Previous Run - Johan se OFF-ROAD run - 25 July 2010
Hi All
The off road run had to be organised on very short notice , so if anybody is offended at not getting themselves and the bugs dirty , humble apologies.
Myself and Nicol left the slightly dirty and very unorganised house in a moer of a hurry just after 9 AM. Wifey had been on a week long train holiday and all the domestic duties had been slightly under done. We saw Solly at the local Spar while we were returning a rented dvd.Solly waved politely and turned onto main road , and me being me,I said to Nicol :lets see who gets to Burger Fair first. We left rapidly onto the N1 where I managed to scare the living crap out of some poor oke in a citi golf, as we overtook him at a hundred and plenty and arrived at Burger Fair around 10 past 9.We waited for Solly and when he eventually showed up some twenty minutes later, he had pulled off Voortrekker road and waited in vain for us to catch up. Jammer Solly. I had phoned Burger Fair the previous evening to try and persuade them to open slightly before the normal 9:30 am for coffee for the crew but I was told and I quote "nei meneer, we only opens at haf pas nine" Stian pulled up just after Solly in a nice coppery orange bug with nice wheels and the most expensive little Yorkshire terrier that has ever been on a run, apparently R7500??? Hell , I paid R8000 for my bug. Anton and Naomi came next with Anton's hair looking rather like Stian's dog after a bad fright. CJ and Sandra pulled in after them and then "Lo and behold!!! Hennie and Yolandi arrived wrapped up ready for the next Ice Age. Glen and Cindy arrived and after them Neil Beer . Mitch and Chillibite arrived with family , and Mitch with full beard looks quite scary, like a baboon looking through a tyre. Unfortunately with Mitch going gray, it looks like a whitewall tyre.;-) Tim and Michelle and kids arrived last and we left via Old Paarl which turned out to be a disaster for convoy driving due to all the traffic and traffic lights. After a bit of a roundabout we ended back on Old Paarl for the last bit and I must admit I lost feeling in my hands for a while so it was impossible to tell if they were just cold or frozen.
After me taking a wrong turn on the way up , we eventually got to the venue where we found two huge fires going , courtesy of Henry Odendaal and Wynand Basson. The rest of the event was very relaxed and easy with Solly as always braaing a whole chicken , two wild boars and an ox for starters. Nicol and me had to leave early to collect Eugenie after her holiday and we left Naomi quietly sleeping on the grass and Sandra and CJ looking like they were very close to dosing off as well. At this time Solly , Wynand and Neil were still braaing and eating and drinking coffee out of Wynand's huge aluminium kettle. Thanks to all who participated Big Thanks to Henry Odendaal for sponsoring the wood for the braai. He owns and runs Berg motors. Bigger thanks to Wynand Basson for volunteering for fire-lighting duties and for supplying coffee, boiling water, sugar, fire starters etc. Dankie boet, ek skuld jou . Best looking bug on the day has to go to either Neil Beer or Wynand Basson. Beautifull job ouens. Worst prepared bug has to go to CJ.
Johan Visser
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Herewith my experience on my very first Buggy run with Johan's Buggy gang type thing. We set off at dawn's crack. (long before the proverbial sparrow's fart) First stop was to refuel our extremely thirsty fuel - guageless buggy. I must mention that this is quite a challenge as one of it's previous owners decided to fit a motorcycle fuel cap. This looks very pretty but seems to choke the path of the fuel going to the tank. One therefore has to drip the fuel in, otherwise it over flows and you have petrol dripping on your shoes for the duration of the trip. The stench of petrol fumes, however seems to help and after traveling for a while one simply doesn't care. (everything becomes a bit of a haze) Eventually we hit the road for 'Burger Fair'. Michele managed to pick up some pies at the garage so that in no time, everything was covered in puff pastry. (it should be declared illegal to eat inside a motor car) Upon our arrival we discovered a huge variety of Beach Buggy's in all shapes, sizes and colours. We were promptly introduced to everyone and it was time to hit the road to Paarl.
As you very well know, Johan somehow managed to work out a route that included every single robot and pot hole in the northern suburbs. Luckily Beach Buggy's don't really mind pot holes and we quite enjoyed the trip despite his crafty effort. The route was most scenic and Johan only managed to get us lost once. This gave us an opportunity to do an emergency bush-u-turn and admire each others Buggy's as we drove past each other. Upon arriving at the site we got to stretch our legs and chat about traumatic experiences building and repairing our bug's. We enjoyed the walk along the steams and waterfalls and, fortunately were only robbed once when Tony climbed a pine tree to retrieve pine-cones only to find them pilfered when he climbed out of the tree. I must say that we met some really interesting people and were made to feel most welcome. We would certainly appreciate another invite and, if possible, would love to join your 'Buggy Gang'. I somehow expected that there would be drag racing, sideways competitions and that sort of thing, but I suppose a braai in the country is just as good. Thanx again for having us and making us feel most welcome and enjoy your Buggies!
Cheers Tim
Here's my 2 cents worth about the run to Paarl. All I'm going to say about the ride to Paarl was that it was cold, cold, cold, verrrrrry cold. The drive was stunning though. Went the back way to Paarl via the old N1 road. Did I mention how damn cold it was????? Got to our destination and we went on a very nice scenic tour along a dirt road. The view was spectacular. After the leader of the pack (mmmhhh Johan) got himself lost, we all made a U-turn and took the correct road. I of course chatted up some cyclists on the way up and down. Heehee, love an open car ;-) We went higher and higher and eventually got to the spot we were supposed to be. There was another bug there already (can't remember the gentleman's name) and he had a fire going and even a kettle with water for coffee. Very nicely set up. The place is really stunning! Green grass and lots of trees. It's also very clean. THEN.... my boys discovered the mountain!!! Oh hell, I could just see myself climbing after them. NOT! Why do people love climbing mountains? Are they nuts? All that hard work and unnecessary exercise. I don't think so. Anyway, a whistle from me brought them back very quickly. We stayed a while and then had to leave due to other commitments. But what a beautiful place. Now I know why the Paarl mense like to keep it such a secret.
Kareen
Next Run: Dugald's Southern Peninsula Run - 29 August 2010
Meeting at: Blue Route Mall, Boardmanns
Time: 10:00
Bring picnic goodies and or money if the weather is bad, for fish & chips or pizza
Please bring someting for the raffle
Next Run: Whale Fest, Hermanus - 24-26 Aug 2010
Gill and Ronnie were kind enough to invite the Beach Buggy Club's members, to stay at their place for free, during the Wale Fest Weekend:
"We have space for about 4 tents. We have no houses around us, so cars can park outside our gates and so a caravan or ten... We have a large upstairs area where people can throw down mattresses. People will have to bring their own food, cutlery, chairs, sleeping gear and mattresses. If it rains, I am sure we can move cars around and have more space in the garage. We have an outside built in braai which we would use. It is also under cover. I have about 10 other people in the house too which will be nice a festive...". Gill
Please contact Rita or Sandra in order let Gill know in time how many people to expect.
Swop Shop
Herman Van Greunen - a qualified mechanic in Goodwood will sort out your car problems. 083 253 1920
Wild Buggers get 10% discount on all goods bought from Beetle Bits & Beam Bug. 021 - 696 4110.
Biltong & Droe Wors can be bought from Kleyn Begin. Contact Naomi - 082 428 9216. Or see www.kleynbegin.co.za
Manufacturing jeweler, individual designs, repairs & remodeling, precious & semi precious stones - Kotze 082 493 8871