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

[Carrots]

Thanks vir die deel ouens....baie netjies gedoen.  :3some:

Maak dat mens net op jou bike wil klim en ry.

 

[NIMMO]

2 days to go - almost there  :thumleft:

 

[NIMMO]

Day 11 – What an amazing country we live in

After breakfast we said our goodbyes to Alfie and Katy, this was the end of the road for him.  Alfie from my side thanks for coming with it was an adventure having you with and you kept the group entertained and the “prosts” flowing with Len.  ot: ot:
Sure you have made a new friend there.

IMG_6110 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180108 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Traffic was hectic on route to Bredasdorp.  :deal:

IMG_6111 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Arniston is a place of beauty and we had a look at the Cave at Waenhuiskrans.  Len graciously offered to wath the bikes instead of walking there. eepwall:

IMG_6113 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0532 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0535 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0536 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180112 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

En route to the caves a local girl presented herself as a “guide” and the gang asked her to take them.  This was entrepreneurship at its best.  :lamer:
Meanwhile Len was having a chat with her husband the sole food provider of the family. :thumleft:

IMG_6135 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0538 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6126 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6131 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6132 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180138 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180140 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Nature at its best

P1180134 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6118 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

 

[NIMMO]

Brand new and bogged down. :

IMG_6115 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

It was Spring tide and the water was crystal clear – we were blessed with good weather.

At Struisbaai we had a delicious meal ar Pelican’s while the boats started to offload their catch of the day

P1180216 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6149 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6150 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6151 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6152 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6153 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180165 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180166 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180172 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180175 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6156 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180187 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180188 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6157 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Fishermen are a breed of their own. :biggrin:

P1180189 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180192 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2855/34031208871_5a2aa
5a4ea_b.jpgP1180196 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180199 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180208 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

We went to take some pictures at Cape Agulhas and had to stand in a queue for our turn  :eek7:

IMG_6138 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0541 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0549 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020848 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

A premature congratulatory handshake :biggrin: :biggrin:

IMG_6145 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Then off to Elim and from there via Gansbaai to Hermanus for the night

P1180222 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1180223 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

The gang had to get their bikes cleaned before giving them back the next day so they had them washed before going to the guesthouse.

P1180224 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

We had one last kuier aand and made an early night of it – by now the days had taken their toll on all of us.

I had made prior arrangements with Operator to give him all the SD cards and he would combine everyone’s photos onto flash drives.  Thanks Op’s for this and sorry we did not have enough time for a real kuier aand.  :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[Bundu]

Nimmo, have those Germans been to Africa before?
I imagine you left a good impression of our country with them?

 

[woody1]

Sjoe dit lyk my was LEKKER gewees.

Daai pad na die grotte het ons ook so begin stap.  Toe se ek vir Elize...die pad lyk wyd genoeg en ons het mos die regte voertuig... toe ry ons maar. :thumleft:

 

[NIMMO]

Day 12 - Auf Wiedersehen

It was with a heavy heart that I started the day, after being in each others company for 12 days now we were no longer aquintanses we had become friends.  We had a day of tar riding left because the bikes they hired were due back (clean) mid day. 

Hermanus is a beautiful place  :thumleft:

IMG_6178 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6179 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6180 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6182 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0560 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0565 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


At Betty’s Bay we went to look at the penquins.

IMG_6183 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6184 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6185 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_6187 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


We then rode to Stellenboch to stop and have one last coffee and chat as a group.  :3some:
The gang left us and went to return their bikes and Richard to find out what his mishap cost him in Middelpos.

Karl-Heinz would leave for Namibie in the following week riding on his own, Andreas would fly back to Germany the coming Tuesday and Richard would be coming to Colesberg to visit his friend on the farm.

