Groot Marico "Advance Party" report back 2008-07-27

[Li]

Thanks so much for the great report and for the scouting, it really looks fantastic, I can't wait. Gunda, I will be there to help you wipe off your visor for the big ride  :ricky:

My preference would be the Croc farm, purely because it has a restaurant and we need not cook after a long days riding, perhaps they can provide breakfast before we leave? Also, I like the accomodation, would prefer to have cosy bed and my own bathroom.
Second choice will be the River Sill, in both cases, I prefer accomodation booked with cosy bed, clean warm shower and toilet facility and all bedding and utensils.  As we discovered for the Waterberg weekend, you are tired from riding, you want to freshen up and relax, it is really not nice to have to cook food in difficult circumstances and eat food without condiments, sauces etc.

After a long days riding and in anticipation of the next days riding, I want a hot satisfying meal at the end of the day, as well as a hearty breakfast to start. :drif:

 

[jburger]

I think Malgat and GundaGunda said most of it, but here goes my views and comments...

I think all three places was great in it's own way and in the end I will go with the majority. For this occasion however I would choose River Still as:

1. It accommodates everybody in one location. There's nothing to dampen a party spirit as the thought that you have get on the bike and ride to your sleeping spot after some drinks.
2. The communal gathering place
3. I has a variety of accommodation
4. There's a lot to do for those not riding

So here's the pictures

River Still: A lounge in one of the houses

River Still: The party place

River Still: A bedroom

River Still: One of the houses

Having a ball of a time on the gravel just south of River Still

The views from "Slate Mountain"

The views from "Slate Mountain"

Lotz of slate - and it seems like most of the work is done by manual labour.

We didn't see anybody there untill we heard the tapping.

GG showing us how efficiently you can chop up the slate using his Karate Kid impersonation

The Eye:  Truly is an amazing place

The Eye: Chalet no 1 with the new additions on the left

The Eye: The lawn, lotz of place to pitch tents

The Eye: Chalet No 2

The Eye: Chalet No 2 - Inside

The Eye: Chalet No 2 - Inside

GG admiring the view over the dam

The Croc Place: Malgat caught red-handed tasting some olives

The Croc Place: The guesthouse

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227749173142583106"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyyLNgBd0I/AAAAAAAAB0c/UtSj6Xi5Nss/s800/img-20080727-120622-000121.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place: The bedroom of the guest house

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227749408807630802"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyyY7a8t9I/AAAAAAAAB1I/ASODK3I10SM/s800/img-20080727-121636-000132.JPG" /></a>
I know GG posted this but I have to add: See he's standing and it's not even a BMW

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227749655814977266"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyynTmFtvI/AAAAAAAAB1U/aAbMfAgtNwk/s800/img-20080727-122818-000134.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place: The chalets

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227749676233616210"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyyofqRa1I/AAAAAAAAB1Y/M515ayQqOZw/s800/img-20080727-122854-000135.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place Chalets: The lounge

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227749699252992978"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyyp1ahO9I/AAAAAAAAB1c/PuCMucrA_Ao/s800/img-20080727-122912-000136.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place Chalets: The kitchen

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227749718098701986"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyyq7nr7qI/AAAAAAAAB1g/c0WFL7PNq18/s800/img-20080727-122928-000137.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place Chalets: The Bedroom

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227749748489702946"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyyss1dziI/AAAAAAAAB1o/tkcuL7OwRMU/s800/img-20080727-122952-000139.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place Chalets: The Bedroom

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227749779497197682"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyyugWOoHI/AAAAAAAAB1s/-3tYsVvHAq0/s800/img-20080727-123020-000140.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place Chalets: Braai area

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227749874422109938"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyy0B-F1vI/AAAAAAAAB14/Y4MTI5-zcdo/s800/img-20080727-123446-000143.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place - Tented camp: The inside of the two person tent

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227750135201118834"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyzDNcpunI/AAAAAAAAB2g/ZQB0U6maZUQ/s800/img-20080727-124026-000153.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place - Tented Camp: The communal area

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227750156556138498"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIyzEdAFeAI/AAAAAAAAB2k/yaJEXvBFGV0/s800/img-20080727-124042-000154.JPG" /></a>
The Croc Place - Tented Camp: The "Russian Tent"

 

[jburger]

facility and all bedding and utensils.  As we discovered for the Waterberg weekend, you are tired from riding, you want to freshen up and relax, it is really not nice to have to cook food in difficult circumstances and eat food without condiments, sauces etc.

