Hi, everyone!
I have been having extremely frustrating difficulties with posting and editing both posts and photographs and have therefore moved across to a Facebook Group page.
Please read about my trip around South Africa here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/286129584856378/
I apologize for any inconvenience caused by this change.
I look forward to welcoming you to my Facebook Group, Alone around South Africa!
Regards
Emil
Alone around South Africa
Quo Vadis?
Monday 13 May 2013
Saturday 11 May 2013
3 May 2013 Day 5
I woke up early. It was beautifully quiet, save the hushed voices of my (only) neighbours in their tent some distance away from mine. I lay there for a moment, drinking in everything when, suddenly ... I heard a tip - tip sound against my tent. Being a seasoned camper, I immediately knew what this meant: rain! The next minute the heavens opened. The rain came down in bucket loads. I did a mental check, realised everything that could get wet was accounted for and shielded from the rain and then relaxed.
This was the morning I was to set out for Stilbaai, but it didn't look too promising. Jumping on my motorcycle and riding off into the sunset ... Ok, scratch that. The problem was not riding off on my motorcycle. That did not pose a problem. Not in the least.
The real problem lay in attaching my soft panniers to my bike (in the rain), ensuring the big, yellow holdall is securely fastened on the pillion seat (while it is raining), taking down my tent (in the rain), packing away the soggy, sorry mess (still in the rain) and then ride off in the rain.
I therefore resigned myself to the probability that, should the rain not abate, I may very well be spending another night in the Swellendam Municipal Caravan Park. Therefore I hauled out my iPad and started typing. My blog was a long way from being what I wanted it to be.
By half past one the afternoon, it looked as if my prediction might come true.
Then everything changed. As if from nowhere the sun came out. I grabbed my packed panniers
(I subscribe to the saying, "Hope springs eternal") and burst from my tent.
day. I saw the signpost for another B&B to my left and on impulse turned down this road, which lead me eight kilometres away to Groot Jongensfontein. by this time the wind was fierce and the drops of
rain that made its way onto my visor foretold of heavy showers any minute. Then I remembered the little shop still open around the corner. I made my way there, only to see the shop being closed and the lady walking to a waiting car in front of the shop.
The following morning I woke to the sound of waves breaking against the rocks and the most exquisite
I met Amanda at the gate of their small holding. She took a historical, for me that is, photograph of me riding my Tiger on a gravel road!
Tomorrow I would head for De Rust. I have heard so much about his little town and was keen to see what it all was about. I switched off the light and closed my eyes. marred it somewhat.
In Riversdale I stopped for a quick cuppa. It was while I was enjoying my coffee that the rain came down. Heavily! I stood at the door and looked at my very wet bike and especially at its very wet seat!
There was a brief lull after the shower, so I took the opportunity, got on the Tiger and continued to Stilbaai.
Once again I had to contend with cross winds.
It was just about dusk when I rode into the pretty coastal town. By now the wind had picked up some more and a few drops started falling. I recall thinking to myself, "This is not good!"
After the second haphazard trip through both Stilbaai East and Stilbaai West, I was ready to call it a day. I saw the signpost for another B&B to my left and on impulse turned down this road, which lead me eight kilometres away to Groot Jongensfontein. by this time the wind was fierce and the drops of rain that made its way onto my visor foretold of heavy showers any minute. Then I remembered the little shop still open around the corner. I made my way there, only to see the shop being closed and the lady walking to a waiting car in front of the shop.
For some reason the gentleman in the driver's seat failed to understand all my frantic signals. But the lady did. She got out of the car again and directed me to a B&B around the corner.
The B&B was everything I could have hoped for and more! Christel, proprietor of Little Rock B&B was extremely accommodating and I had want for nothing! A hot shower, comfortable bed, luxuries such as TV and coffee and tea rounded it all off. I slept well that night.
The following morning I woke to the sound of waves breaking against the rocks and the most exquisite view!
 |
| The view from my tent |
The real problem lay in attaching my soft panniers to my bike (in the rain), ensuring the big, yellow holdall is securely fastened on the pillion seat (while it is raining), taking down my tent (in the rain), packing away the soggy, sorry mess (still in the rain) and then ride off in the rain.
I therefore resigned myself to the probability that, should the rain not abate, I may very well be spending another night in the Swellendam Municipal Caravan Park. Therefore I hauled out my iPad and started typing. My blog was a long way from being what I wanted it to be.
By half past one the afternoon, it looked as if my prediction might come true.
Then everything changed. As if from nowhere the sun came out. I grabbed my packed panniers
(I subscribe to the saying, "Hope springs eternal") and burst from my tent.
- The Tiger was packed and ready within a short while. I left the caravan park, stopping only for a quick lunch in town,
Soon I was on my way to Stilbaai. Although the ride was quite pleasant, gusts of cross winds marred it somewhat.
In Riversdale I stopped for a quick cuppa. It was while I was enjoying my coffee that the rain came down. Heavily! I stood at the door of the restaurant and looked at my very wet bike and especially at its very wet seat!
There was a brief lull after the shower, so I took the opportunity, got on the Tiger and continued to
Stilbaai.
Stilbaai.
