Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

[DASKOP]

Just some more of CRH.

 

[DASKOP]

And then there was this young lady, Jolene Fransman.

From the moment I had arrived at CRH, for some unknown reason, she sort of gravitated to me. She checked on me in the morning, a few times during the day and came to find me before her shift ended, every time just to see if I was OK or needed anything. An absolute angel.

We had chats, she had recently lost her mom, but yet, she was more concerned about me than her own circumstances. A rare find as a human being, indeed. She blessed me in so many ways, just with her being there and giving up some of her time to care for me.

Thank you, Jolene, from the bottom of my heart.

 

[DASKOP]

Not finished with CRH photos yet

 

[DASKOP]

My home town, Port Elizabeth.

 

[DASKOP]

It was time to find a place to sit outside, enjoy the summer's day, compose myself, have a beer, check my route for the next day, post and chill.

I realised that I was not ready to leave this place and take on the gravel roads yet, so I had spoken to Natasha, who said that I was welcome to stay in the room for another night at the camping rate. Another blessing.

Having a room to stay in tonight, means that I can pack and prepare everything tonight, enabling me to get on the road earlier tomorrow morning for the trek to Mount D’Urban, where will be back to basics. I will have to stop in Helmeringhausen to stock up for a night of camping and preparing supper on a fire, meaning my first braai on my own.

As darkness descended, I ordered a supper take-away and as I waited, put up stickers 5 and 6 for Brandon.

Supper, pack, shower and bed.

 

[Pilchie]

Thanks for sharing -  I wish I could take your pain away, may you find strength to go forward.

 

[DASKOP]

19 May 2021

The planned route: Canyon Roadhouse – Seeheim – Goageb - Aus – Helmeringhausen – Mount D’Urban

Leaving CRH was emotional. I had received such special treatment from all of the staff, it never felt to me like they were only doing their job as employees of a big corporation, because that is what they are being paid to do. It was more personal, at a time when I really needed it, they were more than just staff, they were loving, caring and considerate people.

When it was time to leave, I want to take a group photo, unfortunately Natasha was off duty, so it was whoever was available and then Jolene. A very special person, who every day before going off duty, would come and find me to see whether I was ok. You are a very special lady, Jolene Fransman, a loving, kind and a wonderful person, who, despite the tragedies, recent in your own life, took the time to care for a mourning father. Thank you is all I can say.

I fill up Matilda, take some photos on the way out, and then as I head on to the road, I see the tree. That is where the rockpile for Brandon was built. That is where the angel rock was placed.

Yip, look at the rock again.

 

[DASKOP]

On the road, nice to encounter a local train, horn blasting all the way as he was passing me.

 

[Stones]

Reading that line I just went ice cold.
I cannot even start to comprehend the feeling of loss and the emotions you are dealing with Marius.
Humbly following your story.

 

[DASKOP]

It is a good gravel road.

As I approach the bridge below the Naute Dam, there is a bakkie parked on the far end of the bridge. They had stopped to take photos. They saw me and got back in the vehicle and crossed over to my side, where they stopped.

I had seen the green algae on the up-river wall of the water covered bridge, so there can be algae on the bridge floor as well. Could be tricky crossing on slippery algae. I asked the bakkie driver if they would mind waiting until I had safely crossed over to the other side, before they left, just in case I went down and needed some help. No problem. Fortunately, I went across without incident, where I stopped and thanked them. I took some photos there and then went to the dam for some more photos.

Back onto the last section of gravel to the B4 tar road, where I turn left, pass through Seeheim and then turn off at Gaogeb onto the C14 through Bethanie and then the 80 km gravel to Helmeringhausen.

 

[wooly bugger]

:sip:

 

[DASKOP]

In Helmeringhausen, I stopped at the local shop to buy some provisions and to get directions to Mount D’Urban, which is about 23 km from the town. The shop owner then phoned the owner of Mount D'Urban to check if there is accommodation available for a biker, she confirms that there is, and asks for my name.
 
Just for interest’s sake, I do not really want to camp, remember the cold, so I stop at the Helmeringhausen Hotel to inquire about rates. Totally above my budget, so I head off. Mount D’Urban Campsite is in a beautiful setting, and as I arrive I see a chalk board where my name and campsite number is written. Really interesting construction of the ablutions and deck, but there is no protection from the wind. The wind is pumping, it is going to be a mission just to get the tent up. I am in for another cold night. Solar power only, but I get to charging everything that needs to be charged.

