At last… after issues with a tow bar Demon and I collected the Quantum which was to be our transport to EC. We departed from Randfontein @ 18:00 Thursday evening and
started an epic trip in good spirit with lots of humour and eager excitement towing
our little Venter packed to the hilt with equipment and all our luggage in the
Bus. Inside we had myself, Monica, Jay, Aadil, Donovan and his girlfriend
Yolanda, Ferdi and David. We were to share the driving in 3 hour shifts and
started out full of guts.

Our first stop was in Bloemfontein where we topped up with motion lotion and opened up the eats which was prepared by Ferdi’s Yolanda who had to stay at home. Of
course the cooler box was packed with energy drinks and biltong, smokes and
lots of fun and laughter inside the bus. At around 10:30 we hit the N6 to
Reddersburg where I took over the wheel. Lots of road works and wind hampered
our earlier fast progress but everyone was still loud and proud.

The passengers were all getting comfortable and around 01:00 the next morning we stopped at a truck stop in Smithfield for coffee. We were all in agreement that the truck stop looked and felt like the
one in the movie, “Hitchhiker”. Back on the road we hit it hard to Alliwal
North and with the loud crowd now sleeping and in pouring rain and cross winds
I stuck at the controls with Jay co-piloting to Queenstown where we arrived at
around 03:00. Luckily the truckers are not allowed to drive during this time
and save for the odd 22 wheeler our progress was smooth and without incident.

After a hearty breakfast and coffee Ferdi took over the wheel with me as co-pilot and we banged it to East London arriving at our turn off (according to the GPS) at
04:45

.

What seemed like wagon tracks and bushveld on which the Voortrekkers hauled their wagons we crept slowly down the gravel road and after about 10 kilometers (directions to
our destination said 2km) and eventually came to a section where there was no road
but only bush. Made a U-turn and again followed the GPS but this time on a
wider gravel road. With mist clouds and bird song we again followed what seemed
like a wagon trail and after negotiating narrow low water bridges and man made
barriers we eventually arrived on the N2 which led us to our destination in
another valley across the Nahoon river.

At our Lodge we woke up a sleepy attendant and immediately jumped into the pool. At around 08:30 we were given rooms and after a shower and some chit chat had a
breakfast and lazed around the pool sipping Jack Daniels and beers. At around
12:00 most everyone went to lay down to REST but everyone slept for around 4
hours.

After another shower we hit off to JR’s where we met up with Sa Autosport and the crew from Speed and Sound. After a great meal and a few shots we went back to
the lodge and visited some more then hit the sack.

Saturday we hit EC and had some snacks from Barons and then attended the Expo at the Hemmingway Mall. Speed and Sound’s crew and especially Annie made us feel welcome and
after cruising around we hit the Lodge where we had drinks and partied. A
baptism took place sometime during the night where Ferdi aka Khaos, aka Smokey
now became “Raj” ….more about that later.

Sunday morning up early and we were ready to measure competitors sound at 08:00. Started with registrations at around 09:00 and at 13:00 it was hectic with
spectators and competitors alike trying to get a better view.

A 5 plus on the Richter scale and some fabulous people. There will be many more stories to come about this trip so keep a lookout.

Setting Up

Lanes Ready

And we are rumbling.....check site & You Tube for more..