Chapter Two - To Cape Town And Back To Durban

I, Valentino Harleybear, have never heard Mommy Lila let out a shreak on our Harley before, but when we heard the thunder and saw the lightning strike near us in the veld, her immediate scream was involuntary. The rain while we were riding was not too bad, as visibility was still ok, but I got very wet, and the back tyre sent a lot of sand up onto me when we rode up the short distance to the farm cottage.

After a hot shower and coffee with rusks, we were able to relax in comfort, with birds all around outside, and DSTV with premium package inside. Just what we needed after the long 880 km ride. The next morning packing was quite quick, but it was still raining, and after another cup of hot coffee with rusks, we set off on the road to Knysna, via Port Elizabeth, with me safely wrapped in a black plastic "raincoat". The dirt road back to the main road was a bit tricky, with a near mishap resulting in another scream and the Harley in the furrow next to the road, but still upright thanks to Daddy Harley Dude using his experience to keep us all safe on the muddy road. We got safely onto the main road after extricating the Blue and muddy Milwaukee Iron from the rut, and had a careful ride in the rain to Port Elizabeth, where we stopped for a warm breakfast at the Primi Piatta on the beachfront.

It had dried up a bit when we left Port Elizabeth, and we saw a sight near Jeffrey's Bay that is really impressive. We stopped and took pictures on the road back. It is the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm project and has 60 wind turbines, each standing 80 metres tall. It was completed last year (2014) and makes a fair contribution to the South African power grid. Each turbine has blades 49 metres long and a rotor diameter of 101 metres. While this production of power is "green", it is quite an expensive option compared to more conventional sources and we have been told that birds get killed by them quite often. We still like this a lot.

Monty checking the dinghy mooring.

The ride after this got misty and drizzly, with long trains of vehicles forming behind slow trucks, unable to see ahead for safe overtaking. The mist cleared near the Storms River bridge, but not the rain, and we carried on until arriving at Keurboomstrand and Plettenburg Bay, where we had a small lunch at the very good Portuguese restaurant in the Old Nick Village. Arriving in this area gives one a good feeling, as there is a lot of greenery and all the people you come in contact with are warm and friendly. After warming up and filling the tank, we rode through to Leisure Island in Knysna, where we met our very good friends, Lyn and Monty. They put us up for two nights and showed us the local sights, took us for walks and out to the local pub. We met some of the local people and were able to really relax with special people giving special hospitality.

Monty took us on a 5 km walk around the Isle (checking his dinghy mooring on the way). We saw beautiful homes, met friendly people, and saw indigenous flora. I have never seen one of these before. Can't decide if it is really beautiful, or really ugly. Anyway, special.

The one day break in our ride was a relief to weary legs and necks. Mommy even came back from an outing to town with her nails done. Very smart. Even the local fauna (birds) are friendly. Makes a change from the horrible squawking Indian Mynah's in Durban. The Wagtails in particular, are so docile, they follow you around waiting for a handout of cheese. By follow around, I mean even inside the house, to the extent of standing on the kitchen workplace next to where you are preparing meals. If you walk through the lounge to the front porch, they follow you. Lovely.

More tomorrow.