Misty
Race Dog
We knew we had two weeks at our disposal in December 09, but being Jan 09 
there was plenty of time still to plan it all: when, how, what as well as the destination, or is that the journey… As time went by a plan started forming and our hearts leaned towards the West Coast… and then it was the waiting…
But the year flew by and with less than a month to go we set out a more or less route (as to give us some flexibility), got some of our accommodation sorted – the original plan was to camp, but due to my highly efficient nature ;D I managed to find us very nice, affordable non-camping accommodation along the way, which also increased the luggage space – hehe see, always work with a plan – as well as got all the necessary tools, spares, supplies etc in order, and then we were on our way.
DAY 1 – JHB to Graaff-Reinet – 826km – https://aaqtansisi.co.za/
This was our first loooong trip together, just the two of us, who was the bravest, me or eSKaPe?! We were so eager to be on the road, that 15 min into our trip, we realized we forgot one of the most important accessories – our camelbacks! So after a speedy u-turn (this time it wasn’t the GPS) and the camelbacks safely attached, we were finally on our way.
We mainly headed straight down the N1 but near Brandfort we were bored so turned off onto secondary roads via Bells Pass, the first of over 20 passes we rode, unfortunately we cant name them all, but what a stunning country we have! Then on to Graaff-Reinet – the road wasn’t too busy and it wasn’t too hot, yet. We arrived in Graaff-Reinet at about 4pm, where our gracious hosts awaited us with a litchi margarita - yum :thumleft:
Before dinner we went for a ride up the little koppie, what an amazing view of the quaint town. We were sooo looking forward to karoo lamb, but unfortunately they ran out and the butchery doesn’t open on a Sunday… none the less we had a great eve, slept like logs and were ready for the road to CPT.
DAY 2 – Graaff-Reinet – CPT – 752km
We got an early start, which was just as well as a long ride was ahead, although we didn’t quite know it at the time. We went via Prince Albert and the Swartberg Pass, Caltizdorp and then all the way on Route 62 to CPT.
For me Swartberg Pass was rather challenging as the sheer drop terrified me slightly and then we still had to avoid all the 4x4 going up and down, so it took us a bit longer than planned – but the view made up for it.
By the time we got to Calitzdorp it was very very hot and McNabs was the only thing that was going to get me further! Here we also bumped into Sprocket – we hope you made it to The Hell and back ok??
The hot, full blasting wind all the way to Montagu also didn’t work in my favour, but despite the wind Ronnies Sex Shop didn’t escape us…
And who’s Avatar did we spot on the wall of shame?? :mwink:
This might work better in the wind?! :ricky:
Caught in the act…
We arrived in CPT at 7pm – tired but happy. We stayed in CPT for 6 days.
SandMan and his family were visiting in CPT and what better reason to get together for a braai, and also to baptize SandMan to WaterMan as he made his very impressive entry by falling (or rather stepping) right into the pool – I mean, as if he couldn’t see the big blue mass of water – must be all the sand in Botswana, they not use to water there… or maybe he was just looking for an excuse to have his phone out of service
Rest to follow shorlty...
there was plenty of time still to plan it all: when, how, what as well as the destination, or is that the journey… As time went by a plan started forming and our hearts leaned towards the West Coast… and then it was the waiting… But the year flew by and with less than a month to go we set out a more or less route (as to give us some flexibility), got some of our accommodation sorted – the original plan was to camp, but due to my highly efficient nature ;D I managed to find us very nice, affordable non-camping accommodation along the way, which also increased the luggage space – hehe see, always work with a plan – as well as got all the necessary tools, spares, supplies etc in order, and then we were on our way.
DAY 1 – JHB to Graaff-Reinet – 826km – https://aaqtansisi.co.za/
This was our first loooong trip together, just the two of us, who was the bravest, me or eSKaPe?!
We were so eager to be on the road, that 15 min into our trip, we realized we forgot one of the most important accessories – our camelbacks! So after a speedy u-turn (this time it wasn’t the GPS) and the camelbacks safely attached, we were finally on our way.
We mainly headed straight down the N1 but near Brandfort we were bored so turned off onto secondary roads via Bells Pass, the first of over 20 passes we rode, unfortunately we cant name them all, but what a stunning country we have! Then on to Graaff-Reinet – the road wasn’t too busy and it wasn’t too hot, yet. We arrived in Graaff-Reinet at about 4pm, where our gracious hosts awaited us with a litchi margarita - yum :thumleft:
Before dinner we went for a ride up the little koppie, what an amazing view of the quaint town. We were sooo looking forward to karoo lamb, but unfortunately they ran out and the butchery doesn’t open on a Sunday… none the less we had a great eve, slept like logs and were ready for the road to CPT.
DAY 2 – Graaff-Reinet – CPT – 752km
We got an early start, which was just as well as a long ride was ahead, although we didn’t quite know it at the time. We went via Prince Albert and the Swartberg Pass, Caltizdorp and then all the way on Route 62 to CPT.
For me Swartberg Pass was rather challenging as the sheer drop terrified me slightly and then we still had to avoid all the 4x4 going up and down, so it took us a bit longer than planned – but the view made up for it.
By the time we got to Calitzdorp it was very very hot and McNabs was the only thing that was going to get me further! Here we also bumped into Sprocket – we hope you made it to The Hell and back ok??
The hot, full blasting wind all the way to Montagu also didn’t work in my favour, but despite the wind Ronnies Sex Shop didn’t escape us…
And who’s Avatar did we spot on the wall of shame?? :mwink:
This might work better in the wind?! :ricky:
Caught in the act…
We arrived in CPT at 7pm – tired but happy. We stayed in CPT for 6 days.
SandMan and his family were visiting in CPT and what better reason to get together for a braai, and also to baptize SandMan to WaterMan as he made his very impressive entry by falling (or rather stepping) right into the pool – I mean, as if he couldn’t see the big blue mass of water – must be all the sand in Botswana, they not use to water there… or maybe he was just looking for an excuse to have his phone out of service
Rest to follow shorlty...
