Western & Northern Cape via the Karoo and a little Lesotho - A couple explores

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White Rhino

Race Dog
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Messages
3,930
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Location
Johannesburg *South Africa*
Bike
BMW R1200GS
The Western & Northern Cape is without a doubt an absolute must for Dual sport enthusiasts.

We were collected at the airport by one Operator, a WD who very kindly housed my bike for the week leading up to Easter, for us to collect. We didn't feel like wasting time getting down there, so shipping the bike& flying in seemed like  a good idea. Thanks Dewald. :thumleft:


The route would take us to the following places (** - overnight):
- Franschhoek **
- Ceres
- Citrusdal
- Cederberg **
- Clanwilliam
- Shelly Point **
- Calvinia **
- Prieksa **
- Kimberly
- The Centroid of SA
- Bloemfontein
- Fieksburg**
- Lesotho **
- Monatsha Pass
- Clarens **

Pretty much the route followed
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My wife and I started off the 2,800km trip with a fitting birthday celebration in a beautiful Camps bay restaurant, followed by a night in the spectacular town of Franschhoek before heading off to Cederberg.


Pictures tell the story …

The trusty steed all nice and shiny that would house our backsides for 9 days
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We hooked up with our African adventurer, Jo Rust, who received a gift from a fellow WD - silver chains - to be used as get out of jail cards
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Life's always better with a glass of wine - Camps bay - happy celebrations
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Overnighting in Franschhoek
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And this is what the morning presents ...
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Franschhoek Pass - always special in the early morning
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This is how the new colour scheme of the Blue Bulls was inspired
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Gydo Pass
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Bold mountains
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The elephant stones looked spectacular
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Overnighted somewhere in Mars
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Ending the day in celebration of this place
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Sunset over Mars
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Leaving Mars - off to Cederberg
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The Sky was very expressive
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Caught with her pants down by the rain
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Weather turned
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African sugar lumps
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And Karoo seaweed
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Part 2


We picked up a huge downpour in the Cederberg within spectacular surrounds, that we couldn't really appreciate or capture.  There are parts of the Cederberg that are very corrugated and stony - making for a very slow and uncomfortable ride, but the views are special.

On route to Shelly point, tar from Clanwilliam, we found ourselves sloshing along a muddy  road for several kms as a result of road works. This was without doubt the most stressful part of the trip with wife and luggage on board, the bike was sliding all over the place. It didn't help to have road tyres on either. Unfortunately the camera was packed away because of the rain.

Thanks Goodness the rain only  joined us for that day. :biggrin:


Sunset over Shelly Point
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Views from the golf course
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Indigenous vegetation on the beach
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Paternoster - a very special place - reminded me of the Greek islands
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This dude can set you back R30 bucks or R500 bucks, if you get caught buying from him
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On the Way towards the Karoo - Breakfast in Clanwilliam - this place had character (Yellow Aloe)
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Wired replicas of the local stock
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Leaving Clanwilliam - off to Calvinia - the vast Karoo
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Remains of some much needed rain
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Botterkloof pass in the Karoo - The Karoo has a way of drawing you in
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Arrived in Calvinia - Who says the Karoo doesn't have class - the Blue Nartjie in Calvinia - good overnight spot
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Lazy afternoon with the B&B's oversized worshond and wine - of course
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They only collect post once a year in Calvinia, it seems
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Leaving Calvinia and on to Prieska

At times it looks like the road goes on forever
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And then you're presented with …
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And the occasional rocky patch, but mostly great riding surfaces
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Like these
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Social weaver nests on route
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Prieska is an impressive well cared for town, it even has a Foschini
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Our spot in Prieska - The Gecko lodge
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We met up with another WD, ETS and his good wife, Lex who turned out to be hosts of distinction, they opened their home and hearts to people they had only just met. Shot guys, we loved your hospitality :thumleft:
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Off to Kimberly - we decided to seek the origins of a girl's best friend

Part of the Kimberly mine restored
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The bridge over towards to Hole
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A mother of a hole
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My wife clutching the Culinan diamond replica - sure puts a huge smile on a lady
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After Kimberly, we sought out the place where you could balance South Africa - we planted a Flower in the closest  spot to the physical location - in an ant hill. Its about 40km East of Kimberly on the way to Bloemfontein near Pardeberg. They are doing roadworks there, so I don't expect the flower to last very long.


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Part 3 (final)

Heading to Ficksburg
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Great time of the year to travel - trees changing colour
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The back roads to Ficksburg
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In Lesotho heading towards Maliba Lodgec- chaos at the border towns
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Sharing roads
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The road conditions change all the time - but the backdrop remains picture perfect
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Mr Delivery
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Erosion
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1 carrot per km mode of transport
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Second hand vehicle - stranded
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Arriving at Maliba Lodge

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KTM okes would fall in love with the colour scheme here
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The ancient game
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We landed with our asses in this - the honeymoon suite :biggrin:
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This is what dawn had to offer …
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Breakfast for newly weds :biggrin:
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Cosmos in bloom
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The back roads out of Lesotho - towards Monatsha Pass

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We had a moment and nearly bough some land after crossing a 15m river and heading up a steep slope while goats were being herded down. We had the thin edge of the road where all the tennis ball rocks collect, back wheel spinning - ass clenched. Reminded me of Sani over Easter sharing the road with the cars on the final ascent.

We took 2.5 hours to do 50kms. Was spectacular.

Back in SA

Golden Gate - weathered rock formations and colourful
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Arriving in Clarens
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Sunset  in Clarens
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Never eat on an empty stomach
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Leaving Clarens

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That's all folks :thumleft: thanks for taking an interest.

 
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