Author Topic: A chance Wilddog encounter in the Swartberg Pass (Read 21846 times)

subie · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2014, 06:58:23 am »

Mooi fotos,bike en area

Casting from Turd · « **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2014, 07:00:49 am »

Watching this thread with huge interest

DASKOP · « **Reply #22 on:** January 19, 2014, 08:02:39 am »

From Groenvlei, it was tar into and through Richmond and then back onto the gravel through Brakpoort to Victoria West, where I started looking for accommodation. Everything was full. One of the kind ladies of one of the establishments phoned around without any success. She suggested that I try a place on the outskirts of the town called Last Resort..............which I suppose it was. Then I saw the sign (very old faded sign advertising Melton Wold Guest Farm), so after conferring with one of the locals and establishing that it was only 40 km away, I decided to rather take my chances there and I hit the road.

Melton Wold is a game and working farm. The old manor house provides accommodation, where I got a room for the night, and there is a camping area. Very friendly and helpful people in very neat and tidy surroundings.

Unfortunately, there are no photos of this section. The memory card purchased in Graaff-Reinet was not communicating properly with my new camera. I had spoken to the supplier of the camera and it was initially thought that it was just setting problem and that the photos could be retrieved upon my return to PE. We are still trying...................

It is a pity, I will just have to go back at some stage and take some more photos.

DASKOP · « **Reply #23 on:** January 19, 2014, 08:10:54 am »

17 Dec 2013

After breakfast, it is bike packing time and having determined from the owners that there is a gravel back road out of the farm to Loxton, I am on my way. As I am leaving the manor area, I notice a road indicating the game drive and I decide to do a quick detour. Challenging little twee spoor, but very worth it. Sorry, no photos of that.

I ride along the game fence, see some big Eland, and then turn onto the pan of which I saw a beautiful picture hanging in the manor house. The trail disappears, but I continue and take the photos below. So glad that these were not also lost.

The manor house, camping area and facilities are between the trees that can be seen in the distance.

What an absolutely beautiful area. The recent rains had contributed to wonderful additional enhancing hues of colour.

oldmannorman · « **Reply #24 on:** January 19, 2014, 09:02:58 am »

Nice RR. Keep it coming.

DASKOP · « **Reply #25 on:** January 19, 2014, 10:59:04 am »

Then it is along the game fence to the gate and I head towards Loxton. Nice gravel road with some muddy patches, but lekker riding.

Some interesting views along the way.

DASKOP · « **Reply #26 on:** January 19, 2014, 11:09:36 am »

Soon, I am at the Loxton / Melton Wold intersection, take a few photos and head off. The first section of the gravel road is terrific. What a way to start the day's riding.

DASKOP · « **Reply #27 on:** January 19, 2014, 11:14:22 am »

This is the first time that I have seen potholes referred to as "PLOFGATE". There were quite a few as well and also areas rutted by flash flood water rushing over the roads.

HOPE THIS IS NOT AN INDICATION OF WHAT IS TO COME WITH THE FRACKING.

4 Kays · « **Reply #28 on:** January 19, 2014, 11:23:51 am »

Mooi Daskop, geniet jou rr, mooi fotos

DASKOP · « **Reply #29 on:** January 19, 2014, 11:39:31 am »

Some more photos on the road to Loxton. There is a lot of road repairs being done and there is evidence of flood damage everywhere.

DASKOP · « **Reply #30 on:** January 19, 2014, 01:22:13 pm »

The areas where the aggregate has been leveled, but not compacted as yet, is seriously treacherous. You cannot believe the havoc it wreaks on your front tyre and the multi-directional results of that.

But then it is followed once again by gravel highway.

In Loxton, I stop to take some photos of the church and some weird sculpture, but these won't open. At the shop I gulp down 2 colddrinks. It is very hot. (I SHOULD HAVE PUT SOME LIQUID IN MY BIKE'S TANK AS WELL)

I head out of town and take the gravel turn-off to Merweville.

BLK · « **Reply #31 on:** January 19, 2014, 01:41:55 pm »

Nice RR,thks

DASKOP · « **Reply #32 on:** January 19, 2014, 04:12:45 pm »

The recent rains had filled many of the "driffies" as was the case at The "Old Blockhouse". I walked the first section to check the grade of slipperiness, then decided to just go for it. It fortunately went off without a hitch.

About 20km from Merweville, I noticed the warning triangle come on and saw that the fuel warning was flashing. The range indicated a distance of 49 km. How accurate was this gadget? I had never taken my fuel level down this low. How could I make such a rookie mistake?

I considered stopping at a farm house and asking for some petrol, but the last one I saw was about 20 km back. Now there is nothing else but to push on and hope for the best.

I made it to Merweville, found the 2 pumps like an oasis in the desert and I could breathe normally again. Then it was on to Prins Albert Road. This road is under construction and will soon be all tar.

Unfortunately most of these photos are lost at this stage.

Pepe · « **Reply #33 on:** January 19, 2014, 06:46:28 pm »

Pragtige wereld waardeur jy gery het, dit bring goeie herinneringe terug.
Ek geniet die trip, wag vir die res.

JMOL · « **Reply #34 on:** January 19, 2014, 07:18:03 pm »

Ek ry saam - gooi

frans1 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 19, 2014, 09:01:09 pm »

Hi lekker RR.

Some very interesting roads.

Gooi can't waite for the rest to come

CrazyHorse · « **Reply #36 on:** January 19, 2014, 09:14:09 pm »

Nice RR
The photo of your bikenext to the old oxwagon is a true classic!!

DASKOP · « **Reply #37 on:** January 19, 2014, 09:32:52 pm »

Thanks for the feedback guys. It was an absolutely amazing ride. I am just very disappointed that I lost so many photos. Will just have to do it again some time to take some new photos.

Man from Nam · « **Reply #38 on:** January 19, 2014, 09:45:47 pm »

Very nice RR and photies
I enjoyed it

Thanks for sharing

Man from Nam · « **Reply #39 on:** January 19, 2014, 10:01:16 pm »

Very nice RR and photies
I enjoyed it

Thanks for sharing