Boulders Bush Pub and Restaurant - Tulbach
Sunday 15th January 2006
Club Captain
Graham Johnson
Tail end Charlie
Carl Koch
In Attendance
34
The first club ride in January is notoriously well attended, and this first ride in 2006 would be no exception either. Graham arranged that this ride leave an hour earlier than normal, due to it being light at 05h00 and virtually the middle of summer – no, not the middle of the night, just the middle of summer!! For me it’s just second nature to get up early, always have done and probably always will do. But for others, I can well imagine it’s a real drudge. I mean, imagine walking out to the bike, actually getting on and half way down the road discovering that the helmet that you normally wear is still sitting on the dining room table?? What’s that all about? You’ll have to ask the Chairman’s wife about that tale of woe. As Kevin so affectionately calls it “Old Timers Disease??”
Sunday proved to be a glorious morning, and I must admit I had certain misgivings about it as the evening before offered black clouds, wind and intermittent showers. Just enough to put anyone off motorcycling? So here we were, up with the birds and out of the garage by just past six as once again I’d arrived home from a previous ride and low on
fuel. So that was the first stop – the Engen Garage on the West Coast Road then off to Damelin to gather with the rest of the Nomads. Talk about having the road to oneself – lovely stuff, and once one has the traffic lights on one’s side, well it’s plain sailing isn’t it?
Captain Chaos and Spotty were the first to arrive at Damelin followed by Carl and myself. Well we arrived just before seven and within an incredibly short space of time, the Damelin parking area was filled with motorbikes – good and proper. Ironically enough, Graham and Sandra were probably the last folk to arrive but made it before seven nevertheless. After lots of chit chat, New Year greetings and general banter, Graham rallied everyone round to explain the route. We would depart from Damelin and follow the N1 through to the turn off at Klipheuwel. Then take the Old Paarl Road through to Franshoek, up and over the pass stopping at Villiersdorp. From there it would be through to Worcester, ride through Wolseley and into Tulbagh. All in all explained Graham, this trip would be in the region of approximately 200 km’s. Not bad for the first ride of the year!
Leaving Damelin and getting caught or split by the traffic lights seems to cause a bone of contention. And rightly so. Once the first group have crossed the lights which have been in their favour, they’re up and out of it so quickly that by the time the second batch leave the traffic lights where they’ve been caught – it’s a split group and one can spend a lot of time leaning quite heavily on the throttle trying to catch up, especially if there are other vehicles on the road which insist on travelling in the right hand lane and have no idea that the sole purpose of being in the right hand lane is to try and catch up with the bikes that left before you could?? Tell Gertrude, perhaps she cares?
So off we went, and yes we got caught at the traffic lights which naturally split the group. After turning off at Klipheuwel, it was on to Franshoek where we took it nice and easy through this little town lined with restaurants to suit everyone’s taste buds. Graham decided on a leg stretch before tackling the pass which gave folk time for a fag if they so desired, that and another chin wag. Over the pass we went which I believe has now been resurfaced which makes for wonderful riding. With that out of the way our next stop was at Villiersdorp on the other side of Theewaterkloof. By this time, the sun had come out and the makings of a brilliant day lay ahead, how fortunate are we . . . blue skies, wide roads, lekker company and fabulous motorbikes!!
On to Worcester where we stopped at the Garage, some took advantage of this stop to refuel, some simply shed their jackets and took refuge in the shade from the now increasing heat. Mike and Cheryl pulled in on their fabulous new BMW and as they were about to dismount, Mike kicked out the side stand which promptly snapped back and if it hadn’t been for spinach eating Cheryl who quite clearly saved the day, the fabulous BMW would have had more that a little cosmetic damage to it – sjoo.
From Worcester it really was a doddle through Wolseley and onto Tulbagh. It’s at one of the stop streets that one takes a leftie and hey presto – it’s the Boulders Bush Pub and Restaurant. So now it’s ten o’clock and everybody is looking for a little shade, so what did we do? – we took the liberty of sharing a shed with a couple of tractors which solved our problem without further adieu.
Now these folk that own the Boulders Bush Pub and Restaurant knew we were coming, and were so well prepared that it puts the very best places to shame. We received a wonderful warm welcome, the tables had been prepared and set for the Nomads arrival, extra staff on duty and were turning out the coffee/drinks quicker than one could order! The view from the top restaurant is one of splendid beauty, gazing down upon grape vines, fruit orchards and toiled soil surrounded by magnificent mountains topped with feather light clouds.
Once Graham announced the number of folk that would be indulging in breakfast, it was all systems go. But this Boulders Bush Pub not only offered the standard breakfast, they also offered a varied menu with fare from toasted sandwiches to pasta to calamari, and nothing but nothing was too much trouble. Gee, I can think of a number of places that could take a leaf from their book. The breakfast was served buffet style (they must have heard you Mark?) with seconds up for grabs. There was absolutely no waste whatsoever, this venue has it down to a fine art and I would recommend it to all who care to listen. From scrambled eggs to “skilpad” (chicken liver), to bacon in abundance to sausage, tomato, fresh bread and butter and to top it all – the sweetest koeksisters!!
Whilst we were having breakfast Graham asked if anyone was game for the next breakfast run to be to Barrydale? – yes please Graham, that would be lovely! But keep your eyes peeled and check out the magazine back page for definite details of February’s runs.
So Graham, this was your first official Club Captain’s ride – I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. It was really really very good. The route was awesome, the distance soul satisfying, the weather played ball and the venue . . . . well, what more can I say!! The venue was just the best. Thank you Graham, it was a truly lovely day – welcome!!
