It’s 11 30 and the kids are safe in Bray- the gravel road is in a very bad condition and I think they were relieved when the Dr in Bray’s wife, a Mrs Barnard, stopped and offered them a lift for the last 30 km’s which they gladly accepted. Abe says the people are so incredibly friendly and we need especially to mention MC Eloff, the kind gentleman where they are sleeping over this evening, who has just handed over the keys to his Land Cruiser station wagon to them to drive around in and for them to cross the Botswana border quickly if they want to go and have a look! Abe has managed to find our old house ( it was never our home) just across the road from the school and they are now having lunch in a restaurant owned by a guy who was at Boland Landbou with Abe- he has just recently moved to Bray- Abe says “ Ma, ons altwee skrik ons vrek toe ons mekaar sien!” They sound so happy and say they love us all.
Heading towards Seeis
Peta took this picture as she saw them approach in the distance
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Day 10 - News just in from Voorspoed
Karin just checked in, they are getting settled for the night. They were offered an abandoned house for the night.
She is very excited as they have a fireplace and some trees outside to use for wood.
The "tannie" in the shop has invited them over for supper, they will be having steak.
WHAT A TREAT!!
Once again I have asked for some photographs of the bikes etc, but Karin has to save her battery.
She is very excited as they have a fireplace and some trees outside to use for wood.
The "tannie" in the shop has invited them over for supper, they will be having steak.
WHAT A TREAT!!
Once again I have asked for some photographs of the bikes etc, but Karin has to save her battery.
Day 10 - Vryburg to Tosca
News in is that they are about 3 hours from Tosca. This is a privately owned settlement about 150km's from Vryburg and about 70km's from Botswana. They are going strong and say the landscape is beautiful. In Orania they apparently met someone who gave them the details of an elderly lady who lives in Tosca and would be able to host them so I guess that is what they will try and do unless a different opportunity arises. I am amazed at the determination and the pace at which they are moving. They must have set out at dawn again today. I estimate they will do today in 10.5 hours or so if they have 3 hours to go.
They were caught in the rain in Ganyesa so stopped and took shelter on the verandah of the local Shoprite.
When they got to Tosca they chatted to the local shopkeeper who has an empty house. He offered it to them for the night. They have a braai so guess what - they are finally going to eat MEAT! In SA Texas last night they had delicious pizza. The shopkeeper actually lives in Bray so has invited them to stay over with him and his family tomorrow night. They were told the people of this area are very hospitable and very friendly. So far so good!
They were caught in the rain in Ganyesa so stopped and took shelter on the verandah of the local Shoprite.
When they got to Tosca they chatted to the local shopkeeper who has an empty house. He offered it to them for the night. They have a braai so guess what - they are finally going to eat MEAT! In SA Texas last night they had delicious pizza. The shopkeeper actually lives in Bray so has invited them to stay over with him and his family tomorrow night. They were told the people of this area are very hospitable and very friendly. So far so good!
Monday 28 November 2011
Two nerds on a tandem
Two nerds are riding along on a tandem, when suddenly, the one on the front slams on the brakes, gets off and starts letting air out of the tires. The one on the back says: "HEY! What are you doing that for!?" The first nerd says, "My seat was too high and was hurting my butt. I wanted to lower it a bit." So the one in the back has had enough. He jumps off, loosens his own seat and spins it round to face the other direction. Now it's the first guy's turn to wonder what's going on. "What are you doing?" he asks his friend."Look mate," says the rider in the back, "if you're going to do stupid stuff like that, I'm going home!
My chat with AJ and Karin
I just had a glorious chat with AJ and Karin. They are on a lovely farm about 7km's outside of Vryburg. They needed new tyres so they had to ride into town and back the 7km's to the farm. They are so high on adrenaline - they sound excited and happy.
They are sending humming balls to a higher order for MEAT for supper. They are desperate. Karin says that everyone who has hosted them has kindly served lasagne and noodles which probably helped them carboload but now they are ready for meat! Let's hope they get some.
Aj says the last day or so was really tough. it took them 8 hours to do 70 km's yesterday. In order to avoid wind and too many vehicles (the roads have no shoulders) they left Warrenton at 4.30 this morning. I was just thinking how beautiful that must be.
They met with a broken down Venture outside Taung filled with afrikaans speaking "dominees" and they stopped and chatted in typical AJ style. They were on their way to a meeting in Vryburg with 50 others from the surrounding areas. They were amazed at the tools AJ and Karin could unpack from their saddle bags and then proceeded to do a quick McGyver and got them back on the road.
