We were looking through Andres blog and found an article in German entitled From The Hot Trails of Africa to The Parking Lot of Segelhof. Sadly it ends with a cliff hanger, but here it is! (German and English). We found great facts about Andres from Old Landy’s viewpoint.
From the hot trails of Africa to the parking lot Segelhof By Thomas Gerber, IRVL
My name is Landy. "Old Landy".
I keep seeing people staring at me in the ABB car park or looking at them in disbelief. Since I am honored your attention, I have decided to tell you a little bit about my life. Since unfortunately I am not able to do the written word, I have asked the scribe Thomas to write my story for you.
For my name I would like to know the following. Of course, the word "Old" does not come by chance. When my current driver André Anno Domini bought me in 1981, I had been working as an ambulance for the Red Cross in Lesotho for three years. Because the Englishmen once had too much to say there, my steering wheel is on the right side. Or in other words, I first had to get used to the Swiss driving on the wrong side of the road.
I think I have to get in here for a moment: Landy, you're confusing the poor readers. They are not accustomed to the African mental leaps.
My partner André led a mechanical workshop in Lesotho, the small kingdom that is completely surrounded by South Africa, as a development worker. When his contract expired, he joined me.
...
What we experienced on the way from Maseru to Gebenstorf goes beyond the scope of this story. But I tell you one thing: it was hard. Sometimes we even get scared of it! For example, when in the Nubian desert suddenly our tracks appeared again in front of us ..... Nevertheless: It was the best ten months of my life.
On December 32, 1982, I came to Switzerland for the first time. In the following years André completely disassembled me and overtook me totally. I got a new dress after I was put together again. I like it so much that I kept it until today. But then it soon pulled me back to Africa. Anyone who has ever felt the breath of Africa, must either continue very quickly or he remains addicted to life.
André worked for Suez Cement in Egypt for a year, and I was allowed to join. What was that wonderful feeling to finally feel hot sand under the tires again! Back in Switzerland, we regularly went diving in the Sinai. André - in the ABB they call him Mr Hedinger of IRLS - has given me a roof tent, so that now five people can sleep comfortably in me.
From the hot trails of Africa to the parking lot Segelhof By Thomas Gerber, IRVL
After all, over time I have matured into a real technical marvel, even if one does not look at me at first glance. It is quite amusing to use solar cells to make its own electricity, and the pneumatic differential locks were quite conducive to my off-road capability. The last two times when it went to Sinai, I even had to pull a motorboat on the trailer. I did not like that so much. After all, I am an off-road vehicle and not a jack-of-all-trades. And promptly, I landed with this block on my leg in a place where I never had the slightest problem. Fortunately, I have a winch and a driver who knows how to operate them.
Speaking of service, I attach great importance to courteous treatment. That's why I entrust my steering wheel to a select few. Although I have a hard shell already, but also a soft core. My partner is the same, and that's why we fit so well together. And said between us: Our last adventure is still ahead of us.
