I keep needing to repeat myself, the day greeted me with spectacular sunrise and views, as well as a shooting star. I got off to an early start. All the teachers were still asleep so I did not have the opportunity to say goodbye. However not far from the school I met an old man and had a chat with him. He knew the school and seemed to have regular contact and said he would pass on the message to them. Once again it was similar to the previous day fighting mud patches that totally clogged up my wheels. I kept having to free them so they could turn. Eventually there were fewer mud patches but more rocky climbs. I now understand why some people thought that the wheel was not necessary. The job of horsemen is secured they are the only ones that can move efficiently here. I was trying to push my bike up one of the stoney hills, a shepherd came to me and insisted that I carry my bike and not push it. He was 100% right, it was much easier.
I arrived at a little stream and decided to clean my bike and myself. This was a good idea.
Eventually I got onto a plateaux and could make good progress to Mantsonyane. There was a cape vulture flying on the ridge of the plateaux, it felt so close. I stopped and watched it for a while.
I arrived in Ha Nyane after a long downhill. I was supprised at the size of the Cathedral. I was greeted by hundreds of school children begging for sweet’s. They even pulled on my handle bars.
Ha Nyane was my planned stop to go to Thaba Tseka on trails. I decided against this. The new plan was to get a ride from Mantsonyane to Thaba Tseka.
After a reasonable 8 km ride I arrived in Mantsonyane. While looking for the taxi rank I found a car wash at the river. I asked if he could wash my bike, unfortunately he was fully booked 😊. He helped me get a ride with a man in a twin cab pickup. It was a pleasant trip. I am sure the guy regretted agreeing to take this smelly old white man 🙂. When we arrived in Thaba Tseka he helped me find a taxi to Mokhotlong. However the taxi would be around 4.30 am the next morning. I cycled out of town to an accommodation called The Clan. The did not have anything free but found me a place in town.
Once again lovely place and friendly helpful staff. I got a bucket of water to was my bike. The receptionist and her friend came and helped.