Once again I had to contend with cross winds.
It was just about dusk when I rode into the pretty coastal town. By now the wind had picked up some more and a few drops started falling. I recall thinking to myself, "This is not good!"
After the second haphazard trip through both Stilbaai East and Stilbaai West, I was ready to call it a
After the second haphazard trip through both Stilbaai East and Stilbaai West, I was ready to call it a
day. I saw the signpost for another B&B to my left and on impulse turned down this road, which lead me eight kilometres away to Groot Jongensfontein. by this time the wind was fierce and the drops of
rain that made its way onto my visor foretold of heavy showers any minute. Then I remembered the little shop still open around the corner. I made my way there, only to see the shop being closed and the lady walking to a waiting car in front of the shop.
For some reason the gentleman in the driver's seat failed to understand all my frantic signals. But the lady did. She got out of the car again and directed me to a B&B around the corner.
The B&B was everything I could have hoped for and more! Christel, proprietor of Little Rock B&B was extremely accommodating and I had want for nothing! A hot shower, comfortable bed, luxuries such as TV and coffee and tea rounded it all off. I slept well that night.
The following morning I woke to the sound of waves breaking against the rocks and the most exquisite
At breakfast I was again treated by the beautiful view of the sea right in front of me.
A little while later, after having taken leave of my hostess, I made my way to an Internet café in Stilbaai with the idea of downloading photographs and updating my blog. I forgot
A little while later, after having taken leave of my hostess, I made my way to an Internet café in Stilbaai with the idea of downloading photographs and updating my blog. I forgot
about a Saturday being open for the morning
only. In fact I forgot that it was Saturday! So
there I was at the Internet café with only forty five minutes left before closing time. I attached the
camera to the computer and started downloading the photographs. For some inexplicable reason the
photographs downloaded one at a time!
only. In fact I forgot that it was Saturday! So
there I was at the Internet café with only forty five minutes left before closing time. I attached the
camera to the computer and started downloading the photographs. For some inexplicable reason the
photographs downloaded one at a time!
Eight photographs later the Internet café closed its doors. Eight!
I was now on my way to Dust Riders. I was very impressed with the efficiency with which they handled my orders from them and wanted to meet them in person.
A few minutes later I was even more impressed, for I had made a call to Dust Riders and discovered an interesting fact. Dust Riders operated from Stilbaai and their dispatching orders were even faster (and cheaper) than some city based businesses. The reason I was so impressed was that Dust Riders were not in the town of Stilbaai, but on a small holding a few kilometres outside Stilbaai! How's that for service!
I met Amanda at the gate of their small holding. She took a historical, for me that is, photograph of me riding my Tiger on a gravel road!
I noted the efficiency didn't end with the business, for a tray with cups, koesisters and homemade rusks were ready on the table. As we spoke, we discovered that Chris, Amanda's husband, had been a diamond diver in the area I spend quite a few years working. Amanda and I discovered that we both attended the same school and that she and one of my younger cousins were best friends at school!
I left for George a while later. By now the inclement weather of yesterday was a thing of the past and the kilometres passed by very pleasantly.
I left for George a while later. By now the inclement weather of yesterday was a thing of the past and the kilometres passed by very pleasantly.
I filled up with fuel just outside Mossel Bay and thought it good to have supper there as well. As I was about to leave, an elderly couple, sitting at a table some distance away, called out their blessing
for a safe trip to me. We had a few minutes of chatting about Life and they then urged me to visit a good friend of theirs running a B&B on the road between Bergville and Clarens. Sparely and Engeltjie, may you be blessed.
for a safe trip to me. We had a few minutes of chatting about Life and they then urged me to visit a good friend of theirs running a B&B on the road between Bergville and Clarens. Sparely and Engeltjie, may you be blessed.
I was booked in at a self - catering cottage in George and, according to my reckoning, getting there was as easy as falling off a log. Unfortunately I didn't fall of the log. Forty minutes later I found myself en route to Victoria Bay! I was not impressed with my (remarkable up to that very minute) GPS.
Humble pie was what I had to eat and I did. A phone call later set me on the correct route and soon I was at the gates of the establishment.
Tomorrow I would head for De Rust. I have heard so much about his little town and was keen to see what it all was about. I switched off the light and closed my eyes.
Once again I had to contend with cross winds.
It was just about dusk when I rode into the pretty coastal town. By now the wind had picked up some more and a few drops started falling. I recall thinking to myself, "This is not good!"
After the second haphazard trip through both Stilbaai East and Stilbaai West, I was ready to call it a day. I saw the signpost for another B&B to my left and on impulse turned down this road, which lead me eight kilometres away to Groot Jongensfontein. by this time the wind was fierce and the drops of rain that made its way onto my visor foretold of heavy showers any minute. Then I remembered the little shop still open around the corner. I made my way there, only to see the shop being closed and the lady walking to a waiting car in front of the shop.
For some reason the gentleman in the driver's seat failed to understand all my frantic signals. But the
lady did. She got out of the car again and directed me to a B&B around the corner.
lady did. She got out of the car again and directed me to a B&B around the corner.
