Post 13 Build it Journey

BLOG POST 13

I was getting my old fitness levels back at last so waking up keenly I decided to go for another run in the cane fields around our digs and managed to squeeze out 11km. Near the end of the run I started getting a little off course so I arranged by phone for my trusty compadre to pick me up in town after getting further directions from a local youngster on his way to school. And a very big luck it was indeed as I was getting quite far off course and he showed me some secret paths through the cane to get back into town so I could get my lift home. If I had not met him and been helped by Greg I think I would still be in the cane!

After a quick shower and shave we packed up said farewell to our friendly host Ilse and headed for the luxurious Ghost Mountain Inn in Mkuzi to meet Ross Rutherford, MD the Supatrade Group. A nicer man you could not hope to meet. I dropped off posters and pamphlets, which Ross kindly distributed to all his stores on my behalf. I am very grateful to him.

We then proceeded to Nongoma with Greg doing driving duty and this would turn out to be the most challenging day of our tour so far. The road was very basic dirt/gravel and it tested my hot-hatch to the limit. While navigating the serious potholes we also played dodgems with stationary cattle, sleeping donkeys and undisciplined goats all the way to our destination, only in Africa we laughed! My car will never be the same and is still rattling in places I can hear but can’t find. We arrived at the Nongoma Build It and dusting off my clothes I walked into a meeting with Mavuso. Mavuso was great and with his Dad he is managing a huge and what looks like, thriving store.

Back on the tar road much to our relief we headed for Hlabisa passing many very simple rural villages on the way and the scenery was once again dry sparse vegetation with serious soil erosion very much in evidence. With my pilot Greg still in control we descended into Hlabisa, which was packed with locals, and I popped in to the impressive looking Build It store to see Sbo. After going through Sbo’s listing we were again on our way.

The last leg of our journey trying not to leave the bottom of my car on the speed bumps of what must surely be the speed hump capital of the country was to the busy town of Mtubatuba where I met the friendly, fun and funny Ed. What a breath of fresh air after a trying day. Thanks Ed for making me laugh and for the offer to camp on your farm. I hope I can take you up on your offer one day. Thanks also for the call, maybe your son will meet my daughter one day and you never know. Maybe I will inherit a Zululand farm from the huge Labola I am going to be asking of someone one-day J

This meeting successfully concluded we decided to call it a day and went to camp at a magnificent Ezimvelo reserve/site in St Lucia right next to the sea. We were lucky to get the last available site, as there was a big MTB race on in the area the next day and many competitors were staying the night at the site. We picked up some provisions at the local Spar, erected our tents and turned in early with the full moon shining down on us.

It was our first night of camping and with no chairs and no table and not much else we had to keep our humor intact, which we did. We even cheekily attended the MTB race briefing but were honest enough not to help ourselves to all the food and drinks on offer. It certainly looked festive with lots of beers being drunk. Greg and I continue to have a dry trip and waking up with a clear head every morning can’t be beat. We were glad to get into our respective tents and call it a day. As mentioned before, this was the toughest day of the trip so far.