Len and I made his home just as the rains started coming down. We were blessed with good riding weather for 12 days non stop. :biggrin: :biggrin:


IMG_6194 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Before:

IMG_5397 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

After:

IMG_6196 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

I loaded the bike and left for Colesberg early the Saturday morning after spending the Friday night at Len’s place.  :thumleft:

IMG_6199 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Thanks for you hospitality and for doing your bit to make this as succesfull as it turned out to be.  :ricky: :3some: :thumleft:

We have since remained in contact with our pals – Richard had a braai at my place and I learned his mishap cost him R18 000.  As Len stated KH had a fall in Namibie but returned safely and Andreas made home just fine.

I started the trip looking at these three guys and wondering what have I let myself in for.  :eek7: :eek7: :eek7: atch: atch: atch:

Along the way I came to realize they were no „old toppies“, but men in their sixties with a zest for life and somewhere along the 3200 odd km they earned my respect.  I hope I am as fighting fit when (if) I get there. :thumleft:

IMG_6190 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Richard, Andreas and Carl-Heinz it was a pleasure and a real treat doing this trip with the 3 of you.  O0 :thumleft:

Auf Wiedersehen my friends. 

 

[NIMMO]

Nimmo, have those Germans been to Africa before?
I imagine you left a good impression of our country with them?

Richard knows SA VERY well and has travelled it extensively
Andreas's wife FLATOUT refuses to come to SA - afraid  :-\
Karl-Heinz's first trip

They thoroughly enjoyed our diversity and I think we made a impression on them.
I am sure they will have some stories to tell back home  :thumleft:

Will try and get them to add their own views to complete the RR  :thumleft:

 

[Bundu]

Nimmo, have those Germans been to Africa before?
I imagine you left a good impression of our country with them?

Richard knows SA VERY well and has travelled it extensively
Andreas's wife FLATOUT refuses to come to SA - afraid  :-\
Karl-Heinz's first trip

They thoroughly enjoyed our diversity and I think we made a impression on them.
I am sure they will have some stories to tell back home  :thumleft:

Will try and get them to add their own views to complete the RR  :thumleft:

:thumleft: and a job well done from your side in escorting them and writing this RR  :thumleft:

 

[Wolzac]

Nimmo, have those Germans been to Africa before?
I imagine you left a good impression of our country with them?

Richard knows SA VERY well and has travelled it extensively
Andreas's wife FLATOUT refuses to come to SA - afraid  :-\
Karl-Heinz's first trip

They thoroughly enjoyed our diversity and I think we made a impression on them.
I am sure they will have some stories to tell back home  :thumleft:

Will try and get them to add their own views to complete the RR  :thumleft:

:thumleft: and a job
well done from your side in escorting them and writing this RR  :thumleft:

Thank you Nimmo.

 

[BMWPE]

yes thanks for this RR
most enjoyable read and great pics
now when are you getting back on a BMW  :ricky: :ricky: 

 

[Leo]

Dankie vir die deel Jean en Len. Ai so baie herinneringe. So baie plekke wat ek net eenvoudig weer wil ry na ek die RR gelees het. Dankie dat julle die ervaring met ons gedeel het. Dis was nou ń great read.

 

[NIMMO]

yes thanks for this RR
most enjoyable read and great pics
now when are you getting back on a BMW  :ricky: :ricky:

Never say never - probably when I can afford the Rally and the 990 has done some more km's  ot: ot:

 

[Klein Torkar]

Thanks for share ring

 

[Carrots]

Dankie vir die deel Jean en Len. Ai so baie herinneringe. So baie plekke wat ek net eenvoudig weer wil ry na ek die RR gelees het. Dankie dat julle die ervaring met ons gedeel het. Dis was nou ń great read.

Steel die woorde uit my mond. Baie dankie vir die moeite en deel.

So gepraat van die BMW....hoe vind jy die 990 vs die EishPee ?  ot:

 

[big oil]

Day 1 – Losing Karl Heinz

I had some points I wanted to discuss before hand and mentioned those to all of them - one of them being that you are responsible for the man (read light) behind you etc. 

