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Just like Hogsback, Rhodes is a little gem in the mountains. When we arrived via Joubert Pass, the weather was still ok, but later on we cherished our choice of accommodation.  It rained intermittendly through the night. Early Sunday morning we left for Maclear.

Just like Swartberg Pass, Naudesnek is one of the all time greats. Definitely in the top 5. It is long and steep, and impassable when it snows, which is every winter. But the main benefit for the traveller is the scenery. One piece of magic after the other. In the photo above we are still climbing to the neck. About 2580 meter above sea level. The road surface was wet but not too bad for a four wheel drive vehicle.

Ranging from plain scenic to dramatic. One would assume that autumn's pastel colours would be equally impressive.

After Naudes Nek, we met with Potriviers Pass which was less dramatic but nevertheless scenic and slippery. A large number of Amur Falcons sat on the electric wires. They mainly prey on insects.

At about midday we arrived in Maclear. There was no good camping site close by and we opted for a cottage for the second day in a row. If the weather clears sufficiently it will be back to the tent from tomorrow or Tuesday.

The electricity in the air made radio contact almost impossible during the past two days. This afternoon I managed a 30 second chat with ZS1TR. Hopefully that will improve from tomorrow.

Tomorrow we turn south towards Elliot, Stutterheim and so forth and hope to be in Morgan Bay by Tuesday night.