The Germans and the South African bucket list Days 1 - 12 Completed

[NIMMO]

Richard encountered a little problem but after getting the bike up and swinging my leg over he insisted on doing it himself – Kudos to you, you gained my respect right there.  :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

DSC_0422 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0426 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0427 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0429 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0432 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0435 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0438 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0441 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0450 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


I was also glad Len managed not to drown his 990 AGAIN and promptly high 5’ed him for it. :deal:

IMG_5956 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5970 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5973 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5979 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Len found a place to do some washing  :imaposer: :imaposer:

DSC_0453 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020742 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170990 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0463 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5981 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

I found Nimmo’s swamp (https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=192491.0[/url) – It was a deep crater, nothing more. :bueller: :sip:

IMG_5986 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

We reached Doornkloof and got settled in, Chris and Alfie knew each other from student days.

IMG_5990 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170997 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0465 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0467 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Soon the fire was lit and the guys were exchanging stories about everything life had on offer.

IMG_5995 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0469 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0475 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0491 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Richard was regretting not being able making it to Tankwa listening to all the stories of what it looks like etc. atch: eepwall:

The best joke of the entire trip was Tankwa based: :laughing4: :laughing4: :laughing4: :laughing4: :laughing4:

A local farmer was at Tankwa during Afrikaburn when a punk walked in and sat down at the bar.  All black and purple, covered in tattoos with piercings everywhere.
The farmer kept on looking at the punk while taking one sip after another of his beer.  This continued for quite some time. 
Eventually the punk got agitated got up and walked over to the farmer dressed in khaki and wearing farm boots covered in dust. 
What are you looking at the punk snarly remarked.
The farmer sat back looked him up and down took a large sip of his beer and replied:

“In my student days I got pissed one night and f#c@d a peacock – I think you might be my son”

The menu that night would be MEAT and some more MEAT with plenty of laughter. :thumleft:
The night sky in Baviaans is amazing  :ricky: :ricky:

By now we were no longer strangers to one another and really enjoyed each other’s company – the group was well balanced.  :3some: :thumleft:

IMG_5998 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

I did not sleep soundly that night with Len half a meter from me, and once I did I was awakened by him at 04:30 to look at the Kudu right in front of the bungalow.  Thanks old buddy old pal  atch: atch:

 

[The TRANSPORTER]

Lyk heel lekker Nimmo :thumleft:

 

[NIMMO]

Day 8's route:

 

[Bundu]

in todays Sunday Times

 

[NIMMO]

Thx Bundu will add in that section  :thumleft:

 

[NIMMO]

Day 9 Len just can’t stop

Suntan lotion is important

DSC_0493 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

The previous night I made arrangements with the guy at the tuck shop to settle everything before we leave the following morning; by the time everyone was ready to go he was AWOL.  Len and the gang pushed ahead after settling up I would catch up. :thumleft:

Last time I left Doringkloof was in the rain riding in it all the way back to Colesberg.

I caught up to them at Baviaans sleutel.

P1180011 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020750 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6005 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0494 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0495 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020748 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6006 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


In Willowmore we had some breakfast at a very nice place called Sophies choice.  Andreas made the remark he loved the place but would chuck out all the old stuff.  :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:
According to Alfie when his wide is with they can’t go past WM without stopping there – apparently they are known for the cakes etc. :thumleft:

P1020752 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6012 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180014 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180017 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180019 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

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P1180021 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6014 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6016 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

We took the Klaarstroom road to get to Meiringspoort

IMG_6018 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6019 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6022 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0500 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180024 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020761 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020766 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Meiringspoort

IMG_6025 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Back in De Rust we made a quick stop and filled up.

P1020767 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

It was at the garage we saw KH had a piece of wire in his tyre and quickly put a plug in before we left.  :ricky:
We then doubled back on the De Rust – Congo Caves / Swartberg road we travelled a few days prior (this was our only double back section).

P1020768 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

 

[NIMMO]

The Groenfontein road was a good ride; i struck me how many Gallery’s there were it must be becoming an artsy route as a weekend getaway. :thumleft:

IMG_6031 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180028 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180033 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6033 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6034 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

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P1020775 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

When Len arrived in Calitzdorp his sightglass on his rear mastercilinder had blown out and he had no back brakes.  atch: :deal:
We would get some brakefluid at Ladismith and do a repair at Veldties place.  Up to then I was contemplating doing Seweweeks before we stopped for the night, on this I would now have to pass. :-\

IMG_6035 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6037 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

The road between Calitzdorp and Ladismith remains one of the best tar roads I have travelled, I wonder how many people are aware of the passes on that section.
We made Veldties place and got settled.  Alfie’s wife Katy met up with him for the next two days. :biggrin:

By the time I suggested to Len we steel epoxy a coin over the hole in the cylinder he had already made a “better” plan.

