Canon Roadhouse is a nice place just out of the Fish River Canyon, a place of great gorges, views and hot springs. I spent 2 nites there under the shade of one of the many trees that are part of the campsite. A little on the roads and the bike. I find the roads(dirt and bitument) so far in great condition. Most people i meet ask me how the bike handles it all, its a little hard to explain to people who dont ride, but i do my best. The bike is a standard DR650 suzuki. I have a 33litr fuel tank and have not done anything to the front forks or handle bars. I did fit a heavier spring to the rear shocker, and that is a bit of a diapointment. As for tyres i use what ever is avaliable, people ask what brand i prefer and i always say what ever i can get and sometimes the cheapest. I found that to play with tyre pressures can mean the differance between a hard scarry ride to a commfy relaxed cruze. Im using 15psi in the front and 23psi in the rear. Im traveling at any where between 80-100klmh on either surface. Im getting 19-22klm litre and that will give me about 700klm before walking becomes the next mode of transport. At the canyon i meet some great people from Germany(im to see/chat to them over the next week or so even to lunch with them by the side of the road) they give me their address in germany and say to pop in when i get there.

From Fish River i head to the town of Aus, and what a great place. Rocks and more rocks are what make Aus and also the old prison of war camp. On the way to Aus i get close to being cleaned up by a heard of Springbok, i now know how to get them to spring, TOOT the horn and watch them spring into action.

A cool ride into Luderitz, i was going to spend 2 nites in Luderitz but i arrived before midday one day and by the same time the next day i figured id seen all i wanted and headed out.

I took the dirt road from Aus that heads nrth to Betta. U all gotta go to Betta, a very clean friendly camp ground. They have onsite van type accomidation but i choose to sleep under the stars. I bought a Sudoku book in Joburg so each time i want to spend time i get that out to play. Mind u im no good at it yet but boy it shore takes the time away. I also meet and have breakfast with a British couple Bob and Margaret. Was to meet them again in Solitaire.

At Betta i had to do a repair job on my air bed. Seems my hammer handle put a small hole near the valve of the bed. All fixed now but i have now seperated the two so that they dont fight again.

Next came the sand dunes of Sossusulei. I was a naughty boy by actually sleeping at the dunes. This i found out is not done when i arrived back at the check in gate the next day. The Gate lady did not know what to do, she kept saying 'u cause problem'. I started to say there where no signs to say that i could not camp 65lkm from all the other campers but wisdom took over and i apologised very much, gave my regards and road off, with her giving me a smile.

At the dunes the day before i took the soft option and got a lift the 5klm over the sandy track to the actual end of the dune site. The nice couple took me and another young family in the back of their 4x4. This saved me playing with tyres and unloading the gear of my bike. I saw no reason to push myself in the heat of the day.