Today we have an expanded news release which covers our very successful pass filming trip to the Eastern Cape as well as our featured pass which is in the Free State. We share and take you through the lows and highs of the 3,600 km Eastern Cape round trip. The one important lesson we extracted from this trip, was that it is possible to enjoy a superb road trip through many parts of South Africa, along dusty and forgotten roads that few people even know about, on a voyage of fabulous discovery on a fairly low budget.

It's time to set alight the flame of rediscovering South Africa!

The Eastern Cape is known as Frontier Country. We have finally gotten around to getting some of these beautiful passes filmed. The air is crisp and clean and the scenery is fabulous beyond description. We spent about 10 days planning the trip with meticulous attention to detail to ensure we crossed passes at the correct time of day in the right direction, maximising on lighting conditions. Things aren't always perfect and the first three days were spent dodging rain squalls around Graaff Reinet and Hogsback.

Dutch Reformed Church in Graaff Reinet with stormy skies / Photo: Trygve RobertsWe left Cape Town on the 6th May and took the N1 to Beaufort West. From there we headed east to Aberdeen and on to Graaff-Reinet - the Jewel of the Karoo, where we refilmed Munniks Poort. The town has over 200 historical buildings and the exquisite brownstone Dutch Reformed Church, which dominates the central square and can compete with most cathedrals in the world. One can spend several days in this lovely Karoo town with it's friendly people and enjoy the local cuisine. 

The next day we woke to drumming rain and set off on our schedule despite the gloomy weather. Both the Camdeboo and Oudeberg Passes were under cloud and heavy rain, so we continued north on a gravel road via Michielshoogte Pass and skirted around the northern approach to Nieu-Bethesda. This is a charming little village set in a picturesque valley with lots of beautiful tall trees. It is famous for the Owl House, where artist Helen Martins sculpted her array of concrete and glass owls and angels. It rained heavily for several hours as we spent time chatting to the owner of a small restaurant and learning about the history of the village. This was one of the really special places we visited. There's a short pass (unnamed) that descends down a poort into the village, which will find its way onto this website in time.

To the east of the village the road rises up towards the Witnek Pass, where the weather gave us a break and allowed us to film the entire pass, but it was icy cold (6C) near the summit with gale force winds. At the end of this pass, we were supposed to film the Wapadsberg Pass, but it was completely under the cover of a very low, white cloud mass, so we were forced to scratch that one from our list and reserve it for another day. We had another break in the weather and got Naudesberg Pass refilmed, then took a drive up the Rubidgekloof Pass with a clear run on wet roads, but again no rain.

Spandau Kop from Camdeboo Pass at the second view site/ Photo: Trygve RobertsBack on the N9 we refilmed Paardekloof Pass and returned to Graaf-Reinet, having completed a clockwise loop of around 200km. The mountain looked fairly open, so we had a second crack at Oudeberg Pass in the afternoon and managed to film it in the descending mode amidst rain showers and about 4 stops to dry the camera lens. That took us back to the Camdeboo Pass, which was without question the highlight of the day. The pass is paved all the way to the top, but it's very steep in places and most of the pass will be driven in 1st and 2nd gear. There are 3 excellent look-out points and the rain held off for the two hours we needed to capture all the best footage. If you've never seen the Valley of Desolation, do it before you pass on. It is spectacular.

Our work done in Graaff-Reinet, we headed east on tar towards Pearston amongst flat Karoo plains with a long mountain range keeping us company to the north. There was lots of game to be seen along this stretch including springbok, rooibok, and rhebuck. Cape Vervet monkeys proliferate here and they are often seen running along the top strand of the fences. The new mainstream income source in this part of the world is hunting as can be evidenced by the many game fences and boomed controlled points on the back roads.

It is about at this point that one also starts finding livestock on the road. This includes cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys. Night driving is  to be avoided completely. Between Pearston and Somerset East, we filmed the Bruintjieshoogte Pass, then diverted through Somerset East onto gravel up the Waainek Pass. It's wild and remote near the summit where we spotted a group of warthogs. This pass was a beauty, offering some challenging driving and exceptional scenery, descending via a long clockwise loop past Slagtersnek (of historical importance) and through Cookhouse ( a forlorn and neglected little town where I once spent three of my childhood years) and back onto the main tar road. We got the East Poort filmed as well as Wienandsnek Pass and continued on through Fort Beaufort and the university town of Alice, where we took the tar road up the Hogsback Pass, where we based ourselves for two nights at the Hogsback Inn which dates back to 1880.