AJ says he loves Vryburg. It looks like Namibia except that the Kameeldoring bome are 15 meters tall. Describes it as the Texas of SA. "Tannie hier verkoop hulle 5000 bees a dag op a veiling".
I asked him what Vryburg felt like so he said "Tannie dis 'n service centre, jy ry in dorp toe met jou land cruiser, deur moerse potholes, gooi jou diesel in, doen paar dinge, dan ry jy".
He also told me some interesting snippets about people in dogdom who breed Irish wolfhounds or as he says " wind hond op steroids met Lang hare". I have close association with Irish wolfhound breeders so before I tell you more I am going to find out more!
Oh yes and the dominee wanted to know whether they have accepted the Lord into their lives which he found interesting and was probably related to them being such good samaritans.
Karin also says AJ's legs are looking really hot with the V's so she does not mind him leading the way at times. He promised to send us a pic of the V's in 4 days time! Such vanity!
They are sending humming balls to a higher order for MEAT for supper. They are desperate. Karin says that everyone who has hosted them has kindly served lasagne and noodles which probably helped them carboload but now they are ready for meat! Let's hope they get some.
Aj says the last day or so was really tough. it took them 8 hours to do 70 km's yesterday. In order to avoid wind and too many vehicles (the roads have no shoulders) they left Warrenton at 4.30 this morning. I was just thinking how beautiful that must be.
They met with a broken down Venture outside Taung filled with afrikaans speaking "dominees" and they stopped and chatted in typical AJ style. They were on their way to a meeting in Vryburg with 50 others from the surrounding areas. They were amazed at the tools AJ and Karin could unpack from their saddle bags and then proceeded to do a quick McGyver and got them back on the road.
AJ says he loves Vryburg. It looks like Namibia except that the Kameeldoring bome are 15 meters tall. Describes it as the Texas of SA. "Tannie hier verkoop hulle 5000 bees a dag op a veiling".
I asked him what Vryburg felt like so he said "Tannie dis 'n service centre, jy ry in dorp toe met jou land cruiser, deur moerse potholes, gooi jou diesel in, doen paar dinge, dan ry jy".
He also told me some interesting snippets about people in dogdom who breed Irish wolfhounds or as he says " wind hond op steroids met Lang hare". I have close association with Irish wolfhound breeders so before I tell you more I am going to find out more!
Oh yes and the dominee wanted to know whether they have accepted the Lord into their lives which he found interesting and was probably related to them being such good samaritans.
Karin also says AJ's legs are looking really hot with the V's so she does not mind him leading the way at times. He promised to send us a pic of the V's in 4 days time! Such vanity!
Day 9 - Warrenton to Vryburg
They are safely in Vryburg on a farm with a friend of a friend. Thank you kind friend! They are about to have a swim and rest their weary bones. They got an early start this morning after yesterday's bad experience with the wind.
Well, in a day or two they head into Botswana. A whole new chapter! I am so enjoying this experience with them and everyday that they continue and persevere I get more excited. I re-live in a way our trek in the Annapurna last year and what we achieved. Was flipping incredible!
Well, in a day or two they head into Botswana. A whole new chapter! I am so enjoying this experience with them and everyday that they continue and persevere I get more excited. I re-live in a way our trek in the Annapurna last year and what we achieved. Was flipping incredible!
Sunday 27 November 2011
Warrenton
Warrenton is a small town in the Nothern Cape between Kimberley and Vryburg, also not too far from Jan Kempdorp. I think my Gran came from Jan Kempdorp and my big sisters first train journey was to "JKD". Anyway back to Warrenton.
Warrenton is on the banks of the Vaal River in the Vaal-Harts irrigation scheme area.
It is about 75km's from Kimberley, which was arid country. Diamonds were found in Kimberley and in 1870 and because of the rush soon there was a huge demand for food. A farm was bought on the Vaal River where they produced vegetables for Kimberley. This was the beginnings of the town of Warrenton. In 1888 diamonds were discovered in this area, leading to another diamond rush, and a town. Mining only stopped in 1926. In 1948 Warrenton became a minicipality.
The town was named after Charles Warren who was a Cape Colony Commissioner.
Warrenton is on the banks of the Vaal River in the Vaal-Harts irrigation scheme area.
