Day three of Ray Chaplin’s solo walk to Beit Bridge.

Posted on 10 November 2009

After an eventful day two, today just had to provide some kind of sanity and normality.

Well, it certainly wasn’t to come in the waking hour, as someone had cleverly turned off the geyser last night and so the mild rush became a panic to get everyone through the bathroom and heading out on time.

Kelly kindly dropped me where she’d collected me yesterday afternoon, so off I headed for Stellenbosch. Although the winds tried to prevent me from getting there, I somehow found an awesome rhythm and just cruised the first two hours.

The first two hours are being dedicated to Mark, as he loves ostriches and has even been know to immitate their every move! He really is blessed that boy.

Finding myself at the giant red strawberry, a customary stop for every trip to Stellenbosch, I pulled in for a quick rest and some food as I hadn’t really eaten brekkie. Toasted sarnie went down like a homesick mole and then it was off again… going for Stellies.

The wind battered me sideways, making it difficult to balance at times with the large pack – thank goodness for poles! Eish, dunno what I wouldn’t done without them – and that was on fairly flat terrain.

Once in Stellies I was already annoyed by the hive of activity and no rhythm, but pulled in at De Kelder for a burger. I always stop here for lunch on trips through and past Stellies – it’s a tradition. To add to it, it’s also a history stop, as it’s one of the three oldest pubs in SA.

Twisting through Stellies I headed for Helshoogte – my nemesis for the day! The slow trudge up was rewarded by some winetasting at Thelema – one of my brothers favourite wine estates. I know I’m no wine guru, but awesome is all I can say. Fave was definitely the Cab Sav.

The downward trudge into Pniel was kept cool by a light rain that pretty kept coming the whole way to my current campsite, the police station just the other side of Pniel.

While the area looks pretty safe, the roads are helluva busy and I’d rather not take chances. Once I’m in the Karoo and the open veld it won’t be a problem, but here rather safe than sorry. After all, I have a fair whack of nice kit with me!

Regarding my phone, it’s still dead and doesn’t seem to want to charge. I’m gonna head off early in the morning to get to Paarl first thing when the stores open and see what plan we can make. Either a new phone [last resort] or manipulate the charging cycle.

What that sadly means, especially with all the rain, is that updates are only as regular as I can get my netbook out and on. But hopefully you’re following the live GPS and seeing where I am anyway.

Well, going to finish dinner and get an early night. The body is a little shell-shocked to say the least.






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