The B&B was everything I could have hoped for and more! Christel, proprietor of Little Rock B&B was extremely accommodating and I had want for nothing! A hot shower, comfortable bed, luxuries such as TV and coffee and tea rounded it all off. I slept well that night.
The following morning I woke to the sound of waves breaking against the rocks and the most exquisite view!
At breakfast I was again treated by the beautiful view of the sea right in front of me.
A little while later, after having taken leave of my hostess, I made my way to an Internet café in Stilbaai with the idea of downloading photographs and updating my blog. I forgot about a Saturday being open for the morning only. In fact I forgot that it was Saturday! So there I was at the Internet café with only forty five minutes left before closing time. I attached the camera to the computer and started downloading the photographs. For some inexplicable reason the photographs downloaded one at a time!
Eight photographs later the Internet café closed its doors. Eight!
I was now on my way to Dust Riders. I was very impressed with the efficiency with which they handled my orders from them and wanted to meet them in person.
A few minutes later I was even more impressed, for I had made a call to Dust Riders and discovered an interesting fact. Dust Riders operated from Stilbaai and their dispatching orders were even faster (and cheaper) than some city based businesses. The reason I was so impressed was that Dust Riders were not in the town of Stilbaai, but on a small holding a few kilometres outside Stilbaai! How's that for service!
I met Amanda at the gate of their small holding. She took a historical, for me that is, photograph of me riding my Tiger on a gravel road!
I noted the efficiency didn't end with the business, for a tray with cups, koesisters and homemade rusks were ready on the table. As we spoke, we discovered that Chris, Amanda's husband, had been a diamond diver in the area I spend quite a few years working. Amanda and I discovered that we both attended the same school and that she and one of my younger cousins were best friends at school!
I left for George a while later. By now the inclement weather of yesterday was a thing of the past and the kilometres passed by very pleasantly.
I filled up with fuel just outside Mossel Bay and thought it good to have supper there as well. As I was about to leave, an elderly couple, sitting at a table some distance away, called out their blessing for a safe trip to me. We had a few minutes of chatting about Life and they then urged me to visit a good friend of theirs running a B&B on the road between Bergville and Clarens. Sparely and Engeltjie, may you be blessed.
I was booked in at a self - catering cottage in George and, according to my reckoning, getting there was as easy as falling off a log. Unfortunately I didn't fall of the log. Forty minutes later I found myself en route to Victoria Bay! I was not impressed with my (remarkable up to that very minute) GPS.
Humble pie was what I had to eat and I did. A phone call later set me on the correct route and soon I was at the gates of the establishment.
In Riversdale I stopped for a quick cuppa. It was while I was enjoying my coffee that the rain came down. Heavily! I stood at the door and looked at my very wet bike and especially at its very wet seat!
There was a brief lull after the shower, so I took the opportunity, got on the Tiger and continued to Stilbaai.
Once again I had to contend with cross winds.
It was just about dusk when I rode into the pretty coastal town. By now the wind had picked up some more and a few drops started falling. I recall thinking to myself, "This is not good!"
After the second haphazard trip through both Stilbaai East and Stilbaai West, I was ready to call it a day. I saw the signpost for another B&B to my left and on impulse turned down this road, which lead me eight kilometres away to Groot Jongensfontein. by this time the wind was fierce and the drops of rain that made its way onto my visor foretold of heavy showers any minute. Then I remembered the little shop still open around the corner. I made my way there, only to see the shop being closed and the lady walking to a waiting car in front of the shop.
For some reason the gentleman in the driver's seat failed to understand all my frantic signals. But the lady did. She got out of the car again and directed me to a B&B around the corner.
The B&B was everything I could have hoped for and more! Christel, proprietor of Little Rock B&B was extremely accommodating and I had want for nothing! A hot shower, comfortable bed, luxuries such as TV and coffee and tea rounded it all off. I slept well that night.
The following morning I woke to the sound of waves breaking against the rocks and the most exquisite view!
At breakfast I was again treated by the beautiful view of the sea right in front of me.
A little while later, after having taken leave of my hostess, I made my way to an Internet café in Stilbaai with the idea of downloading photographs and updating my blog. I forgot about a Saturday being open for the morning only. In fact I forgot that it was Saturday! So there I was at the Internet café with only forty five minutes left before closing time. I attached the camera to the computer and started downloading the photographs. For some inexplicable reason the photographs downloaded one at a time!
Eight photographs later the Internet café closed its doors. Eight!
I was now on my way to Dust Riders. I was very impressed with the efficiency with which they handled my orders from them and wanted to meet them in person.
A few minutes later I was even more impressed, for I had made a call to Dust Riders and discovered an interesting fact. Dust Riders operated from Stilbaai and their dispatching orders were even faster (and cheaper) than some city based businesses. The reason I was so impressed was that Dust Riders were not in the town of Stilbaai, but on a small holding a few kilometres outside Stilbaai! How's that for service!
In Riversdale I stopped for a quick cuppa. It was while I was enjoying my coffee that the rain came down. Heavily! I stood at the door and looked at my very wet bike and especially at its very wet seat!
There was a brief lull after the shower, so I took the opportunity, got on the Tiger and continued to Stilbaai.
Once again I had to contend with cross winds.
