Judith decides to take the truck to the Ferry, and to only start riding once on the mainland, she is worried that she might miss the 10 am Ferry. A wise move, as the route to the Ferry is quite hilly and it would have slowed her down considerably - raising her stress levels.
We cycled 34 km on the Island, which consists both of pristine jungle and cultivated lands, with a lot of land dedicated to Palm Nut Oil Production. We arrive early enough to make the 10 am Ferry to the Ugandan Mainland. While waiting at the Ferry, I have a cup of coffee with Natalie, while she enjoys a cup of good Ugandan tea.
We board the Ferry, trucks & cars first, followed by motorbikes, then us cyclists, and lastly the pedestrians. We have a leisurely trip on the Lake and chat a bit to the local truck and motorbike riders.
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| Cycling through an avenue of Palm Nut trees |
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| Palm Nut grove on the Island |
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| View of the Camp area from the overlooking hill |
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| Riders waiting for the call to board the Ferry |
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| Philip takes the opportunity to enjoy a cooked meilie (corn) |
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| Motobike riders waiting to board after the trucks & cars had boarded. |
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| Park my bike away from the maddening crowd |
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| Riders pace the Ferry looking for a place to rest |
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| Some of the seated riders (three out of four riders are on social media at any one time |
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| Calm comes to the loaded Ferry as it makes its way to the Ugandan Mainland |
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| Passing another Lake Victoria Ferry |
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The motor vehicles depart the Ferry
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| The riders getting ready to disembark |
On arrival at the Mainland, we all get off in the same order as we boarded, and us riders start cycling again. I rode with Philip and Muzz.
Just before lunch, we stop at one of the roadside stalls and buy a watermelon and a few mango's, we are joined by Sue & Liz who help us to devour the most delicious and fresh tasting watermelon & mango I've had.
We get to the Lunch Truck and everyone keeps mum about our fruit eating escapades, we don't want Wynand to find out we preferred our own fruit purchase. I couldn't eat lunch... I was just to full of fresh fruit! Wynand shows us the Jack Fruit which he bought, he says he will cut it up for us to try, in the foreseeable future.
While passing through one of the Villages, we stop at a great big pile of bananas, meet the owner, who tells us its destined for Rwanda, where they will use it to make Banana Wine (will make an effort to taste some when we get to Rwanda).
I enjoy a coke-stop with Philip, Liz and Alex, & hear Nelson fell off his bike (rumor has it, he was involved in an accident with a motorbike). Sweep Rider Max, leaves us to accompany Nelson to the local Hospital, we carry on sweepless.
Arrive at the school, I took charge and acted as the Sweep Rider (seems I am the most qualified) behind Liz and Philip. We come in after Judith, who had an eventful ride to Camp after the 8 am Ferry trip (at one stage she fell down which resulted in a minor cut to her calf, and she was also caught in the rain).
All the racing snakes arrived at the School in the pouring rain, some even took the opportunity to use the rain as a makeshift shower. Everyone waits under the Main Truck tarpaulin, for the rain to stop before pitching their tents.
Everyone camps on the School Soccer Field, and Sandy and Niklas organise for a case of beers to be delivered - so we at least have access to a cold beer before dinner!
At the Briefing Meeting, we get an update about Nelson, none of the X-Ray machines at the nearest hospitals were in working order, so he was taken to Kampala, but it seems there isn't anything major wrong with him, which is good news.
Very basic Camp, squat toilets and no showers, everyone camps. Have dinner, then take a bottle wash (use my bike water bottle to wash with) & then off to sleep with the pitter-patter of falling rain...
Cheers,
Mike T
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| Philip taking photos of the local cattle |
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| Murry & Philip negotiating the price of the watermelon and mango's |
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| Eating our watermelon and mango's |
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| Wynand showing off his Jack Fruit |
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| Today's last coke stop with Phillip, Liz and Alex |
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The pile of bananas destined for Rwanda to be made into wine
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| Putting up the tent before the rain returns |
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Riders Briefing for tomorrow's ride.
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Briefing Board for tomorrow's ride
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