Just a suggestion that we have discussed on the weekend is to get somebody to put a lamb (or whatever we want)  on a spit for us for Saturday evening. That way we all eat together and nobody has to make supper.

 

[jburger]

Some more pics

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227758616859244690"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIy6w6Fh-JI/AAAAAAAAB6g/lI_JVZcM2jM/s800/img-20080726-150950-000059.JPG" /></a>


<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227758665579150146"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIy6zvlQu0I/AAAAAAAAB6o/s18DhCFBTDo/s800/img-20080726-151000-000060.JPG" /></a>


<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jaco.burger/20080726GrootMaricoRR/photo#5227757228475847090"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/jaco.burger/SIy5gF9IkbI/AAAAAAAAB3A/uHqRP7jQGl4/s800/img-20080726-125210-000032.JPG" /></a>
Three Noble Steeds waiting patiently while we procure supper

 

[Cave Girl]

Now I am really getting excited With my new bike will even be able to keep up with the group and the bike will start on the Saturday - I hope - I don't mind where we stay and if you need to move me from B&B to camping due to space I am cool with that - I have a solar shower so can cope with the communatl show thingy and am happy to contribute to the keeping one cottage as ablution block for campers. I like the idea of getting a local to cater supper I am sure we will find someone keen to do that - sheep on the spit shounds fab.
Thanks guys for all the hard work!!!!
S

 

[JourneyMan]

Sheez! Great fact-finding ride there! :biggrin: :thumleft:

 

[KiLRoy]

Try again - how far is it to this pozzie?

H

 

[GundaGunda]

Try again - how far is it to this pozzie?

Depends how you want to get there.
Straight on tar roads
JHB - 201
Centurion  218
Pretoria 210

Add a bit if you want to avoid the tolls. (about 30Km and a few cultural villages)

The toll just outside Marico is R55 - that is why we looped a bit North.

We went via Rustenburg and returrned Koster, Derby, Boons, Magalies, Cradle

Back was nicer than out, I think, and would prefer that route. 

 

[GundaGunda]

My preference would be the Croc farm, purely because it has a restaurant and we need not cook after a long days riding, perhaps they can provide breakfast before we leave? Also, I like the accomodation, would prefer to have cosy bed and my own bathroom.

After a long days riding and in anticipation of the next days riding, I want a hot satisfying meal at the end of the day, as well as a hearty breakfast to start. :drif:

Li, I am not sure that will be available at the croc farm either.
The restaurant at the croc farm is about 2Km from the main guest house and about 3Km from the game farm camp, so you would have to ride back to bed after dinner and ride to the restaurant for brekkie in the morning.

Nowhere we visited had on-site meals I am afraid. 

There is a restaurant at river still, but I seem to remember them saying it is currently being upgraded and is closed. Not sure what the position will be in  Sept - JustBiking and Malgat am I right here?
 

 

[jburger]

There is a restaurant at river still, but I seem to remember them saying it is currently being upgraded and is closed. Not sure what the position will be in  Sept - JustBiking and Malgat am I right here?

They converted the restaurant into a chalet. Maybe we can do coffee and rusks and make breakfast the first stop on the ride?

 

[Ama ride ride]

Try again - how far is it to this pozzie?

H

Ok ek sal help. Dis omtrent so ver soos Op-die-berg vanaf Kuilsrivier.... :biggrin:

 

[GundaGunda]

Folks - may I ask that if anyone has input into the plans for the "the beeeg" Groot Marico weekend they post  in the planning thread :-

https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=20017.1000000

This was just feedback and ride report.

Wanna chirp about the ride (ie how good I looked on the tractor, or how good Malgat looks sitting on the loo ) then this is the spot  ;D

 

[iep_kruger]

i just wanted to add some pics of the three musketeers and their steeds exploring groot marico

1. 3 very different bikes but all have the same topbox. Also notice GG'S new saddle bags

2.The AT and the buffalo

3.Another glimpse of GG's saddle bags

 

[JohnST]

I'll need a chalet, the wife is coming with, so with her packing habits there will not be space for the tent and matrass.....  :'(