Saturday 21st November

In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep. No that's rubbish. However at about 🕚pm a truck and trailer came past my address. As you can 👀 by the stationary movie, I was pretty close to the road. Needless to say it woke me up in a very unpleasant way. I thought I was actually dreaming until I realized I wasn't!

It was a sunrise start. So early. Probably moving by around 6.20am. Yusses boet that are early. The shop is about 20kms down the road. I reach there by 7. Luckily they only open at 8 so I rest up against the wall. Out of 5L waters, I had to stock up on little bottles. They fit well in the bags but expensive and a waste of plastic. 🤔🤨

I carry on down the main road. It is gravel. Not too rutted so I get a healthy speed going. Today's plan, Nieuwoudtville. Lekka ding. It's a dirt road for about a hundred kilos then swing a right and about 60 down the tar. Everything is going pretty smoothly. I am satisfied with the days proceedings. Up until about kilometer 70. Suddenly it just seems as though I have been in this area before. It is the weirdest feeling ever. I don't stop or anything, it was just quite a strange feeling that held on for some time. The riding was good. I eventually shake off the feeling and pick up some speed.

About 10 kilometers from the tar I stop for a few biscuits and some coke. Like little bits of heaven they go down nicely. At this point for some or another reason I completely change my 🧠. I decide to go to Louriesfontein instead and then head for Calvinia. I have plenty of time for this trip so I still am not sure why this happened. I get to Louriesfontein. Stop in for water. I get a slap chips 🍟 too. Yum. The stop is brief and as soon as the slaps are finished I am off. Again I don't know what happened here. There are 3 route options. 2 tar, uno gravel. I take the latter one. It is the shortest too 🥳🕺. Wouldn't that be a lovely story if it ended there. 

Well it doesn't! The first 4kms or so are legit. Possibly even fun. Then headwind. I don't mean a little blow in your face, I mean 🌪. This is next level. Suddenly the mind goes numb. What to do? This fun ride has turned into a Saw movie. No matter what I do or whichever way I seem to be going the wind is attacking me. The 🦵🦿 are burning now. The bum, well after 5 hours it was ouch. Now I am not even sure if I am sitting or standing. The usual questioning starts. 😬🤦‍♂️ I decide I will just not answer. See if the issue goes away. 

I don't really know what to do here. It just seems to be 🔨ing me from all angles ➡️ now. The good thing is is that I just kept going. Compartmentalizing each issue. In a 📦. It was working 🆗️. I just kept on doing this until I find myself here. About 20kms out of Calvinia. I have eaten and I feel much better now. With a bit of luck an early start tomorrow and a ☕ in town by 🕣. Rest up for the rest of the day and get ready for Monday. 

I am excited. Into Tankwa. One of my most favourite places 🤩🥳🙆‍♂️🙋‍♂️. Great success. Tonight's sleep is under a bridge again. Peaceful. Quiet. I am happy. Sore, but happy 🤣. My bottom is eina. Legs have recovered quite quickly. Will have to sleep on my tummy so my ass can aerate a bit. Not much work tomorrow so happy times.

Hope you all well? Happy. Healthy. Fit. Covid 🆓️ and wearing your 😷. Remember... no mask no entry 😉.

Until next time. Look after yourselves. And each other. 

G.