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.

Wednesday 10 October 2012

First thing this morning I visited SALT and was showed around by the resident engineer Vic Moore (ZS3VIC). Last night I enjoyed the hospitality of the local radio club. 13 members for a town the size of Sutherland is not bad. All of them work at SALT.  Thereafter I drove the the scenic route to Merweville and back. First down the Rooibergpas and then up again. On the way I had to help start a road grader. Its battery was flat. Before we could attach the jumpers I first had to tow the 5 ton sleeper trailer away. I learned that a Catterpillar engine needs very little battery power to start.
Merweville still untouched by so-called development. Tomorrow to he Cedarberg.

Vanoggend is ek eerste na SALT waar die ingenieur Vic Moore (ZS3VIC) my rondgeneem het. Gisteraand het ek die gasvryheid geniet van die plaaslike radioklub. 13 lede is glad nie sleg vir 'n dorp soos Sutherland nie. Hulle werk almal by SALT. Daarna het ek die mooi roete na Merweville en terug gery. Eers die steil Roooibergpas af en later weer op. Oppad moes ek help om 'n padskraper met 'n pap battery aan die gang te kry.  Voor ons die jumpers kon koppel moes ek eers die 5 ton "slaapkwartiere" wegsleep. Dit blyk dat 'n Caterpillarenjin baie min baterykrag nodig het om te vat.
Merweville gelukkig nog onaangeraak deur sogenaamde ontwikkeling.  More na die Sederberge.


Nog het einde niet



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