It was just about dusk when I rode into the pretty coastal town. By now the wind had picked up some more and a few drops started falling. I recall thinking to myself, "This is not good!"
After the second haphazard trip through both Stilbaai East and Stilbaai West, I was ready to call it a day. I saw the signpost for another B&B to my left and on impulse turned down this road, which lead me eight kilometres away to Groot Jongensfontein. by this time the wind was fierce and the drops of rain that made its way onto my visor foretold of heavy showers any minute. Then I remembered the little shop still open around the corner. I made my way there, only to see the shop being closed and the lady walking to a waiting car in front of the shop.
For some reason the gentleman in the driver's seat failed to understand all my frantic signals. But the lady did. She got out of the car again and directed me to a B&B around the corner.
The B&B was everything I could have hoped for and more! Christel, proprietor of Little Rock B&B was extremely accommodating and I had want for nothing! A hot shower, comfortable bed, luxuries such as TV and coffee and tea rounded it all off. I slept well that night.
The following morning I woke to the sound of waves breaking against the rocks and the most exquisite view!
Wednesday 8 May 2013
2 May 2013 Day Four
Today was a non - riding day. I spent most of the day updating my blog, or at least trying to. It wasn't as if it were difficult writing down what had happened the previous few days. No, it was rather a matter of trying to coax the photographs I had taken into making their way onto the blog pages.
 |
| Swellendam Caravan Park with its beautiful camp sites |
I have a saying, quite familiar to those who know me: "Technology is wonderful ... when it works !" So, as I fully echo the sentiments of all who follow my blog (this pertaining to photographs as being of paramount importance to the validity of a blog), I'm going to have to update my arsenal of technological devices very soon, in order to be able to do the blog posts justice, i.e. visually enhance the posts by means of photographs. Please bear with me. I'm hoping to get this done within the next day or two. There are far too many photographs from, e.g. the Transkei, etc. that should appear in future posts!
Later I rode into town to replenish my food supplies and met up again with Thys van As, an attorney from Swellendam I'd briefly met during the morning. Thys very kindly invited me to supper at his place; an invitation I gratefully accepted.
I returned to the camp site at about eight o' clock and, seeing as there was a chill in the air, immediately got ready for bed.
Tomorrow I will make my way to Stilbaai. Funnily enough, it seems that the town is known and referred to only by its Afrikaans name.
Sunday 5 May 2013
1 May 2013 Day Three
I didn't leave Onrus Caravan Park as early as I would have liked to. For reasons best known by seasoned adventurers (which I definitely am not - yet!) , a solitary traveller, especially on a motorcycle or bicycle draws a number of interested people to him or her. And chats to him / her. Many are men and / women with either experience of suchlike activities or individuals with a rekindled desire for adventure visible in their eyes.
Neville, my senior by a number of years, was such a man. He stopped by for a chat more than once during my short time at the Onrus campsite. The nature of his questions showed that he was and will remain an adventurer at heart. I really appreciated his chats.
Breakfast was a quick cup of coffee and two rusks at ... the Coffee Shop Arabikaz.
My next stop was to be Stanford. A few years ago my wife and I spent a week in the Hermanus area and Stanford was one of the places we visited. There was a certain restaurant cum coffee shop we had visited that I thought I'd like to see again.
Just outside the restaurant, a German couple politely stood to one side so I could enter first; a gesture that I politely declined, seeing that they were my senior by a number of years.
Once again I was made aware of the amazing kindness of people on my trip. The German couple asked me to join them at their table and a wonderful conversation ensued. They were married for sixty two years already and I delighted in the quiet gentleness with which they interacted.
On the road, once again, I headed for Swellendam where I envisaged spending a day or two so that I could get my washing done and ... visit my favourite restaurant, viz. Penant Wing.
At the Municipal Caravan Park in Swellendam I pitched my tent and went in search of supper. To my dismay my favourite restaurant was closed (I discovered that they are only open during the day).
I stopped at a place on the Main Street (possibly because I noticed a BMW GS 1200 standing outside) and ... the place was open. Its patrons were boisterous with cigarette smoke wafting everywhere.
Once I found an outside table towards one side of the stoep, I ordered my meal, sat back and started checking my mail, etc. I was completely taken aback when a female voice jolted me back to my immediate surroundings. A very young smiling woman stood in front of me saying something about how wonderful it must be to travel the way I was. She looked incredibly young, was quite attractive (in a girl - next - door type of way) and seemed to be waiting for a response from my side. All I could do, however, was to think how young she was and wondering what she was doing in place like this.
She must have realised that I wasn't going to be accommodating, turned round and went back to her table.
Why am I sharing this? I mentioned my experience to the owner of Penant Wing the next morning, to learn that this young woman was known to proposition men. It is sad. How did she come to have this be the way she operated? On the surface of it all she could well be the sweet and cherished daughter of any father.
That night was bitterly cold. At three o' clock the following morning, I got out my little stove, made my way to the ablution block and made myself a hot mug of tea and worked on my blog whilst waiting for the new day.
Neville, my senior by a number of years, was such a man. He stopped by for a chat more than once during my short time at the Onrus campsite. The nature of his questions showed that he was and will remain an adventurer at heart. I really appreciated his chats.
