Now Monday morning (I think), and I am siting on my bum on the slipway of the ferry at Sendelingsdrift. Slept 3 nights in the Kookriver. One hot day, one cool day and today started with a thick fog. It is called the Malmokkie. Now clearing. Saturday was somewhat eventful as our partners for a few days did not turn up at the RV. No cell phone signal. Eventually went looking for them and when I could raise them on VHF radio we learned that they had driven over the concrete post of a cattle grid, had to turn back to Port Nolloth for emergency repairs to the undercarriage of the Prado. I hate to admit it but Toyota quality spared them more damage. The message got to Ingrid who managed to get hold of Louis (?) and when I went on the air just after 19h00, ZS1BOB could also fill me in. Fortunately by then we had found our friends. Dankie Ingrid en die ander wat probeer het.
Then had a good and clear QSO with ZS1BOB Cape), ZS6BNE (Lichtenburg) and ZS1QO (Cape).
Now the three hour trip to Roichersberg for three nights.
Sover dit bergpasse betref, het ons twee gery. Een mooi cute een (sonder naam?) 20km suid van Eksteensfontein, en 'n 15km pas noord van Eksteensfontein.
Gister die Groenkloof Canyon net langs die Nasional Park gery en gsiterand 'n baie groot uil gesien. Ek vermoed 'n Kaapse ooruil (Cape Eagle Owl).
By the way, the Klaus Mast with vertical is performing easily as well as an inverted V.
Gruss bis spa"ter.
Douw en Nelleke
What this is all about...
The idea to drive, photograph and document the gravel mountain passes of the coastal region of South Africa occurred to me while driving the Prince Alfred pass early in 2012. A mountain pass is much more than a cumbersome stretch of road linking the areas on either side of a mountain. There is a "this side", which invariably differs from the "other side", as well as an "inside". Each side containing its own unique collection of marvels. Old classic farm houses, derelict but stylish bridges, missionary churches, rock formations, old toll houses from yester year giving shelter to a squatter ghost or two, succulents hiding in rocky crevices, black eagles scouting for hyraxes and much more. Hopefully there is also a charming campsite somewhere on the "other side" to erect an antenna in time for the 18h00 schedule to share the day's discoveries with the OM and YL's within reach.
The expedition started on 12 September 2012, when we left Durbanville for the Richtersveld. It is not always possible to say where we will be on what day. That is why this an expedition and not a tour.
Die idee om die bergpasse van die kusstreke van Suid-Afrika te verken, te fotografeer en te dokumenteer het ontstaan toe ek vroeg in 2012 oor die Prince Alfredpas gery het. 'n Bergpas is veel meer as 'n lastige stukkie pad wat die areas weerskante van 'n berg met mekaar verbind. Daar is 'n "hierdie kant", wat sonder uitsondering baie anders is as die "ander kant", en natuurlik ook 'n "binnekant". Elke kant bring sy kant met 'n unieke versameling interessanthede. Ou klassieke plaashuise, verlate maar stylvolle brue, sendingkerke, rotsformasies, tolhuise van eergister wat die spook of twee wat daar kom plak het teen die elemente beskerm, vetplante in rotsskeure, witkruisarende op soek na dassies, en veel meer. Hopelik ook 'n oulike kampterrein aan die "ander kant" waar ek 'n antenna kan opslaan, betyds vir die 18h00 skedule om die dag se ondekkings te deel met die OM'e en YL's binne bereik.
Die ekspedisie het op 12 September 2012 bgin toe ons Durbanville verlaat het oppad na die Richtersveld. Ons moet maar steeds sien waar ons wanneer sal wees. Dit is waarom dit 'n ekspedisie is en nie 'n toer nie.
Klink baie beter as 'n Maandag op kantoor ;-) Enjoy!!
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