13 February 2019, Kraankuil to Potfontein, 36,9km
Home of Peter and Gail R0 (including meals)

During the “border war” 27 troop trains a day passed through Potfontein station. Now it is a quiet backwater. We are being hosted here by Peter and Gail who have lived here for 46 years, Gail having inherited the farm from her grandfather. He originally worked behind the counter of a Potfontein shop that sold “everything” and serviced train travellers and the farming community. Then he began to buy farms, owning several by the time he died.
“Look out for a barn with a black roof and house with a maroon roof 200m before the station” we were told when making arrangements to find the farm. While still in Orania, I was trying to find accommodation for the next leg of our journey. Via Google Maps I saw a place called Cypherkuil Cottages 6km off the road from Potfontein station. I dialled what seemed a related number, and somehow got through to Peter instead. When I explained we were travelling by bike and in need of a bed, he offered to host us, so here we are.
We arose to a beautiful, clear morning with a cool breeze, and said our goodbyes to Pieter and Lizzie Hartzer. The dirt road, while better by far than that travelled between Luckhoff and Orania, was tiring still, considerably more tiring than cycling on tar. So we were very happy to arrive here in time for a shower and a full farm lunch (meat, veggies, salad) with Gail and Peter, their son and daughter-in-law, pregnant with twins, and the local vet who had been out this morning assisting with moving buffalo from one area to another.
Tomorrow it is a long slog to De Aar, most of it on dirt.

For today's route see below photos
For overview route, click on ROUTE tab above…