Umfolozi mud fun!!!!!

A short visit from Stewart on Friday afternoon at the house brought on what was to be a very challenging weekend!!!!!
Pathfinder, Stewart, Megan our 9-year-old daughter and Myself Shelley, rode from Alton via the Bird Park , then on to the White Umfolozi River through to Hluhluwe.
Packed very hastily with and all the camping equipment that would be needed for an overnight trip. Met Stewart, Left Alton at 8.00 am with a strong North Easter.

First stop was the bird park for a late breakfast, Megan went to explore the parrots and unwind…
Our objective was to ride up the river till the game reserve and ride along the fence until we reached Hluhluwe…
Stewart was in and out of the water riding the riverbank, and as free as a bird until “yes you guessed it”….. you guessed it, he hit that clay like mud!!! Soft clay like mud "beware"

Pathfinder trying to winch Can-Amm backward's
What now!!!!

With loads of pulling and pushing winch’s becoming hot. Some help from the local’s we wondered if we would ever get Stewart’s quad out of the mud????


Will try anything now......
After two and a half hour’s and a lot of help from the local’s we heaved him out. Now time was not on our side anymore so had to cut trip shorter. Negotiated path up the mountain side, ran through a settlement and headed for Morison’s. Met up with Nicholas the Petrol and Bottle Store Owner. Fuelled up only to find that the Can-Amm 800 and the Kodiak 400 were running at 10 liters per 100km,s.

Pathfinder and Stewart discuss the day's event's

Last leg for the day was off to Bush Baby’s lodge.. arrived just as the sun was setting, tired dusty and hungry. Pim and Thandie were there to welcome us. We booked into a log cabin. The ablution’s are clean and well kept. An overnight stay will cost R140 per person and there is a welcoming pub with excellent views overlooking the pool area. Enjoyed a log fire and the presence of Pim and Thandie.

Packed quads and discussed a

new route home. This time took the Eastern Shores route to Monzi. Very picturesque, not as much shade as the forest route has to offer “ a hot ride in the summer month’s”. Rode 6 km’s along the tar road in order to get to Cane Cuttters which was the venue for a brunch. Megan by now, was fed up with the dust, heat and exhausted wanted to get home.

Last stop was just before the pylons for a cold refreshing drink then off to Alton in time to load the quads and head for home.

In total we covered 250 km’s , Kymco averaged 6litres per 100 km’s Kodiac 400, 10 litres and the Can-Amm 12 litres/100km.



Cya Shelley