Day 1 (Pretoria – Bulembu)
So, as many of you might know, I left South Africa on 1 January 2012 to start a new job here in Doha, Qatar. This move had many positives, and also many negatives. In my 10 months in the Middle East, I have found that the three biggest negatives to this move has been: not being able to ride my bike, not being able to spend time with my friends, and not spending time with beautiful girls serving me Captain Morgan :biggrin:
I visited SA briefly for a week in May, and got to ride my bike around town a bit, but I did not have time to do a ride with any meaning or real value to it. So when I came for a second visit in October/November for two weeks, I was even busier than on my visit in May! But this time round I decided to do at least one trip that would be worthwhile.
Having only two weeks available, I wanted to see so many people and ride with so many friends, but I really did not feel like joining a massive group ride. I have done many of them in the past, and I am over the big group thing! So I hooked up with my best riding buddy, Marnus for a quick stint to Swaziland!
Now Marnus and I have done a few trips together and we ride well together, we know each other’s riding style, capability and we get along great. We both drink large amounts of Captain Morgan, and we can talk a lot of kak and joke together, so I always have a good time when riding with Marnus!
So we decided to hit Swaziland for a real quick in and out, just three nights, because I had some stuff to take care of back in Pretoria and Marnus was also under pressure at work, so we had to make do with a quick trip. I will share some pics and fill in a few words between the pics!
We hit the N4 until Middleburg, then took some back roads to Badplaas
Me, very happy to be back on the bike
After lunch, some braai packs, mix and biltong in Badplaas, we hit the dirt, crossing the Komati River on the way to Diepgezet Village
I was very shaky on the dirt as this was my first time back on dirt since the beginning of December 2011, and I have not ridden a bike apart from the week in May and a few days in October. I got my rhythm back a bit later in the trip, but I never really got it all back. The lack of riding and fitness bugged me the whole trip.
Marnus with Swaziland on the horizon
This was my office for a few days, it sure beats the hell of my office in Doha!!
Man, I was happy to be back on a bike, I am sporting a HUGE smile under that helmet!!
Marnus on his new 990R (after writing off a 1200GS and later a 1200GSA – don’t tell anyone he works for a large Insurance Company!! – As the saying goes, “Teacher’s kids are usually the dumbest!”)
ot:
We entered Swaziland at Bulembu, and settled into the old Mining Houses in the town of Bulembu. For this trip we opted for accommodation as I did not have any of my camping stuff with me as it is all in storage. So we had minimal luggage to carry! But at least we carried a Thirst Aid Kit!
We then made a lekker fire and had some chops and wors for dinner!
So, as many of you might know, I left South Africa on 1 January 2012 to start a new job here in Doha, Qatar. This move had many positives, and also many negatives. In my 10 months in the Middle East, I have found that the three biggest negatives to this move has been: not being able to ride my bike, not being able to spend time with my friends, and not spending time with beautiful girls serving me Captain Morgan :biggrin:
I visited SA briefly for a week in May, and got to ride my bike around town a bit, but I did not have time to do a ride with any meaning or real value to it. So when I came for a second visit in October/November for two weeks, I was even busier than on my visit in May! But this time round I decided to do at least one trip that would be worthwhile.
Having only two weeks available, I wanted to see so many people and ride with so many friends, but I really did not feel like joining a massive group ride. I have done many of them in the past, and I am over the big group thing! So I hooked up with my best riding buddy, Marnus for a quick stint to Swaziland!
Now Marnus and I have done a few trips together and we ride well together, we know each other’s riding style, capability and we get along great. We both drink large amounts of Captain Morgan, and we can talk a lot of kak and joke together, so I always have a good time when riding with Marnus!
So we decided to hit Swaziland for a real quick in and out, just three nights, because I had some stuff to take care of back in Pretoria and Marnus was also under pressure at work, so we had to make do with a quick trip. I will share some pics and fill in a few words between the pics!
We hit the N4 until Middleburg, then took some back roads to Badplaas
Me, very happy to be back on the bike
After lunch, some braai packs, mix and biltong in Badplaas, we hit the dirt, crossing the Komati River on the way to Diepgezet Village
I was very shaky on the dirt as this was my first time back on dirt since the beginning of December 2011, and I have not ridden a bike apart from the week in May and a few days in October. I got my rhythm back a bit later in the trip, but I never really got it all back. The lack of riding and fitness bugged me the whole trip.
Marnus with Swaziland on the horizon
This was my office for a few days, it sure beats the hell of my office in Doha!!
Man, I was happy to be back on a bike, I am sporting a HUGE smile under that helmet!!
Marnus on his new 990R (after writing off a 1200GS and later a 1200GSA – don’t tell anyone he works for a large Insurance Company!! – As the saying goes, “Teacher’s kids are usually the dumbest!”)
ot:
We entered Swaziland at Bulembu, and settled into the old Mining Houses in the town of Bulembu. For this trip we opted for accommodation as I did not have any of my camping stuff with me as it is all in storage. So we had minimal luggage to carry! But at least we carried a Thirst Aid Kit!
We then made a lekker fire and had some chops and wors for dinner!
