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Departure: Gamkaskloof (Die Hell)
Destination: Sutherland
Date Time Start: 2018-04-28 07h56
Date Time End: 2018-04-28 14h05
Travel Time: 09h09
Odometer Start: 81520
Odometer End: 81812
Total Distance (km): 292
Weather:
Gamkaskloof: Overcast with light misty rain and 18C
Sutherland: Partly cloudy, cold breeze and 15C
Trip Summary:
We got up at 06h30 and made coffee with rusks before packing. By 07h30 we were ready and checked to see if Matias was ready. As he was doing his final packing, we headed to the restaurant to settle the accommodation bill. There were a number of other bikers (Honda and KTM) having breakfast. Matias had stopped for coffee before heading up Elands pass. He passed us after we had reached the top of the pass which means he was travelling significantly faster than us on his Honda 250.
Again a good day of travelling that included the following passes:
1) Elands Pass (Gravel)
2) Witkranspoort Pass (Gravel)
3) Swartberg Pass (Gravel)
4) Rammelkop Pass (Gravel)
We had to open and close 9 farm gates on the gravel road between Merweville and Sutherland - A number of the gates has Proudly Meercat stickers on.
We arrived at Sutherland and headed to Galaxy Guest house to book in. We were booked into a self catering unit.
We were too late to book the last tour of the day at the SALT (South Africa Large Telescope) so we headed there anyway to look at the array of telescopes on top of the mountain and look at the great view.
We returned to shower and the shower provided slightly warm water which made for very unpleasant showering.
We went to Jupiter Restaurant for delicious lamb shank and then headed to the 20h00 atronomy show at Sterland. There must have been over 80 people attending the show and we all had the opportunity to view stars via the telescopes - A worthwhile experience but try to pick a night with no moon and clear sky (if possible) as it makes the viewing even better.
Rammelkop Pass Road - Coffee Break
Matias and his 250 Honda
Rainbow on the Gamkaskloof Road
It takes a split second of lost concentration
Rammelkop Pass Scenary
Accommodation: Self Catering
We stayed in the self catering unit at Galaxy Guest House - Not recommended.
While the room was neat and well appointed with a gas heater, the service could improve. I indicated that we would be there at about 14h00, when we arrived there was no receptionist in sight. One of the guests provided the contact numbers of the owner who then arranged someone to open up the guest room.
The hot water was not working and the other guest indicated that it did not work the previous evening either. The "assistant" was very apologetic, however the owner did not appear to be aware of the problem that was already 2 days old.
One of the 3 water crossings to Gamkaskloof
Galaxy Guest House
Jupiter Restaurant for Dinner
SALT Telescope in Sutherland
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