I was nominated to write a report on our Sutherland trip. I’m hopeless at writing ….. ,anyway here goes.

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FLTR Axel (Simon), Captain Crash (Bobby), BeetleJuice (Chris), The Shining (Neil), me (Gavin)

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When I watched the weather on TV and saw the temperatures at Sutherland being so cold, I wondered what it would be like to go there and experience the coldest place in SA.

Well it wasn’t long and I heard at a function that Bobby,Chris and Simon where planning a trip to Sutherland. I wasn’t sure if it was open to others to join so I thought I would take a chance and ask. They said no problem and Neil and I joined so we were five altogether.

We left at about 9 o’clock Friday morning,hit the N1, Paarl, Wellington, Bain’s kloof, Ceres for breakfast-Simon had some missing screws, nice fast road to a T-junction, then right to meet up with the N1 again. At this stop Bobby noticed that he had clutch fluid leaking due to loose bolts from a service. Chris helped to tighten the bolts and we were off again, Touws River, Matjiesfontein (another small place I wanted to see that so many people spoke about, now I’ve seen it) for our last fuelling till Sutherland(110kms). Chris went to look for the pump attendant.
We then hit the long road at different speeds to Suthys. Good road, nice scenery of hills that never end, clear skies, lots of time to think while you ride.

After a long non-stop ride and a sore arse, we all met at the info centre and then went to the guest house. We were welcomed by the host and received coffee and Bobby scored a beer.

We unpacked and then had to leave to the observatory - almost 2000m above sea level, I think - for a tour (about 18kms from Suthys) no wonder its so cold there. Twenty minute slide show, then a tour of the telescopes, not to mention the last big mother, quite something. Unfortunately it was not up and running yet and the tour was during the day. A night tour and actually using the scope must be something else. Don’t know if that will ever happen.

Back to the guest house for a lekker supper, roast leg of Karoo lamb, roast potatoes, three veg, rice, pecan nut pie, ice cream, pears and to round it off, coffee. Our host told us to take a ride two kays out of town and lie on the rode and look up at the stars.

Magnificent, you can’t even see your buddy next to you but only thousands of stars and Boeings flashing lights.This photo was taken by Beetlejuice who just pointed the camera in the direction of the voices - caturing Bobby doing whatever the voices in his head told him to do.
Back to the guest house to relax and look at some of our photography.
Switched on our electric blankets and off to dreamland.

We one by one awoke early enough to watch sunrise.

Neil was brave in shorts and T-shirt.
Had coffee and sat down to breakfast, again a lekker spread of food, all u need for the long road. A quick walk through town to settle breakfast and we were packed and on our way again. Great weather all the way.

Tanked up at Matjies. Twenty kays out of Matjies Neil’s bike lost some spark, broken fuse, fixed, mobile again, few kays immobile again. Took out some spare beers, still cool, done some roadside mechanics to no avail then sent out a search party for a towing vehicle.

In the meantime we removed Toni’s dishcloth from the air intake and we were mobile again and caught up with Chris and Bobby again. Stopped at Touws river for a quick bite and hit the road again. At Worcester we greeted and headed home back to reality.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Good company, food, venue, ride. When and were is our next tour. Well there you have it. Have I sold Suthys to u.