The world is a book, and those who don't travel only read one page - Augustine of Hippo

3 April 2019, Seeheim to Keetmanshoop, 46,2km 
At Home Self Catering R400 

I am not sure what the compulsion is to wave at a passing train, but when the train driver toots in response, it is infinitely satisfying. Our road has to a large extent been following the railway line to Keetmanshoop since we left Aus, and two of our three nights on the road have been spent beside old stations: Simplon (Alte Kalköfen) and Seeheim. Today’s train, the only one we have seen on this little-used line bedeviled by wind-blown sand, was blue and comprised an engine and one passenger carriage.
Some days are less inspiring than others, and this was such a day. The road ascended gently for much of the distance, passing a clutch of donkeys, an ostrich hatchery / abattoir / tannery, and a feedlot under a burning sun. The last 10km into Keetmanshoop were particularly trying and the entry to the town dull … until we saw the Spur! This improved our mood considerably, drawing us in for beer and Coke and a shared double pepper burger.
Regular readers may have noticed I often photograph roadside crosses, those sad reminders of death. This is not a morbid curiosity, but an acknowledgement of someone loved and lost, and a reminder of fragility and the need to stay vigilant. Today we passed two roadside crosses, one hung with silver tinsel.
At our first picnic spot we met a truck driver, Gert Louw, delivering sand for a young businessman he praised as knowing his business. Gert told us there had been enough rain in Windhoek to cause traffic jams; and that his ancestors had come to South Africa with van Riebeeck.

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