The Last Sunday
Today is the last Sunday, the last rest day and the last day in Namibia. Tomorrow we start the last cycling stint, which will take us to Cape Town. Relieved and sad at the same time. Currently I feel ready for a break from the 'TdA Bubble', but I also know that the novelty of real will wear off pretty quickly. I have been considering making a list of all the things I have missed while camping, so as I remember to appreciate them when I am home. Anyhow, today has been an ok day, as restdays go. The campsite is /a lot/ more pleasant and relaxing to be in than the previous rest day. I mean it is by a river, with a pool, bar, restaurant and shop. This is probably a good thing, as there is nothing else for 10km.
I arrived quite late last night - 5pm, and struggled to find somewhere to put my tent, that didn't have snorers on the vicinity! Found a nice grassy spot and was quite content, until I can back from my shower to find a new neighbour, of the snoring variety. Again. The shower was good though, with actual hot water, as opposed to the false promise of hot water that a hot tap provides, only to produce no water/tepid water/cold water. Good pressure too. The restaurant didn't serve food u til 7pm. A lot of people had preordered but we turned up just as it was opening, and food only took 30mins or so. David had chips- we awarded them best hot chips of the tour. Quite an achievement. They were fluffy on the inside, with a really light but satisfying crisp crunch on the outside. The other highlight of the camp was the presence of a washing machine! For only 50cents we could do our own washing!! I kept it on the low until I had nabbed a free slot and washed my stuff, and then spread the word. So easy and so much cheaper- at times we were paying over $10usd for a Tesco bag of washing. There was the usual rest day eve party last night, after dinner. I was tired, once a agin, and fell asleep at about 9.30. I think there were some people still awake at 4am. I got up 2 hours after they went to bed. The highlight of the day today was taking Canadian canoes down the Orange River. Tom and Craig, David and Agnes, and Allain and I got dropped off about 15mins drive from the campsite at 9am.
We paddled upstream for a bit, reaching the bridge which marks the border of Namibia and South Africa. After some time on the beach there, skimming stones and looking at the bird prints, we paddled downstream for camp. The river was moving at quite a pace. We estimated between 5-7km/h. Despite this my arms were still tiring! It was a good way to see Namibia (and South Africa, as the river marks the border) - there were Cormorants, Egyptian Geese, Kingfishers. Tom and Craig were super speedy, and reminded me of badger and ratty from wind in the willows when they stopped and floated. Craig has quite a beard now, so I decided he would be badger.
The afternoon was spent switching my tyres back to thinner 28's, reading, and waiting for dinner. I am looking forward to not being stranded and dependent on others for the ability to procure food and entertainment. I discovered a broken spoke while changing my tyres, not sure how long I have had that for. Jordan had quite a list of bikes to look at, so I waited for a few hours for him. The last 6 days look to be a bit of a challenge. Clearly, it's not over until it's over. We have a few days of climbing, some headwinds, and some more off road, I think.
Today was Sophie's birthday. I think she had a nice day. The staff did a braai for her, it was an awkward situation in which we were unsure if it was just for staff, or for staff and some cyclists, or for everyone. In the end staff and some cyclists participate. He rest of us went and overwhelmed the restaurant / they ran out of chicken, and chocolate mousse at the buffet...standard TdA effect. Need to remember to make the most of the last week, while moving forward to the next step. Bring on South Africa.
