MONATENG CARAVAN LODGE
CAMPING WEEKEND & BREAKFAST RUN
(Sunday 12th September 2010)

• Pace Setter : Karl
• Leader of the Pack : Mike
• Sweep : Warren
• Biker Buddies : Uncle Andrew and Uncle Dennis

Karl's Marshals Team always tries to take us out of the city, off the freeways where possible, and into the countryside where we can enjoy the open roads and Highveld scenery. Well, they got it it right again (except for one little unexpected detour in Cullinan when Karl trusted his Garmin over his instincts) and took the 37 bikers on a 144m ride out towards Bapsfontien via Cullinan and then back past the Roodeplaat Dam to Monateng Game and Caravan Lodge for a delicious and unexpected breakfast braai.

Why unexpected? Well sadly the little restaurant failed us at the last moment but our intrepid Filly, Nava, Johan, Andre and LOH stepped in and prepared a really nice breakfast braai. Thank you guys! (Some admin... For those who did not pay due to the lack of credit card facilities; please remember to honour your bill and your arrangement to pay it.)

Furthermore, we use the term breakfast very glibly as after a 2 hour and 10 minute ride and a further 45 minutes to an hour of chilling and braaing it was more like lunch. But let us settle on brunch. However, no matter what you call it, it was delicious. Unfortunately a couple of bikers had decided to stay on in Cullinan and 2 others could not face the challenge of riding the long dirt road to the venue and so missed out on the festivities.

For the adventurous few - camping was the highlight of the weekend - starting on the Friday night. Let me tell you that this is seriously not considered camping when you have your own ablution block with shower, bath, loo and hand basin in one beautifully tiled room and in the other, a modern kitchen complete with dishwasher (I kid you not), large family fridge/freezer, and all the electrical gadgets/appliances you would use on a regular basis like a toaster, kettle, microwave... and, and, and.....

When I say I am going camping it honestly means "digging your own loo; not having access to running water to wash for 10 - 15 days, and setting fire to your paper plates after devouring a meal as quickly as possible before the large predators come out to visit you as the sun dies its daily death, casting ominous shadows over your piece of sandy veld which you refer to as your campsite.

Monateng was the height of absolute luxury with a Spa shop just up the sandy road and a well stocked bar to boot. Saturday night was celebrated in style inside the Lapa. First we were served all sorts of canapes and then we were spoilt rotten with a deliciously marinated lamb on the spit, the best salads I have ever eaten in my entire life, hot potato bakes, breads, meringues filled with all types of yummy fruits and cream, and too many cookies and koeksisters and other delicious delights to mention.

Many belly aches after laughing with good friends for the entire weekend and I suspect a couple of very sore heads the following day from too many Jagermeister shooters the night before. Good memories and another very successful event. Well done to Johan and his events committee and everyone else who pitched in to help. We hope you had as much of a blast as we did on your birthday Johan. Here's to the next weekend away and long may this tradition last.

Ride hard and ride safe.

Lyn

PS: My husband asked the barmaid for a quickie. The man next to him said, "It's pronounced quiche."

PPS: The one phrase it is imperative to know in every foreign language is, "My friend will pay."