09 February 2010
Although it was early the day was sunny and warm. The gear having been packed. Elisabeth was there to see us off. This was beyond the call of duty, but here are the pics to prove that she was there. 'Chez Nous' comes highly recommended by me and Dr M. CLICK HERE for the link.
Almost ready to go. Jacket and backpack should complete the preparations.
"Thank you Elisabeth. We know that you love bikers. We love you too!"
A future visit is a definite possibility.
Main Street!
I needed some cash, so we stopped at this ABSA bank and used the ATM. There are ATMs in every town. My Travelex Cashpassport card worked everywhere.
Then it was time to leave Dundee and head for Greytown on the R33.
The R33 is a beautiful road, near Dundee anyway. The KwaZulu Natal scenery meant frequent stops for pics. There was no particular time schedule and we had all the time that we needed.
Thatched dwellings in the morning sunshine always look attractive.
The R33 to Greytown.
Dr M are you a KTM man or BMW man?
After about 5 km there was a road sign to Rorke's Drift 39 km. Dr M wanted to have a look at Rorke's Drift. The road was gravel all the way, and very rocky in parts. But the scenery was beautiful and the ride very enjoyable. Good call mate!
This is good gravel. It is good fun riding on this stuff.
So far we have covered 28 km on gravel. My motorcycle had road tyres and it slithered around quite a bit, but was okay.
There were many streams to cross ....
..... but all had fords or low bridges.
Dr M has great faith in his waterproof motorcycle boots.
What's wrong with a little relaxation by the water?
Rorke's Drift.
The Battle of Rorke's Drift: 139 British soldiers successfully defended their garrison against an intense assault by 4,000 to 5,000 Zulu warriors. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded that day (none to the Zulus!) The Anglo-Zulu War took place in 1879 and signalled the end of the Zulus as an independent nation. At the Battle of Isandlwana on 22nd January 1879 a Zulu army wiped out a British force. 1,400 British soldiers were totally overwhelmed and killed. The Zulus took no prisoners. It was one of the greatest disasters of British colonial history; as was Isandlwana and Majuba and Colenso and Ladysmith and Mafeking and .............!
But ..... now there is peace between our nations!
British flag. Austrian jacket. German motorcycle.
From Rorke's Drift the decision is to take the Helpmekaar Road over the hills to meet the tarmac R33 a little nearer to Greytown.
The turn off to Isandlwana was close by. The Zulus won that battle hands down!
We are climbing .......
..... and the road is becoming more rocky.
The views from the top made the rocky, hazardous climb worthwhile.
After rejoining the R33 we rode into Pomeroy (named after a British officer in the 2nd Boer War). Dr M required fuel. There was only diesel in Pomeroy. Not good enough. 95 octane required!
Pomeroy is a busy, interesting town ......
..... this shop looked particularly interesting. I should have gone in and looked around! OR, at least had a haircut!
The R33 had goats everywhere .......
..... and little 'hamlets' like this one .......
Finally we reached Tugela Ferry and stopped at the first (and only) petrol station. They had one 95 octane pump which was in high demand.
We both refuelled here (Trip: 2,973 km. 455 km from Johannesburg).
Dr M's bike is now full of fuel and he is much happier ........
....... because he won't have to buy expensive (siphoned) fuel from my tanker motorcycle!
We haven't had a chance to get any breakfast and the time is 10:23! There is nothing here!
Just checking ........
We cross the Tugela River. This used to be the northern limit of British Port Natal. The Zulus were in the north and the country was called Zululand. The Zulu kings come to mind: Shaka and later Dingaan and then Cetawayo. They gave us a whooping at Isandlwana!
These Bailey-type iron bridges fascinate me.
C'mon ..... we gotta find some grub ........ Let's keep moving!
The scenery is definitely changing as we approach Greytown (named after Lord Grey). The scenery is becoming more forest-like!
I pulled up at this track into the forest to have a closer look.
Yep, they are definitely pine trees. Let's get going again! Greytown can't be far ahead!
"I'll photograph this sign ..... just for the record. Then I'll know where I've been!"
The state of the signs matches that of the roads. Uncared for!
Greytown seemed like a decent little town. There must be some lunch or breakfast here surely?
We rode the main street ...... nothing obvious.
Then Dr M spotted a ........
....... McDonalds. Only joking!! We parked up usual fashion. Me neat.... him hmmmm......
Ying and yang!
Excuse me - this is breakfast AND lunch! It was a welcome, and air-conditioned, pit stop at this Wimpy. It was good to re-group and have a think about the next sector.
The decision was to take the R74 from here to Stanger and attack Durban from the north, stopping briefly at Ballito Bay!
The R74 is a very picturesque route. I think that it is on the northern edge of the Valley of a Thousand Hills. I have noticed that KwaZulu Natal is quite densely populated. There are settlements and people everywhere.
No time constraints. No agenda. We should reach Durban easily by nightfall. There is lots of time to take pictures.
Magnificent scenery all the way to Stanger.
KwaZulu Natal is very fertile. Sugar cane is the main crop in these parts. But those are pine forests!
We are gradually descending towards the ocean.
Direction: Southeast .......
The Indian Ocean should appear on the horizon soon!
The Ocean was seen a long way before this picture was taken at Ballito Bay ........
..... but this was the first photo opportunity. What's not to like? This has got to be the Indian Ocean because due east is on my left!!
This is a first for Dr M. Before today he had never seen the Indian Ocean. It's my favourite ocean and in a past life spent many a day and night flying over it! That is another story ...
Finally, we reached the luxurious 406 Marine Point apartments in Durban. We were met at the building by Delveen. She is a lovely lady and she was very welcoming and also very helpful. She can be reached at kznplaces@telkomsa.net 
This is one view from 406 Marine Point, our home for the next two whole nights - hooray!
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