Breakfast was a quick cup of coffee and two rusks at ... the Coffee Shop Arabikaz.
My next stop was to be Stanford. A few years ago my wife and I spent a week in the Hermanus area and Stanford was one of the places we visited. There was a certain restaurant cum coffee shop we had visited that I thought I'd like to see again.
Just outside the restaurant, a German couple politely stood to one side so I could enter first; a gesture that I politely declined, seeing that they were my senior by a number of years.
Once again I was made aware of the amazing kindness of people on my trip. The German couple asked me to join them at their table and a wonderful conversation ensued. They were married for sixty two years already and I delighted in the quiet gentleness with which they interacted.
On the road, once again, I headed for Swellendam where I envisaged spending a day or two so that I could get my washing done and ... visit my favourite restaurant, viz. Penant Wing.
At the Municipal Caravan Park in Swellendam I pitched my tent and went in search of supper. To my dismay my favourite restaurant was closed (I discovered that they are only open during the day).
I stopped at a place on the Main Street (possibly because I noticed a BMW GS 1200 standing outside) and ... the place was open. Its patrons were boisterous with cigarette smoke wafting everywhere.
Once I found an outside table towards one side of the stoep, I ordered my meal, sat back and started checking my mail, etc. I was completely taken aback when a female voice jolted me back to my immediate surroundings. A very young smiling woman stood in front of me saying something about how wonderful it must be to travel the way I was. She looked incredibly young, was quite attractive (in a girl - next - door type of way) and seemed to be waiting for a response from my side. All I could do, however, was to think how young she was and wondering what she was doing in place like this.
She must have realised that I wasn't going to be accommodating, turned round and went back to her table.
Why am I sharing this? I mentioned my experience to the owner of Penant Wing the next morning, to learn that this young woman was known to proposition men. It is sad. How did she come to have this be the way she operated? On the surface of it all she could well be the sweet and cherished daughter of any father.
That night was bitterly cold. At three o' clock the following morning, I got out my little stove, made my way to the ablution block and made myself a hot mug of tea and worked on my blog whilst waiting for the new day.
 |
| The owners of Penant Wing, Geoffrey and Louie outside their fantastic restaurant. |
Thursday 2 May 2013
30 April 2013 Day 2
After a good night's rest at Mill Stream B&B in Stellenbosch, I strapped down the panniers (Who said it was going to be easy? A trip up two flights of stairs with all my luggage last night and then down again this morning certainly has its perks!), the bright yellow hold all on the pillion seat and set off to find a bike shop that could assist with the wheel balancing.
In the Strand I stopped outside Extreme Motorcycles (Thanks for the tip, Robin!), explained my dilemma and handed my oh so reliable Tiger over to Kelvin and Graham.
It's always so gratifying to observe someone who knows exactly what they are doing. Graham is truly someone who loves what he does for a living. Thank you for lavishing the same on my motorcycle than I would have, Graham!
The motto just below the title of my Blog states that a component of this blog is about both physical and metaphysical / emotional journeys. Since I have started my preparation for my Trip, I'm discovering just how many there are who long to embark on a journey perhaps similar to mine, but who, either because of commitments and / or procrastination have, as yet, failed to have the longing become an actuality.
I'm reminded of an incident a number of years ago. A young man, somewhere in Namaqualand, sang in a small but popular vocal group. His was the gift of being able to reach the upper registers quite easily and so the coordinator of the Group took it on herself to contact a very prominent singer cum playwright, hoping to arrange an audition for the young man.
The playwright's response to her question was, "How much does he want this?" This stuck with me. Whenever a situation or opportunity would arise, my first thought now would be, "How much do I want this? How important is this to me?" As with anything of value, it requires sacrifices to be made.
For many of us, the sacrifices are too great and we lead (as so aptly phrased by Henry David Thoreau: “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.”) lives that we possibly regret yet mostly bear.
The young man? He's around somewhere in Namaqualand, living, more than likely, a comfortable life. Perhaps sometimes, just sometime he'd reflect on what he could have / should have had, but found the price too high.
Last night, I spent in the Caravan Park in Onrus, an exquisite little town approximately eight kilometres from Hermanus. From my tent I could hear (and see!) the beautiful white breakers smashing themselves against the pebbled beach. I couldn't have chosen a better place to spend the night.
Earlier that day I rode along the coast, passing through Gordon's Bay, Rooi Els, went past Pringle Bay and briefly stopped at a friend's house in Betty's Bay.
There were some road works on the road leading into Hermanus, but nothing hugely frustrating. It was there, thanks to my GPS, that I stopped at Arabikaz Coffee Shop. I'm still getting used to the disarmingly friendliness of people I'm meeting on my Trip.
A young woman, sitting at a table opposite me, noticed my plight in trying to take a photograph of myself and my motorcycle and promptly offered to take the photograph for me. While chatting to her I discovered that she was the face for a Rooibos advertisement in magazines such as Fair Lady, Rooi Rose, etc.