Hogsback offers beautiful sceneryWhatever you've heard about Hogsback is probably true. Its a surreal mountain top village smothered in huge trees of many colours - in May there were shades of orange, pinks and reds amongst the evergreens. It's a cold place and the wind howled for both our nights there. The management of the Hogsback Inn and their other guests, welcomed us into the warmth of their excellent pub, where we spent two late nights being regaled by an exceptionally talented singer - more of that later and we got it all down on video too!

The next morning we tackled the infamous Michels Pass which runs WSW from Hogsback to Seymour. A bleached and faded sign near the summit suggests "No Caravans". This has been altered by hand to read "4x4 Only" and THAT is an understatement. The pass is rough, neglected and badly rutted. Halfway down a landslide with a very large rock, blocks the road completely. Only cyclists willing to lug their steeds over this rock can get past. For us, it meant an 8 point turn and a return to the summit. This pass has incredible views but unfortunately an extensive black wattle infestation blocks 99% of the views. So it was back down via the Hogsback Pass to film the Pefferskop Pass with its lovely views and a fairly easy drive through to the isolated little hamlet of Seymour - all on gravel. The final section skirts a very large irrigation dam.

The road signage is "interesting" / Photo: Trygve RobertsWe then filmed the Nico Malan Pass - a beauty of a tarred pass with stunning scenery and big altitude variance. Many of the roads are currently under repair which is encouraging to see. The other noticable feature of the Eastern Cape is just how old the road signs are - especially on the smaller roads. Often a rusted triangle on a pole leaves one second guessing exactly what the upcoming danger is!

In the Hogsback Inn pub a warm fire kept the dozen or so patrons happy, and where the young lady (Jenny Lee) tending the bar entertained us with her beautiful, raspy voice. We have produced a few videos of her singing - one of which we feature here. Bear in mind, she is singing without a microphone and no special effects. We think she deserves some recognition and should be up there singing with the best. A wonderful undiscovered talent

More videos featuring Jenny Lee on these links:

https://youtu.be/YLpK722sy4s

https://youtu.be/mdVml1WwAJM

We headed south west to the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve where we filmed the Fullers Hoek Pass both up and down. Words cannot describe just how beautiful this pass is and it is easily doable in a normal car, so bookmark it!

Sandile Dam / Photo: Trygve RobertsNear the end of this pass, we headed north up the Blinkwater Pass - another hidden gem. It traverses the Mpofu Nature Reserve and there are three manned check points but entry is free. A long anti-clockwise loop over mountainous scenery got us to the Bosnek Pass which we descended via multiple switchbacks, to arrive in Adelaide. From there we returned to Hogsback Inn for more revelry.

The next day was a tough one with 11 passes on our schedule. It started with the very long, but beautiful Wolf River Pass, which descends from Hogsback south-east towards the Sandile Dam through dense forestry plantations. That one took over an hour to film. We then headed east towards Keiskammahoek to film the Red Hill Pass and Dontsa Passes in blustery conditions. Watch out for logging trucks on this road - they drive like maniacs. On we went past the beautiful setting of the Gubu Dam towards Stutterheim and back onto the tarred N6.

From Stutterheim we filmed the Fort Cunynghame Pass, then Hobbs Hill north of Cathcart. Soon Queenstown was left behind for the surprise of the day - the Nonesi's Nek Pass - the views are exceptional on this underrated pass. Next came MacKays Nek Pass with its very tight S bends and on to the town of Cala. Once through the town, we ascended the Cala Pass which climbs siniously up a narrow ravine and refuelled at Elliot.

The road to Lundins Nek Pass / Photo: Trygve RobertsHere we headed north for the Barkly Pass which is currently undergoing a revamp. It was a case of third time lucky at filming this fabulous pass (with previous attempts being dogged by rain and cloud) and the evening was spent at the spotless and well run Mountain Shadows Hotel - our best value for money accommodation of the trip. It was cold though - very cold,  as the mercury dropped to 4C that night. Fires in the dining room, lounge and pub ensured all the guests were happy and warm.

The next day dawned clear and crisp. We headed north to film the Fetcani Pass, then the Bottelnek Pass, whereafter we joined the R58 and passed through Barkly East, from where to took the gravel road towards Rhodes and the Lundins Nek Pass which is very close to the Lesotho border. This is an amazing pass for gravel road fans and the descent down the northern side of this pass is utterly stunning. You will need a high clearance vehicle for this pass and if its raining or snowing, definitely a 4x4. We filmed it in both directions returning to Barkly East via the Wintersnek Pass. We headed straight off to Lady Grey to film the fabulous Jouberts Pass as our last pass for the day, returning via a long gravel road heading south back towards the tarred R58 - arriving in Barkly East after dark.

