Packing up for the last time

We camped for the last time close to Barrydale last night and are sad to end our trip. It feels like yesterday we left for the Northern Cape. We're looking forward to download our pics and to tell the complete story on www.aroundsa.co.za Thanks for all the followers and support and messages along the way! Peace, f&t

One of many water-crossings after the rain...

Last night's rain left us many low-water bridges under water, which made for some feet-in-the-air riding. It has cooled off considerably since yesterday, when we'd have jumped right in at every opportunity!

Rain at Bakkrans

We entered the Baviaanskloof yesterday morning and didn't know what the roads might do to our bikes. It was close to 40 degrees and the rivers were mostly dry. We took most of the day to reach Bakkrans on the opposite edge of the kloof. We were knackered, but trouroughly enjoyed the off-road ride and were very impressed with the little 125's! We had a hot shower, built a huge fire and fell asleep listening to the thunder and rain! Wow, the Baviaanskloof never disappoints!

congratulations Gloudi and Pieter-Louw!

We arrived in the beautiful Gamtoos Valley on Friday afternoon to celebrate the wedding of Gloudi and Pieter-Louw in Patensie! The wedding was held last night and was most definitely a highlight of our trip. What a stunning setting and a wonderful couple! Today we will head off for a final adventure through the Baviaanskloof, just over 5000 km completed and our 17th day on the road... 

Muddy road to Madwaleni

We arrived at the Madwaleni Hospital yesterday, after a badly washed out 16km stretch of dirt road. Tania got stuck once and spun me full of mud as I pushed to free her back wheel. We had a lovely stay at Norman and Anina's and wish we had time to stay another night! We're off to East London today. All the medication Norman gave me, has given me strength again, thanks mate!

Recouperating in Port St Johns

For the first time during our trip we have stayed in the same place for another night! Yesterday it was still rainy in Port St Johns and Fran has picked up some nasty tummy bug so we decided to extend our stay at N'taba River Lodge. We spent a glorious lazy day in bed watching tv and went out to explore a bit in the afternoon and took the bikes up the mountain where there is an airfield and a magnificent view over Port St Johns. Of course we couldn't resist a bit of drag racing competition on the airstrip! Fran started off with a lead as I had a bad start wheelieing my 125cc with a bit too much enthuasism! After a tight race I just managed to get a bit more vooma out of my bike and it was a close call. Perhaps not a clever idea to push our bikes over the limit on a mountain in the middle of nowhere, but the enzos have proved themselves greatly so far with 4100 problem free km's completed! Today we are on the road again and on our way to coffee bay surrounds. Let the good times roll! 

Why a pic of the roof?

Because thats what we're seeing lying flat on our backs at a lodge in Port St Johns after a long day in the rain! We had 2 extremely wet days since our last post and did not have the opportunity, or energy, to take photos. we visited friends in Zinkwasi yesterday, and they wouldn't let us leave, so we had a trip to the beach and enjoyed some good food and stories of passed trips with Joe, Anne-Marie, Gerhard and Anli and their kids and grand-kids. Thanks for the hospitality! We also serviced the bikes again. Tommorow we'll be visiting Norman and Anina close by Dweza, if I'm not mistaken.. Sorry for the bland pic, hahaha

Pineapples galore and the yellow rain suit

We had a wet day on the road today, but nevertheless had great fun laughing at each others rain suits! francois was especially visible today as can be seen in this photo! here we are buying pineapples from some locals next to the road to St Lucia, a bowl like this goes for R25, amazing! We are booked into a B&B tonight in St Lucia as the tent is still wet, very nice! 

Sleeping like babies next to the loo...zzz

While looking for a campsite in Piet Retief, I got a puncture right in front of Sundowner Lodge on the edge of town. We pulled in, pitched camp and fixed the tyre.  The clouds were twisting above us and the sky was getting dark. We decided on KFC in the tent when suddenly the biggest thunder storm broke out! After a few minutes everything was wet and the lightning strikes were next to us. The lapa was occupied, so our only other option was the ladies bathroom. I dodged the thunder carrying all our stuff under cover and Tania dried out the bedding. Regardless of the setting, we still slept like babies. This morning it was still drizzling, so we wrapped everything in plastic bags and hit the road towards the coast!

Flatty in Piet Retief

Here Fran is fixing his tyre after he got a flatty this afternoon! luckily we were right in front of a caravan park in Piet Retief. thus we had an easy choice of where to sleep tonight. Some friendly pretoria folk helped us to inflate the fixed tyre again. Now we are off to get some dinner, we might get some rain tonight!