Shortly afterwards a young gentleman arrived. It transpired that he was a local plumber who, according to him, "Retired early." It seemed that the particular Coffee Shop was a popular "Get together" for not just one, but seven (!) plumbers from the area. "We started out as just a friend of mine and I, but then it just grew!" The plumber, Noel, was also most accommodating and provided information on all my questions (where to stay; where to buy certain items; etc.)
"Why am I doing this (trip around South Africa)?" I'm hoping that the question may be satisfactorily answered by the end of my Trip. All of us are, ultimately, mere mortals. Life here on earth does not continue ad infinitum. What could be worse than reaching the last few years, months or, even worse, days of one's life and have to admit, "If only I took more risks, lived more adventurously, was kinder to others, loved and shared more."
In the Strand I stopped outside Extreme Motorcycles (Thanks for the tip, Robin!), explained my dilemma and handed my oh so reliable Tiger over to Kelvin and Graham.
It's always so gratifying to observe someone who knows exactly what they are doing. Graham is truly someone who loves what he does for a living. Thank you for lavishing the same on my motorcycle than I would have, Graham!
The motto just below the title of my Blog states that a component of this blog is about both physical and metaphysical / emotional journeys. Since I have started my preparation for my Trip, I'm discovering just how many there are who long to embark on a journey perhaps similar to mine, but who, either because of commitments and / or procrastination have, as yet, failed to have the longing become an actuality.
I'm reminded of an incident a number of years ago. A young man, somewhere in Namaqualand, sang in a small but popular vocal group. His was the gift of being able to reach the upper registers quite easily and so the coordinator of the Group took it on herself to contact a very prominent singer cum playwright, hoping to arrange an audition for the young man.
The playwright's response to her question was, "How much does he want this?" This stuck with me. Whenever a situation or opportunity would arise, my first thought now would be, "How much do I want this? How important is this to me?" As with anything of value, it requires sacrifices to be made.
For many of us, the sacrifices are too great and we lead (as so aptly phrased by Henry David Thoreau: “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.”) lives that we possibly regret yet mostly bear.
The young man? He's around somewhere in Namaqualand, living, more than likely, a comfortable life. Perhaps sometimes, just sometime he'd reflect on what he could have / should have had, but found the price too high.
Last night, I spent in the Caravan Park in Onrus, an exquisite little town approximately eight kilometres from Hermanus. From my tent I could hear (and see!) the beautiful white breakers smashing themselves against the pebbled beach. I couldn't have chosen a better place to spend the night.
Earlier that day I rode along the coast, passing through Gordon's Bay, Rooi Els, went past Pringle Bay and briefly stopped at a friend's house in Betty's Bay.
There were some road works on the road leading into Hermanus, but nothing hugely frustrating. It was there, thanks to my GPS, that I stopped at Arabikaz Coffee Shop. I'm still getting used to the disarmingly friendliness of people I'm meeting on my Trip.
A young woman, sitting at a table opposite me, noticed my plight in trying to take a photograph of myself and my motorcycle and promptly offered to take the photograph for me. While chatting to her I discovered that she was the face for a Rooibos advertisement in magazines such as Fair Lady, Rooi Rose, etc.
Shortly afterwards a young gentleman arrived. It transpired that he was a local plumber who, according to him, "Retired early." It seemed that the particular Coffee Shop was a popular "Get together" for not just one, but seven (!) plumbers from the area. "We started out as just a friend of mine and I, but then it just grew!" The plumber, Noel, was also most accommodating and provided information on all my questions (where to stay; where to buy certain items; etc.)
"Why am I doing this (trip around South Africa)?" I'm hoping that the question may be satisfactorily answered by the end of my Trip. All of us are, ultimately, mere mortals. Life here on earth does not continue ad infinitum. What could be worse than reaching the last few years, months or, even worse, days of one's life and have to admit, "If only I took more risks, lived more adventurously, was kinder to others, loved and shared more."
Monday 29 April 2013
29 April 2013 - Day One
Hectic! The word gallantly attempts to describe the morning of the FIRST DAY OF MY TRIP! Everything was ready and prepared well in advance.
Just re - reading this last sentence I wrote has me realise just how absurd it must sound to seasoned adventurers. The truth of the matter is that some things did go wrong. Thus early this afternoon found me frantically trying to close up the last pannier (Does one refer to soft bags as "panniers"?) and then test the new GPS again. It is new, because the one I bought just two months ago gave up the ghost yesterday. I was completely taken aback, as it is a really good piece of equipment and its passing came as an unexpected and unpleasant surprise. And that was just one of the issues.
My sincerest thanks, Johan (manager at Cape Union Mart, West Coast Mall in Vredenburg) for exchanging the faulty GPS for me.
According to my planning I would have spent the night quite a few kilometers from where I am tonight. Given the delays this morning, I have opted to spend tonight in a beautifully quiet B&B in Stellenbosch. The Millstream (sic) B&B obviously could not offer me the same fiscal rate that a camping site would have, but it was comfortable, clean and spacious; comforts that my tent could not provide at the close of this day.
Early tomorrow morning I'll be in Somerset West looking for
Tomorrow I'm off to Somerset West, in search of a reputable motorcycle shop. Reputable as in having the facility to have motorcycle wheels balanced. I've picked up a vibration, which to my mind suggests that I need to have the wheel balancing checked. Towards the end of my ride today, I started feeling as if I'd had a full body massage at the hands of a Sumo wrestler. No more of that, thank you! The wheel balancing will be checked!
