Today we drive through the Baviaanskloof to Bergplaas where we will meet up with Trefor Lloyd and members of Voetsac hiking club and the MCSA. Before leaving Uitspan we chatted to the farmer Nico Smith and he told us that the farmers in the western side had graded the road as far as Rooiplaats in the park. This had become essential as the terrible road had stopped people getting into the kloof from the east. He also suggested that we drive up the jeep track on the other side of the road. He also said that also our campsite, no 1, was great in quiet time, but it was a bit hectic in busy times as people walked up the kloof and the foefie slide almost went over it to finish in the adjacent dam. After looking at the antique wooden combine harvester we set off for the jeep track. Nico had said the last bit up to the top was a bit driven out, but there was a turning point at a tree which we could see from the farm. The track started off being very easy, but got steep very quickly and it was definitely low range world. At the tree we were definitely turning back, but somehow I got stuck at a steep rise with a back and front wheel spinning in loose stones. Fortunately the diff-locks worked and low range first got us up and around the tree. Walking further up the track convinced that it was not a good idea without back-up. In the rocks at the turn was a memorial to Nico's wife Christine who died in 2016. Then it was down to another short track that lead to a much lower conglomerate koppie. This was pretty straightforward to just below the high point where I stopped. A bit further on there was a nasty cross angle that I was glad I did not try. We climbed to the top of the koppie, which was easier than going down! Then we drove back to the main road and headed for Duiwekloof. This proved to be a very attractive (and upmarket) lodge. It was being managed by a Malawian couple from Mzuzu and the lady showed us around. Next stop was Speekhout Farm where Elaine had told us about a wonderful tree house she had visited in while cycling in the kloof. Here we met Mark Enrieu and we had a long chat about mostly trees. He was working on trying to re-establish Willowmore cedars and lots of other indigenous trees on his and other farms. We enjoyed hi enthusiasm. The treehouse is lovely and his bush camp will be great when finished. One cannot simply pass by Vero's craft shop and restaurant and we bought two fresh roosterkoek for lunch. A quick stop at the Bavijaans Padstal showed that it seemed to be doing well, with three cars parked there. But we were not in the mood for indoor eating and we turned off into the the dry river bed in the Studtis poort and found a super lunch spot well away from the road - it was probably the same place where we had stopped with Gavin and Tertius many years ago. After being concerned about passing cars and dust the time spent there was was very quiet, with only a single motorbike passing. We continued along the well graded road, passing Babes se Winkel which seemed to still be going, although we were silly not to stop, and the entrance to the hippy colony that still looked the same. Passing all these familiar sights, brought back memories of our successful mountain club Easter camp. After passing Zandvlate, we soon arrived at the reserve gate.
There was paperwork at the gate and R51 per person to pay. Even our temperatures were taken and read hopelessly too low! The graded road continued into the reserve and this made driving quite pleasurable. Even the Grasnek pass was easy and we stopped and waited at the top to let two cars coming up from the east pass. The view from there is always awesome. We enjoyed the slow steep drive down to Smitskraal where we drove to the river. A herd of hartebeest scattered and we also saw some female kudu. After some much needed cold drinks (Pepsi) we walked down tot he river. The baboon family was still in residence and were doing their usual clambering on the cliff above. The place was a bit of a shambles with fallen trees pushing down and breaking the supposedly buffalo proof cables. Soon after the paved Langkop pass we got to end of the graded section and found out what the whole road must have been like, really very bad with sections that even the Cruiser had to take very slowly. Holgat pass was much as usual with the concrete strips a bit more eaten out. From the top it was a short drive to the Bergplaas hut, arriving there just a few minutes after Trefor and his party.It was a pleasant surprise to find Dave and Marilyn Zimmerman were also there. There was a problem with the hot water overflowing when the pump was turned on, but my diagnosis that the fallen over vent pipe was preventing the ball valve from closing proved to be correct and Trefor climbed on to the roof to secure it vertically with cable ties. We got the fire going early and took the opportunity to put up the awning over the back door. It was quite a job as we had forgotten how it worked. But it certainly did turn the back doors into a sheltered outside room. The braai was great fun as was meeting the Voetsac members. The night sky was dramatic with no moon, but the lights of Jeffrey's Bay were very visible, as were Kareedouw's over the horizon. Most turned in early, but we enjoyed the deep silence and the incredible star studded sky.

Geschreven door Leartravels