies were stocked, everything seemed normal.

The biggest difference are the sanitising stations. A sanitising tunnel is installed at the entrances, compulsory for all shoppers and employees. Your body temperature is still measured.  The overall mood of the shops and shoppers were cheerful, despite the circumstances. Most people wore masks, greeted friendly and had a quick chat. Perhaps the fact that the smiles are now hidden, make people more inclined to communicate and to be friendly with one another.

Luckily we got a few things we couldn’t get before the lockdown. Lemons, oranges and biltong! With the cold front moving in, it is ideal to get some ingredients for soup, a yummy hearty veggie soup with chunks of soft beef. A few snacks, because Wors likes his snacks, a lot, and we are now set for another 21 days – haha!

On our way home after getting supplies and refilling gas, we saw an exceptional sight. A first for me! 4 or 5 Golden Hartebeest grazing peacefully meters from the road in a Game Reserve! It was a sight to behold. Close enough to appreciate, no time to even think of taking a photo. Just a few seconds to enjoy these beautiful creatures. Sun glistening on the golden blond hairs. Beautiful ending to a trip to town!

Have YOU been to town lately? Are the shelves stocked? Fresh fruits and veggies available? Wear a mask if you do!