Rocky's Ride Detailed Travel Log
Day 15: 17/08/24
Betta - Barby Guest farm
72.62km
Day fifteen marked the halfway point of the journey, with 570 km behind me. I had just twelve days left to reach the border before Rocky’s paperwork expired, so the pressure was on. I adjusted my route and had some backup options using tar roads in case I needed to pick up the pace near the end.
I was fortunate to see John and his wife Liv one last time. I had accidentally left my spare trailer hitch on their restaurant table, and they were kind enough to drop it off—and even brought me a steaming cup of coffee.
The route today started smoothly, with sublime gravel roads and a favourable tailwind. But then, we had another close encounter with wildlife, and Rocky gave his best Superman impression. Two warthogs were running parallel to the fence line. I managed to film them while cycling, balancing my phone in one hand and controlling the bike with the other as we coasted gently downhill. All my focus was on maintaining balance while recording.
Suddenly, the warthogs made a sharp ninety-degree turn, darting directly in front of us. By this point, Rocky was already up on his hind legs, and seeing them right in front of us was too much for him to resist. Instinct kicked in, bypassing any rational thought, and he leapt like a dog possessed in pursuit of the bush pigs. Rocky tumbled head over tail multiple times but didn’t miss a beat—he was ready to continue the chase, determined as ever.
I called after him frantically, worried he might be hurt. He eventually returned, looking a bit sheepish, with only a scrape on his chin. Proof that Jack Russells really are bulletproof.
The last 20 km were a gradual climb, which really took the wind out of me. When I finally arrived at Barby Guest Farm, rather battered, my slow progress had allowed annoying flies to incessantly buzz around my head.
Lesley, the owner of Barby Guest Farm, had a good chuckle at my hobbling gait as I checked into my chalet. We scheduled dinner for 18:00, and I was famished. I was a little disappointed when he only started cooking dinner at 18:30. Although I enjoyed Lesley’s company tremendously, we spoke for two hours while he stirred his “Farmer’s Bolognese” (as he liked to call it) repeatedly while knocking back several vodkas. I think he enjoyed the company and was delaying the meal on purpose. His wife often works away for several months at a time in WIndhoek.
My tummy growling, I tucked into the food like a man possessed, accepting every offer for another helping and virtually licking the plate, bowl, and cooking pot clean.
Lesley is a fourth-generation farmer. He is quite proud of the Namibian government’s support and says they are way ahead of South Africa. The agriculture sector, which includes farming, plays a crucial role in the economy, contributing about 5-7% to the GDP and providing jobs for approximately 20-30% of the population.
The local government provides satellite imagery to manage land and combat overgrazing. This technology tracks vegetation health by dividing farms into grids, helping farmers identify overgrazed areas and adjust grazing practices. The initiative supports sustainable farming and improves livestock productivity, especially in the country’s arid regions.
I was absolutely exhausted, and with my tummy full, my eyelids felt like concrete. I bid Lesley a fond farewell and hobbled back to my room for the night. I would be leaving early in the morning, and since it was Sunday, he would be enjoying a lie-in.