Cape 2010 - Day 2 (17 Jan)

Left Aliway North yesterday morning at 9. Most of the students had decided it would be a great idea to go drinking the night the night before and were feeling a tad delicate (James and I had decided to be sensible and rather watch Monty Python and the Meaning of life). Stopped at the garage to check tyre pressures and also so that the students could pick up a greasy breakfast at steers. This gave James and I the chance to have a look at the remnants of the old bridge that use to span the orange river. Got some photos of the new bridge as well. As we wandered back, James also spotted a very curious sign. Apparently chameleons have become contraband!

James had a route planned past some interesting geological sights. Most of the students’ enthusiasm appeared to be a bit dampened by the late night, but I enjoyed the walks beside the road. James periodically stopped to point things out and go into lecture mode. Roger could always be counted on to ask an interesting question, or add some fascinating titbits of information. He also pointed out some wild rose bushes that he reckons must have been brought to the area by the 1820 settlers.

The scenery along the way was simply incredible. Valleys and hills that are all officially farm land, but that still look completely wild. We saw the occasional farm and out buildings, but not a person in sight.

Took a “short cut” through to Derdricht over a gravel road, which seems easy enough until you see the mountains and valleys that it cuts through. Took longer than we expected it to, but Roger, James and myself didn’t mind because it was absolutely beautiful (I’m told the students slept most of the way). We saw many birds of prey and I even managed to spot a large secretary bird standing next to the road. I would be very tempted to take that route again when we come this way again so that we can actually stop and look around.

By the time we hit tar again we were running late so James was hurrying us all along. We stopped briefly for lunch in Queenstown and then did the last stretch through to Grahamstown. Arrived just in time for them to register and then went and located our accommodation. Most of the students are at the old goal backpackers, Roger and some of the others are at a B&B called Lissngdly Cottage, and James and I are at Suffield house B&B.

We met up with everybody at the Rat & Parrot for the ice-breaker. Lovely old fashioned pub decked out in dark wood. Had dinner there, but James and I headed off reasonably early due to exhaustion!