Shortly after my arrival at Mount D’Urban, Boeta, the owner arrives. After a short conversation, where I learnt that he is originally from Graaff-Reinet and knows Derek Light, who was a fellow officer in the SA Air Force with me, and then told him my story, he asked me what I would like to braai tonight. He has T-bones which have been hanging for 2 weeks. I tell him, Lamb Chops, that is what I am dying for. Fine, he will cut me three and bring me some stuff. Little did I know what that stuff would include.

I was updating my journal when somebody arrives at my campsite. Michael, who had a replica of Matilda, sold it, and bought a KTM. Now he has serious regrets, but he invites me to join them at their campsite for a drink. I decide to leave the tent for later, hopefully the wind will calm down and walk up to their campsite where I meet Corne, his better half. They invite me to braai with them so I go back to my campsite to fetch my store bought wors and provisions.

 

[DASKOP]

At my campsite, it is obvious that Boeta had been there bearing gifts.

I would have been quite content with 3 braai chops, what I found reflected the true nature of Namibian people, 4 lamb chops, 2 totally prepared toasties (for those who do not know, a sandwich with butter, cheese, tomato, and onion, ready for the fire), a braai pan, eating utensils, serviettes, a mattress, fitted sheet, pillow and duvet.

The absolute generosity, the kindness of the people whom I have met and the grace of God, which I have experienced to date, astounds me.

I went back to my new friends, and we spent a great time together, enjoying the sunset, burning some meat and just talking. It has been a while since I spent some normal time with some, OK, not so normal people. A great couple and they, well Corne, wrote a wonderful message in my journal.

Back to my campsite, the wind is still pumping, and I decide to just set up bed in the ablution area. There is absolutely no way I will be able to erect a tent in this wind. It worked, and I had a good night’s sleep.

 

[petri oosthuizen]

.........Daai Ponton Estate by CRH is BAAAAAAIE geld werd :drif: :eek7:

 

[DASKOP]

Looking at the time stamp on the attached photo, I realised that it was close to midnight when I returned to my campsite, because it did not take me long to get my bed set up inside the ablution block, but it was worth the time spent with Michael and Corne. And, I could get up whenever I wanted to.

 

[DASKOP]

20 May 2021
The planned route for today: Mount D’Urban – Chamchawib – Schwarzkuppe – Bossiesvlei - Maltahohe – Bullsport – Solitaire – Camp Gecko

Early morning coffee. Michael and Corne stop on their way out, drop off a cleaned braai pan and some packed padkos, left over from the previous nights braai. They also took a Brandon sticker, and it will be interesting to see where that ends up.

Matilda is packed, Boeta's gifts are cleaned and neatly packed in the ablutions and I go down to the farmhouse to settle my bill. I had a conversation with Mariette, Boeta's wife. She tells me of the young men who have lost their lives on this treacherous section of road and the trauma that it has caused in the community. It also turns out Boeta is a cousin of the dentist who helped me in Vredendal. I wanted to take a photo of the couple next to Matilda, but Boeta is camera shy, so it did not happen.

I asked to settle my bill, but they had no card machine, and I realised that I had hidden my cash pouch at the bottom of one of the panniers. I would have to unpack that side to get it out. Mariette said that I do not have to do that, they will email me an account and I can do an EFT, I am still waiting.

I head off towards Maltahohe.

 

[mox]

:'( Never in any way could I imagine your pain. If you have not found peace I hope you do and that you treat yourself with gentleness and love.

As for this sign, they should have included a message for the ladies ''strap on your sport bra"
:biggrin:

 

[DASKOP]

The gravel road is great, the scenery constantly changing and I am enjoying every moment. This is Namibia.

I left late, so I push through, otherwise I might end up at Camp Gecko in the dark.

 

[DASKOP]

Just past Solitaire, I turn off on to the road to Spreetshoogte Pass and find Camp Gecko.

I meet Anna, have a with beer her, sign in, get directions to my campsite, 2 bundles of firewood and an extra blanket. She warns me that it gets cold here. The road to the campsite proves to be very sandy in some spots, did some paddling twice along the way and then quite rocky on the way up the hill.

It is nearly 18h00 by the time I reach my hill top camping spot, which is a covered concrete slab, low walls on three sides, table and benches, braai area and an absolutely spectacular view, which just gets better as the sun starts setting. Time for some photos before firing up the donkey for a hot shower.

 

[DASKOP]

As the sun starts disappearing behind the horizon, the tent goes up on the slab, all my kit is set out and get the fire going. The donkey has done its thing and I have a hot shower and dress warmly.

Tonight’s supper consists of the left-over food which Corne had given me at Mount D’Urban.

As I sit next to the blazing fire, it is so quiet and peaceful. A wonderful starry Namibian night at its best. It is food for the soul.