Journal Comments - The eighth step ... Patagonia etc once more. - CycleBlaze

Journal Comments (page 2)

From The eighth step ... Patagonia etc once more. by Jean-Marc Strydom

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Jean-Marc Strydom commented on Colonia del Sacramento

Hi Elsp,

Your cruise looked so good, in particular the iceberg pictures blew me away.

Uruguay is HOT ! Currently recovering in the Timabe Hotel in Carmelo.

4 years ago
Elspeth Jarman commented on Colonia del Sacramento

Hi you two! Just caught up with your travels after returning from our amazing Antarctica trip. We must have missed you by only a few hours as our ship left Ushuaia at 18:00 on 22nd! Hope you have a fantastic time in Uruguay.

Loving your bird photos and you have seen as many species of penguins as we did.

Elsp & Mart

4 years ago
Scott Anderson commented on a photo in Ushuaia

So interesting about sea birds. I’ve never heard that, and I’ve seen so few that I’ve not noticed either.

4 years ago
Jean-Marc Strydom commented on a photo in Refugio south of Parque Penguino Rey

It has been great to follow them and hope that, at some point, we would meet up.

4 years ago
Bill Shaneyfelt commented on a photo in Refugio south of Parque Penguino Rey

Always fun when 2 journals I am following cross paths!

4 years ago
Jean-Marc Strydom commented on Porvenir

The keeper rate is around 1%, and many of those kept are only for record purposes.

4 years ago
Bill Shaneyfelt commented on Porvenir

I can only imagine how many shots you take in order to get ones like those! Most times I end up with nothing, or only a chunk or blur despite dozens of shots.

4 years ago
Jean-Marc Strydom commented on Punta Arenas

Thanks Bill. Pleased that you like them. I will post a few more as we go along.

4 years ago
Bill Shaneyfelt commented on Punta Arenas

Great bird shots today!

4 years ago
Jean-Marc Strydom commented on Miraflores

Hi Ian

They will add VAT but you will be exempt from UK VAT on the Thorn side. Not yet tubeless - they help a lot in South Africa because of the dubbeltjies but elsewhere we have had very few punctures on Schwalbe Marathon Duremes and none on Schwalbe Marathon Mondials. One of the best cycling decisions we ever made was to go Rohloff - without a doubt worth the extra initial outlay and could even prove more cost effective in the long run.

Regards
Jean-Marc

ps. Love your wine scale!

4 years ago
Jean-Marc Strydom commented on Miraflores

Hi Ian

They will add VAT but you will be exempt from UK VAT on the Thorn side. Not yet tubeless - they help a lot in South Africa because of the dubbeltjies but elsewhere we have had very few punctures on Schwalbe Marathon Duremes and none on Schwalbe Marathon Mondials. One of the best cycling decisions we ever made was to go Rohloff - without a doubt worth the extra initial outlay and could even prove more cost effective in the long run.

Regards
Jean-Marc

ps. Love your wine scale!

4 years ago
Ian Findlay replied to a comment by Jean-Marc Strydom on Miraflores

Very many thanks Jean-Marc. That's a great help as last time I was hit with import duty as well as VAT and then a fine because the online bike shop undervalued the bikes to save on their insurance. So I was more than a bit peeved.
Are you on tubeless tires? And do you think the Rohloff hubs are worth the extra bucks?
Enjoy your time and thanks again
Cheers
Ian

4 years ago
Jean-Marc Strydom replied to a comment by Bill Shaneyfelt on Parque Camping del Rio Baker

Thanks Bill. Birds always keep a tour interesting.

4 years ago
Bill Shaneyfelt commented on Parque Camping del Rio Baker

Great bird pictures!

4 years ago
Jean-Marc Strydom replied to a comment by Ian Findlay on Miraflores

Hi Ian

We imported our Thorn Ravens fully built up. We passed on all our measurements (height, inner leg size, arm reach, size of underwear etc) and the bikes arrived and fitted us perfectly.

The one problem was a screw up with duties, which we were eventually able to overcome. Bicycles from the EU are duty free into South Africa. but the wording and coding on the invoice had to be correct to avoid paying duties. I am not sure of the codes or the wording but Sarah Dunn at Thorn could refer to my order to see what was eventually issued. Also note that with Brexit these conditions will not necessarily apply indefinitely.

You must also ensure that the total invoice amount is below the threshold for an individual so as not to have to register as an importer. If you order two bikes, get two separate invoices! I eventually had to have the invoice made out to my Landrover service center because Thorn had shipped the bicycles as a single item.

It is a pity about the Raven being discontinued. It is a truly capable and reliable long-term touring bicycle. The gap between the Nomad and the Mecury is too big IMHO.

Hope this helps. Shout if you have further questions.

Regards
Jean-0Marc

4 years ago