Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

[Mikie]

Daskop, thanks for sharing this trip with us.
I cant imagine the pain of losing a child, I really hope this trip helped you get some closure.

Keep it coming I am riding with you  :thumleft:

 

[Vis Arend]

Nice to see you met JC.  :thumleft:

Sout van die aarde se mense daai.  :deal:

 

[DASKOP]

It was a great experience at the SA Embassy House, nothing beats a good braai. Pierre and my hostess spoilt me. Pierre and the view was all that I was allowed to photograph.

I met Hendrik, the German neighbour who showed me his prized Cobra.

After the braai, Pierre took me on a small tour of Windhoek, I saw where they are currently building the new American Embassy, typical USA, it is on a major scale, and then some of the really affluent areas, where houses range between NAD 10 and 15 million. One German bought 13 houses here.

Pierre dropped me off at Urban Camp. Time to take the laundry down, have a beer and update my journal and my WhatsApp posts, well, those I am allowed to.

 

[DASKOP]

It amazed me that every single day that I have been on this trip, I have been blessed. I am not just talking about monetary value blessings, I am talking about the time that people took to spend with me, the confidence they displayed by sharing delicate and intimate personal situations with me, the kindness and concern they showed me as an absolute stranger. The tears are running as I write this, because every one of these blessings are so special and they will remain with me forever.

Thank you Lord, and I love you my boy.

 

[DASKOP]

Bernhard, the owner of Urban Camp, had no obligation to do what he did. But, he did it anyway. And I am truly thankful.

Matilda had undercover parking, and I had a tented chalet with an electric blanket. What more can you ask for? OK, an en-suite, but what the hell? The ablutions are close by.

A last beer in the garden, some journal entries and it was time for bed.

 

[DASKOP]

I want one of these, all it needs is a hydraulic rear platform so that Matilda can go with for the interesting places.

 

[DASKOP]

24 May 2021

Coffee first, then the day can begin.

I had some time before Pierre was due to arrive, so I wander around Urban Camp and take some photos.

 

[DASKOP]

A little later, Pierre arrived on his bike; we had a long list of things to attend to in Windhoek.

His garage had been broken into and he had to get quotes for insurance purposes, so there were quite a few stops.

Matilda’s LH mirror needed to be repaired, so we went to PG Glass, mirror fixed for NAD 150. Then BMW Windhoek, where Matilda’s oil is checked and topped up, free of charge, while Pierre gets quotes for his stolen BMW kit. I wandered around the BMW sales floor and there is my dream bike, the Triple Black. But, I would never be able to get of my companion, my trusty steed, Matilda. Maybe, I must just paint her all black.

There were also quite a few F800 GS Traffic Police motorbikes, some showing accident damage, others needing servicing. Never actually saw one on the road during my time in Windhoek.

After shopping for some essentials, I return to Urban Camp, I packed as much as possible so that I can leave early tomorrow morning.

Pierre and I had agreed to meet at the famous Joe's Beer House, which was just around the corner.

 

[DASKOP]

I knew that it was going to be a while before Pierre joined me at Joe's, so I wandered around in this most interesting place and took some photos.

 

[DASKOP]

And some more

 

[DASKOP]

I found a spot to sit, had a beer and waited for Pierre to arrive. I struck up a conversation with 2 Afrikaans guys, who were at the table next to me.

It is a such small world. One of them, Shorty Snyman, was in Matric with me at Framesby High School in Port Elizabeth in 1977. His companion, Brian Greeff, his father was a pastor in Despatch. What are the chances of something like this happening? We spend a long time reminiscing about the past and mutual friends.

Can not remember why he was called Shorty, the man towers over me.

 

[viljoen.michael]

Hi Marius. Thank you for the kind words. It was nice to meet you and we felt privileged to have been part of your journey and to following your progress on Whatsapp. I can only hope and pray that you have found some closure.

