Porta-potty.
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 2:54 pm
So during the last few weeks I'd been organising the fundraiser at Piesangkloof, which turned out to be a huge success.
However, during the advertising processes I'd notified all and sundry about the fact that there are absolutely no facilities available, neither on the trail nor at the braai area afterwards. Maritza and her husband, owners of Piesangkloof, were not there on the weekend, and so we had no access to any toilet facilities either. I'd made this clear to all prospective participants, but here and there I could detect a bit of nervousness from some of the gents being subjected to thin lips from their female halves...
Thus I'd decided to take along our little porta-potty which we had gotten along with our camper a while back. Never having used the thing it took me a while to figure out the assembly and operation, but finally I was satisfied that it would do the job.
On the day I'd made a point of letting any female passengers (and one female driver) know that I had plonked the thing down in some bushes, providing the bare minimum of privacy for any users. I also made a point of letting all and sundry know CLEARLY that it was only to be used for a wee. I had provided a spade for more serious calls of nature. I had to wash the thing out afterwards after all....
Everything ran smoothly, and after everyone had left on Saturday afternoon we cleaned up the braai area and collected our stuff, including said pot. I did not want to empty it out in the bush there - seemed a bit nasty, so I loaded it as it was - loaded.
At home I put it to one side so as not to tempt our 2year old to fiddle with it, and promptly forgot about it. An hour ago I suddenly recalled this darn pot with horror....
And yes.
It had been pooped in.
Big was my disgust.
But cleaned it had to be.
And here's the thing: it is amazing how easy and user friendly this little pot is to clean out. Sure, the first whiff as you drain it is rather un-appetising, but it is really well designed for ease of cleaning. Bear in mind, this thing is simply a container for fluid at the top, incorporating a seat and a hole, and a second container at the bottom for the "product".
I know, I know, nasty subject, but it is a reality, and I am really impressed. This little thing makes a lady's life so much easier, and thus so much more willing to accompany you on that bush break-away. As men we forget the stuff they have to put up with to be in our company - If I can make this bit somewhat easier for her I'll gladly do it.
And it is not at all bulky - measuring 41cm by 38cm by 28cm high.
And the biggest advantage for overlanding is that it is basically hollow, so while on-route you can store stuff inside to save space.
However, during the advertising processes I'd notified all and sundry about the fact that there are absolutely no facilities available, neither on the trail nor at the braai area afterwards. Maritza and her husband, owners of Piesangkloof, were not there on the weekend, and so we had no access to any toilet facilities either. I'd made this clear to all prospective participants, but here and there I could detect a bit of nervousness from some of the gents being subjected to thin lips from their female halves...
Thus I'd decided to take along our little porta-potty which we had gotten along with our camper a while back. Never having used the thing it took me a while to figure out the assembly and operation, but finally I was satisfied that it would do the job.
On the day I'd made a point of letting any female passengers (and one female driver) know that I had plonked the thing down in some bushes, providing the bare minimum of privacy for any users. I also made a point of letting all and sundry know CLEARLY that it was only to be used for a wee. I had provided a spade for more serious calls of nature. I had to wash the thing out afterwards after all....
Everything ran smoothly, and after everyone had left on Saturday afternoon we cleaned up the braai area and collected our stuff, including said pot. I did not want to empty it out in the bush there - seemed a bit nasty, so I loaded it as it was - loaded.
At home I put it to one side so as not to tempt our 2year old to fiddle with it, and promptly forgot about it. An hour ago I suddenly recalled this darn pot with horror....
And yes.
It had been pooped in.
Big was my disgust.
But cleaned it had to be.
And here's the thing: it is amazing how easy and user friendly this little pot is to clean out. Sure, the first whiff as you drain it is rather un-appetising, but it is really well designed for ease of cleaning. Bear in mind, this thing is simply a container for fluid at the top, incorporating a seat and a hole, and a second container at the bottom for the "product".
I know, I know, nasty subject, but it is a reality, and I am really impressed. This little thing makes a lady's life so much easier, and thus so much more willing to accompany you on that bush break-away. As men we forget the stuff they have to put up with to be in our company - If I can make this bit somewhat easier for her I'll gladly do it.
And it is not at all bulky - measuring 41cm by 38cm by 28cm high.
And the biggest advantage for overlanding is that it is basically hollow, so while on-route you can store stuff inside to save space.