All things considered, I'm hoping to end tomorrow night in Swellendam. The ride will, however, not be along the N2. At least not for most of the day. There are some interesting places and roads to explore. Check in again tomorrow to see where I've been.
Just re - reading this last sentence I wrote has me realise just how absurd it must sound to seasoned adventurers. The truth of the matter is that some things did go wrong. Thus early this afternoon found me frantically trying to close up the last pannier (Does one refer to soft bags as "panniers"?) and then test the new GPS again. It is new, because the one I bought just two months ago gave up the ghost yesterday. I was completely taken aback, as it is a really good piece of equipment and its passing came as an unexpected and unpleasant surprise. And that was just one of the issues.
My sincerest thanks, Johan (manager at Cape Union Mart, West Coast Mall in Vredenburg) for exchanging the faulty GPS for me.
According to my planning I would have spent the night quite a few kilometers from where I am tonight. Given the delays this morning, I have opted to spend tonight in a beautifully quiet B&B in Stellenbosch. The Millstream (sic) B&B obviously could not offer me the same fiscal rate that a camping site would have, but it was comfortable, clean and spacious; comforts that my tent could not provide at the close of this day.
Early tomorrow morning I'll be in Somerset West looking for
Tomorrow I'm off to Somerset West, in search of a reputable motorcycle shop. Reputable as in having the facility to have motorcycle wheels balanced. I've picked up a vibration, which to my mind suggests that I need to have the wheel balancing checked. Towards the end of my ride today, I started feeling as if I'd had a full body massage at the hands of a Sumo wrestler. No more of that, thank you! The wheel balancing will be checked!
All things considered, I'm hoping to end tomorrow night in Swellendam. The ride will, however, not be along the N2. At least not for most of the day. There are some interesting places and roads to explore. Check in again tomorrow to see where I've been.
Saturday 27 April 2013
Good guys and blessings
A while ago I contemplated having the wheels of my bike made tubeless. Spoked wheels, apart from the rim designs of KTM, are generally fitted with tubes.
While this is great, it becomes far less than great when one is in a remote area somewhere outside cell phone reception, (and worst of all) completely by oneself and, as in my case, not too experienced regarding fixing punctures. As I was visualising this, images of myself having a puncture, somewhere on the road between nothing and nowhere with no centre stand, frantically trying to break the bead on the rim so that I could fix the puncture before it got dark, kept creeping into my head.
A very good friend of mine, Lodie de Jager (www.naboom2germany.co.za) shared his experience of having his KLR converted to tubeless and then travelling 19 000km through Siberia without any loss of pressure in the tyres. That convinced me! I contacted Donovan Muller at Cytech in Johannesburg (www.toursforafrica.co.za) and arranged to have the rims of my Triumph Tiger 800XC converted to tubeless. I also spoke to Mike Hopkins from the Triumph dealer in Cape Town. He agreed to have the wheels taken off by his workshop (thanks, Gareth!) and couriered to Cytech in Johannesburg (thank you, Wafieka!). Then (and listen to this!) Mike lent me a new (demo!) KLR for the week with which I could travel back up the West Coast. Wow! Mike, I'm a client for life!
My wheels arrived back in Cape Town yesterday afternoon. I took the KLR back to Cape Town, picked up my Tiger and rode back up the Coast. Alas! As soon as I got onto the freeway, I realised that something was amiss! The wheel balance on the front wheel was out, ever so slightly, but still. By this time it was way past business hours, so I had no other option than to continue my ride home.
Thinking about it, I surmised that the only thing that could have happened to the front wheel was that a small piece of a stick - on balancing weight must have come off somewhere along the line.
And now? Well, today being a Public Holiday in South Africa, it was impossible sorting the wheel out. Tomorrow would be even more difficult (impossible, actually), which leaves Monday. Yes, I know. I should have been on the road for two days already by then. However, Monday will be the day when I'll ride down to Cape Town, get the balancing sorted out and then proceed with the ride.
How well was the conversion process handled? Extremely well! Thank you, Donovan! Realising I was pressed for time (in starting my trip), you ensured that the conversion was done fast enough in order for me to start my trip, yet no corners were cut. I was provided with a qualitative product and for that I thank you.
What is this post all about? I needed help and those mentioned in this post spared no effort in ensuring that I, with a dream of riding my wonderful motorcycle around South Africa, would not have to give up the dream.
Tomorrow then I'll start packing my (soft) panniers. Expect some photographs! I've have the items to fill the bags laid out on the table in my study for the past few weeks already. It helped me being able to check what is there already and what not.
While this is great, it becomes far less than great when one is in a remote area somewhere outside cell phone reception, (and worst of all) completely by oneself and, as in my case, not too experienced regarding fixing punctures. As I was visualising this, images of myself having a puncture, somewhere on the road between nothing and nowhere with no centre stand, frantically trying to break the bead on the rim so that I could fix the puncture before it got dark, kept creeping into my head.
