ZS100MPX - 100 Mountain Passes: January 2013

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.

Monday, 28 January 2013

The idea was to sleep in the Anysberg Reserve tonight. Good thing that I phoned before I left the Cape. No camping there until the ablutions have been built/restored/fixed.
Therefore I am sitting in a lovely spot in the Montagu Caravan Park. I have pitched my tent (2 seconds) and repacked everything, went for a swim, and am waiting for 18h00 for the first radio schedule. Ja, and I am pretty sure a booted eagle passed overhead. Photo to follow. The route tomorrow is through Anysberg towards Bosluiskloof. Not sure where I will sleep. Maybe Ladismith. Having rib eye steak tonight.

Die idee was om vanaand in die Anysberg Reservaat te slaap. Gelukkig het ek eers gebel. Ablusies steeds onder konstruksie.
Ek sit in die Montagu Karavaanpark. Warm maar genoeg skaduwee. My tent was binne2 sekondes op en alles is oorgepak en geherorganiseer. Wag nou vir 18h00 radioskedule. Ek is ook seker ek het 'n dwergarend bo-oor sien vlieg. Foto volg. Die roete more is deur die Anysberg Reservaat, rigting Bosluiskloof. Weet nie waar ek more slaap nie. Miskien Ladismith. Eet vanaand rib-eye steak.

Wednesday, 9 January 2013

Teen einde Januarie behoort die blog weer aktief te wees. Die plan is om so oor twee weke weer die pad te vat met Fase 2 van die ekpedisie. Die keer is die Suid Kaap en die Oos Kaap aan die beurt. Tot dan ...

By the end of January this blog should be active again with Phase 2 of the expedition underway. The Southern Cape and Eastern Cape are on the cards. Until then ....

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