2013-09-29 Rondeberg farm (Malmesbury) family outing

We took our 16yr old daughter Emma (on her Honda 125) with us on a lovely road trip to our farm near Malmesbury.  Weather conditions were good, a little bit windy, but to be expected in Cape Town at this time of the year.

As this was Emma's first (longer) ride with us, we played it safe and stayed on the roads more frequently travelled.  From Tokai, we headed into the Foreshore (Cape Town City Centre) and from there took the coastal route via Blouberg and Melkbos, then via Atlantis back-roads to Philladelphia where we stopped for a bite to eat.  Sadly all the establishments were booked out and we headed back to the N7 and swung by the Wimpy for lunch. Reminder to self to ALWAYS book in advance in future!

Always the protective mom, I made sure Emma rode between me and the Nav so that I could keep an eye on her.  Not surprising, she rode like the little star that she is and even manouvred through a short stretch of sand on the farm.  Sand is NOT Emma's friend, as her first fall (thankfully not serious) was on sand and it scared her so much that she vowed NEVER to ride on gravel or sand again.  Well, today she did both and did it SO well that I am sure that she's regained a bit of confidence again.  (YAY!!!)  Perhaps next time we'll take her along on some of the gravel bits we love so much...

Upon arrival at the farm, we were met by a spectacular show of veld flowers on our plot (easy to spot as it's the only one with a tree on it).  We can't wait to start planning our next home and to live in this beautiful part of the countryside.

Some pics of our ride:

"like mother like daughter"

The Nav & Em enjoying the awesome view

That's my girl!  Emma loving being out on her 125

Table Mountain in ALL her glory!  Beautiful...

The Bryants @ the farm in Malmesbury

I LOVE this composition.... Spectacular blommies at our farm near Malmesbury

Our plot is the only one filled with veld flowers - what a beautiful welcome!

The Nav & Ems enjoying the magnificent views and solitude at the farm

Emma getting up close and personal with the blommies 

Panoramic view of our plot - can't wait to start building!

Pity I couldn't get my KLR in this pic :( 

The Nav & Ems - where to next mom?

The Nav - leaving Philladelphia

Ems leaving Philladelphia in search of lunch

and there she goes.... 

The usual afternoon ice cream stop along Blouberg Beachfront - No Eish in sight.... 

The Nav & Ems enjoying their twirly whirlys

Although we only covered +/- 200kms on the day, it was most enjoyable riding together as a family.  I hope this is the first of many family outings to come...

till next time & safe travels everyone

-Angela-
4 wheels moves the body, 2 wheels moves the soul
adventureridersct@gmail.com

2013-09-18 to 24 - Sani & Lesotho

Sadly I had to sit this one out but in the usual fashion, it is my duty and pleasure to blog all our adventures.  I might not have been there in person, but believe you me, I was there in spirit. Glad the boys had a safe journey and from what I can hear, many a story to be told... but as they say 'what happens in Lesotho, stays in Lesotho"......  

Now that the Nav (or Rolex as he has aptly been nicknamed by the KLR clanners) has experienced the mighty Lesotho mountains and knows his way up and down it, he will no doubt be leading me through it sometime in the future.  Can't wait!  

Handing over to the Nav for further commentary.... 

We trucked the bikes up to Aliwal North, leaving Ang to join her sister and family in Kimberley, while we eagerly got going first thing on Thursday morning heading to Lady Grey, over Jouberts Nek, Barclay East, Rhodes to our first overnight stop at MaClear.

Beakfast in Lady Grey on Day 1 at Anny's Cafe.  Rain has been scarce so the countryside is dry.

Place to go to watch rugby no doubt!

Local cuisine - for those that enjoy soup!

Up Jouberts Net.  More tricky than we thought with stunning views back over Lady Grey

Just look at that road!

A breather on Naude's Nek

MaClear overnight stop.  Huge T-Bone for supper

Day 2 - early start (as usual)

First into MaClear for fuel.  Check out Khayelitsha's fast food...

