29 June 2019
Rode through Stellenbosch to Malmesbury through Darling onto the Namibia Route.
Got as far as Bitterfontien and was falling asleep on the bike so used iOverlander to look for a place to stay. They recommended Dawn Ridge Guest Lodge.
Drove around Bitterfontien for a little until I found it right at the top. Painted bright pink and looking a bit run down with a hand painted sign outside I was reluctant to go in. An old lady that was working in the garden introduced herself as Dawn and Invited me inside. I got an outside room also painted bright pink with a bathroom ensuite. Looked very clean and decided to stay for the night. When I enquired about the price, I was surprised to hear it was R240 that included and lovely home cooked meal with Roast Chicken, roast potato and veg.
At about 8pm her husband returned home. He had been to Vredendal on a 125-motor bike to collect supplies. Sad to see two good hearted old people living such difficult life.
Tried to talk to him for a while but then realised he was a bit deaf and just rambled on about anything, so I took an early night and went to bed
30 June 2019 (Bitterfontien to Vioolsdrift)
Left Bitterfontien at about 8am and stopped at the petrol station to fill up. The sky ahead was looking a bit grey, but I thought nothing of this as it looks like it has never rained on that part of the world. About 50 km there was a fine mist that started falling. Just enough to make you wet and drop the temperature to 8 degrees. I rode on but when I got to Steinkdopf I decided to stop and put my rain jacket and a warmer pair of gloves on. Only then did I realise how cold I was when I couldn’t hold open the zips on my luggage because my hands were so cold a stiff. After some perseverance I managed to put on the right gear and head onto springbok.
When I reached Springbok, I sought refuge in the Wimpy and wrapped my hands around a cup of their Mega Coffee. On my way out I met a delightful fellow with an orange hat and orange shoes. He was so impressed with himself when I complimented him on his colour co-ordination, I was sorry I did not take a pic.
Rain had now cleared, and I set off for the Namibian Border crossing. Had to fight a huge crosswind for about 120km. Much relieved that that strip of the journey was over I confidently walked up to the customs official, greeted her and handed my passport over. Then came the words But Sir your passport is expired.
Now I was in a real pickle as I had an expired passport and a motorbike that was empty because I had planned to fill up at Vioolsdrift and would never had made it back to Steinkopf. After some panic and thinking of riding all the way back to Cape Town common sense prevailed and I started exploring the idea of having it couriered to me. Who no better to call on than Mr CapeAg himself a good friend of mine that send product to the farmers all the time in that area. One phone call and the problem was solved. My passport would be in Springbok on Tuesday.
Now to find a place to stay for two nights. I nursed my bike along the Orange River waiting to run out of fuel any minute. Fortunately, I managed to make it to a
Camp site on the Orange River and I set-up for a two-night stayover.
The camp site had a pub that I strolled down to later in the afternoon and initially it was filled with a group of people that work on oil rigs in Angola. They were a rowdy bunch that had obviously been there for a while and not quite m kind of people. Later in the evening a father and his three sons who had also been to Angola for a fishing trip arrived for supper. We had a nice evening together chatting about all sorts of things.
The following day I hung around the camp site sorting out my tracker and answering the last of my work emails. My fuel issue was solved when the guy I had spent the evening with offered to fill my bike up with fuel he had brought in from Angola. Apparently in Angola fuel is only R5 a litre. Later that evening I went back to the Pub for another relaxing evening
eepwall: :sip:
