Day 388 South Africa 25/11/2011, Ballito – Durban – Lion's River. 30.37miles/48.80km, 3hr19minutes, Av 9.1mph.

The rain had stopped this morning which was good news, however yesterday's blustery wind still remained. Saying goodbye to Shaun and Louie we set off towards Durban at just before 8am.

The climb out of Ballito soon had our muscles warmed up and we were on our way. With only about 45km to go we were confident that we would reach the city by 12pm where we would meet Debs' friends, Steph and Tim.

The journey along the M4 was easy, although the headwind and the traffic made it bit more challenging. It was nice to be riding along the coast through generally attractive scenery though.

As we neared the outskirts of Durban, the road became less fun as we had to negotiate several slip roads. These are never fun when you have cars trying to leave the main carriageway at 100km/h when we are only doing 20km/h at best. The fact that hardly anyone indicates and most people seem to wait to the last minute to cut across, means that it is not for the faint hearted! We are of course by now old hands at dealing with busy roads, so we arrived in Durban without incident.

Leaving the main road behind we rode through the city along the beach promenade. It was thanks to Shaun and Louie that we knew it existed. The route was certainly nicer than our original plan would have been. Passing along the promenade we got to have a look at Durban's beach front and it looks like it will be a nice place to spend a few days when we return.

Having arrived in good time, we wended our way slowly to the fisherman's wharf and Café Fish where we were to be met by Steph and Tim. Despite them running late, having been stuck in traffic, we didn't have to wait long. We were soon having a beer and a nice lunch in the restaurant. Steph was Debbie's tetrathlon coach and good friend from her pony club days. She has been living with her husband Tim in Lion's River for some time. It was great for Debs to catch up and after lunch we were on our way to their home.

Lion's River is a beautiful part of South Africa and their home couldn't be in a nicer setting. After getting settled into a lovely room, we wandered down into the fields to inspect the cows. Tim and Steph breed Murray Grey cows, which they have been introducing into South Africa.

Having had a stroll through the fields and a look at the river, we returned to the house and had a welcome beer on the verandah. A lovely dinner was followed by wine, more chatting and eventually a port or two. It has been a terrific day and just what Debs needed to help her get over her ordeal. A few days rest in lovely company will be extremely welcome.

Day 387 South Africa 24/11/2011, Ballito. Watching the rain fall.

Today we had sat and watched the rain fall on a South African summer day. There are obviously worse places to be than in a lovely house surrounded by friendly people and a fridge full of beer.

Venturing out briefly, I went with Shaun to Sindy's (a Ballito area institution) to get our first ever bunny chows (an Indian curry served in a hollowed out quarter of a loaf of bread). I enjoyed mine but it was a bit on the spicy side for Debs. Still we couldn't come to the Durban area without trying one.

The rest of the afternoon was spent chatting and relaxing over a few beers. Followed by a nice dinner of crayfish. At least I had crayfish, Debs being a non fish eater enjoyed a couple of pork chops.

We have enjoyed our stopover here, it was obviously a shame that the weather was against us, but we have been made to feel very welcome. We owe a big thank you to Shaun, Louie, Jenna and of course Katrina.

Day 386 South Africa 23/11/2011, Zinkwazi beach – Ballito. 29.71miles/47.81km, 2hr57minutes, Av 10mph.

Firstly, the good thing is that the rain stopped during the night, we weren't washed away and we woke to blue-ish skies.

Normally I write about our day on the road, but to be honest today I can't see the point. While cycling through a built-up area just south of the town of Stanger, Debs was robbed. I had been cycling ahead on a hill and had just rounded a corner and was waiting in a lay-by for her to catch up. About 100m back down the road a guy grabbed her bike from behind, thrust his hand into her pocket and grabbed her I-pod. It seems that no amount of shouting and screaming for help elicited any response from the happily watching locals.

Seeing what had happened, two very kind Indian guys in a truck stopped to try and help, but the thief had ran away, taking her I-pod with him. Meanwhile a lorry pulled up beside me and told me I had to go back, because something had happened to my partner. I quickly turned round fearing that she had been hit by a vehicle on the busy narrow road. As I saw her on the side of the road with a truck parked beside her my fears deepened. I certainly didn't expect to hear that she had been robbed.

Perhaps we have got a bit complacent, most of the time through towns it is usual for me to ride behind Debs to make sure she is alright. Since arriving in South Africa we haven't found the situation threatening so don't usually worry. The area we were in may have been built-up, but there was no footpath and we were on a main road. Not the sort of area that has ever been a problem.

Despite a bruised leg and scratched arm Debs is, physically at least, unhurt. Mentally she is, as is to be expected, quite shaken up. It is not the theft so much as the act of the thief grabbing into her pocket and her own inability to stop him.

It is tragic that after 11,000 incident free kilometres this has had to happen. The guys in the truck that had stopped to help were mortified at what had taken place and assisted as much as they could. Their opinion of the locals and their attitude was less than complimentary and they advised us not to stop again until we were well clear. Their concerns about the area were proven well-founded when two young guys shouted hello and then hurled a large stick of sugar cane at us from the embankment.

Kindly the two guys drove their truck behind, holding up the traffic until we were into what they considered a safer area. Their simple actions don't make up for what happened, but it does go some way to reaffirm our faith in human goodness.

Debs somehow managed to hold herself together for the next 30km, until we reached Ballito and the lovely house that we will be spending a few days in. Once again she has shown me how remarkably strong she can be. I only wish that I had been closer to her when it happened and had been able to do something. The shame is that with both of us together, the theft may never have taken place.

While in Ballito we are the guests of Katrina, who we met in Mozambique. What makes her hospitality more amazing is the fact that she is currently in Sudan. Left in the hands of her house mate and friends, Shaun and Louis, our day has greatly improved. We have been made to feel very welcome and a few beers and a glass of wine is helping to ease what has been a very difficult day.

Our day was further eased by a lovely roast chicken dinner, cooked by Shaun, and yet more wine. I am sure things will look much better in the morning.