Rain in the Richtersveld Two.0 - Desolation & Dunes

[51Mobile]

 

[51Mobile]

Heading out to Spektakel pass and past the old Spektakel mine, one of the largest copper producers in the area during its day ~ 1861

 

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Mike styling on his Kove.

 

[51Mobile]

We were on a road only an Anglo or De Beers would make. I kept expecting a toll booth to appear.

Just then . . . . . .

I suspect Jarod could not take the broad sweeping tantalizing Buffels Rivier taunting him one second longer.

Our leaders stopped, with their bikes pointed towards a track that led into the river bed. We were not going to wait for an invitation, and ploughed headlong into the river. Some of us a little too literally. Clearly under the conviction that their sand riding legs lay buried in the sand and were going to find them come what may. Others were sure theirs lay on the opposite bank and rapidly corrected course to get them,....

Very soon, however, the entire crew were thundering down the river like the Charge of the Light Brigade

 

[51Mobile]

Regrettably, all good things come to an end. When there are a host of people with their cameras out at the end, be warned things could get tricky.

And so it was with us. There was a causeway across the river, on which the front-runners were parked - in particular Stephan - always keeping an eye open for good photo ops. Prior to the causeway was a sheet of slippery mud! Having just got our legs into the sand thing, we were thrown a curved ball and plunged head long into thick slimy mud.

Those specs in the sky behind the bike aren't birds!

 

[51Mobile]

A birds eye view of Buffels Rivier.

 

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Henry was LOVING his new ride, skipping over the sand in fine style.

 

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A fence was visible across the river downstream of the causeway, to avoid the possibility fo riding over private property we reluctantly made our way out of the river bed where we found an awesome jeep track that looked like it headed towards the toll road we had previously left.

We passed a stone structure reminiscent of a small Stonehenge.

 

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The track led us to the "toll road" and into Kleinzee.

 

[Bruce Hep]

Riding along with you guys vicariously on your trip.

 

[51Mobile]

It was a quick ride through Kleinzee and a short hop along the edge of the beach to our refuelling (riders) stop.

 

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Kleinzee is a carapace of a previously prosperous state. After almost 10 years in the diamond industry, I came away with two conclusions:

• All the thieves are in the diamond business, but not all in the business are thieves.
• Diamond's fundamental value proposition is for ugly men to get sex

 

[51Mobile]

It is clear that someone with a great sense of humour and a quick eye for innovative design built and runs this unique venue. The food was great too.

 

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Stephan trying to comply with the notice, though I suspect its author had something else in mind.

 

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This has to be the best nautical theme for toilets – about as descriptive as one could ask for.

 

[51Mobile]

Henry at his most aggressive when protecting either his food or petrol for his bike.

In this instance it was well worth protecting.