The rain was only light this morning, so we packed up ready to move on. With cooler temperatures and the promise of a reasonably long descent we opted for full wet weather gear. The rain may have eased, but we expected there to be plenty of standing water on the road.
Shortly after we left Eshowe, we passed the 11,000km mark! The rain had stopped and the skies had lightened as if to celebrate the achievement, oh, and the view was pretty good as well! Once again we took the obligatory photograph and then set off, only to stop a few 100 metres further on to remove our very warm waterproofs.
For 25km we headed mainly downhill, which was followed by a gently climbing 10km section. As we headed down from the top we ran into some roadworks and were a little dismayed to see a sign proclaiming 'expect delays of at least 20 minutes'. After a chat to one of our fellow queuers we decided to chance our arms and see whether we couldn't just go. The guy on the barrier was very helpful and said that we could go, and to ride on the middle section that had been resurfaced. It was just as well that he did let us go as the roadworks continued for about 10km. The speed we were travelling at would have meant that we wouldn't have cleared them before they started the traffic coming in the opposite direction. Riding on the new section meant that we were unaffected by the other vehicles, which was just as well as the section we were on involved a surprisingly steep climb.
Having cleared the roadworks, we carried on through the rolling landscape and had a chance encounter with two cycle tourists. The couple had started in Cape Town and were heading north to Eshowe. The staff at the hostel were in for a surprise later today when yet more cycle tourists turn up. We had a rather challenging conversation across the carriageway of a busy road, wished them well and then carried on.
The last 10 kilometres to Zinkwazi were pretty uneventful and we arrived in the village in time for lunch. Spotting a cafe and shop we stopped for lunch, drawing a certain amount of attention along the way. Lunch was nice, but sadly the rain started again while we were eating it. Pitching our tent was going to have to be in the rain it seemed. When we arrived at Zinkwazi lagoon lodge it was just as well that we had eaten, as their open daily restaurant and bar was closed. Helpfully we were informed that it was open yesterday and will be open tomorrow, just not today! They also have no cooking facilities which left us feeling a little unimpressed. We still have our stove, but the thought of cooking outside in the rain isn't terribly appealing.
Fortunately while setting up the tent the rain stopped so we may be alright. It is just a shame that with the bar closed, there is nowhere dry and warm to sit other than our tent. The village itself doesn't appear to offer much in the way of alternatives either. In the end though we are dry, warm and comfortable and should manage to get some rest for the shorter day to Ballito tomorrow.
We didn't remain dry for long, as the camp-site flooded. In the pouring rain we dropped the tent and pitched it elsewhere and so far we have remained flood free. Let's hope the rain stops tomorrow although the forecast doesn't look good.
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