Beware the bain of the car tyre. Car tyre punctures appear to be the problem of the user, but you are not allowed to have the tyre repaired. You get a puncture and and you, the user has to buy a new tyre. It is almost as if the car hire company never ever has to buy a new tyre, due to the punters having to keep buying new ones before the old ones have worn out sufficiently for the hire company to agree to replacement.
We came back to the hotel after a splendid meal and noticed that the rear driver's side tyre was a little low on the pressure side.
Nothing to do at night, so wait until the morning. We had a look in the morning. Confirmed it was too flat to drive. Inspecting the other tyres, and comparing tread depths with those recorded on the hire handover sheet, there was a possibility that these tyres might not make it through the rest of the trip. Also, the less tread left, the greater the probability of a puncture, which the hire company would try to put at my door. It is Sunday tomorrow, and the last conurbation of significance, Swakopmund will be closed, so here, Walvis Bay is the best location to rectify the perceived upcoming problem. We have a boat tour of the bay booked for 8:30 so there is little time to sort everything out. The staff at our home for three nights have noticed the flat tyre and offered to help in all sorts of ways, which was really kind and considerate. The host at Oyster Box Guest House was also really helpful and offered to phone the hire company after I explained the issues. Just as we were leaving for our trip she came to our room with phone in hand. She had managed to contact the hire company, even though it was so early. After some discussion about the state of the tyres and the chances of finishing the trip without needing replacements, and how it would be cheaper and easier in Walvis bay than up-country, he reluctantly agreed that we should buy four new tyres. Ah, success, I hear you say. Not really, we had to take photos of the tyres to justify our actions. Then on return of the car, they would consider who should pick up the bill. Me, the car hire company, or Your Safari Ltd, the UK company who had actually organised the safari and hired the car. We were just the end user, not the primary customer. So not really that much of a solution
Walvis Bay closes at one o'clock
It is Saturday, and unbeknown to us, most of Walvis Bay closes at one o'clock. This we only found our after our tour of the bay landed us at about a quarter to one. We walked through the docks and quickly arrived at a tyre fitting company. We explained the situation and how far we still had to drive on gravel road. They said the could not help, but another place might be able to. Hailed a taxi for us, and sent us on our way. We arrived as they were locking the door. Again, could not help today. The emergency guy was also just leaving to a breakdown. "Call early tomorrow and I will let you know if we have that size in stock." He also gave us his business card. We questiond the opening on a Sunday, just to make sure. "Yes, call and we will go from there!" I think I heard mention of over N$500 for a call out fee. Was that Saturday, for the mechanic now? Would it be even more for a Sunday? Across the road was another petrol station with a tyre place attached. A splendid wall of sparkling and impressive rims. Again, just closing but lots of listening followed unreservedly by helpful advise. The boss goes fishing, dirt road trips of similar distance. There may be enough tread left, just. Tyres run normally on gravel are normally good for 12-15,000km. They take 3 or 4 spare wheels with them on up-country trips. There can be multiple punctures. However, all is not lost because there are a few places that can sort us out, even it the remote parts of the country. "If it was your own car I would happily sell you four new tyres, but for a hire car, it is a waste of your money. Paying for things they ought to cover!" He asked his staff if anyone was prepared to stay late to sort out our problem, or a least that seemed to be what he said from context. He was not speaking English. The response seemed to be a resounding no. People suggested coming Monday, but we should be 250 km, and heading further away by then. Back to the hotel to hatch another plan.
