Day 3 (Wed, 10/12/14): The Final Stretch...

Morning, Dear Readers, from the beautiful midlands region of De Aar! 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome capital of South Africa, home to some of the best Angora goats around, extreme weather conditions, immense historical timeline, gorgeous farms, stunning furniture, San art, intriguing succulents, and broken down tractors. 

After a superb farm breakfast of coffee, eggs, bacon, homemade kudu sausages and tomato, I went for a short walk around the farm with owner/ farmer Ian Strauss. The views are spectacular, and the history is thoroughly interesting. The farm was originally set up by the Pretorius family in 1813. They built the cottage I stayed in and lived here until 1820, when they built the main house. The Pretorius family sold the farm to the Du Plessis family, who build another house in 1860. In 1917, Ian's grandfather, Pieter Johannes Strauss, bought the farm and it has been in the family ever since.

In 2 years time it will be their centenary. They farm Morino sheep and Angora goats, whilst also housing cattle. They grow garlic, watermelon, and many other fruits and vegetables. Average rainfall? 250mm per year! Eish.

I am exceptionally grateful to the Strauss family for their generous hospitality. I have been welcomed with open arms, fed, sheltered, and entertained, and yet Ian still refused to accept my payment. The generosity and warmth of this family is truly remarkable, and together with the glorious surroundings, makes this experience truly a slice of the empyrean. I completely understand now why Tim and Karen spent so much time here, and how this was a key element in helping to heal the past and build a positive future.

Time to hit the road...

Pitstop, Britstown - This kinda thing happens when The Nomadic Ginger rolls in to town...!

Stop 1, Three Sisters, Northern Cape - We've just scooted down along the N12 from the farm, through Britstown, Rietspoort, the quaint town of Victoria West, and in to Three Sisters. 

This region, though largely barren, dry and arid, has gorgeous pockets of sheer lushness. Dwellings surrounded by thick green vegetation, streams and strange little farm houses. It's truly lovely. The heat is only bearable thanks to a slight breeze that passes through my jacket, meets the sweat, and cools me down. I've been unable to take pics as the phone shut down due to the heat! 544km's to go until we're home, 2951.1km's completed. We've refuelled, downed a Play, had a smoke, and are now mounting up to push on... — at Three Sisters Ultra City

Stop 2, Leeu-Gamka, Western Cape, South Africa - We're back in this little place, having once again skipped through the horrid trucking town of Beaufort West. I'm not a fan, so I tend to avoid it like the plague. 

They clearly trying to up their game, with some smart new centres and a lick of paint, but they'd have to do a lot more before I feel comfortable stopping there. 395km's to go, 3106.6km's in the bag. Shall we? — at Shell Ultra City Leeu-Gamka

Stop 3(b), Touwsrivier, Western Cape, South Africa - Yes, it's stop '3(b)' because I sneakily snuck out in Laingsburg to pick up a little something something for The Goose. 

We're back in the Western Cape, and you can see by the changes in the landscape. Note the differences in the rock formations as the stretches of flat arid ground gently gives rise to folded rocky layers, and then in to bold, muscular mountains. 

I'm filling up for what I think is the last time on this trip, and then we're in to the final stage. There's more pictures coming though, so hang in there...

 — at Touws Rivier

BOOM - I'm home! 

What a trip, what a ride, what a country, beautiful! 

The Western Cape is the ultimate welcoming party, that, and being reunited with The Goose. Clear skies, lush vegetation, powerful mountains, vineyards, white rose bushes, cool winds, better drivers (yes, better drivers!), glorious sun-sets, the sea. The Cape has it all, and I'm super chuffed to call it home. If you have a chance, go explore it. 

That's it, that's the last trip for 2014. We've covered 3533.4km's on this trip alone, bringing the total mileage to 15702km's since buying Big Red in March this year. Perhaps next year we'll raise the bar?

Thanks for joining us on our adventures, it's such a pleasure having you all with us. Thanks for your suggestions, likes and comments. The Goose, Big Red and myself wish you all a fantastic festive season, and hope that all of you get out there and experience your spaces, whether it's South Africa or not. Go explore; try new things; eat foods you don't normally eat; socialise with new people; ask questions; learn stuff; break down barriers, fears and norms; make things happen for yourself. 

Special thanks must go to the following people: Juanita Parsothum, The Harris Family (Jim Harris, Jeanette Main-Harris, Iain Harris, Linda Daniels), The King Family (Karen King, Timothy King, Andrew King, Devin King, Nicole Walter,Samantha King, Tyra Raghubir), Kingtek Motorcycles (Andrew King, Douglas Saayman), Kwesi Prah, The Mambos Pub & Bistro Family, Zandkraal Private Nature Reserve, Alfie Horton, Brandfontein Guest Farm, Lee McFarlane & family, The Caie Family (Sean Caie, Robyn Caie, Linda Caie), Darryn Pop-Rivet Fisher & Pat Fisher, Grant Andrew Greening & Cindy Lotz, Steve Olivier, The Van Sittert Family Steven Van Sittert & Nicky Van Sittert), and SMD Technical.