A very good friend of mine, Lodie de Jager (www.naboom2germany.co.za) shared his experience of having his KLR converted to tubeless and then travelling 19 000km through Siberia without any loss of pressure in the tyres. That convinced me! I contacted Donovan Muller at Cytech in Johannesburg (www.toursforafrica.co.za) and arranged to have the rims of my Triumph Tiger 800XC converted to tubeless. I also spoke to Mike Hopkins from the Triumph dealer in Cape Town. He agreed to have the wheels taken off by his workshop (thanks, Gareth!) and couriered to Cytech in Johannesburg (thank you, Wafieka!). Then (and listen to this!) Mike lent me a new (demo!) KLR for the week with which I could travel back up the West Coast. Wow! Mike, I'm a client for life!
My wheels arrived back in Cape Town yesterday afternoon. I took the KLR back to Cape Town, picked up my Tiger and rode back up the Coast. Alas! As soon as I got onto the freeway, I realised that something was amiss! The wheel balance on the front wheel was out, ever so slightly, but still. By this time it was way past business hours, so I had no other option than to continue my ride home.
Thinking about it, I surmised that the only thing that could have happened to the front wheel was that a small piece of a stick - on balancing weight must have come off somewhere along the line.
And now? Well, today being a Public Holiday in South Africa, it was impossible sorting the wheel out. Tomorrow would be even more difficult (impossible, actually), which leaves Monday. Yes, I know. I should have been on the road for two days already by then. However, Monday will be the day when I'll ride down to Cape Town, get the balancing sorted out and then proceed with the ride.
How well was the conversion process handled? Extremely well! Thank you, Donovan! Realising I was pressed for time (in starting my trip), you ensured that the conversion was done fast enough in order for me to start my trip, yet no corners were cut. I was provided with a qualitative product and for that I thank you.
What is this post all about? I needed help and those mentioned in this post spared no effort in ensuring that I, with a dream of riding my wonderful motorcycle around South Africa, would not have to give up the dream.
Tomorrow then I'll start packing my (soft) panniers. Expect some photographs! I've have the items to fill the bags laid out on the table in my study for the past few weeks already. It helped me being able to check what is there already and what not.
Thursday 25 April 2013
Overdue
So many things happened since my last post and here I am burning the midnight oil. I realise that posts from my side are long overdue, but ... as always, though, it's far more pleasant reading someone's post when the blogger's wits are about him. I'll therefore share some interesting news tomorrow - news about kindness, unexpected blessings and good people; really great guys.
Friday 19 April 2013
House of Hope
During my trip (Alone around South
Africa) I'm endeavouring to raise funds for a specific place of safety
for traumatised children and women. House of Hope (www.houseof hopewc.webs.com) , in Vredenburg on
the West Coast, is run by a small but very dedicated group of people
who realised that little ones and often their moms have no place to turn
to in the case of domestic violence (which may be of a physical and /
or emotional / sexual / economic nature). Me? I
involuntarily see the pain in the once - trusting eyes of a child in my mind's eye as I reflect
on this sad phenomenon.
Please have a look at their website. House of Hope is an NGO (Non - government Organisation), so they have to rely on funding by altruists and others who still care. I know that even the smallest financial contribution and / or financial commitment will have a positive impact on the lives of these children and women. Details may be found on the House of Hope website.
And if you decide to assist ... thank you. Two small words to convey the gratitude of these traumatised little ones and women, benefiting from your kindness, as well as those involved with caring for them.
Please have a look at their website. House of Hope is an NGO (Non - government Organisation), so they have to rely on funding by altruists and others who still care. I know that even the smallest financial contribution and / or financial commitment will have a positive impact on the lives of these children and women. Details may be found on the House of Hope website.
And if you decide to assist ... thank you. Two small words to convey the gratitude of these traumatised little ones and women, benefiting from your kindness, as well as those involved with caring for them.
A Spanner in the Works?
At this very moment the wheels of my motorcycle are making their way (by courier) to Cytech in Johannesburg. Riding a Triumph Tiger 800XC, I have no desire to unsuccessfully attempt fixing a puncture somewhere in, e.g. the former Transkei. Tubed tyres, you see. A very dear friend of mine had his wheels done (at Cytech) after having ridden through Africa twice and then did a nineteen thousand km solo trip through Siberia (www.naboom2germany.co.za) with the tubeless conversion done on his KLR. That convinced me.
Where has this left me? Well, the wheels arrive back in Cape Town by next week Thursday / Friday (Please let it be Thursday!), so my dynamic (because it seems to have a life of its own) date of departure will be either Friday, 26 April or Saturday, 28 April. The (intended) route on my Google map is coming on very well indeed. I'm deriving a great deal of pleasure from poring over it and, already I can see there to be a second trip coming somewhere in the future.
Pictures and more musings to follow soon! Not too many days left before the Adventure begins!
Tuesday 9 April 2013
It starts here!
Welcome to my Blog! The intention is to share my experiences (and some thoughts) electronically during the next five to six weeks.
You're welcome to share a thought, snippets of information or perhaps even just comment on something that piques your interest.
You're welcome to share a thought, snippets of information or perhaps even just comment on something that piques your interest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)