Into the Desert on Ascension Day

[Desert Boy]

Namibia still celebrates Ascension Day on 13 May. This year it fell on a Thursday so a long weekend was enjoyed by many. My friend Volker had recently bought a new 990R (like mine), so it was a great opportunity to dash across the desert to Swakopmund, testing the bikes along the way and to see a few places that we don't often go to.

The bikes were packed on Wednesday evening and we were ready to set off on Thursday at 09h30.

My 990 packed and ready, posing in front of the "New State House". No-one quite knows what that complex is costing but I don't think there will be much change from a Billion bucks once it's done.

We met up at the Engen in Olympia and we were soon on our way. We decided to take the C28 to the coast, past Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, down Boshua Pass, into the Nature Reserve and on to Swakop. It's about 340 kms, sadly too much for the KTMs without fuel back up. I took my usual jerry cans fitted to the pannier racks and Volker took 2 5l plastic cans strapped to his carrier.

Along the way, we stopped at the old "Spookhuis" on Farm Neu Heusis about 40 kms West of Windhoek. The house was built around 1911 by the "Karl Liebig Company"who owned over 200 000 hectares of land to raise cattle. The house was occupied by Liebig Company Managers.

The old house is obviously very run down and dilapidated, but one can easily conjure up images of good living in early colonial times.

We checked that our stuff was still firmly strapped down and off we went.

To be continued....

 

[GlenInk (R.I.P)]

very nice so far !  :thumleft: Hurry with the rest !  :deal:

 

[Skipskop]

Thanks for sharing-some nice machines you got there.

 

[Desert Boy]

About another 20 kms along the road one gets to the old "Francois Feste" on a small koppie on the North side of the road. It was built around 1890 by Major Curt Von Francois when he moved his HQ from Tsaobis to Windhoek. This fort is about half way between the 2 points. Later, the fort was used as a post for horses and cattle and was also used as a "Trockenpost", a place for heavy drinking soldiers to dry out.

The fort is of course totally dilapidated as well, but certainly gives you a sense of "Isolation"

From here we bombed down to Boshua Pass (about half way to the coast) and filled our bikes with fuel to lighten the load on the back.

From the Pass, it was straight to Swakop, without much stopping as we wanted to be there early. I stayed at our little cottage in Central Swakop. This building used to be a shop and was built in 1906.

As youcan see, not much has changed to the facade in over 100 years. The extension to the right was added in 1907, just before my time. You can see the Railway station "spire" peeking out from next to the 1906 picture. This is part of the Swakopmund Entertainment Centre today.

We ate at the famous Kucki's Pub on Thursday evening and made plans for the next day's ride

To be continued.....

 

[edgy]

Very nice! :thumleft:

 

[wimpie]

Lekker Desert Boy, let me know next time you come to Swakop.

 

[antondp]

Nice.  :ricky: :ricky:

 

[Crossed-up]

Good stuff!

 

[Desert Boy]

This was the route that we followed to Swakopmund

 

[Desert Boy]

The next day (Friday) was a working day and both of us had various things to do in Swakop. I went to visit a construction site outside of Swakop (I am a contractor) and organized a few work related things.

During the morning, Volker realised that he would have to be back in Windhoek by 16h00 that day so he left Swakop on the C28 and returned home the same way that we had come.

I decided to head to Wustenquell, a guest farm on the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park. My friends would meet me there on Friday night and we would spend the night camping and socializing. They were coming from Windhoek by car and we arranged to meet at about 15h00.

To get to Wustenquell one drives back along the C28 and turns North along the "Welwitschia Plains road. It is amazing to see how much Uranium prospecting is going on these days in the National Park. I wonder how the reconcilliation between environmental and commercial issues is happening.

This is the water supply to the newly developed Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine. Namibia is expanding its Uranium capacity at an alarming rate and is currently the third largest producer in the world.

I discovered that you need a permit to use this road. Apparently, motorcycles are also not allowed to use the road - oops

You come across new exploration and uranium related activity all over the area. Note the drilling in the background.

At the turn off to Wustenqell

The road got narrower and narrower and more and more sandy. One became accutely aware that you were alone. If something goes wrong - then what?

After about 100 kms I arrived at the Wustenqell gate - which was locked. However, no need to panic, the key was there too.

I'm not sure what the point is of having a locked gate and having the key to the lock there as well. Must be a reason.

Once through the gate, it was another 20 or so kms through a few sandy sections and riverbeds and I was at the farm house and on to the camp site.

to be continued....

 

[rcerrie]

keep it coming :thumleft:

 

[siaskoen]

One of my dream trips, Namibia.... :ricky:

 

[Desert Boy]

After getting to the camp site (through all sorts of road cpnditions), it took about 20 seconds for me to drop my bike. I parked, put down the side stand, got off, turned around and watched how the stand disappeared into the soft stuff and the bike went down. It cost a front indicator and one of the fancy stickers on the front side cover. My next purchase is definitely going to be a BROAD end to the side stand. Here are a few general shots of and around the camp site.

My friends arrived and we had a fantastic evening together

A few more "scenery" shots

That's Langer Heinrich in the background.

The next morning it was up early, have a wonderful breakfast, up to the farmhouse, pay the bill and get moving.

The road out of Wustenquell was narrow and sandy once again with many (six) farm gates that neede opening and shutting. The scenery though, was breathtaking. I took the D1914 before taking the D1952 up to Karibib.

Will be finished soon......

 

[Berm_Rooster]

Nice guys! Nooo, dont finish!

 

[BradleyT]

:happy1:  ....and we are waiting!  Nice report - and beautiful pics  :thumleft:

 

[Desert Boy]

At one point, the D1952 goes through an old Marble Quarry. It's fascinating

On reaching Karibib, I heard that it was raining cats and dogs in Windhoek so I decided to head home on the tar road and not head south to Otjimbingwe on the Swakop River and back to the C28. That's for next time

All in all it was a great trip which I enjoyed immensely

The route home is below

Till next time