Diamond Coast 27th April to 1st May 2006 Rendezvous was at the Engen garage in Garies on Thursday morning. A couple of folks had slept in Garies the night before, with some staying over in Vredendal. Only a few drove all the way from Cape Town that morning. As folks arrived, we got the paperwork out of the way and just before 10:00am I did a short briefing and we were on our way. First stop was to be in Hondeklip Bay. We went to the rock that gave the town it's name - there was a lot of joking about the 'Honde Klip'. Then after a short drive, we arrived at the wreck of the Aristea that sank in 1945. We had a picnic lunch and the photographers got down to business. It soon became apparent, that most of us are the happy snappers while Alison, Malan and Don are the professionals. After lunch we had a short drive to Koiingnaas where we had to go through the De Beers security point. This was the first glitch on the trip. They had not arranged the permit for Delene, but we were lucky they gave her a temporary permit. From Koiingnaas, it was about 60km to Houthoop. We arrived at Houthoop and everyone quickly unpacked and tried to relax. Although it was almost 3:00pm, it was a scorching 34 degrees and nowhere to cool off. The huts looked kinda romantic when we arrived, but they soon resembled saunas. I went in search of our host, Veronica, and she invited us all to come into the air-conditioned pub. I didn't need to invite anyone twice! Our dinner was prepared by Veronica and it was fantastic. Lamb potjie with all the vegetable dishes and salads, big dish of mussels in garlic and a platter of king prawns. This was all followed by deserts and coffee. Everyone had too much to eat and we all waddled off to bed. Friday morning started on the wrong foot. I got a message that we were supposed to already be in Kleinsee for the mine tour at 8:00am, but I had previously been told it would start at 9:00am. Anyway, we got there as quickly as we could and spent a day with Jolene - our guide for the tour. The tour was very interesting, but the areas of the mine we were taken to, did not look to be that busy. Maybe they already have enough diamonds???? The tour ended at 3:00pm and we had the rest of the afternoon to relax. Some folk hit the shopping mall (Ok, it was just a big half empty Spar) and others found fuel and the beach. Alison and Marsha were the only ones to brave the cold water and had a swim. Back at Houthoop, our afternoon peace was shattered by the arrival of 2 helicopters. Camera's were brought when the police chopper and an Air Force Oryx landed in the campsite. That evening we spent in the Houthoop and had a braai together. Saturday morning was a great start. Before we met Floors, our guide, we saw the Oryx take off and it did a low-level fly past which was quite exciting. Then it was time to meet the guide. I had taken along an extra 29MHz radio for Floors, so he could chat to us all day. Floors remembered Johan and even surprised Johan when he told him his father would be staying at Floors' accommodation - Melkbospunt. - and that Johan should visit his dad. After a briefing by Floors on the journey, we departed just before 9:00am and got to the start of the Shipwreck Trail about 20 minutes later. This is where we deflated our tyres and then started the trip. It was a cold and misty morning and visibility was fairly reduced. The first stop was at the wreck of the Border which sank on 1 April 1947. Although it was very misty, the photographers soon had their tripods and cameras out and were taking photo's. The wreck of the border is probably the most photogenic of the lot as it is almost all in one piece and still recognizable as a ship. The wreck of the Arosa (ran aground 16 June 1976) was not visible in the mist as it is not on the beach, but is stuck on a reef just off-shore. We still stopped here briefly and Floors showed us photo's of what the ship looked like just after it got stuck on the reef. Our next stop was the 'Kliphuis' where Floors regaled us with more West Coast folklore. Johan also added a bit to the stories. This was also our coffee stop. Andy (probably thinking about his daily cuppa) asked where the people living there managed to find water. This took us to our next stop, the fresh water wells. The one well still looked fine, but the water in the second looked quite horrible. The final wreck was the Piratiny (wrecked in June 1943). This once again inspired the photographers. The only mishap for the day, was a flat wheel for Sandy and one for Floors. We then arrived at Noup in very misty/windy conditions. The cottages had been allocated by Aletta, and with a bit of swapping around, everyone was happy. As the wind was howling, Clive, Linda, Greg and Karen decided to cook a potjie in their cottage and the rest of us started our braai in Don and Marsha's cottage until the smoke sent us outside. Marsha spoilt us by baking a fresh bread, which was gobbled up in no time. At 10:00pm the lights went out and then Hein made his famous 'Dune Coffee' for everyone. (I think this is what helped me go to sleep so early) Sunday morning, we started off with a tyre repair for Floors and then we went to the Strandveld trail. Actually this is a sand dune trail. Don and Marsha stayed behind - Don off to take more pics at the wreck and Marsha just wanted to relax. Floors took us on a short detour so that we did not have to drive on tar with our deflated tyres. We saw some Springbok and a couple of Gemsbok before we got to the dunes. The dune drive was gentle - just following Floors until we got to a small area for playing. A few of us followed Hein around and just when Greg was starting to have fun, we had to stop. Here Sandy had a moment when her front tyre popped off the rim, but that was soon sorted out. We stopped at a shell midden, ostrich eggs, and then stopped in the tracks between bushes for lunch. Floors got us all back to Noup by 2:00pm so there was more time to relax. While some of us had a snooze, Johan and Delene went to visit Johan's dad at Melkbospunt. Sunday night we all braaied together and Marsha baked another bread for us. The laugh of the evening was when Andy (inadvertently) locked Veronica inside their cottage and she could not get out to join us. Marsha eventually rescued her. Hein spoilt us again with more 'Dune Coffee' and then it was sleep time. Monday morning, everyone was ready to leave, then we had a quick tyre repair on Sandy's truck before leaving. Don & Marsha and Greg & Karen decided to go home the quick way via Hondeklip and Garies while the rest followed me through the Namaqua National Park, past Soebatsfontein and up the Wildeperdehoek Pass (Messelpad Pass) to stop at the ruins of a historic prison. More photo's and then via a farm track back to the N7 where we inflated tyres and said our good byes. This trip was a great trip with some wonderful people. Everyone got on well with each other and I am sure we would have all preferred an extra day or 2. Thanks to everyone for making it a memorable trip. The crew were: Johan & Delene, Sandy, Malan & Alison, Don & Marsha, Andy & Veronica, Clive & Linda, Greg & Karen and Hein & Annaline.