It is about 75km's from Kimberley, which was arid country. Diamonds were found in Kimberley and in 1870 and because of the rush soon there was a huge demand for food. A farm was bought on the Vaal River where they produced vegetables for Kimberley. This was the beginnings of the town of Warrenton. In 1888 diamonds were discovered in this area, leading to another diamond rush, and a town. Mining only stopped in 1926. In 1948 Warrenton became a minicipality.
The town was named after Charles Warren who was a Cape Colony Commissioner.
Day 8 - Kimberley to Warrenton
AJ checked in at about 2 pm this afternoon. Having a really bad day. He reckons the worst so far. The wind was really strong and almost blew them off the road. They say it is not a pretty part of the country - strangely scary. My sister Peta, AJ's mom persuaded him not to push closer to Vryburg but to rather find a small guesthouse and get off the road. By 4 we heard that they had found a little place to stay and as they moved their bikes indoors the heavens opened and a huge thunderstorm knocked out the entire town's power. Needless to say they are gratefully for cover and warmth. So is the family! Good call guys.
Saturday 26 November 2011
Word from Karin - yeah!
Hi there dear family members, Karin here! firstly Collete thank you so much this blog is something special :)
Believe it or not we have made it to Orania in one piece, although my crancky knees and female bits disagree completely! I must admit the first day was a day I would not like to experience again. We had EVERY type of weather, and the the miggies ohh THE MIGGIES!!!! (all they wanted to do was sit on my eye balls, I discovered a vocab I never thought I had!! For lunch we just lay in a farmers driveway eating our RICE with our sporks (we should be sponsored by tastic) I think the ride we took to Cradock, I was most definitely high on enerjellies (we did 140km) That night we slept on a beautiful farm, WITH A BATH!!! now the problem with that was..... my ankles and my hands were burnt- so I found myself lying in the bath with all four limbs hanging outside the bath- (try imagine me getting out)- no good!!!! On the road to Middleburg we were stalked by a ballie on a Harley Davidson and a very sexy bandanna. He was planting four crosses on the furthest points of SA, which I thought was quite beautiful:) near Philipstown we had to start searching for a home for the night. Up until this point we were living like kings (we had entered Dutchman land, so my Xhosa sweet talking had reached its end) The first ballie turned us down- something about the vroutjie taking the high road- anyway on our second attempt we decided to be a bit more persistent- sommer started putting in the pegs!!! that night I found myself bathing in a blow up pool in the back garden :) we now sitting in Orania on the river- we have had a chance to have a good swim, now we get to sink our teeth into some braai vleis!- (NO RICE) lots of love from the both of us- we love the support we getting :) xx liefde
Believe it or not we have made it to Orania in one piece, although my crancky knees and female bits disagree completely! I must admit the first day was a day I would not like to experience again. We had EVERY type of weather, and the the miggies ohh THE MIGGIES!!!! (all they wanted to do was sit on my eye balls, I discovered a vocab I never thought I had!! For lunch we just lay in a farmers driveway eating our RICE with our sporks (we should be sponsored by tastic) I think the ride we took to Cradock, I was most definitely high on enerjellies (we did 140km) That night we slept on a beautiful farm, WITH A BATH!!! now the problem with that was..... my ankles and my hands were burnt- so I found myself lying in the bath with all four limbs hanging outside the bath- (try imagine me getting out)- no good!!!! On the road to Middleburg we were stalked by a ballie on a Harley Davidson and a very sexy bandanna. He was planting four crosses on the furthest points of SA, which I thought was quite beautiful:) near Philipstown we had to start searching for a home for the night. Up until this point we were living like kings (we had entered Dutchman land, so my Xhosa sweet talking had reached its end) The first ballie turned us down- something about the vroutjie taking the high road- anyway on our second attempt we decided to be a bit more persistent- sommer started putting in the pegs!!! that night I found myself bathing in a blow up pool in the back garden :) we now sitting in Orania on the river- we have had a chance to have a good swim, now we get to sink our teeth into some braai vleis!- (NO RICE) lots of love from the both of us- we love the support we getting :) xx liefde
Waar's die Besem?
Hi Darling, (addressed to me) I see you received the letter to Abe. Now I must take the next step and be able to respond to the blog.(I'm going to have to teach her)
My next response needs to be. Appropo the camp meal. I don't see a broom there. How the devil do they keep the place tidy? thought they would enjoy that. I had just come in from sweeping the tons of leaves outside. Love Ouma
My next response needs to be. Appropo the camp meal. I don't see a broom there. How the devil do they keep the place tidy? thought they would enjoy that. I had just come in from sweeping the tons of leaves outside. Love Ouma
Hopetown - there is a story!
I knew it - There is a story behind the name. The legend goes something like this. Michiel van Niekerk who owned the farm on which Hopetown was established, gave his wife a necklace. She lost the necklace after he died. One of her helpers made a tin copy from memory, and they nailed it to the entrance of the farmhouse. The house was demolished after the necklace was carefully removed and placed above the door of another farmhouse owned by the Curry's. The town got its name from this symbol because the necklace was a symbol of hope.
Hopetown was founded in 1858, and is the place where the first recorded diamond in South Africa was found. Who wOuld have thought Newton's apple has a rival! In 1866 a 15-year old boy, Erasmus Jacobs, was playing with a stone when a neighbor, Schalk van Niekerk, saw him. He spotted the potential value and got hold of it. Long story short it eventually ended up in the hands of the magistrate of Colesberg. Boyes tested it by carving the initials DP into his office window pane, which can still be seen. It was confirmed to be a 21,25 carat diamond. Sir Philip Woodhouse, Governor of the Cape, bought the stone for 500 British Pounds, quite an amount in those days. This stone is known as EUREKA.
A diamond rush started after mOre stones were found in the area, and after a Griqua witch doctor with the name Booi picked up an 83,5 carat diamond. This biggie is the Star of South Africa. Sadly for the hopefulls the rush brought no other major finds.
Hopetown was founded in 1858, and is the place where the first recorded diamond in South Africa was found. Who wOuld have thought Newton's apple has a rival! In 1866 a 15-year old boy, Erasmus Jacobs, was playing with a stone when a neighbor, Schalk van Niekerk, saw him. He spotted the potential value and got hold of it. Long story short it eventually ended up in the hands of the magistrate of Colesberg. Boyes tested it by carving the initials DP into his office window pane, which can still be seen. It was confirmed to be a 21,25 carat diamond. Sir Philip Woodhouse, Governor of the Cape, bought the stone for 500 British Pounds, quite an amount in those days. This stone is known as EUREKA.
A diamond rush started after mOre stones were found in the area, and after a Griqua witch doctor with the name Booi picked up an 83,5 carat diamond. This biggie is the Star of South Africa. Sadly for the hopefulls the rush brought no other major finds.
Diamonds are a girls best friend
Things are moving so fast .... News just in is that Nan and Bob - (Karin's parents) are accompanying them from Orania to Kimberley today. Looking at the plan this means they have about 189 km's to do today - a helluva ride if you ask me.
They have been relieved of their kit by Nan and Bob for this stretch so that should make some difference.
The road I guess is going to busier closer to a main centre like Kimberley. AJ, Karn go carefully we love you.
They will go via Hopetown - don't you just love the sound of that.
In Kimberley they are going to visit Oom Gert.
I am on a mission to find them a carrier for a mountain bike. I was going to courier it from Johannesburg to Kimberley this morning but they are moving so fast it might have to be Vryburg. There must surely be a half decent cycle shop in Kimberley?
To get back to those diamonds lookout for a post with another church but before that we simply have to go to Hopetoen.
They have been relieved of their kit by Nan and Bob for this stretch so that should make some difference.
The road I guess is going to busier closer to a main centre like Kimberley. AJ, Karn go carefully we love you.
They will go via Hopetown - don't you just love the sound of that.
In Kimberley they are going to visit Oom Gert.
I am on a mission to find them a carrier for a mountain bike. I was going to courier it from Johannesburg to Kimberley this morning but they are moving so fast it might have to be Vryburg. There must surely be a half decent cycle shop in Kimberley?
To get back to those diamonds lookout for a post with another church but before that we simply have to go to Hopetoen.
Friday 25 November 2011
Not a rescue mission - just love
Nan and Bob, Karin's parents are on their way to Orania to visit then. They left Kenton this afternoon - gonna be so nice. You all understand - sometimes as parents we just need to see for ourselves. We will catch up with them on their return and get the lowdown. Enjoy, enjoy enjoy!
Orania
Most of us are aware of Orania's history and there appears to be mixed reviews on it's success now some 20 years on. It was in 1990 just after Mandela was released that the Boshoff family bought the town for 200,000 USD. I am posting a link to a Wikipedia site with all sorts of info - they claim there is an Ora vs rand that is, their own flag, their own co-operative society and all sorts of systems geared around one of the guiding principles which is self-determination and self-sufficiency - so have a look see for yourself!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orania,_Northern_Cape
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orania,_Northern_Cape
Thursday 24 November 2011
Update from Abe & Karin
We cycled 143km's yesterday alone with a total of 533km's over the 5day period.
