Was a little nippy and the dust from the vehicles hung in the thick air and it was not blue skies, and the mountains were not sharply focused. Had to stop in at Solitaire of course for the apple pie and met a couple of French cyclists that were heading north, poor bastards on a bicycle on these sandy, rocky roads, utmost respect.The route is rather scenic with the beautiful endless yellow yellow grass and mountains rising in the distance, something my lame pictures just can't capture.
The last 120km suck, its just flat sand into Wallis Bay, then you head N for 36km to Swakopmund, Alte Brucke campground is the place to stay, nice grass and your own ablutions (R350).
I stopped off at the Yamaha dealer as I needed some work done, I met Gino there the last time i was up here, but he's no longer there so they gave me his number, as i wanted to take him for a beer as he had helped me so much the last time, but the number did not work..
Went Tiger Reef for Calamari and a hearty salad and a few cold Hansa and the waitress ended up helping me with my phone issues and got it all sorted.
DAY 11
Took my bike in for an oil change and have my pannier rack welded as it had broken. Toured the town which is 130 years old this week and joined in the celebrations and got a slice of cake and a bottle of water.
On my way back to pick up my bike I saw a guy arrive at the Cafe on an 800GS. I walked up to him and said hey Gino how do you like those tyres you have, then said you are Gino Rossi right ? He was perplexed that I knew him and then I jogged his memory and we sat and chatted over coffee for hours it seemed, what a chance meeting and so he said to pop around later as he had a strap for me, which none of the stores had.
They were done with my bike at 5:30, after being told it would be done after lunch. Went over to Gino's, he took one look at the pannier fix they did, which was kak, and told me to come over tomorrow and he will make it right, as the one pannier bracket on closer inspection was welded askew and would eventually penetrate the fuel tank.
Went back to Tiger Reef for the same meal and three Hansa.
Day 12
Did a real stupid thing today and did a dune tour on a bicycle and I wasn't the youngest guy there, was with four German kids , and out of breathe most the time. Was only two hours and enjoyed going down the dunes the most, didn't realize I was that out of shape. Went to Woolies and got the pepper steak pie and a grindelsh juice and a peppermint crisp to compliment the pie.
Went over to Gino's at 3pm and we, well he started on the panniers, and cut all the welds and grinded and started afresh and the guy does shit right and takes pride in his work, so nice to see an artisan that wants it done right and have it look good. The guy knows bikes, was SA moto cross Champion for years and did shows where he would jump 25 cars and turns out he knows a few guys that I know, from the Dakar, Ross Branch and Andrew Short and so on . Stayed for a lekker braai and brandewyn and Windhoek lager, at 11:30 pm I had to leave, what an evening .
DAY 12
Went back over to Gino's to finish the last support bracket and then we went on a ride to an Oasis and had lunch. Met another husband and wife bikers on 800s from Cape Town who are heading N aswell. Then Gino suggested we take the river bed back, okaaaay. Was mostly sand where my bike saw it's gat twice laying in the sand being cuddled by me. Was quite the work out and a lot of fun, got back to Gino's house and we bid farewell, what a lucky chance meeting, made for another memorable stay in Swakopmund.
Went back to camp ,showered and then went to Tiger Reef for Calamari and salad, but was kinda cold to sit there for to long so headed back to the restaurant at Alte Brucke. Walk to the bar and there are the Dutch couple o met at the bar at Ai-Ais, so chatted and laughed hysterically for a few hours and then went to his camp and sat around the fire till afyer midnight.
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Stop cuddling your bike!!! Brill write-ups, mate. Really enjoying doing this trip vicariously thru you. Don't think I realised you had sorta done some of this before. Good to hear you are remaking acquaintances, and getting decent welds done. Onward and upward.
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