Lying in a tent in Springbok after a long but satisfying day. We left Vanrhynsdorp and took the road towards Nieuwoudtville in search of the waterfall and the quiver tree forest. The road is beautiful and stretches as far as the eye can see. In Afrikaans Hannes said ” so wyd soos die Here se genade”. I’m sure in the next days that thought will repeat itself.

Up and over the pass and there’s a different world but the same. Wide open expanses with “koppies” dotted along the way. We found the big and small waterfalls 7km from Nieuwoudtville. 

  After “losing” the two brothers between the small and big waterfalls as they were doing Boulder hopping and taking photos we headed another 15 min towards the quiver forest. I did not know what to expect but after turning off onto a gravel road for 3km we found this forest of quiver trees. Something I’ve never seen in my life. It is one of my favourite trees and to see them stretch as far as the eye can see is amazing. And a bonus is they are in bloom – nature’s gift. 
  I do not regret the round trip, but it was a four hour round trip and we had to make up time as we still had 475km to get to Vioolsdrift. After a late lunch stop at a ” pad kafee” we hit the road North again. It was already 15:00 and my GPS said we would get to the border at 18:30. We realised yesterday that as soon as the sun starts setting, so does the temperatures. One thing I don’t like is being cold.

Stoof had to be refuelled at Bitterfontein where I saw a message from their dad to say they were not going to make the border and we had to meet them at Springbok. Another 150km from Bitterfontein and probably a good idea as the border was another 110km from there and it would have meant riding in the dark.

Somewhere along the road we found a perfect spot to stop and make coffee. What amazes me is the silence. We so easily forget how much noise pollution we live with every day. 

Eventually we got to Springbok after dark where we met up with the rest of the group that will travel with us. They had already setup camp and all that was left for us was to setup our tents and grab a well deserved drink. After a great braai and a bit of banter round the camp fire we’ve all turned in. Tomorrow it’s up early to get to the border post and then into Namibia.

Bis Bald.