SA/Namibia 2011 - Day 23. Bethal to Vanderbijl Park and Randburg.

View 23rd Sept: Bethal to Vanderbijl Park in a larger map

Sorry there are no pictures today. We set out from Bethal in very cool and foggy conditions. Even if I could have made my cold hands work the camera, there was nothing to photograph.


We routed via Nigel where we pulled in for fuel and breakfast, then Heidelburg, Vereeniging and Vanderbijl Park.


Mike was staying in Vanderbijl Park with his sister for a few nights. I was going on to Randburg to stay with my cousin.


View 23rd Sept: Vanderbijl Park to Randburg in a larger map

After Nigel and some welcome breakfast, the sun burnt its way through the fog and the day turned into beautiful Highveld weather - sunny, cloudless and warm.

After a cup of tea and a koeksuster at Mike's sister's I headed off for Randburg. It was quite strange riding 'solo' after having had company for so long on this South Africa/Namibia ride. It didn't take long to join the N1 and after paying the toll at Grasmere Plaza I was cruising the last part of my journey. I couldn't help smiling as I passed familiar names and places as the Tenere buzzed north. Glimpses of the Johannesburg skyline offered itself on my right-hand side and it was like I was actually coming home.

This was the place of my formative years, my upbringing and education. True, I had left South Africa in 1966, but I still consider this city as my spiritual home. The grin inside my helmet was tinged with sadness because my brother Robby, a true Jo'burger, had passed on a few years before and he was always very dear to me. I would, however, be catching up with his wife and family in the next four or five days.

I pulled into my cousin's place at about 13h15 to be greeted warmly and immediately offered a cold beer.

Distance Today: 287 km. 178 miles.
Trip Distance: 6 740 km. 4 188 miles.

SA/Namibia 2011 - Day 17. Swellendam to Jeffreys Bay.

View 17th Sept: Swellendam to Jeffreys Bay in a larger map

 Preparing to leave De Wagenmaeker. The car is a Mercedes-Benz V8!

 But this little cutie also belongs to the household. A FIAT 600?

 'So long. It's been nice.'

Our stay at De Wagenmaeker on Voortrek Street in Swellendam was very pleasant, entertaining and comfortable. We would be departing Swellendam having been impressed by the people and the place; and we hadn't quite left yet ..... there was still the question of breakfast and a few strong coffees.

Two kilometers east we stopped in the town. There was a lot of noise coming from the Full Stop Cafe (Klein Loftus), so we pulled up there for breakfast. It was a good choice. We were made very welcome AND World Cup rugby was on the TV. South Africa vs Samoa I think.

OK - let's try to leave Swellendam again! This time we dragged ourselves away into the cool, but bright, morning.

As per normal, there was no hard and fast plan. I had a vague notion of stopping for the night in Humansdorp.

The Garden Route is certainly very pretty and we were beguiled by the scenery making frequent stops.

 Just outside Heidelberg.

 Checking the navigation.

Mossel Bay.

Rest stop. I had 30 minutes zzzzzz. Mike was very patient.

 Still steering east. This is Knysna.

This is Plettenberg Bay.

This is near Storms River.

We reached Humansdorp at about 17h30 but we were unable to find any accommodation there. We pushed on to Jeffreys Bay where, just as it was getting dark, we found a delightful place for the night called On the Bay.

On the Bay is owned and run by Karla and her husband Soi. They are originally from Belgium and also Belgium Congo. They are now South African. They love their place by the sea. We were very happy to have found Karla and to have such a comfortable and friendly place to stay for the night.

After freshening up we walked into the town and found a good place for a beer and and a burger. Very nice.

Distance Today: 464 km. 288 miles.

Trip Distance: 4 726 km. 2 937 miles.