A Beautiful sunrise greeted me on my last morning in Golden Gate National Park. I had packed the evening before so I was ready for an early start.
I had only around 200 km to ride to my next overnight so I was able to take my time and stop here and there just to sit and chill. The ride out of the national park was excellent with lots of sightings of different breeds of bok as well as the usually stunning scenery.
I tried to stay off the main highways where I could and take the smaller tar and gravel roads. Katie the KLR just loves gravel. Note to Cape Bike Rentals who have supplied me with Katie, get some more klr’s!
My destination for that evening was the famous Rorkes Drift. Named after the film starring Michael Caine…….( NO…not really )
I had briefly visited Rorkes Drift a couple of years ago but by car and it was just passing through during a long days drive. This time I was staying over and took the opportunity to stop and visit the Rorkes Drift Museum. For the uninformed this is where the British army was surrounded by some 4000 Zulu warriors who were part of a Zulu Impi who had earlier that same day 22nd January 1879 had attacked and killed some 1300 British troops at nearby Isandlwana. The story of the battle has been very loosely portrayed in the movies but the museum shows the true stories of magnificent bravery on both sides.
My overnight accommodation was to be at the wonderfully located Rorkes Drift Lodge. Just 5km from the village centre along a dirt road ( brilliant on the bike!!! ) this lodge is set amidst the battle grounds and looks across a landscape steeped in history. With a mix of fully catered and self catering family units its a retreat not to be missed. The bird life just around the lodge itself it amazing. I saw black headed oriels, Hammerkops, Ibis and numerous other beautiful birds.
In the morning as I left I was greeted by this smiling bunch of school children on their way to the local school. These kids walk the 5km everyday to their lessons. Seen here in a dry river bed, when it is flowing they must remove their shoes and wade across as there is no bridge. Makes you think doesn’t it when the uk schools will close at the first sign of snow!!!
So my ride this day was to be the longest yet. Because of my commitments re dates in other places I had to push hard and ride from Rorkes Drift in KZN to Hazy View in Mpumalanga. This was around 600km on a mix of gravel and potholed tar. But hey it’s all good fun. I was to stay with my friends Pete and Carol who run Kendrick Imports in the Uk. They supply the likes of National Geographic with Rouge clothing and Boots. Dig the hat!!! Dankie Pete!!
Whilst I was there we also found and released this young Rock Python which for the short time he was with us we named Nickleback. ( Rockstar……get it???)
Onward the next day to my current location Moholoholo Forest Camp. I have been coming here since 2000. This is the place I have been dong my bush guide training for the last 9 years and where I also recently obtained my Level two track and sign qualification. I help out around the camp with duties from building work to guiding guests on game drives and bush walks. It’s sooooo hard staying here. For now that’s it… Will be back on the road trip as of Friday morning but will write a piece on my time here in FC later. Hope you are enjoying so far. Please feel free to share this blog with friends from the website.
Happiness is a lion cub with a full tummy!!
AJ
