Day 6

Day 6  - 6th day in South Africa - Montagu to Oudtshoorn

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Ride departure time today is 09:30, so we have slightly more time in bed today. An excellent breakfast is had in the garden Guest's lounge. In my opinion the best breakfast so far. I love the lounge room, and the way they've done it.

Leaving the hotel, we are slightly ahead of schedule. We get gassed up in the town and make a start, heading along Route 62  

Then it starts to rain, but I can see that a few miles in the distance it's clear, so press on without waterproofs. This works well and soon we are totally dry again. The town of Barrydale comes and goes, then a few miles on we make a stop at Ronnie's, a famous tourist stop, for a mug of tea and a T-shirt. * . There's not really anything there, just a coffee shop and a bar, but it's kind of a 'must do stop' for tourists on Route 62.

Leaving Ronnie's on R62 at about 10:30 we carry on heading North East, through Ladismith, then Zoar, and we reach the Huisriver pass.

Huisriver pass is a spectacular motorcycling road, much better than a lot of the mountain passes which are pretty tame, consisting of just a couple of long sweeping bends. Huisriver is great though, up the mountain twisting left and right many times, and the same on the way down. I could easily go back and do it all again, but we don't. :(

After the pass, the next town is Calizdorp. From there it's only about 8 miles to our Hotel for the night, The Pearl at Oudtshoorn, but...

Before going to the hotel, we have planned a visit to the Ostrich farm, a few miles out of Oudtshoorn. At the Ostrich farm, we have lunch, and then start the tour, Our guide gives us a brief talk about Ostriches, their natural habitat, and the rise and fall of Ostrich farming in South Africa. Most interesting.
The guide takes us out to see the ostriches, explaining a few more facts about them as he progresses round. There is a part of the tour where there's a compound and viewing area designed for punters to have a go at riding an Ostrich. To be eligible to try you have to be under a certain weight limit. A couple of guys do have a go, they make it about 15 yards before stepping off the back. No other takers. The ostrich keeper shows us how rising can be done, making a few circuits of the compound.
Moving on, most of us have a go at standing on Ostrich eggs, which all do without damaging them. By the way, an ostrich egg contains about the same amount of protein as 22 hens eggs.

We leave the Ostrich Farm, and head back to the Hotel, but not before browsing their gift shop. Good stuff.

Now, tonight we have booked the 'Sundowner Game drive' - our first of three game drives planned for this trip - followed by dinner at Buffels Drift Game Lodge.
We are picked up by the Buffels Drift minibus and transported to the game lodge were we enjoy a quiet drink at the bar overlooking the lake, while we wait for the game drive to start.

Through my binoculars I spot, across the other side of the lake, a pair of Hippos in the water - but they keep disappearing under the water.

The Sundower game drive uses an adapted Land Rover to seat us all high up, and we have one of the Rangers as our driver and guide. His name is pronounced 'Elton' but spelt something like Eltain. He's a mine of information and has been a ranger for over ten years. We spot a variety of different animals. The herd (I thinks that's the right word) of Giraffes that we spot is quite large and an amazing sight.

As time comes for the sun to set, 'Elton' takes us to a high point in the reserve from which to watch the sun go down over the mountains. Here there is like a decking area and some tables. While we are taking in the view, Elton lays out some food and drink for us. I wasn't expecting this. There's loads. I eat as much as is right, bearing in mind we're having dinner at 8. Elton answers all our questions, and gives us loads of information,

On the way back to the Game Lodge, Elton have a turn off, and there, a few yards away, in the early night light, is a white Rhino. He is huge.

So, we get ourselves seated, and choose our food and wine. I choose Boboti, while Mrs. K has Rookecake stuffed with mushrooms, leaks and cheese. It was lovely. Gorgeous it was. 

At end of the evening, Elton ferries us back to The Pearl hotel. What a fantastic evening :)
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note to self: .....  check spelling, add photos


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