Damon 4x4 - 9th August 2006 - Women's Day Dunno if it is just because the ladies were driving, but everyone was at the rendezvous early. Veronica & Ian, Leanne & Terry, Elfreda & Johan, Tania & Gary, Susan & George, Sonja & Jorgen, Linda & Clive, Ruth & Wolf and Teresa & Doug joined us in Worcester. Once all the paperwork was completed, I did a quick briefing and we departed on time. We arrived at the farm on schedule, and this caught out the farmer's wife as she was expecting us to be late. Everyone had to fill in another indemnity for the trail, and after making use of the toilets, we left. The farmer led us to the start of the trail so he could point out the turn-off to the dam where we would have lunch. At the entrance, we all deflated out tyres and after a final chat, off we went. The trail was not very difficult, but was very scenic. We stopped at the Lapa for tea time. A few souls wondered up the path to find the "Buchu" and "Wild Garlic". Just beyond the Lapa, we came to the first downhill. I stopped the group to let the ladies check the obstacle before driving it. Everyone did very well coming down the mountain. The farmer had warned us about one section, that it might be too washed out, so I went ahead to check, but decided it would be too dangerous so we left it out. I had a slow leak om the one front tyre, an I had to stop to sort it out. Luckily once the tyre was inflated it stopped leaking so there were no repairs needed. We went on to the dam where we had lunch. The kids were too well behaved - I couldn't convince any of them to jump in the water. This is where everyone inflated their tyres and after saying goodbyes, everyone made their way home. Below are the comments from the Ladies

Teresa Doug drove us from Somerset West to Worcester, not really wanting to part with his drivers seat! Must have been rather strange for him to be able to sit and look around, (I think he secretly enjoyed it). I found the driving quite challenging, there were enough descents and accents, I learnt how to match the clutch and brake so I did not fall back on the take off up a hill. This, I must admit was very smart, and I am proud that I have learnt how to do it. Of all the miles I have traveled with Doug and I never knew! I felt the group were great, at lunch we had to chance to talk and get to know each other. All the lady drivers must have learnt something, not sure how the men handled not being the masters. I certainly would love to do it again next year!

Tania Gary, Leeanne, Tiffany & I met Johan, Elfreda, Simone & Sonja at their house at 07H30 (yes, very early to get the girls up but we managed!) and then drove to the Engen 1 stop on the N1 to meet the others. We left there at 08H30 and drove in convoy to a farm called "Damon" just the other side of Worcester. The whole special thing of the day was that because it was Women's Day the women had to drive and the men had to supply lunch. Gary & Johan arranged our lunch together so you can imagine how nervous Elfreda & I were about whether we would get food or not! We were wondering if we should secretly pack in some food! Luckily Johan decided that buying food at Woolies was a good idea so he went to buy lovely chicken platters, baby tomatoes, cheese, rolls & made potato salad - it was very nice! Elfreda & I relaxed while Gary & Johan served us lunch! The 4x4 route was supposed to be an easy one - they rated it as a 2 on a scale of 1 to 5. Well we all agreed that it was definitely more like a 3 as there were some HECTIC downhills!!! We all stopped first and went to look at the mountains that we were going to drive down and I almost chickened out, but then I decided that if the other ladies could do it, so could I !!! I was a little nervous, but I managed just fine and was very proud of myself afterwards!!! Leeanne & Tiffany thoroughly enjoyed themselves! They were rocking themselves around in the car way more than what the car was doing to them and then laughing from the pit of their stomachs - they thought it was like a rollercoaster ride! Tiffany kept laughing and saying "ooh, bumpy, bumpy!!!". When we stopped at tea time they had a ball running around in the fynbos with Sonja and copied everything she did - including trying to climb up a stone wall - Tiffany is fearless!!! We continued with the trail and then stopped for lunch at 14H00. We sat on the side of a beautiful dam with a lovely view of the valley and mountains - so peaceful and relaxing! The girls ran around with Sonja and another little boy, threw stones into the dam & got full of mud! We had to take their shoes off so that they could get into the car when we left! We got home at 17H20 and were all exhausted! I bathed the girls and we all had supper and went to bed early.

Ruth I enjoyed the relaxed pace and the overall cameradie, as well as meeting new people. The trail was not very difficult and yet had one or two steep descents to get the adrenaline going. The views were absolutely spectacular, and it must be a wonderful sight in the spring with all the flowers. The dam was an ideal spot for the leasurely picnic lunch. I think it was a great idea to have only female drivers (guide excluded of course) on Women's Day, and I think you were a great leader.

Sonja I now feel much more confident driving the car off road. For instance, the advice to move the seat a bit forward and more upright helped me a lot.

Linda I would like to thank everyone who took part in the Ladies Day Damon Trail outing, especially Russell. Not only was it well organised, but the weather was perfect, the scenery was superb and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Thanks for a lovely relaxing enjoyable outing.

Elfreda Die trip was baie lekker. Dit was veral lekker om vir 'n verandering te bestuur en nie oor die logistieke van kos te bekommer nie. Wat die roete betref - dit was 'n lekker roete met 'n klein uitdaging of twee, maar niks wat ek nie kon baasraak nie. Die rustige pas waarmee jy die groep gelei het, was ook lekker. Sodoende het die dag nie gejaag gevoel nie en was daar genoeg tyd vir foto's, bene rek, ens. Ons maak weer so!