That night when we braaied the wind nearly blew us away! Thank you for joining us as well in sharing the evening.

I am glad that you are home safely. Strongs for you and your family and God bless.

Michael and Corne.

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.

 

[Vuurmaker]

Danksy die thread het ek dadelik geweet wie se fiets die is toe ek dit op FB sien vandag

PE se built not bought display vandag





Sent from my SM-A307FN using Tapatalk

 

[Gerard]

Was gaaf om jou gister te sien Marius. My bietjie onkant gevang so konnie nie lekker gesels nie.

 

[DASKOP]

Danksy die thread het ek dadelik geweet wie se fiets die is toe ek dit op FB sien vandag

PE se built not bought display vandag

Sent from my SM-A307FN using Tapatalk

Hi, weet jy miskien wie dit gepost het?

 

[DASKOP]

Was gaaf om jou gister te sien Marius. My bietjie onkant gevang so konnie nie lekker gesels nie.

Ek verstaan.

 

[DASKOP]

Pierre arrived and while we have a beer, he tells me that I have again been invited to The SA Embassy House, this time for supper.

Some photos and time to leave.

 

[DASKOP]

It has taken me some time to sit down and write this.

After Pierre left, I went to say my goodbyes to Shorty and then I received a message from Martyna, a young Polish lady who was friends with Brandon in Beijing, China, while he was there, working and studying.

It completely shattered me.

I paid my bill and went back to Urban Camp. I was not sure if I could face my friends at the SA Embassy House, but decided to go anyway. At the SA Embassy House, Pierre took one look at me and told me to go and sit at the bottom of the garden. He brought me some snacks and a beer and told me to take my time.

Eventually, I had composed myself and went up to the house. We had snacks and supper.

I met Jean Du Plessis, a Namibian tour operator. Both him and my hostess, phoned Deon, the owner of Rainbow River Lodge in Divundu, refer back to my encounter with Johan Burger on Remhoogte Pass, 3 days ago, and told me that my accommodation at Rainbow River Lodge, was sorted at their expense.

After supper, I went back to Urban Camp, I sat there in the dark and I was angry. Why my son?

I felt so lost.

 

[Knucklhead/knuckey]

It has taken me some time to sit down and write this.

After Pierre left, I went to say my goodbyes to Shorty and then I received a message from Martyna, a young Polish lady who was friends with Brandon in Beijing, China, while he was there, working and studying.

It completely shattered me.

I paid my bill and went back to Urban Camp. I was not sure if I could face my friends at the SA Embassy House, but decided to go anyway. At the SA Embassy House, Pierre took one look at me and told me to go and sit at the bottom of the garden. He brought me some snacks and a beer and told me to take my time.

Eventually, I had composed myself and went up to the house. We had snacks and supper.

I met Jean Du Plessis, a Namibian tour operator. Both him and my hostess, phoned Deon, the owner of Rainbow River Lodge in Divundu, refer back to my encounter with Johan Burger on Remhoogte Pass, 3 days ago, and told me that my accommodation at Rainbow River Lodge, was sorted at their expense.

After supper, I went back to Urban Camp, I sat there in the dark and I was angry. Why my son?

I felt so lost.

:'(

 

[DASKOP]

25 May 2021

Tsumeb was the destination.

Obviously coffee first and then final packing. Checked on my mirror repair and I was ready to go.

I settled my bill and I was once again humbled by the generosity, kindness and compassion of my host. Thus far, on my journey, it has been such a revelation of how small acts of this nature, can have a major impact on someone's life. WHY is this not the norm? Why do we not all live by the same mantra? How much of a difference can we all make if we live by this standard? This world would be a totally different place.

Brandon’s 11th sticker was stuck on the entrance door to the restaurant. Little did I know that someone I met previously on this trip, would eventually see this sticker.

Pierre du Toit and Jorine Edwards, I can now reveal the name of my hostess at the SA Embassy House, came to see me off at Urban Camp.