Ronnie's What?

Morning breaks while I wait to be picked up to get reunited with the Beast.
Life sprouting from decay and the circle continues... I made it to Century City and The Canal Walk shopping centre, signposting for the canal Walk was rather obscure though but after using some logic I figured out was going on, just sorry I took no pictures though. Got to Mug&Bean easily as I had parked right at the entrance it was at. Met H as well as our Union Rep! She was also visiting her kids in the Cape... H seems quite happy but we did not get much chance to talk... L was shopping! and only arrived after a while, she is having a ball with mom and I am glad they could be together again. Finished up mu brunch for the road and we said our goodbyes... I want to get home... somehow the song Missing is ringing in my head as I head north up the N1 to Worcester and the turnoff to Route 62...
The valley where my and M's favourite sauce is made! This is also the Koo valley that Route 62 goes through. Scenic beyond description.
Someone else doing Route 62 in a V12 Jaguar... fellow seekers of the highway's treasures...
A stiff breeze blows as I dismount at the den of iniquity that I had heard and read about... but do not judge a book by it's name.
The best bouncer in the Klein Karoo, if he growls at you, you are asked politely that your presence has offended the bouncer and that you had better be on your way... he never growled once while I was there...
Ronnie tending to his patrons needs, I wish I had more time to spend and hear about all the stories this interesting man has to tell... I will be back!
The road from here to Oudsthoorn was very good and had some good twisties especially outside Calitzdorp, fortunately it only got dark as I approached Oudtshoorn... I found the Yatclub that Ronnie had recomended very easily and they made me feel very welcome... I walked up the street to the Dros and had supper while watching the Sharks trounce WP... as I walked back Missing played in my head again...
Day 11 of 12 Days with Shrek

One last fling

Postnet's securicats...
The team, Rudi, Jan and Graham...
The steed and me in armour... that reflective harness made more than one motorist notice me...
On the way to Worcester before I saw the oil...
Stranded in a wooded glade, back at Mountain Breeze while Justin awaits the elusive seal...

Day 10 of 12 Days with Shrek

Independence day

Thar she blows! Humpback whales.
These Americans completley forgot that is was Independence Day for them... and for me as well.
I wonder who was more inquisitive?
Oy! That plane keeps buzzing us!
The Gentle Giants, Southern Right Whales.
Three abreast on the Starboard...
Gansbaai from the bay.
Back in harbour...
A very blurry squirrel... these were the most camera shy creatures of the whole day!
day 9 of 12 Days with Shrek

Goosing out the bay

The back of Helderberg mountain, in wine country...
Gansbaai harbour and a gull in perfect focus!
Kelp harvesters... how those boats do not sink beats me...
Shrek on the pier...
The bikers favourite roadsign = fun!

day 8 of 12 Days with Shrek

Cruising the Kloof's

08:30 and ready to roll...
halfway up...
and there is more ahead...
looking back...
more or less on the crest of the pass

Day 7 of 12 Days with Shrek

Mountain breezes

Kitted up and ready to roll again
Mountain view
KLR promo shot...
The other breed...

day 6 of 12 Days with Shrek

Wet, wet, wet

The front is here...
Getting some breakfast in Kleinmond
Wall of cloud rolling in over the mountains... this is gonna be wet!
Time to suit up and hope hope that the tires are also good in the wet.

Day 5 of 12 Days with Shrek

The Ferarri of Sorbet

I forgot the Camera! Set out for Hout Bay in the morning but by 10h30 I had to head back as fast as possible as I had to visit the dentist in Somerset West, found the N2 and kept to 120 all the way... made it with 10 minutes to spare! After sitting in the dentists chair with the best view I have ever had from the seat of torture I once again set out to visit the shop of a hundred flavours in Hout Bay and return via Chapmans Peak drive.
The Marinello's in Hout Bay make the best Sorbet south of Sicily. Period! And the Beast is feeling like a Ferrari as the engine loosens up...
I look back at this day with quite a bit of nostalgia... remembering the times when we used to sneak away from camp to "test the car" and go over Chapmans Peak to buy that heavenly Lichi sorbet... I hope I get to see H just to see if things are working out ok for her here were she has decided to start a new chapter in her life... just as I have in mine.
Day 4 of 12 Days with Shrek

Four passes and a bay

Some pics so long...
My temporary plates... picture taken just in case they tear off in the breeze...
Seems like this happened the night before, as there were no rubber marks on the tar I suspect that this may have been a black frost vitim. There is a lot of snow on the peaks.
We came from down there... super twisties!
Breakfast in Franschoek.
That is what life is all about, a bike, a beautifull setting and good food.
Several hours later and in Gordons Bay harbour...
The Naval College emblem on the mountain above Gordons Bay.
The precursors of the front over Cape Point on the horizon.
Another KLR Promo Picture. The point in the backround is back towards Gordons Bay... this road is awesome!
Looking up the mountain... no baboons today, just crazy bikers...

Day 3 of 12 Days with Shrek

From Zero to Heroes

Sunrise over Somerset West... 08h30! decided to take some pictures while waiting for Chris to play taxi for me. I see why it is called The Helderberg...
The early ladybird catches the aphid...
The HQ of my support team while staying here in the Cape.
The recent snow still on the Hottentots Holland mountains and it is cold... 12h00 and I am on my way to the mall to find an Internet Cafe, lunch and some distraction while the bike gets prepped by Justin and his team in the workshop. More about these great guys later...
People amaze me lately, is my enthusiasm so infectious? Diane at Sunglass World gave me a bag for my glasses after I explained what I was looking for and doing here... I mean she GAVE it to me while I wanted to pay. Bless them. I hope I can retain this positive outlook back at after the holidays.
Graham Phoned at 13h40 to say the bike is ready... I go all sweaty palmed and clammy skinned, this is like the first time on the KB360... At 14h00 I climb on the bike, get my feet secure and start it... The sound of pure pleasure but I was shaking, first took it for a spin around the parking, fortunately not many cars that side. It was AWESOME... then I went to fill the tank for the first time. 20.5 litres later and I am on my way to find the workshop in Victoria Road, to thank them and get a feel of the bike.
Made a date for the first service at 1000k and decided to do Sir Lowreys pass and then come back... ended up in Caledon! 169 kilos later I was back at the shop, picked some more kit, thermal underwear amongst others. That first ride got a tad chilly on the way back.
Then I headed back to Spook and Erica's place and got lost in the dark! Erica gave me direction from the Thai Food Restaurant and I found their place from there... that put another 20 odd kilos on so I was not worried... then they invited me for supper, a fitting end to a wonderful day filled with wonderful people.

Day 2 of 12 Days with Shrek