Tankwa here we come - oh no - it's washed away...

[XRRX]

After a good night's rest at Oasis - except for some damn barking dogs, it was time to continue and figure out the "complex" route further.

We headed for Algeria and then Clanwilliam past the rear of the Dam. The road to Algeria is like a gravel highway, and sadly we found the pass to be tarred!
From Algeria to Clanwilliam is much more interesting - except for tourists with 4x4's using the entire road!

 

[XRRX]

In Clanwilliam - after re-fuelling the bikes, we had a lovely brunch at "Die Veldsoen".
This was also time for a "Dinkskrum", as I had completely lost me way on the route map...

To complicate things further, Nommers had to be in Stellenbosch in 2 days time, but we still wanted to do real "Wild camping", and stay away from tar!!!
After a sometimes heated dabate, we decided on Dave to lead us from Die Veldskoen on the Bulshoekdam rear route... That was quite hectic in places with lots of flood damage, but a good choice!!! And it was HOT!

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

I have re-checked my WA, my legit and my skelm e-mail addresses and I do not see the invite from you to join with a second White AT ... I will re-check again in 10 mins ... maybe it's hidding in my Junk mail ...

 

[XRRX]

The White one's are not as fast...

 

[XRRX]

After a short stint on the N7 we turned off at Klawer and headed for Vredendal. By now we sort-of had a "plan". Say hello to our old friend "Kleinbietjiewyn" who resides near Vredendal, and then head-up the un-populated West Coast North to find a special wild camping spot - somewhere...

After a quick cold drink and some local advice from his side, we headed for Lutzeville, to re-stock our supplies for the unknown night ahead...
Kudos to Lutzeville!!! I had to look after the bikes - first at Spar and then at the Bottle Store - not one person begged for something - not one!!!
Another problem though - Nommers and Dave shopped as if there was a F250 parked outside to transport the stuff...

 

[LouisXander]

Iemand moet daai tasse vol maak met iets

 

[XRRX]

Ok, me and Dave split the purchases and divided it between the two Red bikes - which were now very top-heavy, with the morning's 2 and 2.3 Bar tyres now on 2.4 and 2.8 respectively on account of the heat! His Skips were full, so his share went into a back pack on his back!! Ideal setup for wild camping next to the sandy West Coast...
We went North from Lutzville and later left on a mining sand road, which were not bad except for occasional soft sandy patches and the occasional heavy mine truck approaching. We went pass a huge Wind farm - branded Eskom!
As we progressed further North, you started to notice some small groups of wild campers with 4x4's next to the sea. We had no idea where you were allowed and where not.
As we stopped for a rest and smoke break, a NC Everest stopped next to us - halfway in the narrow road. Huge friendly old guy with family in car started talking - like just the Namakwalanders can!!! A truck had to wait for this conversation, and another 4x4 had to diviate through the bushes!
Nevertheless he told us to ignore the "Private Property" signs, and camp wherever we feel like!!
We sent Nommers ahead with the less top heavy bike to find a suitable spot.
A Few km's further we saw him turn off and disappear between the bushes on a sandy jeep track.
Às he didn't re-appear, we followed the tracks rather sceptically!
Off course this entire circuss played down in stormy West Coast south westerly winds, but we bit the bullet and eventually settled on a reasonable level spot next to the rocks...slap-bang in the wind!

 

[XRRX]

We started to setup camp. The wind was too strong for tents, so we parked the bikes in formation as a wind-barrier. Dave and Nommers collected a large piece of fibre glass between the rocks - probably a bait hatch or something from a fish trawler. We used that as extra protection between 2 bikes. We opened a bottle of Brandy and in the top heavy loads were lots of ice!!! Things became better and better...

 

[XRRX]

BTW - this is more or less precisely where we were:

 

[XRRX]

The wind gradually calmed down, and by sun-set it was calm. Nommer's wife sent 3x double tot bottles of "Vuilhond" and special bikers blitz with him for the first night, but we savoured it for a special place, and this was it!!
It was also time to test Dave's new present for regularly donating blood!

 

[XRRX]

We started the fire, actually two - a charcoal one in Dave's braai, and a kuier one with some dry West Coast bushes we collected!
It was a braai&kuier at a very special place!!!

 

[XRRX]

And then it was time to peacefully tuck-in... underneath the starry sky, with the only noise that of the sea next door and 3x bikes rusting away next to us in the extremely corrosive and abundant West Coast fog/dew...

 

[skydiver]

Precious times with friends which will always be remembered

 

[XRRX]

We had a good night's rest - awoken next morning by the rising sun.
Coffee and left-overs were on the menu. Nommers was brave enough to take-on the cold water in a pool between the rocks...

 

[Chrisl]

Die fotos laat verlang my Skaapvlei toe!!
Love daai stuk kus.

 

[RobD]

Awesome RR, thoroughly enjoying it and very jealous!

 

[Chrisl]

Interessant die stukkie kus waar julle gekamp het behoort aan Hansie Visser. Hy is die enigste kus eienaar wat sy grond by De Beers kon terug koop. Die windplaas is ook op 1000 ha wat hy aan die ontwikkelaars verkoop het.

 

[XRRX]

Exiting our special campsite was rather adventurous...
Early in the morning, barely awoke. At least the load were lighter, now carrying all the garbage in plastic bags under the cargo net.
We had a "wake-up" moment - meeting a large and long mine truck approacing from ahead on the part of the main road with the thickest sand!! Had to be very careful negotiating the bikes through the 1.5m gap next to all those wheels... and in the very soft section next to the tracks!
We arrived safely in Lutzeville, again stopping at the same Bottle store for a final West Coast toast... and to dispose of all the garbage!

 

[XRRX]

Interessant die stukkie kus waar julle gekamp het behoort aan Hansie Visser. Hy is die enigste kus eienaar wat sy grond by De Beers kon terug koop. Die windplaas is ook op 1000 ha wat hy aan die ontwikkelaars verkoop het.

Thanks Chris, that's interesting!!

 

[Chrisl]

, now carrying all the garbage in plastic bags under the cargo net.