Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

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Zastron to Potch

 

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Just after our arrival Elgro River Lodge in Potchefstroom for HU 2021, there was a thunder storm, and some of my hard earned dust and dirt from my African venture was washed off.

The notice board. Tomorrow morning my name will be on there, and the nerves and doubts started. I was not sure if I would be able to control my emotions.

 

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Presentation day.

Matilda is in place, but I am as nervous as anything. Fortunately, I got some moral support from Moira.

The first few minutes were the most difficult as I struggled to stop the tears, then I got my rhythm, and it all went well.

I was so relieved when it was over, and the best was the amount of people who came and spoke to me during the course of the day and all the new friends I made.

 

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Technical training course was given by Johan Gray.

For some it did not go as planned, obviously not easy with a pillion, hats off from them for giving it a go, for most of the others it did go well.

 

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Caption?

It is difficult to teach some old dogs new tricks?

 

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Time to leave Elgro River Lodge and head for Hazyview.

 

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Potchefstroom to Hazyview

 

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Those of you who have read this RR beginning to end, will be aware of how much I had been blessed all along the way.

It did not change at HU in Potch. I was approached by Edna Fick. She told me that they owned 2 hotels, a guesthouse, 2 restaurants and more in Hazyview, and if we were in the area, she will accommodate us. We were on our way to Hoedspruit, and one of the bikers at HU, Rassie, had previously suggested a route and Hazyview was on that route. So Edna arranged free accommodation for us at one of their hotels, Numbi. It was to be dinner, bed and breakfast, but there were not enough guests to include dinner, so she suggested we go to Topolino's (one of theirs) for pizza.

The accommodation was great, the pizzas were absolutely amazing and we had access to a full breakfast the following morning before heading to Hoedspruit.

Thank you Willem and Edna, bless you.

Please support them if you are in the area.

 

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We stopped at God's window.

Brandon's sticker was put up.

 

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Then, Berlin Falls.

 

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Berlin Falls to Hoedspruit.

 

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We went visit Blaine, Bill's son, who is part of the K9 Anti-poaching unit outside Hoedspruit. It is in the bush, real bush.

It was braai and kuier time.

Blaine reminded me me so much of Brandon, that I had a few tearful times and had to go and walk in the bush.

 

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We had the privilege of seeing the snare Rhino.

At the K9 HQ, this Rhino statue has been constructed over the last 4 years out of poacher's snares. When completed, it will be put up for sale, hopefully to be displayed where it will create awareness and the money put back into their preservation.

 

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I know that this is like another RR within a RR, but there is a bigger picture, which will be revealed during the next few posts. Something which I was not prepared for, so just be patient, please.

 

[Skim]

We are all waiting impatiently -in anticipation - this is you RR and you are setting new standards!! 

Keep going at your pace I am sure all of us are enjoying this RR immensely and are supporting you in this time

Skim

 

[DASKOP]

We are all waiting impatiently -in anticipation - this is you RR and you are setting new standards!! 

Keep going at your pace I am sure all of us are enjoying this RR immensely and are supporting you in this time

Skim

Thank you for your kind words. This is a very emotional time and it is sometimes very difficult just to look at the photos and re-live certain moments. That does influence my ability to post at times, when I just have to walk away.

 

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Bill, Blaine and myself went to Hoedspruit to have lunch.

There, we met Mike and his wife, Annette, who own the farm where Blaine's section of the Anti-Poaching Unit is based.

Once back on the farm, Mike came past on his quad and invited us to join them at the farmhouse. What a treat to sit on the stoep and see all the game gathering just across the road.

 

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There was a constant flow of game in and out.

 

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Our hosts, Mike and Annette. The irony is more than just coincidental.

We discovered that Annette was in Matric with me, and Mike grew up 2 streets away from where I grew up in Port Elizabeth.

Mike races classic bikes and happens to know a very good friend of mine in Benoni, who does the same.

Unfortunately, no photos were taken of the narrow winding track through the bush which we had to take back, in the dark, from the farmhouse to our cabins. It was covered in loose round pebbles and I bought 2 plots on the way, both at a point of stopping in a tight corner. I was so pissed off at myself. Only the next day I realised my mistake, I had taken all the heavy stuff off but never changed the ESA setting which would have lowered Matilda, and my feet would have been able to reach the ground and I would not have gone down.

 

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It was time to leave Blaine and head for Dullstroom.

Just past the God's Window turn-off, we got onto a gravel road towards Sabie.