My little Trip

[wahl]

I worked over Christmas so decided to go on leave in January. On the 13th I packed my bags and left for Pontdrift, always wondered what is so special about it.

In Warmbaths I met up with the club going on the breakfast run to Thabazimbi


Hope you can see the photo's as with the preview it does not show

So South Africa has it own Ayers rock?


I am always amazed how the vegetation changes in different parts of the country


Got to Pontdrift no problems - just very hot


Then I visited the Pontdrift Hypermarket for a cooldrink


Then the worst part of my trip started, I booked in at a place called Ratho Bush lodge and found to my horror that it is a gravel road, not only gravel but they had 100mm of rain during the week and there was mud too - lots of it.


By some miracle I kept the bike upright till I reached my accomodation


GS guys this is the place for you




Somewhere there is the Limpopo river


The next day when I left I found out that they farm with crocodiles



I had to endure the sand and mud again and was on my way to Piet Retief.

Part of my trip to Piet Retief was on the R579, Hint - do not use that road it has constantly villages next to the road and for miles and miles the speed limit is 60

Stopped for a bum break



The rest of the journey to Piet Retief was uneventfull except for the thundershower just before Belfast, at least the mud got washed off my bike and clothes

Ready for the night at Piet Retief


On day three I left for Kosi Bay via Pongola and Josini

Early morning tea


The Pongola River


Josini Dam



The road between Josini and the R22 is in a terrible state I was looking for road between the potholes.

Eventually I got to Kosi Bay


I then decided that I was not going to take that same road again to Vryheid so took the N2 along the coast and spent the night with a friend in Howick

Left Howick this morning (Day 4)

The Howick Falls




Went up van Reenens pass and at Swinburn saw this very strategicaly placed sign - I could not resist


Went through Golden Gate



Carried on through Clarens, Fouriesburg and just before Ficksburg got another thunder shower. My Tent and Sleepingbag got wet so booked into a BB called Fort Amity in Ladybrand



The Garden


My Room with it's own private balcony

[Jamie]

Good one Wahl, thanks for sharing.

More to come........? please !

[johanrt]

Thanks for a great report.

[Dave S]

Nice one!! Keep them coming. Nice place that Fort Amity - stayed there on way back from 2005 Buff.

More pics!!

[wahl]

DAY 5

Left Ladybrand this morning with my camera's batteries flat. They have so much power shedding there that my batteries could not get charged. As I heard of Wepener before I thought that I would buy some batteries there, well big mistake it is a one street town that can only be accessed by narrow bridges and I and my GPS got lost in Wepener


The Caledon River that seems to surround Wepener


Eventually got to Aliwal North - the bridge over the Orange river


The Orange River


Long straight roads as far as the eye can see


And then.... hee haaa


I noticed this yellow patch standing out in the fields


In Middelburg another strategically placed sign



Middelburg is a very pretty town


Just before Graaf Reinet I got a mountain pass even warned about snow


The view from the top of the pass


In Graaf Reinet the well known buildings



Am sleeping tonight in Aberdeen. Wanted to camp at the Caravan park but I would be the only one there so booked into a self catering place. The owner then invited me for a braai tonight.

[GSing]

Hi Wahl,

Thanks for sharing with us!!

;D

[DP1200GS ADV]

Wahl,

What a GREAT report back ! No wonder your bike looked like a "pack-horse" when we saw you at the Engen Garage on our Thabazimbi breakfast run trip.

Must admit, quite envious after seeing Graaf Reinet and Ladybrand B&B where we also stayed on the Buff trip a few years ago.

Next time, give us some warning before you go, I'll definitely join you. And dont ask us on the Friday at the Club Meeting saying you are leaving that Sunday.

Fantastic photos. What an epic trip ! Now which one will you frame and put up on the club "wall-of-fame".

Cheers
Deon P

[wahl]

DAY 6

I had a lovely evening, braai and red wine in Aberdeen. The owner of the Hunters Lodge is so friendly. The accommodation is very basic but comfortable, they also own a coffee shop in Aberdeen and even opened up early so I could have breakfast.

