Rain in the Richtersveld Two.0 - Desolation & Dunes

[51Mobile]

 

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Hey - cant any of you read the sign - Maak toe die hek!"

 

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Straight on sand, sand and more sand. Left, fresh rooster koek, coffee - hard choice.

 

[Chrisl]

Wonder when was the last time that windmill actually pumped water? Sad how the desert claims back.

 

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[51Mobile]

Wonder when was the last time that windmill actually pumped water? Sad how the desert claims back.

We asked around a bit, no one seemed to know very much about the place or the graves. They did say that there were still Coetzees living in the area. Family?

 

[Chrisl]

We asked around a bit, no one seemed to know very much about the place or the graves. They did say that there were still Coetzees living in the area. Family?

Nope not family. Hardy people that started those farms way back when. Granted it rained more those days.

 

[51Mobile]

Nope not family. Hardy people that started those farms way back when. Granted it rained more those days.

Hardy indeed. One of the gravestones has the person's life years, months and days.

 

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Something we were able to establish to a fair degree of certainty, is that the graves and area around them must have been tied to the mule trains that ran through there from Okiep to Port Nolloth. It is said that the transporters in the area approached the government so that no railways were built in the area, leaving them with a monopoly on transport. A decision by the government that condemned this area to a lack of economic development to this day. And saved large swathes of it for us to still ride through.

Our conclusion was cemented by a map of the mule train route, the "Top hat" sections of steel at the grave site. These were used for light rail.

 

[51Mobile]

and a very straight, level raised "roadway" constructed from calcrete, that ran next to the road.

 

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From Tracks4Africa blog: "The lack of water along the route meant that steam locomotives could not be used. Instead, a team of four mules hauled each of the ten ore wagons. It took 40 mules to pull one train, and the 146km journey took two days to complete with an overnight stop at Klipfontein Hotel at the top of the Anenous Pass. Fresh mule teams were stationed along the line as the Cape Copper Company owned 220 mules, 18 donkeys and 23 horses as well as a dedicated tannery which produced harnesses for the animals.

The mule-powered train which transported copper ore from Okiep and Nababeep via Steinkopf to Port Nolloth. (Photo: South African Panorama, 1970)

 

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Enough history, we were hungry (yes again) and thristy, De Oude Werf was calling.

 

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When the ladies there saw Mark approaching, they ran and locked themselves in the safest place they knew.....

 

[Chrisl]

It is said that the transporters in the area approached the government so that no railways were built in the area, leaving them with a monopoly on transport.

That is why the train stops at Bitterfontein and the cost to build it further to Springbok would have been very high.
This is how Jowells Transport started and became a very big company.

https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitterfontein

 

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We were able to eventually coax them out of hiding, well worth the effort as fresh piping hot rooster koek and apricot jam rolled out in copious quantity. Followed by egte boere koffee.

 

[51Mobile]

It is said that the transporters in the area approached the government so that no railways were built in the area, leaving them with a monopoly on transport.

That is why the train stops at Bitterfontein and the cost to build it further to Springbok would have been very high.
This is how Jowells Transport started and became a very big company.

https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitterfontein

Where were you when we needed you? It took us 2 years to unwind this story. I think you need to join us next time so we can delve into your knowledge of the area & people.

 

[51Mobile]

De Oude Werf can be found here:

They have great facilities, camping available, hugely hospitable, and are building some chalets for those allergic to tents. And it is great riding to get there.

 

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With all of us fuelled fed and caffeinated, it was time to hit the road to Springbok.