Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

[DASKOP]

As I made my way back to the lodge, I wondered what the significance of this site was, but I never asked. I did not want to talk about death, only life.

 

[DASKOP]

Back at the lodge, I noticed that my Jackal visitor had returned and had found some early evening supper as the sun was starting to set.

 

[DASKOP]

I had earlier in the day met Enjo and Sonja Muller, their son and a friend. We had a drink together on the lodge's verandah and then they invited me to join them for supper, and what a supper it was. I was really treated to a meal I had not had for a while.

It was wonderful spending time with these amazing people. (Not a very good photo, I know).

Then came the real blessing. Enjo and Sonja own The Brauhaus and the Hotel Pension Rapmund in Swakopmund, to which they invited me. I gladfully accepted their offer, but I was leaving the next day. No problem, they would phone ahead and ensure that I was expected and attended to.

How absolutely gracious of them.

 

[DASKOP]

I am going to just deviate a bit.

Earlier in this RR, on the 16th of May, I met Sven who was cycling from Cape Town to Windhoek to deliver a petition against mining by the Canadians called "Save our swamp". I signed it and received an email from him today.

This is the link, please support him and this worthy cause.

https://www.vuma.earth/petitions/save-our-swamp?share=219f9e9a-a2b5-483f-a88a-715b89bb3da5

 

[DASKOP]

24 July 2021

Another restless night ending up with coffee on the deck at 01h00 under a full moon. What I would not give for a decent night's rest.

 

[DASKOP]

Cape Cross Lodge.

(Experimental post - picture sizes)

 

[DASKOP]

Brandon's sticker no 47 went up on my room window with a view over the sea.

 

[DASKOP]

Final goodbyes to the staff and I am on my way to Swakopmund.

Past the campsite, which is very nice, and on to the salt road, where stickers 48 and 49 go up on the signboards.

 

[DASKOP]

On the salt road.

I noticed these unattended stalls next to the road and stopped at one. They sell salt crystals, etc., but there is no one around. You select what you want on whatever pedestal and then put money into the tin on that pedestal, according to what you think it is worth.

Honesty shopping, not something you see every day, if ever.

 

[DASKOP]

Stopped at this shipwreck along the way, can't remember the details all of the details, but I think it slipped it's moorings during a storm, was washed up on the beach and was deemed to be too expensive to recover, so it was left there. The wind was howling and I parked Matilda at an angle to the wind, I really did not want to blown over, there in the middle of nowhere.

Someone with a sense of humour had obviously also been there and left something behind.

 

[Knucklhead/knuckey]

On the salt road.

I noticed these unattended stalls next to the road and stopped at one. They sell salt crystals, etc., but there is no one around. You select what you want on whatever pedestal and then put money into the tin on that pedestal, according to what you think it is worth.

Honesty shopping, not something you see every day, if ever.

i found this kind of shopping whilst living in Germany ; strawberries, potatoes, eggs etc... you take and leave money ...amazing.. some clothing shops had second hand shoes and clothes in huge bins, the homeless (yes there are) ,would take what they needed and leave their old stuff behind for the next person...always someone worse off than yourself.....sorry didn't mean to hijack  :deal:

 

[DASKOP]

On the salt road.

I noticed these unattended stalls next to the road and stopped at one. They sell salt crystals, etc., but there is no one around. You select what you want on whatever pedestal and then put money into the tin on that pedestal, according to what you think it is worth.

Honesty shopping, not something you see every day, if ever.

i found this kind of shopping whilst living in Germany ; strawberries, potatoes, eggs etc... you take and leave money ...amazing.. some clothing shops had second hand shoes and clothes in huge bins, the homeless (yes there are) ,would take what they needed and leave their old stuff behind for the next person...always someone worse off than yourself.....sorry didn't mean to hijack  :deal:

No problem. It is like going to The Oasis in the Cederberg mountains where they have an honesty bar. You have your name on a page, and as you take out of the fridge, you write it down and then pay when you leave.

Well, us lot, the Adventure Bikers are meant to be an honest bunch.  8)

 

[DASKOP]

I took some GoPro videos on the road to Swakop, still have to edit them, and with all the others, I will eventually add segments at the end of the RR, showing the footage and where they were taken.

For now, the wind was blowing so hard that I rode next to a super link truck for a while, on the wrong side of the road, for a few kilometers, just to get some respite from the wind and sand. Fortunately, through hand signals, the truck driver understood and kept his line.

I stopped at Henties Bay to fill up, but the town was barely visible in the sand storm.

Eventually, I got to Swakopmund. First a quick stop at the jetty on the beach before going to my accommodation. Hotel Pension Rapmund, courtesy of Sonja and Enjo,where I discovered I had the top room in front, with an amazing view and secure parking for Matilda. Everything had been arranged and the security guard was there with my keys waiting.

I have truly been blessed to meet the most friendly, kind, generous and hospitable people on this journey of mine. How do you ever express your gratitude to people like them?

And it had happened so many times. Little did I know, at that stage, what was yet to come.

 

[DASKOP]

A little punt for Dunlop. The Trailmax Missions had served me well thus far.

 

[DASKOP]

Some photos of Swakopmund. I stopped at Tiger Reef, but it was unfortunately closed. Interesting construction with an amazing location.

 

[DASKOP]

To end the day, I went to the Brauhaus for a beer, ordered some take-aways (lock-down regulations), back to my hotel room, saw this sign on the balcony, did not apply to me, because I was not in any way part of the law, and went to bed.

 

[DASKOP]

25 July 2021

I had no plans for the day, so I decided to go on a little ride through Swakop.

It did not start well. Trying to turn Matilda around, the hole in the garage floor, got the better of me. Down she went. Fortunately, the security guard was around and helped me get her up and pointing in the right direction.

There are some beautiful old buildings in Swakopmund. What amazed me the most is how clean it is, why can we not get this right in South Africa?

 

[DASKOP]

I saw a sign that said Desert Explorers and pulled in for a beer.

They do quad bike and camel trips into the surrounding desert. The Sky Diving photo was taken for my brother Reuel.

The Wall of Fame caught my eye and Brandon's sticker no 50 was stuck up there. I was on a roll and tagged the vehicles in the car park, stickers 51, 52 and 53, who knows where they will end up?

Tried to pick up some birds, but the bills were out of my budget.

 

[DASKOP]

For some reason, I was drawn back to Tiger Reef. Just some time out.

 

[DASKOP]

The Brauhaus for some take-away beers and supper to be enjoyed on the balcony as the sun was setting and off to bed.