Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

[DirtyTeNeReLess]

thanks for carrying on, seeing some amazing things I may never have the opportunity to.  :thumleft:

 

[DASKOP]

thanks for carrying on, seeing some amazing things I may never have the opportunity to.  :thumleft:

Thank you my boet.

You still in JHB? PM your cell no. Might be in JHB some time in Dec. Would be good to see you again.

 

[DirtyTeNeReLess]

PM sent! I'm in Pretoria now, anytime I will be around also in December. :thumleft: you let me know where and when you are around and we should meet, I have a spare room and beer. :thumleft: this is my go to thread at the moment. keep coming I am looking forward to the next steps.

 

[punisher]

wow  what a trip ..... actually an expedition

 

[DASKOP]

wow  what a trip ..... actually an expedition

Thanks Punisher.

What made it really special, were the people I met and how complete strangers blessed me.

 

[punisher]

wow  what a trip ..... actually an expedition

Thanks Punisher.

What made it really special, were the people I met and how complete strangers blessed me.

very humbling indeed  man

 

[DASKOP]

Cape Cross Lodge.

An amazing place, with a spectacular view over the ocean, really friendly and helpful staff and I was given a top floor room on the far right, fully rigged and a balcony, where I could sit and watch the sun set. Could not ask for more.

 

[DASKOP]

wow  what a trip ..... actually an expedition

Thanks Punisher.

What made it really special, were the people I met and how complete strangers blessed me.

very humbling indeed  man

Indeed, very humbling.

 

[DASKOP]

Sunset at Cape Cross Lodge.

And I did not have to make supper, and their food is very good.

 

[DASKOP]

23 July 2021

I woke around 04h00, after some tossing and turning, got up, made some coffee and sat on the balcony under a full moon. Only the sound of crashing waves disturbed the silence. Some quiet time to contemplate and appreciate.

 

[DASKOP]

Early morning with a Jackal visitor on the beach. It hung around for a while before heading up the beach.

 

[DASKOP]

Time to check on Matilda.

Definitely a flat rear wheel. The culprit, the only missing screw in the whole of Namibia.

I cannot really complain, within the combined total distance of around 200 000 km which I have done on The Lady in Red and Matilda, this was only my second puncture in 9 years.

 

[DASKOP]

The manageress of the lodge came outside, saw my predicament and promptly called her maintenance team. They arrived and said that I must bring the bike around to their workshop, they will fix the puncture for me.

I unloaded Matilda and took her to the workshop. It all went well, except for the first time we tried to put her on the main stand on the soft sand and she fell over, just picked her up, found a more stable spot and they fixed it. Put in some air and we were all good. Thanks guys.

 

[DASKOP]

There was some excavations happening next to the lodge. All rocks and boulders found, were being used to stabilise the seaside edge of the lodge to prevent further erosion by the waves. There were also many bones and artifacts discovered which were stockpiled for later use and some put on display outside or in their museum.

 

[DASKOP]

A thought provoking sign in the lodge's museum.

 

[DASKOP]

I went for a stroll down the beach.

There are thousands of birds all along the beach. It is also quite obvious why it is called The Skeleton Coast.

 

[DASKOP]

I found some paw prints, looked like those of a Brown Hyena, saw some seals in the waves, a washed up whale bone and the carcass of a seal.

 

[DASKOP]

There was a very basic campsite further down the beach, beautiful sea views, but fully self catering to the nth degree and most probably absolute hell when the wind is howling.

 

[DASKOP]

I found a spot where I sat and allowed the splendour of my surroundings to just wash over me. I am still searching, I am nowhere nearer to any answers, but every one of these occasions where I have been placed, on this journey, in places like this, might be covering a scab. I can only hope and pray.

 

[DASKOP]

On my way back to the lodge, I saw these three crosses, it may seem insignificant to many, but they reminded me of where my faith is based.