Day 8
Motsoanakaba to Nooitgedacht, Jagersfontein (428km)
Waking next to John in his tent we share I’m reminded of yesterday’s ordeal. I take comfort though in the fact that,
if all goes well, by tonight I will sleep in a familiar bed on the family farm.
Breaking up camp we are closely watched by the local children. Clearly this is a sight they are unfamiliar with.
I should admit to enjoy being a curiosity.
Motsoanakaba Primary School, what a remote place to build a school. Come to think of it, all the villages in
the area obviously have children that need educating.
A big thanks to the families for coming to our rescue with supplies of water, food and just peace of mind.
Last night it rained a bit and as we make our way back to Mantsonyane we encounter one after the other
muddy pool of Lesotho clay. I think it is fare to say we have had our share of adventure and would now like
to get back to the comfort zone we know. I am not the cocky rider anymore that came down this road yesterday.
Sliding around in the mud I’m anxious for John’s mood and rightfully so because after only a couple of k’s his
temper flares again. “Dis jou f***en skuld dat ons hier is en nie al by die huis nie!” Guilty as charged.
Speeding ahead once more I lose sight of John. The whole idea was to not ride alone for in case one of us
get in trouble. Navigating the slippery 2-spoor I end up skidding sideways but luckily no harm done.
The road that descents to Auray. Two ladies posing for a portrait I hand them the last of my nikkerballs and chapies.
I finally catch up with John at Mantsonyane. From here we are back on main roads and as John instruct,
we head back to the home country on the shortest route, I obey.
Filling up with cheap petrol just before crossing the border at Maseru Bridge I decide to shake hands and part
as we are now in tamed land again. I want to thank you John. We had a tough time and my stubbornness, even
call it selfishness, was responsable for putting you in a situation that made you feel out of comfort and control.
Doing this trip and the roads we did was only possible if I could find someone to ride with me. Going by myself
would just have been too risky. You were the only one to take up on my invitasion. Thanks.
John rode off as I videoed the moment. Now I'm riding solo again.
My destination is farther South than John’s and with this I revert back to original plans by travelling on gravel.
Reddersburg makes for another chance to get the camera out.
With the old girl turning 20K I realise we will have to celebrate her 21st before I get back to Cape Town,
probably somewhere on the N1 crossing the Karoo.
Now I’m almost there, the family farm a mere ½ hour’s ride away. I will stay there for a week until my final
return to Cape Town.
I would like to leave the end of my story for the video to tell. Don’t you also feel such a lonesome sadness
once a big exiting journey/holiday has ended? Now all that is left are the memories.
Here is the video corresponding to Day 8. The End... till the next adventure of course. :thumleft: