This morning we sadly left the Cape Agulhas Backpackers – sadly ’cause it was really comfortable there. So, the Fossil (aka Des) packed our stuff into the Mahindra PIKUP and we headed off for Gansbaai to continue my Walk 4 SOS Huskies journey (we’re missing a long section of coastline ’cause ‘there’s “No Dogs Allowed” in the Agulhas National Park and Quoin Point Nature Reserve).
Of course, the Fossil always looks for “roads less travelled” as he calls it, so along the R329 from Struisbaai he turned onto a dirt road that cuts across the Soetendalsvlei Nature Reserve. That’s was fun! The road was really muddy with deep water-filled potholes but he engaged the Mahindra’s 4×4 drove mode. “To avoid fish-tailing in the mud,” the Fossil said.
Eventually, we came to a small town called ‘Baardskeerdersbos’. “That means ‘Beard Clipper Bush’, and there’s an interesting story behind the name,” said the Fossil. “The village apparently gets its name from the small spider-like Solifugae arachnids known as Baardscheerders (Beard Shavers), which supposedly cut human hair for nest-making purposes”.
So, we stopped at a road-side cafe for lunch and I tried chasing some sheep but the Fossil kept me under control (spoil sport!).
After the dirt/mud road, we turned off see if we could walk from Pearly Beach. And guess what? The signboard indicated “Pets Allowed” (on leashes, sure, but it’s better than “No Dogs Allowed!”).
So, we did. We walked along the beach to a place called ‘Die Gruis’ about half way to Franskraal but then the Fossil gave up and headed back ’cause he was worried about leaving the PIKUP and all our stuff at Pearly Beach and “how will we get back if we keep walking?” the Fossil asked me. As if I had an answer!
We then drove back to the R43 and took the Franskraal turnoff to check that out. Looked pretty much the same as where we’d walked from Pearly Beach.
By now it was late afternoon and seeing as we didn’t have any kind accommodation providers to host us for the night, we had to find somewhere to sleep. And it started raining! And the sliding cover of the PIKUP bin where the Fossil sleeps leaks, so he drove all over Gansbaai looking for somewhere where we could park under cover.
And he found it – by trespassing! He backed the PIKUP under somebodies holiday home car port at De Kelders. At least we were out of the rain, but in the morning an aggressive human saw our car there and gave the Fossil a tongue lashing for trespassing on private property. Like, who was he supposed to ask for permission anyway!
That’s all for now Husky loving folks! Tomorrow we’re driving the Mahindra PIKUP to Gansbaai (or Pearly Beach, or De Kelders, or anywhere that a pet-friendly accommodation provider is willing to host us overnight).
Wanna talk to us? Wanna host us? WhatsApp the tall fossil hanging onto my leash. Here’s Des’s number: +27 (0)82 374 7260. We’d love to hear from you!
JAXX
PS. That extra X on the end of my name is supposed to be a kiss (yeah, I know it’s soppy).
BTW: if you happen to be anywhere along our walking route between Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town during late July to mid-August 2021, look out for us. We’ll be walking along the beach (or not), or on a hiking trail (unlikely), or along the side of a town road (most likely) – but definitely not along the N2 motorway! Come over to say “Howzit Husky Boy!” (and ” Hello Fossil Man” if you want).