IMG_6048 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

We made prior arrangement to give the guys some lekker kos for the night and they did not disappoint – is was DELICIOUS.  They really run a top notch clean, tranquil establishment. :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

P1180040 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180041 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180048 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180049 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180050 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6040 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6042 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

We had a PROPPER kuier aand and Katy was brought up to date with the adventures of the last couple of days.

P1180054 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180056 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180057 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Thanks again Eugene and Debi – Please guys make an effort to support them

 

[NIMMO]

Day 9's route:

 

[woody1]

We found Sophie's Choice in Willomore one day as well.
Now every time we pass through there mammie MUST stop there.
And the cake is worth the stop....as well as the hamburgers on roosterkoek.  :thumleft:

 

[NIMMO]

Day 10 – The Germans meet a castrated dog

The next two days were Len and my “backup days” - basically should we have had issues up to now it would leave us with enough time and less distance to gain on the antennary.  We were enjoying the scenery now. :biggrin: :biggrin:

After a good nights sleep & a hearty breakfast we left Veldtie’s place via the R323 to visit Chris and Amanda.

P1020785 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

No, not this dog  ot:

P1020786 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6049 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6050 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6052 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

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While Amanda true to her nature entertained the gang Len and I filled his master cylinder and quickly bled the brake line.  :thumleft:

DSC_0514 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6054 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180059 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Always a pleasure Chris  :thumleft: :thumleft: – thanks for having us and Amanda for the effort in the kitchen.  Don’t know how WD’s only castrated dog stays so skinny. :spitcoffee: :lol8:

Untitled by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6055 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

We made a quick stop in Stilbaai and had a look around at Jongensfontein. 

P1020799 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0515 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0521 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0524 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Between there and Witsand we encountered some bush fires and Alfie scouted the road before we decided on chancing it.  Fires don’t ask questions. atch:
I don’t know if they were deliberate or natural but assumed in our political climate that having three of four close together most likely meant arson.

IMG_6060 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6062 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6066 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6070 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6071 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6080 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

At Witsand we had some PROPPER seekos, what amazed the Germans the whole trip was the size of our portions.

P1180081 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180082 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180084 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

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Hallo mammie hoe gaan dit – amper by die huis :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

P1180085 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

We made the pont and with it Malgas our stop for the night. :thumleft:

IMG_6080 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6090 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020817 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020823 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

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P1180102 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6102 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Katy joined up with Alfie for his last night with us and we had a pleasant evening together.

 

[NIMMO]

Day 10's route:

 

[The TRANSPORTER]

Lekker man lekker :thumleft:

 

[briv]

some more pics 

 

[Chrisl]

Fires don’t ask questions. atch:
I don’t know if they were deliberate or natural but

Nimmo they are controlled burns by the cattle farmers of that area. If they do not burn the bush gets too big and grass have no space to grow. We have had one or two uncontrolled fires this year but most is controlled for which you need a permit and a specific day you want to burn. :deal:

 

[woody1]

Hoekom kry HULLE tjoklit koek.... Ek moet maar tevrede wees met droe beskuit as ek kom kuier.  ot: eepwall: :laughing4:

 

[NIMMO]

Fires don’t ask questions. atch:
I don’t know if they were deliberate or natural but

Nimmo they are controlled burns by the cattle farmers of that area. If they do not burn the bush gets too big and grass have no space to grow. We have had one or two uncontrolled fires this year but most is controlled for which you need a permit and a specific day you want to burn. :deal:

Thx for clearing that up C  :thumleft:

 

[Slim Jim]

Hey Nimmo , awsome read , shot for RR
Cheers
KZN Souti

 

[Pilchie]

Thanks - awesome report

 

[briv]

A impromptu reunion took place last night, and some new stories were swapped....Alfie was down for a technical course on irrigation towers and  Karl-Heinz was back from Nam, had a super time, and also bought some property between Soussusvlei and Solitaire...... his luck is still in, and he got away with minimal damage to him and the bike ( tank-slapper at 70kmh and a high side  ) and rode it up to Walvisbaai, with some bent handlebars :ricky:


And if you remember the first day we lost Karl-Heinz ?  This is what the cloudburst, we watched from the Padstal, organized for him further up north  :eek7: 

And see the GPS mounted on the bike ....  :biggrin: apparently the the apprentice at the hire company was adamant that this was the correct way.......facing forward so that it could read the road  eepwall: :lol8:

 

[0012]

Epic RR, dankie vir al die moeite, amazing pics ook  :thumleft:  :thumleft:  :thumleft: