Kleinplasie - the return trip

At the Annual Tour to Kleinplasie there were a number of raffle prizes after supper. The wife and I bought one raffle ticket. We won a gift voucher for the Dros – at Oudtshoorn. There was NO way I am driving all the way back to Oudtshoorn for a “lunch ticket”. Chris and Belinda Dunn won a weekend at Kleinplasie. After the prize giving I went over to Chris and Belinda to give them the meal voucher for when they did make use of their weekend at Kleinplasie. I was totally speechless when Belinda looked at me and indicated that their schedule would not allow them to come back, and she proceeded to give me the prize of a weekend at Kleinplasie. A few minutes later I had also received a Spur meal voucher and a voucher to go feed elephants. Keisie, en route to KOO ValleyKeisie, en route to KOO Valley We then invited my mom and a friend along for the weekend. On Friday 16 November we left Bellville and drove to De Doorns to pick up my mom’s friend. A few kilometers further we turned right to go through the KOO valley. What a ride!! Who’s in for a 400 km round trip on 16 or 17 December (all tar)? Stall outside Oudtshoorn - READ noticeStall outside Oudtshoorn - READ notice Montaque, onto Barrydale for some light liquid refreshment. It was just after 6:00 pm when we drove into Oudtshoorn. It was not long before the braai fires were burning high. Three BABIES, with their trainerThree BABIES, with their trainer Saturday morning the older ladies were treated to coffee in bed. It took more than gentle persuasion to convince these two ladies to leave their normal coffee and toast for a full buffet breakfast. Again, Kleinplasie outdid itself with a perfect buffet. Greta playing with a gentle giantGreta playing with a gentle giant Shortly after, the wife and I left to go to Buffelsdrift to feed the elephants. Buffelsdrift has only been around for a few years. It is 7 km out of Oudtshoorn, in the direction of the caves. A few years ago they bought three orphaned baby elephants, which are now about 5 years old. They are basically 6-foot toddlers. The single word that best describe them – playful. They each eat about 150 kg of food per day. For these feeding sessions buckets with little pieces of fruit and vegetables are used. The pieces are about the size of a medium apple that has been cut into 8 pieces. When you hold out your hand with a piece of this food, the elephant picks it up very gently with its trunk. If you hold your fist closed and say “open – open”, the elephant lifts its trunk high and opens its mouth, you can then put the food directly onto its tongue. There is just no way that I can explain to you the joy of playing with these giant baby elephants. If you are ever in the region – it is absolutely worth doing. There is a short section with very loose surface – no good for on road bikes. Just leave your bike at the gate, at security, and walk in, it is well worth it!! Latest poster in our braai-room :)Latest poster in our braai-room :) We had lunch with the one voucher, and then moved to the other establishment for desert. The ladies rested while we had an afternoon swim. Almost forgot to tell you, the weather was perfect. No wind and the temperature stayed below 30. What a perfect day. Todlers at playTodlers at play Just as I thought it could not get any better, a group of Ulysis riders pulled in. I spotted 2 V-stroms, I think all the other bikes were BMW’s. Even a proper RT – see below. What a beautiful bike.What a beautiful bike. On Sunday morning my mom was not very happy when I brought her coffee in bed – just after 5:00. By 6:00 we were well on our way to Sedgefield. At Sedgefield I walked down to the beach with my mom’s friend. Her late husband used to fish. You could see the emotions on her face. After coffee at my aunt’s in Sedgefield we turned back towards the Cape. Fortunately we were stopped at the roadwork outside Wilderness – probably the best forced stop ever. Best Stop-Go, everBest Stop-Go, ever One more coffee in Swellendam, at my mom’s aunt. 82 years old and she is still living alone in a big house, just as young as Cheezy. Spring in the step and still completely “with it”. We then headed back to Suurbraak and Barrydale to go to Country Pumpkin to test the rumors of their Sunday roast. Perfect. Yes, the “camera-man” in Barrydale even works on Sundays. Barrydale's "camera man". :(Barrydale's "camera man". :( Back through the KOO valley towards De Doorns. After a quick cool-drink we headed back home. To everybody that had some part in putting this “vouchered” weekend together, THANK YOU. Greta and myself enjoyed it. There is no way that I can explain to you what this meant to these two widows.

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Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01
Chris it is gestures such as those and many others, small perhaps in appearance but large of heart, on which humanity depends. The club`s acceptance of Jane with her bike has meant a lot to us both.
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Joined: 2007/06/25
Hey Padlangs, wat is nou jou storie? I am 37 years of age and just in case you cannot count I celebrate my birth date 14 May 1941 every year. If you were married to Jean you too would look 37 years old. Bum in the saddle, always.

Think before you ink.

Trust is the most valuable asset.

I have the rest of my life to get old.

Padlangs (not verified)
For the new members that does not know Jane. Jane is "vertically challenged". She rides a Honda Baby Blade 400cc. Many attempts have been made to find a BMW bike that is low enough for her to reach the ground. Even a 650 GS with a specially lowered seat is way to high. When we went to Kleinplasie Oudtshoorn for the annual gathering Jane could not get away from work - she left Cape Town at 16:05 and drove up to Riversdale - ALL ON HER OWN. When she phoned Niel from Heidelberg it was decided that she will drive straight through to Oudtshoorn. Niel and I left Kleinplasie at about 9:30 and rode towards Mosselbay in the dark - well actually in the glow of the full moon. Just outside Mosselbay we joined up with Jane and rode back to Oudtshoorn. On the way back from Oudtshoorn Jane even did a long stretch on gravel roads with her Honda!! Jane is the sweetest young lady - BUT do NOT try to "dice" her. She WILL keep up, and most probably leave you way behind. A true biker at heart. So now you know why a Honda rider is welcomed into our midst. JaneJane
Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01
Kind words,thanks Chris. The photo is a bit dated:her hair has been cut:too many knots from windblast,a hole in screen from a stone,and those tyres, bald like Cheesy`s forehead have gone to the Big Tyre in the sky.In 17 months she has done 29000KM [2 months of which it was being repaired after trying to ride like Freak ,in a gutter : after an impatient BMW car driver pulled out overtaking the car in front of him ;she was already along side him !I saw the whole event in my mirror ,including the bike headlight on , spiraling down the road.]
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Joined: 2007/06/25
A true biker chick of note, Jane!! Jean & I enjoyed your company on the ride from Prince Albert to George to see Ashley and then back to Oudtshoorn. Did you enjoy the Outinaqua Pass, This rates as the # 1 in the country. We have watched you grow in confidence as a person and rider You are a star!!! It is wonderful to see someone passionate about ones hobby/sport. Bum in the saddle, always.

Think before you ink.

Trust is the most valuable asset.

I have the rest of my life to get old.