West Coast Crayfish Nov2008

Neil Terry's picture
This was to have been a trip I missed, but at about 4.30 pm on the Friday...(it had been a hellava week) I phoned Geoff whilst driving out of Stellenbosch with my staff in the Kombi, and miraculously he answered,...short chat: ...may I ride up tomorrow morning and join the group...Geoff: "I'll call you tonight". He phoned and gave me the go-ahead so I was up till a bit after midnight getting ready...aiming for a 4am departure, well was away by 4.20 into light rain/ heavy mist? The initial ride on the N7 was slow due to the poor visibility caused by the mist and my fear of back-ending an unlit vehicle. Fortune smiled on me, a car came along at speed, I picked it up, following at a good distance....I may play medic shortly! What was it PeteO and Andyman said.....?:-) I was able to run with them until Mooreesburg, where they turned and by now there was enough light for accelerated travel.:-) I ran on to Clanwilliam where I filled up, then on to Klawer Wimpy for coffee and a small bite, I was aiming for an 8.00 arrival but my 20 min late departure had thrown things out, as had the rain. The Namakwa Sands mineThe Namakwa Sands mine The Vredendal/Lutzville areaThe Vredendal/Lutzville area The Vredendal/Lutzville area 2The Vredendal/Lutzville area 2 The Vredendal/Lutzville area 3The Vredendal/Lutzville area 3 Next stop was fill-up at Lutzville and on to the Coast for the ride into Jurg se Kaya. A fog bankA fog bank I arrived at I think about 8.40 to have Hennie, Corné and Chris Boltman verbally pushed and shoved me to Groenrivier..."They have only just left, hurry and you will catch them" Ja BUT this is the BEST (read worst) of the West Coast sand and at least 20/25 km of it,it then gets a little easier....fool that I am I went after them, after off loading tent and other kit. Caught them about 8 km after the pan into the Groenrivier section. A group stopA group stop At GroenrivierAt Groenrivier En route to GariesEn route to Garies On the return to J se KOn the return to J se K The dam: In the previous pic we had stopped on the wall of this small dam.The dam: In the previous pic we had stopped on the wall of this small dam. The rest of the ride was easier then on to Garies for lunch. On this section Dale picked up a piece of a triangular file in his rear tyre...so onto trailer...this was fixed later in the afternoon at Jurg se Kaya. Jurg Hennie and Co. with a quad.Jurg Hennie and Co. with a quad. Geoff's  bike when he needs a Zimmer Frame to walk!Geoff's bike when he needs a Zimmer Frame to walk! Geoff on a QuadGeoff on a Quad The tool-kit the club purchased for the back-up trailer became useful. Fixing Dale's punctureFixing Dale's puncture Fixing Dale's punctureFixing Dale's puncture The Club's Tool Kit: After this one of the gents donated a few more items..Thanks Buddy!The Club's Tool Kit: After this one of the gents donated a few more items..Thanks Buddy! The Club's Tool Kit 2The Club's Tool Kit 2 A damn fine supper was had that night...Jurg's crayfish soup had a little garlic in it! (West coast quantity) Well all the vampires took-off at first mouthful for Zimbabwe, ...no chance of acquiring AIDS...Manto I'm sure drank a toast to Jurg. Socially I saw little as I was out soon after 8.30, but Geoff was nodding- off earlier!:-) Sunday we departed for the Salt pans here Buddy and I departed from the group as I had promised to be back early!.... Was in the release document I signed with Jane!:-) On the way in the scenery around Klawer/Vredendal/Lutzville is beautiful.. my hurried pics which I only took on the way back don't do it justice, perhaps a 2-4 day trip would be a good idea. The railway bridge 1The railway bridge 1 The railway bridge 2The railway bridge 2 The railway bridge 3The railway bridge 3 Vredendal areaVredendal area Buddy and I stopped in Klawer Wimpy for coffee and a bite, then home. This Wimpy is well worth a stop as the service is excellent! Clanwilliam areaClanwilliam area Thanks to all,especially the divers, t'was a great one.

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rynet's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/17
Great read thanks Neil , and some nice pictures too :) ''"4 wheels move the body,'' ''2 wheels move the soul"''
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Buddy's picture
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Joined: 2007/12/21
I might just add, that 2 GS's (1x1200 & 1x1150) indulging in some low flying along the N7 between Klawer and Cape Town have a quite remarkable sound! ;) Thanks for the report, and use of your compressor Neil. Buddy Out there where we all belong.
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Joined: 2008/03/15
Can I come next time?