Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
turned out, the solitary light wasn't a porch light at all but instead a light affixed to a pole
that stood next to a small rural church. It was good enough for me. I dismounted and just
as I was about to pull out my tent and set up camp, I noticed another solitary light nearby.
I decided to investigate and told myself that if it was just an ordinary street light, I would
return to the church and call it a night.
I mounted the bike and slowly made my way toward the light. This time it turned
out to be a farmhouse. As I approached the property, I made a lot of noise by grossly clear-
ing my throat and shouting “Excuse me. Hello” just in case there was a guard dog or a
crazedfarmerwithashotgun.BythetimeIarrivedatthefrontdoor,outcameafarmerand
his wife, Willem and Grieta Rall…without a gun, thank God. I asked permission to set up
my tent on his property and promised that I would leave at dawn.
He promptly said, “Are ya crazy man? It'scold out here at night. Get in the house.”
I was given a warm bed and some soup, bread and cheese. Before I went to bed, I asked if
they would mind if I called the Van Wyks to tell them I arrived safely. They were fine with
it, and upon finishing the phone call I went to bed with a smile for the next day was to be
my first year anniversary on the road.
IwokeuponJuly1,1993tothearomaofGrieta'scountrycooking.Isatatthetable
withtheRallsandweatebreakfasttogether.Afterthankingthembothforeverything,Iwas
ready to push off. Instead of giving me directions to the tarred road, Willem insisted that
he drive his buckie behind me and honk when I should turn. I soon realized why he drove
behind me. If he drove in front of me, the headwind would have carried the dust right into
my face and I would have choked to death. He honked a few times and I looked back to
see if I should turn left or right. We eventually arrived at the tarred road and he pulled up
beside me. After a big thank-you and warm handshake I continued southward.
In the cold morning air, I cycled through the mist as it nestled between the rolling
hills. The first six kilometres on the road to Bredasdorp were of relatively poor quality but
the last 42 kilometres were much improved. I rested in the village to eat my lunch and just
as I was about to resume my cycling, a motorist waved me down not to leave. The driver
introducedherselfasJandaMaybank,andweendedupchattingaboutCanada(shesawmy
flag draped on the rear panniers).
We parted ways and I proceeded for another 38 kilometres on flat terrain. It was
an easy cycle with a medium headwind and a few clouds which accompanied me en route.
Then I saw it: a sign for Cape Agulhas, the most southerly tip of Africa. Just past the light-
house, I arrived at the monument that officially marked this important geographic location
(picture on the left.) I had officially cycled the length of Africa and to commemorate the
event I took seven pictures of myself, to be on the safe side! (Centre and right pictures)
Search WWH ::




Custom Search