Day 2:
We arrived in Marienthal to refuel and had a nice brekkie at the Wimpy. We also stopped at a local Supermarket for additional supplies (more beer) before setting off South eastwards towards Koës. The road was really good and we managed to get there shortly after lunch. Having never been there before, we searched around to refuel but had to leave this for later as the bulk tanks were being filled at the same time.
We took the first turnoff which showed “rally” on the sign but we didn’t realize that the track would be quite so loose and sandy. We were even more surprised to find a dune at the end which we had to get over. I managed to get the rig there but WWH bought a piece of Koës sand at the beginning of the track and shattered her wind deflector, broke off one of her mirrors, ripped a strap out of her new Enduristan bags and twisted the forks and handlebars.
Shumbungu’s Apache also decided at this time to seriously start farting and burping but he managed to get over the dune with some coaxing. Apparently the fault started some 30km before Koës.
We returned with the help of a friendly local to the scene and Shimbungu managed to ride WWH’s XT over the dune.
Once at the Pan, we cracked a cold one or two, met with Rickus and Eugene and found out we were the first Wild dogs to arrive. We hung about for a bit watching the racing while Shimbungu desperately tried to find out what was upsetting Apache’s digestive system.
Eventually, Eugene took us to the campsite (using an easier route across part of the pan). By this time, WWH had taken off all the ATGATT she had on and made quite a scene riding the XT over the pan in front of the spectators wearing only cycling shorts, T-shirt, adventure boots and a helmet. It should have been a picture for “Girls with Bikes”!
When we got to the campsite, Peter was already there. We started setting up our tents over the straw bales provided (thanks Rickus and Eugene!) and while we were busy, the rest of the Dogs started to arrive. At last there was the opportunity to personally meet people who were only known previously from the Forum. Nimmo, JC, ChrisL and Weskus to name a few.
We got the fire going and started heating up last night’s leftover lambshank. We had a very good chat to the rest of the Dogs and I laughed myself silly at the stories coming out. All of this to the accompaniment of various rev limiters doing their job in the distance.
WWH felt a little bit left out at times as some of the manne’s grasp of the Rooitaal after a few drinks became more and more limited. Anyway, most of the stories are probably better not translated, especially in female company. After Rickus/ Eugene brought the braai packs, things got going at full tilt. Some left for the Boerevereninging saal to attend the festivities but we spent the rest of the night sitting by the fire, busting a gut at the stories coming out, e.g. when Weskus arrived back in a cloud of dust and started relating the details of an altercation that took place earlier at the hotel.
I eventually crawled into my tent at some late hour. The night was cold and it did not help that I’d broken the zip on my sleeping bag. I had to sleep with my jacket on! I got chased out by the law (of nature) now and again and as usual, this corresponded with the time I was most comfortable.
Topic: KOES AND OTHER PLEASANT PLACES (Read 1119 times)
