Sterkfontein Dam and Winterton

Sterkfontein Dam

Yesterday morning we attended the morning service at Northfield Methodist Church and then

loaded the car because everything was packed and ready to go the night before already.

Ten o’clock and we were on our way – Richard promising that this was going to be a leisure drive with no speeding. He kept his word and even he enjoyed all the back roads we took.

On to the N3 up to Harrismith where we veered off and took the R74 to Sterkfontein Dam.

R 74 - A Main Road

An amazing dam lying between the mountains with pristine blue water. No smog in the air. No industry polluting the waters.

Only if you are a South African can you appreciate what I am about to tell you.

On the R74 between Sterkfontein Dam and Bergville there is a thirty kilometre section of the road where only one half of the road (and this is a road you would use with no hesitation if you are looking at the map as it shows as a main road) can be used. We had to come to a dead stop and then go through the potholes because they are so many and so deep. Advancing and oncoming traffic have to rely on some good manners to give way.

Apparently the government ran out of funds to pay the contractors so they packed up their

The Bridge Hotel in Winterton

tools and took off but it looks like the contractors didn’t know what they were doing.

“Only in Africa”

The scenery through the passes is absolutely spectacular and tonight we overnight in Winterton. It is Sunday and everything closes at two o’clock. Lucky the lodge closed at 4pm so we at least have a bed tonight.

It is real comfy and homely but all the restaurants are closed so we will have our left over chicken from our braai the previous night.