Windhoek to Wilhelmstal (128km)

Eugene at the send-off

Up early and off to the hospital to meet the folks of Erongomed and other medical personnel  It was apparent that the morning was off to a slow start as all complained of the hour and the fact that it was so cold. Anyway, it soon warmed up into a beautiful African morning and I watched keenly to see it all come together what with red balloons, banners, marketing gazebos, chairs etc. The only thing missing was a popcorn machine and the sounds of Judy Boucher! The speakers are Marelize Roberts (Miss Namibia-2008), Pastor Robert Smith, Me (haemophilia patient), Dr. Regina Redecker (volunteer GP), Sr. Cruickshank (SAHaemophilia Foundation), and Dr. Shalongo (Superintendent Windhoek Central Hospital). Wow, Jolandie (Erongomed) went to great lengths to ensure that it all worked smoothly. 

After all the important people had made their speech, which was quite touching, Eugene was let loose to do what he does best with red balloons and fanfare under police escort nogal. Yippee, we are on our way and I double back to "Urbancamp" to pack up the caravan and zip through to find Eugene along the B1. 

He has already done 30km in the first hour. I think to myself, stadig meneer, we only have another 2 170 km to go! Well, Eugene was certainly cycling that the stof gaan staan, quite literally as our other fear, roadworks, was kicking up dust clouds that the visibility was as close to a Cape skin diver in the South Easter trying to catch kreef. Yes, this is what he signed up for so off he goes without any further ado. The road proves undulating from Okahandja towards our first overnight stop at Wilhelmstal. 

Its windy and the car's a/c cranks up along with the temp gauge (29 degrees). I am not on the bike but beads of sweat remind me that the bakkie is the more sane option. I go up ahead to do my thing but come back after seeing the non existent town feeling like an incompetent cuckoo with an empty nest. Oh boy it looks like Chile all over again and that on our first night! Signing out - Curt