Road into Swaziland tomorrow

19th Jan
Spent the last few days running up and over passes, great fun for me but photos all look the same. Stayed in Barberton for a couple of days, on the Swazi border. Wanted to visit a few diused gold mines but all no go areas, illegal miners I guess beating people up. They are now reprocessing the tips and getting as much gold from the waste as they got 50 years ago, big money.
Did the tourist bit, visiting museums and trying to buy a book Jock of the Bush Veld, some very interesting views on life in South Africa from the Afrikaans point of view, stuns me that Europeans/Afrikaaners discovered everything still, the locals did not know they lived in the area even but could help find the mineral deposits and routes through the land. Time South Africa shared its secret history.
Headed up the mountains to Swaziland, even better climbs, twists and turns. The border posts were a dream, stamp and 15 Rand and was on my way to even more, stunning how you can see the road a few kilometres ahead but not the bits between as they duck and dive through the hills.

Bush campsite

Stayed on a campsite in a game reserve last night, just me on my own with the animals, stars and rain. Fantastic night just sitting on my own watching the animals grazing quite close. Only draw back was the road in for 5Km and out the next day when it was wet.

Headed for the capital city, what a place, just like every city everywhere so went for a circular ride to Lake Maguga, stunning scenery and roads once again but locals all begging and pleading hunger every time I stop. Pity as there are opportunities if I want the hassle.

One strong bit?

Found a nice place to stay right by the dam wall

Maguga dam and road.

and am going to have a beer tonight, maybe even two so cheers to one and all, must stay sober tonight though as want to ride tomorrow now I have a route planned for the next two days. Manzini the North to Hhohoho (goto go here for the name) then back to Maguga about 200km and then Mazini South down the great valley and into South Africa via Piet Retief. If the plan works will be the first this trip.