One Man in South Africa

Pressing on from Britstown and Cape Town is within reach, but you should know me by now... Prince Albert Road on the sign post as I head south on the N12 and I wonder why it got the name?  A short turn off revealed a once busy railway station complete with sidings now fallen into disrepair. On down the road is the town of Prince Albert, I wonder if he visited either location?  I had a look around and pondered the reason for the high central partition on the footbridge to stop you seeing that your train was approching or just to stop your hat blowing off I wonder.  I saw my first dust bowl or mini tornado here too as it swirled across the car park.  The nearby truck stop tells the story, no use for the mighty railway engine now.

October 11th . One of the things I like about my adventures is that they really are adventures. I had debated about spending another day in Kimberley but could not extend my stay in the Settlers Inn. Perusing the map I noticed that a night Britstown would afford a full day in Kimberly and I could also satisfy my curiosity as to the name whilst travelling south on the N12 to Cape Town. Was it full of 'Brits' I asked myself. Little did I know of the adventure awaiting me. Entering Britstown I stopped to ask where the Smartt Guest House was located, despite having the address I could not find it. A local pointed to a sign to my now right and somewhat sheepishly I observed the sign. It turns out that sheep are a prominent part of the area.

Up early this morning as today I am visiting the 'Big Hole'.  There are many things to see and much history attached to Kimberley but this is the reason for my visit.  Believe me once you enter the museum, which is well signposted as are all the places of interest, it can take a day to look around.  I had no idea what to expect other than that this was where Cecil Rhodes and others made their fortunes and the fate of nations decided by that wealth.

After one last attempt to see the interior of the Anglican Church in Mahikeng it is time to head south to Kimberley.  Before we leave here is a link to the South African Tourist Website which will tell you all about the history past and present of Mahikeng. It includes the Anglo-Boer War and Baden-Powell's formation of the scout movement during the 217 day siege of the town. All the information you need on Mahikeng, Mafikeng or Mafiking Now we could go the easy route down the national route N18 but that would be boring. Instead we will head off down the R503, longer but, I hope, more interesting. I was amazed at the vastness of this fertile countryside. An abundance of water makes this area rich in golden grain rather than gold nuggets. I stopped to talk to a group foraging for firewood to try and find out what type of trees and why they were there in the acres of flat field. I only succeeded in a clamour for a group photograph. If the size of the fields was amazing so too wa

I awoke to the sounds of nature all around me and breakfasted in the main house before setting off to explore this famous town. As with most towns here it follows a block formation so I tried to find the centre without success. After a little while I spotted a sign to the Tourist and Heritage Centre, crossing a bridge and driving for a short distance I found an impressive building and shaded car park to my left. I drove through the gate and parked up. Imagine my disappointment when I found that the building was not only locked but completely empty. Returning to the main part of the town and enquired at a government building but no-one seemed to know anything relating to tourism in the town. Eventually I was introduced to the son of a lady who worked there. You will see him on the photos but I do not have his name (I lost my jotter with all of my notes on the trip). He offered to show me around. 

Monday morning and I am planning my departure from Pretoria, my route is south but a name caught my eye to the west and it is almost on the border with Botswana, who could resist? Memories from my boyhood were conjured up, days in the boy scouts, adventure stories in 'Boys Own Paper' published weekly at the time and, playing with friends in the gardens of Mafeking House near where I lived. Yes, another piece of South African history would come to life as I decided to visit Mafikeng as it is now called but more of that later. With the help of Katerina, the proprietor of the Dinkwe I booked accommodation there and she explained that the only route was to head along the M4 toll road. These roads are generally wide two lane affairs with hard shoulders each side, they afford smooth travel but little adventure. In the course of the discussion she pointed out that I should try to visit the Pilanesberg Game Reserve to the north of my route. The description of the intrigued me but,

It is Sunday, the sun is shining and a day for relaxing, all of which I had forgotten about when I decided to head out to the large man-made lake at Hartbeespoort as half of the population of Pretoria probably had the same idea.  Actually it wasn't a problem until arriving at the approach road to the dam itself where the crossing is single carriage and light controlled by a man who either counts cars or times it on his watch.  Beware the 'lookie, lookie' men trying to sell anything and everything to the captive audience. A gift isn't  a gift as they will eventually turn it into a purchase.

It is Saturday and where does everyone go? Down town of course so off I went. Following the 21 into Pretoria after changing my rental car my first view of the city was a building resembling the great wall of China. Is this going to be an 'IKEA' city I asked myself but found to my delight that pockets of history remain amongst the new. I followed a pigeon’s route into the city i.e. my head told me I was heading in the right direction. I pulled over next to a beautiful park as there happened to be a parking slot to consult my map. The sign said 'Bergers Park' and eventually with the help of a local I found out where I was.

South Africa 'Series Two' or should it be 'Have boot will travel'? Those of you who know me are aware that I have damaged my leg again and it was touch and go whether or not I would make the flight. Ever the adventurous spirit I had booked my flight with 'Quatar' departing from London Heathrow at 16:00 hrs on the 1st October flying via Dohar to Johannesburg arriving 13:45 the next day. Everything went smoothly, the airline ferried me around in a wheelchair, my case didn't get lost, my new 'Cabin Max' hand baggage holdall at less than a kilo allowed me to meet the 7kilo weight restriction with the same amount of hand baggage that I normally carry and I was well fed throughout. A different menu with a different airline. The both ground and air crew were excellent but, if you are having a stop over of more than an hour or two ask about the sleeping lounge at Dohar's magnificent new airport. Apparently it has reclining seats and blankets which wou