After yesterday’s no show, we were ready to resume our journey today, and despite the light drizzle that fell last night, getting the bike loaded and down to the mill for a final goodbye proved no problem at all, apart from the close shave with the pillars on the exit from the clubhouse !
The Swaziland Plantation team gathered around the bike and after a lot of ribbing, I was ready for today’s ride. We took the obligatory team photo and then after a hug from Guy, and a promise to look after myself, I was off… I motored up past the sawmill and out of the main gate, a lump in my throat as I wondered when I would see Guy again…
A brisk and misty start at Swaziland Plantations...
J.P., Herman, Hendrik and Guy gather to see me off...
I made good time to the border at Ngwenya, riding the road I knew so well at a steady clip, feeling the bike sweep through the turns under me with just a touch too much “wallowing”, reminding me to get my tyres back up to the correct pressure at the service station at the border.
For once, Oshoek was not busy, and within 20 minutes of arriving there, I was back in South Africa with the run to Ermelo, via Warburton and Chrissiesmeer ahead of me. A light drizzle kept the road wet and the mist came down in a thick curtain, ensuring that I remained focused…
Riding at speed through this keeps you on your toes...
Just in case you missed the sign saying Welcome to South Africa, this is a reminder of exactly where you now are... Back in the R of S.A. !!!
I passed another of those signs that always made me smile and then it was into the “Grasslands and Wetlands of South Eastern Mpumalanga”. This area is dotted with open pans, some big enough to be called lakes, and as a result of the abundant water, Chrissiesmeer is known as the frog capital of South Africa. Groups of Amphibian enthusiasts scour the pans at night, collecting and counting frogs, and then reminding all and sundry how we are cocking up the planet… I guess someone’s gotta do it !! I would join them, but for the time being I can think of better things to do on a cold and wet night, than clambering around in the mud in a pair of foul-smelling wellingtons, waving a net about and shouting, “Ooh, look, I’ve got one !! And it’s covered in warts !! And now it’s pissed all over me!!”……
...Then keep them off the road !!!!
You have to love the “Bunny-Huggers”…., for the amusement value they bring, at the very least…!!
© GBWT 2010
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