Good morning...Lambertsbaai - 18 october 2009

A beautiful sunny morning was just the right inspiration for three of the crew members to jog along the beach and venture into the ice cold Atlantic Ocean. Most of them were still looking for their breath a few hours later.

After just a few hours of sleep the rest of the Journey woke up, gathered their pieces and went off to a scrumptious breakfast at one of Lambertsbaai's jewels, Grootvlei, where they were treated to more West Coast specialities including 'roosterkoeke' with snoek pate, jams and cheeses.

After all the treats it was back to business... and the road. Not only were the hearts of the people warm, the area heated up with a temperature of more than 30 degrees. The endless road stretched out in front of them... for more than 400 km - all the way to Springbok.

But first there was a quick detour to Clanwilliam to meet a very special lady, Alma Truter and the media, along the road. This lady thanked the girls for what they are doing and for giving her hope. Lots of tears, hugs and words of encouragements were exchange and then it happened: the first small incident on the trip. Sanette Venter from Heidelberg, who is one of the new riders and who has only recently acquired her license, slipped on the gravel and her bike went for a fall. Luckily Sanette jumped off and did not get hurt and the bike is also fine. However she then decided to give the cameraman, Tiaan (who is also a biker) carte blanche to ride her bike. And he really enjoyed that.

Genis se winkel...
Next stop was Garies - the home of Grietjie, the singing granny with her pink kappie, that has crept into the hearts of South Africans - and the hospitable people of this friendly town.

Four breast cancer survivors joined the luncheon at the quaint Geniswinkel, where authentic handmade gifts were bought to take back home as momentos One of the

Garies survivors even had the opportunity to get a ride on the back of one of the Harleys. By the time the bikers hit the road , Sanet had decided that she was feeling up to riding again and she took to the saddle. Luckily the stretch of the road from Garies to Springbok was not so busy and the girls had a leisurely ride.

At Springbok it looked as if the whole town had turned out to welcome the girls. At the sport ground they packed the pavilion to get a glimpse of the riders and a roar of appreciation rose up as Miscke led the pack onto the oval.

Springbok... where they do everything on a grand scale
Mayor Frankie van Heerden, welcomed the Journey and thanked them for coming to his town. He praised them for their courage and their commitment to spread the message. He told them that he knew what they were going through - his wife Bella is also a survivor - she has been clean for the past three year.

The community had a number of surprises line-up for the Journey. Several organisations handed over donations to the girls and even the local police band entertained the crowd with a few songs. Where have you ever experienced something like this before?

Pupils from Dr Isak can Niekerk School and the primary section of Nababeep High handed cheques over to Diane, founder of Journey of Hope.

One of the guest house owners, Konrad Steyn from Elkowru, gave the Journey a donation of R6 150. This is the profit from an evening of art and song that was held at the guest house on Saturday evening. His sister Elizly Steyn, is an artist and her friend Frieda van den Heever dedicated songs to each piece of art. They called the production Tabularasa, which in Latin means 'to begin over again'; very appropriate for the Journey.

Two troops of drum majorettes entertained the crow and even Miss Namakwaland, the beautiful Eden Adriaans (17) from Concordia High, was there.

After all the fun and excitement it was time to join the community at a church service - a very emotional one.
The dinner was at Daisys, a lovely guest house and restaurant just outside the town.

After such a fun packed and eventful day and hundreds of kilometres - the riders were very exhausted, but very happy to fall into their beds.

The guest house owners in Springbok really opened their hearts and accommodations and the Journey members were accommodated in true Springbok style.

TOMORROW we head off to Port Nolloth on the coast.

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