Gael back in Africa.

[Drumacoon Lad.]

And lastly again... Later I went for a meal at the local Italian. I ordered a pizza and the flavour of a good Neapolitana pizza, with a hint of petrol, has to be tried. I also had a visitor and nearly a dining companion, if you can spot him?

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[dean0n0]

Feed the syphon tube steadily in to the tank, so it fills with petrol, when you've just a short end left to hold on to, put your thumb over the end, take it to your bottle and let it flow.

 

[The Other PaulG]

. They weave these nests to deter predators, as they are difficult to reach. .View attachment 522441View attachment 522442

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The males also have to build many nests until their desired female deigns one to be suitable.

This is why human males do things like motorcycle trips.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

They also build their nest in the side of the tree away from the prevailing wind. Clever little birds.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

I'm sure you are all excited about today MOT day. This the 2nd stage of registration and I learned vehicles are only tested in Namibia when they are sold. Anyway the bike passed and I was able to move on to my next plan which was ride the 220 mikes to Swakopmund for the weekend.

The MOT lady with fancy hat.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

Note to self, check more carefully that the water you buy for the Camelback is not sparkling.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

The countryside started pretty green buy slowly changed to desert. The road climbed to 1200 meters and the headwind got quite blustery.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

Still time to take a photo of the bike.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

I met up with Stefan at a fuel stop, who runs bike tours here. He was on his way to see Tommy to get his bike fixed.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

The long ride was worth it when I got to Swakop.

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[Hun]

Drinks and dinner at the Tug? Would recommend it.

 

[richardbd]

Drinks and dinner at the Tug? Would recommend it.

+1 definitely recommend

 

[malcopopolo]

Getting back home I started to rig the bike for the road. This meant filling the panniers, stashing waterproofs and filling the TT petrol can. I'd picked up some plastic tubing at the hardware shop and it allowed a syphon from the main tank as shown. How is it that starting the syphon, always results in mouthful of petrol?View attachment 522447

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Clear tubing helps alot .

Petrol/Benzine can cause cancer.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Quick replies:- Was at the Tub last night, as I wasn't walking far, after a long day in the saddle. Its 250 meters from my hotel and Simon and watched sunset there 3 years ago. Glad I went, as it's closed tonight. Excellent place with wonderful views.

As for the clear tubing, can I suggest that's fine when shopping in UK. I was pleased to get thin tubing, that fits in my topbox and does the job. I used it again today, with more care, and no petrol flavor spoiled my excellent fish this evening.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

So, to today. There were times yesterday, fighting the sidewind, struggling to overtake fast trucks, when I thought, why am I going to Swakop. Well this evening, I know. The day started by looking out on this view



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[Drumacoon Lad.]

I then went for a walk after breakfast and ending up in a little antique shop, where they sell Makalani Nut keyrings for an autistic charity. My nephew is autistic and am pleased to support the charity. I was in there 3 years ago and the family got showered with the keyrings on my return. This time the owner came over for a chat and explained he been the chair of the Namibian Autistic Society, as his son was autistic. He then told his family going travelling, starting when he was 6 month, till he was 7, in a camper, in Europe and Asia. Swakop's that sort of place, people engage you in conversation, sometimes first in German but then English.

Next I went to Yamaha Swakop, though I don't know the people there, I called them some months ago when I was struggling with getting registration in Windhoek. The guy who answered, Greg, reassured me it was possible in Swakop and offered to help. This was very encouraging to hear. Sadly Greg wasn't there but I left a message, thanking him. While there, I casually asked if they knew where I could get a piece of sheep fleece for my seat. They made a few calls and gave me directions. The shop had a small fleece offcut, which I'll use till I get something better. Overall a very pleasant morning.

The nut and keyring. Swakop is very German, as epitomised by the Hotel Zum Kaiser.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

In the afternoon I took the bike out for a short ride. I wanted to visit Walvis Bay, about 35km South of here, and more importantly to ride the coast road. I'm not putting it up as a great motorbike road, it's quite straight, but the scenery takes some beating. On one side the Atlantic pounding in and on the other side, towering dunes. I first started off in shorts but had to return for trousers, as my legs were being sand blasted. This bike seems to like to pose and it had some good backdrops today.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

Arriving at Walvis I was initially disappointed as I couldn't see the flamingos, then I spotted them further out than last time, as tide had receded. Also, I'd omitted to bring the zoom camera so the photos as not the best. So we have Greater Flamingos, probably Cape Cormorants and a common tern.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

After I'd eaten in town, in the excellent Fish Deli, I went down to the pier again and walked out to the restaurant at the end. It's a bit posh but the let me in for a drink. The restaurant is a couple of hundred meters from shore, out where the waves are breaking. When a big wave hits, the whole structure begins to rock and continued for some time after the wave has gone. I sat with my beer noticing the cormorants, perched just outside the window, a meter from my table. I watched them carefully squabbling over roosting spots. It was a cloudy evening and I'd given up on a sunset and then suddenly, the most beautiful sunset happened. A great way to end a Swakop day. But... it didn't end quite there, as I took a photo returning along the pier and later of the pier, from the hotel roof.

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[Northern jock]

Enjoying this, thanks for taking the time to do it.
Years ago in Swakopmund I wandered out along the pier, was far too hot and jumped off the end into the sea, not realising just how cold it was going to be, it seemed a long swim back to the shore as there weren't any ladders on the pier. Beer had been taken.
Always a surprise just how Germanic it is, nice town.
Enjoy your travels