Post 15 Build it Journey

BLOG POST 15

I awoke to the site of the inner wooden walls of our log cabin at the guest lodge in Eshowe and I thought what a nice idea it was to build a dwelling out of wood. We had covered a lot of ground the previous day so I did more admin, had breakfast, settled the bill and then Greg and I hit the road for the last leg of this two week tour before heading back to Durban to regroup.

Our first stop was the Build It store in Nkandla and we drove through spectacular winding hills and mountains all the way up to the indigenous Nkandla reserve with its beautiful forest. At a very high point in the topography of northern KZN we could see for tens of kilometers into the distance on either side of the road, it really was breath taking. The potholes and poor condition of the roads in this area left us feeling frustrated considering that so much money has been poured into this area.

We made our way into rural Nkandla and I met with Freddy. Unfortunately the internet/wi-fi was down but we still had a chat about homeimprovement4u.co.za and how it is benefitting his Build It store.

This meeting successfully concluded I told Greg to head for Melmoth 50km away along similar winding roads and scenery and we arrived there 45 minutes later to see a very busy Mark who certainly had his hands full. I also met Paul and had a few laughs with a few of the customers that were coming in and out.

The next logical step was to visit the impressive Gingindlovu Build It store 75km away where I met with Kevin who was very kind to give me some of his valuable time.

Our last stop off was at Mandini where I met with Raj of Renckens Build It. I could not believe the size of the store and how busy the area was. I went into the Spar to also meet the owner Bjorn Rencken. The two stores and the mall were literally teeming with what seemed like a million people. This is not a rural area by any means and there was also some impressive looking (in size) factories billowing out smoke. Mandini is I think the busiest place we have been to so far.

We then headed towards Durban at the end of a successful and busy few weeks. I dropped Greg off before going home for a quiet braai with my oldest and best friends and a few well-earned beers.

It’s been a very successful start to this journey having done now I think 46 stores. I have not been doing as much cycling as I would like but the truth is that I have not felt comfortable cycling on the roads or going out for long rides on my own in the area we have travelled in this past week. That being said no disrespect to Northern Zululand which has its own beauty and is a happening place. I hope to be on the bike more in the coming weeks with my awesome Build It kit so generously and kindly donated to me by Build It. Have a great week end everyone J