Sir Alex
Pack Dog
It was a long time coming for a bunch of us to visit (some) the Battlefields in northern Natal round Dundee-way - https://www.battlefieldslodge.co.za/Index.htm is where we parked off and is highly recommended. And the (long) weekend of 1 to 4 March was set aside and off we went, 8 of us, 7 Beemers and, one KTM, which was trailered down.
I fortunately managed to get a copy of a CD made by the late David Rattray on the Anglo Zulu / Boer War which is a definite plus if one visits these parts of our country?s history. Except for Willie, not one of us are exactly historical giants but in hindsight, such a tour and visit to this area is special and I am told that if you have the time you should go on a guided tour to get real value. BUT! ! ! ??. the fact that we did it on bikes on serious and sometimes fast dirt with some real technical stuff in between, just amplified the experience and enjoyment of the trip.
The total trip came to �± 2038 km which took us over Normandien Pass on our way there and back.
Friday we did a round trip from Dundee via amongst other smaller villages, Pomeroy, Tugela Ferry, Ngubevu, Kranskop, Nkandla, Jameson?s Drift, Nqutu and back to Dundee.
Saturday we left just after 07.00 and returned just after 19.00 via Blood River (where the Boers gave the Zulu?s carrots), Rorkes Drift (where the Brits gave the Zulus carrots and not commonly known, the most VC?s in history were awarded at this battle), Isandlwana (where the Zulus gave the Brits carrots) and Prince Imperial Memorial (where the Napoleon Dynasty came to an end as it was the nephew of Napoleon himself that was ambushed (hijacked) at this junction while fighting for the Brits). Four of us opted to also visit Dingaans kraal and Piet Retief?s grave, which was one hell of a trip, again passing through Nkandla and Nqutu and also including Babanango and Ulundi.
Just a comment on an observation while visiting these areas which included some shebeens / pubs in real isolated rural areas, where there was really never any agro or needle that one experienced. The people were always polite and friendly and the beers were always cold and to top it all, they only serve quarts!!
Is it not the Politicians that cause the complications in our beloved Country with the games they play, I ask?
Here some photos.....
Normandien Pass
Pomeroy in the Tugela basin
Tugela River
Sir Alex and some locals who was a bit camerashy
KTM Rider - Marius
Campsite which is very well equipped
LOCK AND LOAD !!
Watching Blood River video at the local auditorium at the battle site
The Laager and some GS'
Pub in the middle of literally nowhere.
And more ............
Willie (he's the Historian) has got have the smartest pyjama rods in town !
https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k191/cmadgwick/GSBattlefields012.jpg
And as Barry Hilton would say " Some serious Dutchman"
I fortunately managed to get a copy of a CD made by the late David Rattray on the Anglo Zulu / Boer War which is a definite plus if one visits these parts of our country?s history. Except for Willie, not one of us are exactly historical giants but in hindsight, such a tour and visit to this area is special and I am told that if you have the time you should go on a guided tour to get real value. BUT! ! ! ??. the fact that we did it on bikes on serious and sometimes fast dirt with some real technical stuff in between, just amplified the experience and enjoyment of the trip.
The total trip came to �± 2038 km which took us over Normandien Pass on our way there and back.
Friday we did a round trip from Dundee via amongst other smaller villages, Pomeroy, Tugela Ferry, Ngubevu, Kranskop, Nkandla, Jameson?s Drift, Nqutu and back to Dundee.
Saturday we left just after 07.00 and returned just after 19.00 via Blood River (where the Boers gave the Zulu?s carrots), Rorkes Drift (where the Brits gave the Zulus carrots and not commonly known, the most VC?s in history were awarded at this battle), Isandlwana (where the Zulus gave the Brits carrots) and Prince Imperial Memorial (where the Napoleon Dynasty came to an end as it was the nephew of Napoleon himself that was ambushed (hijacked) at this junction while fighting for the Brits). Four of us opted to also visit Dingaans kraal and Piet Retief?s grave, which was one hell of a trip, again passing through Nkandla and Nqutu and also including Babanango and Ulundi.
Just a comment on an observation while visiting these areas which included some shebeens / pubs in real isolated rural areas, where there was really never any agro or needle that one experienced. The people were always polite and friendly and the beers were always cold and to top it all, they only serve quarts!!
Is it not the Politicians that cause the complications in our beloved Country with the games they play, I ask?
Here some photos.....
Normandien Pass
Pomeroy in the Tugela basin
Tugela River
Sir Alex and some locals who was a bit camerashy
KTM Rider - Marius
Campsite which is very well equipped
LOCK AND LOAD !!
Watching Blood River video at the local auditorium at the battle site
The Laager and some GS'
Pub in the middle of literally nowhere.
And more ............
Willie (he's the Historian) has got have the smartest pyjama rods in town !
https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k191/cmadgwick/GSBattlefields012.jpg
And as Barry Hilton would say " Some serious Dutchman"
