Post 20 Build it journey

Blog Post 20

Another great day on the road. This being none more so than the most agreeable scenery and pleasant people I encountered today. But before I get into that I wanted to give a huge thanks to Greg who has helped me so much in this first month. Greg has done more than his duty to the cause and I can’t thank him enough for all the help he gave me. A pamphlet distributor par excellence, a calm driver and wonderful support to me when I was riding my bike or when I needed help with finding a store. Thanks Greg and the trip will miss you.

So I am a lone ranger now and this means that it can be quite challenging biking and driving at the same time. Only joking but riding between stores is now not an option for me but I have found that if I am to complete this trip in this lifetime I am going to have to drive my car speedily from Build It to Build It and cycle when I can. There is also the added anxiety of my beloved bike leaving its comfortable mooring on the back of my car on its Thule rack. I do have a locking system to comply with insurance (and I would be devastated if my bike was to be stolen) but fingers crossed it is still with me.

I was up at 6 am this morning and was picked up by Donnybrook (and Ixopo) Build It owner, B & B owner, farmer and all round good guy Barry Bowman to go for a drive around his farm and more pertinently to look at his timber plantation where his staff are cutting or trimming all the lower branches so the trunk grows better. It was a beautiful morning and we had a quick walk about the plantation. We also had his grey boerbol puppy with us to make the trip more festive. The Sani2c mountain bike race also runs through Barry’s property and he showed me some great mountain biking roads and paths that are on his farm.

After being dropped off I had a scrumptious hot breakfast, a cup of fine tea and was off on my travels to the Umzimkulu Build It store. I met with Mr. Ndlovu who was just finishing a staff meeting and he called in the extremely smart and engaging Priscilla Nbewu and we had a good chat about our site. Priscilla got everything in 3 seconds flat and I was so impressed by her. She and Mr. Ndlovu were very complimentary about the site which always makes me happy as my partner Fiona, office manager Tracy and all the staff work so hard to make the site impressive.

I then jumped in the car and headed towards Bulwer where I met with Tony Wilson the store manager and Dave Peyper both of whom could not have been more friendly and interested in our site. Then calamity struck  as after being offered a hot drink with the coffee granules and sugar been ladled in and the milk settled nicely alongside waiting to be added in we found that the electricity had left us for greener pastures and our much anticipated beverage was no longer. Sighing mournfully, we proceeded with our happy chat, albeit unfortified, and it was lovely to meet both Tony and Dave. I still cannot get over how nice everyone is that works within the Build It company. Thank you Bulwer Build It for a great visit.

I then had a leisurely drive back to my B & B and really took in the scenery which is seriously stunning in this part of the world. I did some tapping on the computer interspersed with some personal agenda’s like getting in my tax payment, the deadline which is the end of August  and also paid for my entry for next year’s Cape Argus cycle race. I got through their lotto system which did not happen this year so I was very chuffed. I phoned my good buddy Bruce Walker of impending crazy times coming up 

I had a few hours to spare with the sun still out so I jumped on my bike and did a quick 1h 45 min ride which was absolutely exhausting. Too much festivity this past weekend and the altitude probably also played a part. I am now typing this watching the most exquisite sky imaginable with the mellowest orange hues that could pleasure the eye. It is about to get dark, the day is done and life is good.

“Because life slips away, and because I need for the rest of my journey a star that will not play false to me, a compass that will not lie.”

Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton.