Wow, what a great ADVENTURE weekend! ;D
It all started nice and relaxed, with Pad, Dusty and Cassie arriving at the Heatherlands Engen more than an hour early. Slowly the rest of the Dogs arrived, and by 8:50, we were on our way. Past Fancourt and then onto the road to Geelhoutboom - the main farming area in George. We had plenty of time to meet BermRooster and Jack coming from MosselBay, so we first stopped at Witelsrivier for a smoke and drinks break and then further towards 8 Bells, we stopped at the Grootrivier low water bridge (where TR found the octopus!) Then a stop at 8 Bells for breakfast and shortly after we arrived, BR and Jack joined us. Then a leisurely cruise up the Robinson Pass to the turn off to the Paardebont Road, which would eventually lead us to the cave.
The roads throughGeelhoutboom.
First stop at the Witelsrivier.
Above 3 pics - Grootrivier crossing.
Hungry Dogs at 8 Bells
Dusty, Pad, MP, Cassie and Wolweseun.
Iron Horses.
Robinson Pass.
Paardebont Road.
Cassie arriving at the turn-off
Not too far to go.
WaveRider.
Berm Rooster and Cassie overshot the farm gate turn off, but after a while they returned. A bit of leg-pulling ensued, as, at the time, Wave Rider was leading as he knew the turn-off. BR came shooting past him, indicating that his left indicator was on and disappeared in a cloud of dust! :
WR's indicator WAS on, as THIS was the turn-of!
At the farm gate.
At the farm gate looking back where we had come from.
It was a great ride across the farm on twee spoor with a few rocky and sandy bits, but nothing daunting at all. Then the track got REALLY rocky and we arrived at the off-camber right hand bend where the steep part started. Really loose rocks of all sizes that offered NO traction at all and so the fun began. Some made it up unaided (including me), but the for the bigger bikes and those with more road-biased tyres, it was a case of pushing and helping each other up. Eventually we all made it to the top - hot, sweaty and exhausted but all in one piece! :thumleft:
Stopping before the "bad bit".
Doing my best to show the stones and gradient.
At the top!
Quite a few of the group had opted to put their luggage on the back of the bakkie, but I carried mine with me and began the process of unloading and carrying the luggage down to the cave. Man, what a stunning setting! The Bushmen who lived here 100's of years ago picked a stunning spot. Picked my spot (being considerate, I placed myself right at the entrance to the cave, away from almost everyone else) - this however, didn't work out the way it was meant too! Those dogs that were too lazy , slung a rope over the ledge at the top and lowered their topboxes/luggage to outside the cave entrance. Some were impatient and just chucked various items over the edge, with some amusing results! ;D Eventually we were all settled in and began enjoying a couple of cold ones. :thumleft:
Jack ensuring the cooler box arrives safely!
Some Dogs were more carefree and less accurate! ;D
Aaah...home at last.
Where the main Bushmen sleep!
My spot.
Loo with a view!
To be continued...
It all started nice and relaxed, with Pad, Dusty and Cassie arriving at the Heatherlands Engen more than an hour early. Slowly the rest of the Dogs arrived, and by 8:50, we were on our way. Past Fancourt and then onto the road to Geelhoutboom - the main farming area in George. We had plenty of time to meet BermRooster and Jack coming from MosselBay, so we first stopped at Witelsrivier for a smoke and drinks break and then further towards 8 Bells, we stopped at the Grootrivier low water bridge (where TR found the octopus!) Then a stop at 8 Bells for breakfast and shortly after we arrived, BR and Jack joined us. Then a leisurely cruise up the Robinson Pass to the turn off to the Paardebont Road, which would eventually lead us to the cave.
The roads throughGeelhoutboom.
First stop at the Witelsrivier.
Above 3 pics - Grootrivier crossing.
Hungry Dogs at 8 Bells
Dusty, Pad, MP, Cassie and Wolweseun.
Iron Horses.
Robinson Pass.
Paardebont Road.
Cassie arriving at the turn-off
Not too far to go.
WaveRider.
Berm Rooster and Cassie overshot the farm gate turn off, but after a while they returned. A bit of leg-pulling ensued, as, at the time, Wave Rider was leading as he knew the turn-off. BR came shooting past him, indicating that his left indicator was on and disappeared in a cloud of dust! :
WR's indicator WAS on, as THIS was the turn-of!
At the farm gate.
At the farm gate looking back where we had come from.
It was a great ride across the farm on twee spoor with a few rocky and sandy bits, but nothing daunting at all. Then the track got REALLY rocky and we arrived at the off-camber right hand bend where the steep part started. Really loose rocks of all sizes that offered NO traction at all and so the fun began.
Some made it up unaided (including me), but the for the bigger bikes and those with more road-biased tyres, it was a case of pushing and helping each other up. Eventually we all made it to the top - hot, sweaty and exhausted but all in one piece! :thumleft:
Stopping before the "bad bit".
Doing my best to show the stones and gradient.
At the top!
Quite a few of the group had opted to put their luggage on the back of the bakkie, but I carried mine with me and began the process of unloading and carrying the luggage down to the cave. Man, what a stunning setting! The Bushmen who lived here 100's of years ago picked a stunning spot. Picked my spot (being considerate, I placed myself right at the entrance to the cave, away from almost everyone else) - this however, didn't work out the way it was meant too!
Those dogs that were too lazy , slung a rope over the ledge at the top and lowered their topboxes/luggage to outside the cave entrance. Some were impatient and just chucked various items over the edge, with some amusing results! ;D Eventually we were all settled in and began enjoying a couple of cold ones. :thumleft:
Jack ensuring the cooler box arrives safely!
Some Dogs were more carefree and less accurate! ;D
Aaah...home at last.
Where the main Bushmen sleep!
My spot.
Loo with a view!
To be continued...
