SA/Namibia 2011 - Day 12. Karoo National Park to Calitzdorp.

View 12th Sept: Karoo National Park to Calitzdorp in a larger map

I woke the boys at dawn and said, 'Let's watch the sunrise.' I was shocked at the response. Tony, however, did get up and join me. Of course he is a hardy farmer.

 Was it worth it?

To be fair, the others did get up early and we walked down to the restaurant for breakfast.

We left the Karoo National Park and turned onto the N1 southwest. The aim was Prince Albert Road, a railway halt 116 km distant, and then turn southeast on the R407 for 45 km to Prince Albert and coffee.

Turn left onto the R407.

 Prince Albert Road is not a big place. It is not even a road.

'Stop'

So we stopped. Now we are facing south and in 30 minutes should roll into Prince Albert.

 The Groot Swartberge ahead.

 Mike F and Groot Swartberge.

 This is the Gamka River.

 Definitely!

Bridges and rivers are always fascinating - to us anyway.

This is how the crossing used to be.

Very soon after the river crossing we came to the outskirts of Prince Albert. 

 Any questions?

It was a beautiful day. It was nearly 11h 00 and time for some coffee.

 We rode serenely down the main street and did a 'U-turn'....

........ and parked outside the Lazy Lizard. They could accommodate six motorbikers for 'elevenses'.

 Mike said, 'Do they have any apple pie?'

 'Excuse me Miss - do you have any apple pie on the menu?'

'Yes we do. The portions are huge, and the pie is delicious!'

They were and it was!

After coffee and the best apple pie I have ever tasted, we allocated 30 minutes to exploring the town on the motorbikes - slowly and quietly. Prince Albert is one of the prettiest towns I have had the pleasure to visit.

The houses are maintained beautifully and the gardens are magnificent. The hedges and shrubs are just fantastic.

 I could see myself living here and having a sundowner on the stoep.

 These Border Collies barked a greeting at me, in a friendly way.

 An orchard on the edge of town.

 Hmmmm.......!

 More Hmmmm......!

We left Prince Albert and headed for Klaarstroom on the R407.

The R407 is a beautiful road....

... with beautiful farms and fields either side. Tony stopped here!

We could not resist stopping every few kilometers to take in the scene.

This farm was just before Klaarstroom where we joined the N12 which took us through Meiringspoort.

 

The 17 km ride through Meiringspoort was very special.

 Now we are on the road to De Rust.

N12 to De Rust and then Oudtshoorn.

 De Rust

Tony has stopped. There must be a tractor in the picture!

This 'township' is on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn.

We stopped in Oudtshoorn for fuel and for the ATM and then took the famous R62 road (South Africa's  Route 66) to our destination for today - Calitzdorp.

We were booked in with the vivacious Sandy at her Sunshine Cottages on Keerom Street. 

S33 31 44 E021 41 23

Motorbike parking adjacent to the cottages.

Mike and Graeme manoeuvred the motorbikes into some semblance of ordered parking.

 Beautiful views from the terrace. We are now in the Little Karoo. I think that is the Swartberge in the distance or possibly the Outeniekwaberge.

 The garden below the terrace.

 Sandy, you are to be congratulated on your beautiful garden.

 Our Mike enjoying the early evening.

 Andy, Mike, Graeme, John M, Tony and John K - the whole team on 10-sec timer.

Calitzdorp is yet another special place. Maybe more time should have been allocated to each place that we stopped at? This is certainly a factor that will be added to any future motorbiking adventures we plan.

Distance Today: 306 kilometers. 190 miles.
Trip Total: 3 574 kilometers. 2 221 miles.