Len left the garage first to get some refreshments they could enjoy along the way. 
We would meet him at the Sutherland turnoff.  As we started up KH left the service station first and stayed in front, we planned on stopping at Tankwa Padstal so when we got to the Sutherland split I told KH he could go ahead.  atch:

Len and I had a word and we started on our long awaited tour.  Len and I would take turns sweeping etc.  When I stopped at the Padstal everyone was there except KH.  He was in front and despite Alfie trying to catch him he went past.  Well he would soon see no light was behind him and turn around. :sip:
 
Check me out doing the math where KH must be by now  :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:

As Afrikaburn is upon us it made for some very interesting people stopping at the padstal,  :deal: eepwall:  none of them KH – he was gone.

Sometime later a cruiser rode in and we asked if he saw a biker – “Yes he was about 80km away”.  :eek7: :eek7:

:imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:  Nimmo, you are a talented writer.  Your build-up story leading to Karl Heinz's disappearance made me belly-laugh out loud, people looking at me wondering what is so damn funny :imaposer: :imaposer:  Not 5km before turning around, or 10km.......................................80km :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:  Never in my life have I heard of a rider getting such a distance from his group without turning around :imaposer: :imaposer:  :imaposer:  I picture in my mind Karl having the time of his life and not giving 2 ***** :ricky:  :imaposer:

 

[Oubones]

Thanks Nimmo
Good RR and I enjoyed it.
I need to get a trip in again

 

[NIMMO]

Dankie vir die deel Jean en Len. Ai so baie herinneringe. So baie plekke wat ek net eenvoudig weer wil ry na ek die RR gelees het. Dankie dat julle die ervaring met ons gedeel het. Dis was nou ń great read.

Steel die woorde uit my mond. Baie dankie vir die moeite en deel.

So gepraat van die BMW....hoe vind jy die 990 vs die EishPee ?  ot:

eepwall: eepwall: eepwall: eepwall: eepwall:

Ek geniet die 990 meer, maar sal nie sê is oor die HP 'n slegter bike is nie  :lamer: ot: :biggrin:

 

[JC]

Day 1 – Losing Karl Heinz

I had some points I wanted to discuss before hand and mentioned those to all of them - one of them being that you are responsible for the man (read light) behind you etc. 

Len left the garage first to get some refreshments they could enjoy along the way. 
We would meet him at the Sutherland turnoff.  As we started up KH left the service station first and stayed in front, we planned on stopping at Tankwa Padstal so when we got to the Sutherland split I told KH he could go ahead.  atch:

Len and I had a word and we started on our long awaited tour.  Len and I would take turns sweeping etc.  When I stopped at the Padstal everyone was there except KH.  He was in front and despite Alfie trying to catch him he went past.  Well he would soon see no light was behind him and turn around. :sip:
 
Check me out doing the math where KH must be by now  :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:

As Afrikaburn is upon us it made for some very interesting people stopping at the padstal,  :deal: eepwall:  none of them KH – he was gone.

Sometime later a cruiser rode in and we asked if he saw a biker – “Yes he was about 80km away”.  :eek7: :eek7:

:imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:  Nimmo, you are a talented writer.  Your build-up story leading to Karl Heinz's disappearance made me belly-laugh out loud, people looking at me wondering what is so damn funny :imaposer: :imaposer:  Not 5km before turning around, or 10km.......................................80km :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:  Never in my life have I heard of a rider getting such a distance from his group without turning around :imaposer: :imaposer:  :imaposer:  I picture in my mind Karl having the time of his life and not giving 2 ***** :ricky:  :imaposer:

that road he got lost on is the longest road in South Africa without any towns, about 300km (180 miles) before you reach Calvinia

 

[big oil]

that road he got lost on is the longest road in South Africa without any towns, about 300km (180 miles) before you reach Calvinia

Perhaps I was misunderstood :biggrin:  Nimmo's english is pretty decent and he had me hooked wondering what happened to KH. 

When riding in a group, normally one is responsible for the person behind him, so it was shocking to read a member of the group was such a distance ahead of his group without never having turned around to go back. :lol8:  I don't care if the road was 3,000 km or 20 km in length, one is supposed to look over their shoulder every few minutes.  I was glad to read KH was okay.