Flag off
The Big Day that 112 teams have, over the last three months, been preparing for is here. An early start, after loading the vehicle, for cocoNUTs at 5.30 am to head towards Malmesbury, Piketburg and Citrusdahl. It is yet dark and the highway is undergoing repairs which delays us owing to the detours and single file traffic. By sunup we are on the Cape Namibia route. Our plan to breakfast at Clanwilliam is stymied as all these settlements are at some distance off the highway. While fuelling up at Trawal, we try the shops there but to little avail. Fortunately, an emporium of biltong (or jerky) of various game and domesticated animals exists right there and the resourceful lady who runs the place is pleased to patiently explain the various varieties. Such an offering of a South African delicacy could not be missed and a couple of these were added to the goodies as pairing for the evening liquid sessions.
At a Wimpy in Klavers, which is further ahead, after a hearty breakfast, the road goes on. Many Putfooters seem to have had the same idea. We meet this Swiss family (not Robinson but of Namibian where the son was born ) who chat us up about India and our motivation to travel so far off the usual tourist locales. Fine folks from a fine place. Towns such as Bitterfontein, Garies and Kamiskroon pass us by. All on the banks of the Olifants river and each of them replete with history.
Moorreesburg is known as the bread basket of the West Coast because of wheat farming and also boasts of a famous wheat industry museum, one of the only three found in the world. Clanwilliam, at the foothills of the Cederburg Mountains, is one of the ten original towns of the country and the first of the towns settled by the Trek farmers along the river. It is said to be the only town where rooibos tea is cultivated and know for its veldskoene or leather shoes. Around Citrusdahl are geographical formations that are worth a visit; a town known known for (guess) citrus production. You see citrus on the plants on both sides of the highway.
A gradually ascending gradient on the roads and we are at next fuel stop – Springbok . The changes in the terrain are to be seen to be believed. From the orange growing areas of the southern side through the scrubland of Northern Cape and into Namaqualand. Like most towns in this part of the world, Springbok developed from what was once a farm. The same founder of vineyards discovered copper and this habitation came up in mid 1800s.
Onward on the Cape Namibia Route and passing through Steinkopf, it is the border control at Vioolsdrift. Smooth sailing here though border police did warn us the heavy traffic of Put Foot was slowing things down on the other side. Across the Orange river which marks the boundary with Namibia is Noordwehr, the Namibian border control. Paperwork is smooth but a grumpy border police chap is rude and intrusive. Not a warm welcome to an otherwise friendly nation. We hope that this is one of the aberrations.
Another 60 km and we are at Aussenkehr on the Orange River, our night stop in the Norotshama Lodge. Dinner is with other Put Footers and we taste kudu sosatie for the very first time.
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