Clive and Linda What an incredible trip up the notorious land of contrast, the Namakwa West Coast. From the start at Garies when we met the group we knew that the following 5 days was going to be a trip to be remembered by all. The sights, accommodation, experiences and guides were of the best calibre. Add to this nature throwing in a few curved balls with some extreme weather. True to form Russell had us entertained up until the end with an exit trip over the Wildeperd pass and up a track seldom used to end the trip on a high note. With the N7 in view it was back to reality and homeward on a very high note. Being part of a trip organised and run by Russell is guaranteed to be an amazing and memorable experience. Thank you Russell for your time and commitment.

Greg Russell, thanks for a great weekend. Was a nice crowd, interesting tour and a good balance of 'free' time. I look forward to the next one! Karen Just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful trip up the Diamond Coast. You asked for a brief report so here is mine from a 'girl's' point of view!! It was my first trip with a 4x4 club and it was really great. It was very well organized. It was such a nice crowd of people and they are all very friendly. The accommodation at Houthoop was very good (although a bit hot in those houses!) and the meal organized was superb. I however found the tour of the diamond mine a bit disappointing - thought there would be a little more action - was more like a ghost town! The shipwreck trail was amazing - Floors certainly is a wonderful guide who is very knowledgeable. Then onto Noep - those cottages were really amazing! The sand dune trail was really scary at first, going vertically down was a little unnerving, but after a while I got used to it and enjoyed it. The communal braai on Sunday night was very good - was nice to chat with everyone and hear what they had too say. Thank you for all the organization that you did to make this trip so wonderful - I would certainly like to do another with you all.

Andy and Veronica Thank you Russell for organising a wonderful long weekend on the Diamond Coast. The trip really provided a good balance between driving, places and things of interest and free time. I was personally surprised by the diversity of the strandveld and the dune fields which seem to provide such an amazing eco system all of their own. Perhaps we all share the notion that the Namqualand coastal areas are no more than a series of mine dumps and restricted access to the coast. In fact, I was amazed at the diversity of the vegetation throughout the trip and,albeit limited at the moment, the endeavours of De Beers to rehabilitate the worked areas by refilling and planting with indigenous vegetation. The renovated divers cottages on the beach at Noup provided a truly rustig setting and we were quite sad when the call came to depart on the last day. Pity about me locking Veronica in the room. She has nearly got back to speaking me again!! Another highlight for me was the detour that we took on the drive home through Soebatsfontein and the two passes. The mountain scenery was fantastic. Once again, thanks for your all your efforts to make the weekend such an enjoyable success.

Don and Marsha This was a great trip and what Marsha and I enjoyed about it was that there was no rush, certainly not having to pitch tents and being in a location for more than one night certainly was great. I enjoyed the trip to the mine and am glad I did it but it was almost a waste of a day, it lacked something that I can't pinpoint. Our trip back to Cape Town was relatively uneventful, we did experience a heavy sandstorm between Hondeklipbaai and Garies where at one point it looked like we might have to stop. Thanks to Russell and all the other guys and girls for a memorable trip.

Sandy The start of the trip was a bit tiring, leaving Cape Town at 4:30 a.m to arrive in Garies by 8:45, but it was great to meet my fellow travellers and though I was fading on the last stretch to Houthoop, the guided tour of Hondeklipbaai was very enjoyable. When we got to Houthoop, I braved the sauna-like conditions in the huts to catch up some much-needed sleep. The dinner that night was divine and the tour of the diamond mine was really interesting. Our guide on the shipwreck and Dune trails, Floors, was a mine of information and it was fascinating listening to him. The shipwrecks were fascinating if only for the delight they brought to the photographers! The West Coast is a special place for me, and there is no better way to experience it than to run along close to the breakers, hear them crashing on the rocks and smell the sea mist. The place always awakens strong emotions in me and they were particularly pungent this time because it's the first time I've been back to that area since my beloved Doberman, Sasha, died. As I was running along, I could still see images of her frolicking in the waves. The Noep cottages were a real treat and definitely to be visited again. A big thank-you to Russell for putting together a well thought-out and well-organised trip which left plenty of time for relaxation. A big thank-you also to all who helped me out with my tyre woes on the weekend.