We spent the night at the Old Mill Inn in Barkly East, which was the worst value for money of the trip and the next morning a 4 mm thick layer of ice covered the windscreen. It had dropped below zero during the night.

A Karoo country road - less travelled / Photo: Trygve RobertsThe next morning it was up early to film the Kraai River and Benjaminshoogte passes in the crisp, clear morning sunshine, then we headed south on gravel to film Greylings, Killians and Barkers Nek passes. From there we headed south to Indwe to film the Indwe Poort, which probably ranked as the worst gravel road of the entire trip, but the good news is that the road repair teams had just started repairing this road. It was a case of dodging the graders.

From Indwe Poort, we rejoined the R410 and returned to Queenstown and from there on to Tarkastad to film the Skaapkraal Poort and sleep over in the town of Cradock - home to the Olive Schreiner Museum and of course, the Mountain Zebra National Park. There is a small restaurant in this town, called "Milla's" which produces the very best food and probably the best chicken curry ever. We recommend it! Make sure you book as its always full and only seats 20 customers.

Our windscreen frozen solid in Barkly East / Photo: Trygve RobertsLeaving Cradock early the next day, we filmed the Plankfontein Pass in perfect early morning light and from there took the gravel road to the Swaershoek Pass - this one is a real treat and quite doable in a normal car in good weather. Many kilometres further the Buffelshoek Pass was an absolute revelation and involved some technical 4WD driving as the mud near the summit was deep and treacherous after heavy overnight rain.

We continued to Jansenville where we filmed the Soutpansnek and Ravelskloof passes - both on tar and then hit gravel again towards Steytlerville through some beautiful Karoo scenery. The surprise of the day was the Waaipoort - a short, but dramatic poort featuring contorted rock formations quite similar to the Seweweekspoort and a little later the Noorspoort features the heraldic history of South African flags painted onto the rocks covering a period of about 150 years.

View from the Tree House at Ballots BayFrom Steytlerville it was an easy haul to Willowmore via the infamous concrete road which is only one vehicle width wide and from Willowmore a quick run through to George via the Beverass Pass ( a prequel to the Outeniqua Pass) and on down to George and a two day stay at Ballots Bay in one of the finest beach houses we have yet come across. We will feature this in the next week or two as it must rank as the discovery of the decade in terms of beach houses. Check it out here: www.ballotsbay.co.za

The highlight of this trip was the outstanding scenery and challenging passes and always the locals were friendly and welcoming. The low point was the litter in most of the small towns - some of them such an eyesore to the point of distraction - yet some towns (like Cathcart) were remarkably clean and well kept. The most astonishing town was Lady Frere, which was a mish-mash of loud music, smoky fires, taxis and cars parked randomly across the main road, stalls on either side of the road, once beautiful sandstone buildings in a state of semi-ruin; goats, pigs, mangy dogs, and cattle strolling across the road - but somehow there was a vibe of commercial acitivity - Africa style.

The new Eastern Cape passes will start appearing on the website later this week and will take about 4 months to complete all 54 of them..

Before we go cyber driving, we'd like to look at some of our statistics. We have just uploaded our 1000th video on You Tube. We started in 2012 which equates to a rate of 19 new videos per week. The channel has attracted 745,000 views to date and has over 600 subscribers. Those who subscribe to our YouTube channel (it's called Trygve Roberts Channel), see all the new videos first - even before they appear on the website. The website continues to attract large numbers of page views with 13,744 views being logged last week. Thank you to all of you for your continued support and success of the project.

A reminder that our online shop has stock of warm and attractive MPSA clothing including beanies, body warmers, caps and Polo shirts. You can access the online shop from here: MPSA SHOP

Our featured pass today takes us into the Free State highlands and offers not only a spectularly scenic drive through the sandstone cliffs near Clarens, but opens up a chapter of history where a major turning point was reached in the second Anglo Boer war. Near the summit is a spot where the captured Boers were forced to stockpile all their arms and ammunition, which was set on fire and burnt for several days - so severely that even today, not much grows on the top of the hill.

Our featured pass, which is situated midway between Clarens and Fouriesburg, is well-known and much-loved by motorists and motorcyclists alike. The road surface is extremely good, the corners are cambered correctly, and the views over the entire length of the pass, in particular near the summit, are breathtaking. Mike Leicester took the video footage and did the write-up and research.

Click on the link below to enjoy this scenic and historical mountain pass:

SURRENDER HILL

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Trygve Roberts
Editor

Thought for the Day: "True happiness is not made in getting something. True happiness is becoming something. This can be done by being committed to lofty goals. We cannot become something without commitment." - Ashton