The Hunters Lodge


Then went off towards Willowmore and took Route 62, I eventually found my first wildlife


The scenery was spectacular


I was amazed at how clean and clear the dams are



I got stopped at a road block


Near Outshoorn saw this Ostrich Baron's house


Another Coffee shop at Calitzdorp


At the bottom of the Huisrivier Pass there were road works but it was the ideal situation to take some pictures. What an awesome pass




Of course I had to stop here...


And Dave I made sure that your business card is still well visible


After Barrydale I turned off the R 62 and took the road to Swellendam over the Tradouw Pass, just as awesome




From Swellendam to Augullas I had terrible wind but eventually made it, was not sure what picture was to qualify so took a few.




Am overnighting tonight in Struisbaai.

[Dani]

Excellent Wahl.. now the West Coast? Cant wait for your next posting!
Go safe!

[wahl]

DAY 7

Today I did a short trip from Augullas to Cape Town, but what a dissapointing ride the wind was blowing gale force and the ride was not at all good. I wanted to have a rest day tomorrow and do the du Toits Kloof Pass but with this wind I will rather carry on up the west coast.

Anyway, on the road between Augullas and Bredasdorp there are many of these birds of prey


I think this was Hermanus


Kleinmond with the wind howling


And then the shock - my rear tyre was worn


BMW could not change it on a Saturday but referred me to these kind people who helped me with a new tyre


I saw this bike there also getting a new tyre and found that it came from Japan the owner left home (Japan) in 1997 and has not been back yet, he is touring the world


Went to Bloubergstrand to have a picture with my bike and Table Mountain


Then went to Table Mountain to take a picture of the city



Am sleeping in Cape Town at family and then up the West Coast tomorrow

PS Can't believe it I am in Cape Town and I am having the most hassels so far to get a 3G signal !!!!

[Dave S]

Wahl - now you know why it's called 'Slaapstad'.

Cannot believe that BMW could not fit a tyre for you on a Saturday! Which dealer was it - Auto Atlantic or Hamman BMW?

[wahl]

I never took note of the dealership name but it is the one at the V & A Waterfront, those other guys were very nice and I could carry on with DAY 8

Left Cape Town this morning starting to go up the West coast. Also wanted to see Paternoster but whilst going through Vredenburg this church was such a prominent fixture in the town


Paternoster is such a beautiful place I went camera crazy but will not bore you with all the pics



This sums it up of Paternoster


I then headed for Lambertbaai and it was at this stage that me and my GPS had a serious disagreement, the GPS wanted to take me on the N7 to Lambertsbaai and I wanted to go along the coast. According to the GPS there is no road along the coast but I turned it off and carried on up the coast. By the way the road up the coast is in a good condition.

About 20 km from Elandsbaai I found this "oasis" and turned in for a coffee


an Injured seagull chick made himself at home there


Coming up to Elandsbaai


And eventually reached Lambertsbaai where I am overnighting

[Jamie]

Want to say stop making us jealous ;D......... but please keep on posting.

The body is here in Pretoria but the mind with you on the road.

Enjoy my friend and stay safe !

[wahl]

DAY 9

After I posted my report last night my camping neighbours invited me for a crayfish and snoek braai and lots of wine.


Therefore only left Lambertsbaai a bit later than I wanted to but again was amazed by the change in vegetation, this nearly looks like a desert


Further on I saw this hill that had all these patches all over it


At Steinkopf I stopped for a bum break


And then.. Did the camera go off or not


So i did try again


This is what my bum feels like


Staying over in Port Nolloth tonight


It is amazing how the bike's fuel consumption deteriorates if you go over 160 used more than half a tank to Alexander Bay and back to Port Nolloth

[johangt]

What a great trip Wahl! This is a trip that I would like to do some day.
Have a safe trip and please keep the reports coming! These types of reports really motivates to do more traveling in our beautiful country.