The rally group had now splintered into a few groups. There were the members whose aircraft had been damaged at Limpopo Valley and were planning another way to meet up with us at Cape Town, the Tiger Moth group (two now) that had decided to make a stop at Mark's place near our route of flight before going on to Cape Town, the two Travel Airs group of Pedro, Keith and Colin staying back to repair the tail wheel, and the rest of us.
We started up engines at 0938 and took off for our day's destination at Gariep Dam. We were the last of the rally group to take off alongside our Team Frog and Kiwi mates, Cedric and Alexandra. Our first stop was for fuel and breakfast at Parys, a small field surrounded by graceful farms and country roads. Storm cells were dancing about the horizon and took on the capricious nature of "youngsters" moving about with a loose sense of direction. We watched a close one as it neared the field while we were under a canopied dining area of the airport cafe. Wolf and Emily, Fabian and Johannes, and the Bush Cat pilots who had gotten to Parys before we did along with the rest of the gang were finishing up their breakfasts. They were getting ready to take off before the squall came through. They made it out just fine and we lingered to enjoy breakfast. When it became clear that things could get pretty wet, we dashed out to our planes and put the cockpit covers on them. After breakfast, the rain had passed and we planned for a quick fuel-up to head on our way. Unfortunately, for us pulling up the rear, the main fuel storage tank was now dry. Another tank a short driving distance from the parking ramp still had some fuel, so a truck was dispatched to bring cans of fuel over to our planes. This process to fuel two planes took a while. We finally got off as another cell threatened to anchor itself over the field.
As we approached the area of New Tempe, we could see more weather up ahead and though we previously had discussed whether or not to stop at New Tempe, we decided it prudent to make the stop and get more weather updates. We were flying over vast stretches of rural landscape and though not the kind of endless wilderness we flew over in other countries further north, there were plenty of country roads to land on. Still, prudence reigned. When we landed at New Tempe we were surprised to meet up again with our UK friends Ron and Val Gammon whom we had met in Megara, Greece. They had decided to join up with the rally for the last two legs to Cape Town. They were in two aircraft - a Tiger Moth Ron was flying with a friend, and another enclosed high wing plane I was not familiar with that Val (a pilot) and another pilot were flying. As the weather was presently not looking so good, they decided to call it a day and were headed into town to a hotel. We told them we were going to check out the weather forecasts and evaluate the prospects for going on to Gariep Dam. By now the other rally members were ahead of us by several hours. Rain came and we were glad we had covered out cockpits before going into the station terminal. Thunder and lightning came and we had a power outage. Nick called ahead to Gariep Dam and spoke with someone there who said the weather there was good.
Weather reports showed another fast moving system that would pass over us and head northwest of our position which was good as we were heading south. We waited out the current weather cell at the small terminal building where the four of us and a lone station manager chatted and checked on weather updates every 15 minutes. The winds were fairly strong but not gusty and the visibility was sketchy to the east where the sky was already growing dark with the approach of the new cell. The deluge lingered as the current cell appeared to stall over our area. If it lingered too long, it would be overtaken by the new cell and by the time that one passed, it would be too late to take off for Gariep Dam. The worst of the rain tapered off and we discussed our options. If we could take off now, we'd have enough daylight to make it to Gariep. We looked out the window and could see the advancing weather system from the east; to the west, we could see patches of clearing sky. Light rain or not, we decided to make a run for it - literally. We thanked the station manager for his hospitality and raced out to our planes, quickly prepped for the flight and taxied out for take-off as the current cell finally waned and just before the new one with all its menacing look bore down on us. We took off in short sequence into the stiff wind and the face of darkness, turned 180 degrees for quick downwind departures, headed for the southwestern clearing and escaped the Creature From the Black Lagoon that was about to stomp on New Tempe.
The flight to Gariep Dam was so beautiful. It was that kind of late afternoon sky awash with the remnants of passing storms where clouds looked bruised but were healing in the light of sunbeams. The light highlighted the textures of terrain all around us. A water color artist would have had a great field day.
We landed at Gariep Dam just at dusk. All the other rally airplanes were there tied up and the airport manager greeted us with great enthusiasm. "Welcome to Gariep Dam! We heard you two had left New Tempe and were heading this way. We decided to wait and could hear you approaching. You managed to stay ahead of the weather just in time." Here the weather was beautiful and the rising moon was reflecting off our planes as we secured them for the night. We were hungry and tired and it was with great pleasure that the airport manager drove us to our hotel high on a rocky crest overlooking the area. Dressed in our grubby flight suits and muddy boots, we were ushered into the dining room where everyone was enjoying a hearty, hot buffet. When we entered, the rally gang looked up at us and broke out in applause so happy to see us. We were quite delighted to see all of them!
At Parys for breakfast and fuel.
Wolf and Emily at Parys ready to take off and beat the approaching rain cloud.
At breakfast at Parys watching as rain approaches. The gentleman with us joined us in a blue Tiger Moth from Blue Mountain.
Looking out window of New Tempe station. The rain came down in sheets and it didn't look good for a while for us getting out of there.
Smuggler and the Stampe waiting out the rain in New Tempe.
Finally out of New Tempe and on way to Gariep Dam. Still plenty of clouds that darkened the sky, but did have some sunny spells once we got ahead of the weather system.
Interesting terrain warmed up by the late afternoon sun.
Dark scalloped clouds overhead.
Turning final approach for Gariep Dam. The lake formed by the dam is visible in the background.
Our planes finally secured for the night with not much time to spare before dark. The Grand Caravan is parked behind us along with all the other aircraft.
Reunited with our rally mates at our hotel after a long day. The food was GREAT.
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