This is an average of a 106km's per day.
We had a wonderful braai and a good night's rest. Today we will go for a swim in the Oranje River. Our tent is pitched just 8 meters from the riverbank.
I have organised a guide to take us on a tour through town for free on a golf cart.
Lots of love and we will try to get internet access.
Day 5 - Hanover to Orania
News just in from Karin & Abe:
Arrived in Orania about an hour ago- i.e. 14h45- its beautiful here- clean and fresh.
We checked into the most beautiful camp site on the banks of the Oranje River. Headed off to town now, we need to buy some meat for a braai- seeing that it has been going so well and we are a day ahead of schedule, we will spend the day tomorrow in Orania, resting and washing etc- will sleep over here again tomorrow evening. Still no aches or pains.
Wednesday 23 November 2011
My thing with churches
You must have picked up by now that I just love small town churches.... always look out for the steeples from a distance as we approach.
Here is something you have to go and have a look at: Pictures of churches from around the world - http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2011/10/pictures-of-churches.html just fascinating.
Here is something you have to go and have a look at: Pictures of churches from around the world - http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2011/10/pictures-of-churches.html just fascinating.
End of Day 4
Abe & Karin are spending the night camping on a farm just outside of Phillipstown.
They cycled 120km's today all still going well.
No ache's and pains.
This will probably be their first night eating rice.
They cycled 120km's today all still going well.
No ache's and pains.
This will probably be their first night eating rice.
Boodskap van Ouma
I would like a letter of greetings to Abe and Karin to reach them. See what
you can do.
Abe, Abe, Abe, what an exciting thing this has become, with Blog and all.
Hope Karin is coping with the distances and you all at the same time. I don't see cycling helmets, do you have them and if so please wear them at all times. So far you have done extremely well and we're all madly impressed. I think this Blog has added some vooma to the expedition. it takes an unusual amount of guts to complete the task ahead, but I would say you two have proved you have got just that. I just wondered this afternoon, how this weighs up
against the Kilimanjaro and then the Annapurna trek. All the same characteristics and nerve are necessary and I must say that your mother's generation and now you chaps have definately taken a huge leap forward. I salute you. We are so worried about Colette just at the moment, she is'nt doing all that well. We will hear and know more tomorrow.
Lots of love to both of you and safe passage. Graham has drawn up a map so that I can plot your progress.
Love you. Ouma.
you can do.
Abe, Abe, Abe, what an exciting thing this has become, with Blog and all.
Hope Karin is coping with the distances and you all at the same time. I don't see cycling helmets, do you have them and if so please wear them at all times. So far you have done extremely well and we're all madly impressed. I think this Blog has added some vooma to the expedition. it takes an unusual amount of guts to complete the task ahead, but I would say you two have proved you have got just that. I just wondered this afternoon, how this weighs up
against the Kilimanjaro and then the Annapurna trek. All the same characteristics and nerve are necessary and I must say that your mother's generation and now you chaps have definately taken a huge leap forward. I salute you. We are so worried about Colette just at the moment, she is'nt doing all that well. We will hear and know more tomorrow.
Lots of love to both of you and safe passage. Graham has drawn up a map so that I can plot your progress.
Love you. Ouma.
You gotta love Phillipstown
Welcome
Phillipstown is located in a primarily farming region (wool industry and hunting lodges), and has a friendly rural nature. Established in 1863, it offers a safe and quiet lifestyle.
Philipstown is ideal for retirement, and is located 50km from De Aar, 270km from Bloemfontein and 270km from Kimberley.
Philipstown has a Dutch Reformed Church and a Reformed Church, 3 general dealers, post office, police station, magistrates court, clinic and ambulance service, service station and liquor store.
I pasted this verbatim from their information site - www.phillipstown.co.za not much more to say - we will wait for some pics over the weekend.
Phillipstown is located in a primarily farming region (wool industry and hunting lodges), and has a friendly rural nature. Established in 1863, it offers a safe and quiet lifestyle.
Philipstown is ideal for retirement, and is located 50km from De Aar, 270km from Bloemfontein and 270km from Kimberley.
Philipstown has a Dutch Reformed Church and a Reformed Church, 3 general dealers, post office, police station, magistrates court, clinic and ambulance service, service station and liquor store.
I pasted this verbatim from their information site - www.phillipstown.co.za not much more to say - we will wait for some pics over the weekend.
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