We had an uneventful trip to Himeville.  First stop, the war memorial.  Museum unfortunately closed.

Lekker Local Lager 

Himeville is another trout fishing destination.  Paul enjoyed the start to this fishy tail.  We met-up with the rest of the KLR Clan at Himeville, and enjoyed a social evening while anticipating the ride up Sani Pass the next day.  Weather predicted was light rain. 

Getting to the pass, the land turned green after the 2 days of dry brown that we had been through.  The roads were damp, and muddy in places, but overall in pretty good nick!

The sun made an appearance half-way up the pass, and we stopped to get rid of our rain gear.  Paul posing!

The trip up the pass was in thick mist and pretty tricky with the tight switchbacks causing a "moment" or two.  The exhiliration on reaching the top was amazing with bright sun out of the mist.  It was cold on top.  

This gent sings for a living, playing an old oil-tin guitar.  He was later joined by a drummer.

We wrote our names on the ceiling.  I think they have to re-paint every year!

The heights and vistas in Lesotho highlands are just amazing.  A picture does not do them justice.  Here we are around 400m higher than Sani, on the way to Mothotlong.

The locals live with their animals.  Goats, horses, donkeys.  The donkeys have been chosen to lug the gear.

The Chinese are very busy widening the roads and building bridges.  Here are some LHD trucks on the road to Mothotlong.

After refueling the gang took a breather on the road to our overnight stop at Mulomong.

A bakkie with most of the luggage (ours excluded) can be seen heading towards Katze with one very bedonnered oom at the steering wheel.  Needless to say, most of the gang had to brush their teeth with ash!

View from our overnight stop at Mulomong.  Very basic with no electricity but possibly the most enjoyable evening of the tour.

Paul, Grant and Dewald.  We managed 110km for the day.

I was quick, so got the rondawel on the left, while Paul annexed a room with a double bed.  The rest of the guys shared a dormitory.

Cold early morning.  KLR at the ready.

Our second day in Lesotho started with a steep climb from the lodge.  Len's BMW 1150 struggled to get out but before too long we were climbing the first pass on the way to Katse via Thaba Tseka

Racing Rick on the KTM

The roads are just amazing.  Progress was slow and I rather unfairly earned the nickname "Rolex" because of constantly having to hurry everyone up.

First view of the Katse dam wall.  It is massive, and the dam extends for 35km in a very deep valley.  Lesotho must be pretty well placed to sell her water in the years to come.

That's a bakkie next to the structure on the wall.  Gives you an idea of size.

From L-R, Racing Rick, Grant, Paul and Len

Dinner was very civilized at the Katse Lodge.  Highly recommended.  L-R Bossies, Rick, Len, Dewald, Grant.

Early morning traffic on the water.  Could be mistaken for a Scottish Loch.

Day 3 started with a 60km tour around the dam.  It is genuinely vast.

And ended here.  We decided to go on the tar to Fouriesburg, and make a trip to Clarence and the Golden Gate instead of the scheduled route.  At this stage we had seen about as many goats as we wanted to.

Shebeens are a-plenty.  Where else can you buy a quart of Maluti Lager for R11.50?

The locals don't like appearing in photo's for nothing, and generally the entire Lesotho nation begs for money or sweets as you pass through.  This picture cost me R10.

Back in SA, lunch stop at Clarence.

Spectacular Golden Gate.

Fouriesburg Inn.  Huge meals and good company awaited.

The KLR Clan, L-R Dana, Loekie, Grant, Paul, Rick, Greg, Dewald, myself and Martin

We parted company heading off in different directions.  What a fantastic raid it was and we all look forward to the next one.  Paul and I headed to Kimberley where we met up with Ang and the trailer.  We trucked the 1000km from Kimberly to Cape Town the following day.

Thanks Nav!  Sounds like an awesome trip, with many untold memories no doubt (???).... I am glad you all had a safe journey and we look forward to sharing future rides with you guys.  

Till next time, take care and safe travels everyone

- Ang - 
4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul
email:  adventureridersct@gmail.com