Flying Adventure: Winelands Namaqua Karoo – Day 8 (FASB – FASX):
Our initial plan was to fly to Carnarvon in the Karoo today, for some star gazing. But the weather along that route does not look good.
Being flexible, we decide to fly down to Swellendam in the Overberg region.
Overberg is a region with impressive mountain ranges and beaches and lies between the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route district. It is also home of the most southerly point of Africa, Cape Agulhas.
Springbok to Swellendam
On the route to the south its beautiful clear skies all the way. We take off mid morning from Springbok and set course for a straight line over the Karoo to the Langeberg mountain range and Swellendam.
The Karoo is a very large, but quiet and peaceful place. There is no other traffic anywhere nearby, and we can relax and enjoy our flight.
The views are stunning and the scenery impressive as we reach the mountain and the escarpment into the Overberg region where we descent into the Swellendam airfield.
After arrival in Swellendam we park the aircraft at the Swellengrebel Flying Club and check for some accommodation in town.
The Swellengrebel Hotel, is an old establishment, but perfectly located in the center of town, from where everything is within walking distance.
Swellendam is the third oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town and Stellenbosch. It was declared a magistral district in 1743, and served as a gateway to the interior for the early explorers.
Today it is an agricultural area, and home to many heritage sites. It offers a variety of really nice pubs and eateries in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
And most impressively it has the bravest and thirstiest birds ever…
Round trip to Robertson
On day 9 we fly over to Robertson, which is about a 20 minutes flight away, to fetch an additional passenger who will join us from here.
It is a beautiful day, but with exceptionally strong winds. Along the mountain range to Robertson our indicated airspeed of 125 knots, gives us a ground speed of just below 90 knots. That is an over 30 knots headwind.
Fortunately, Robertson has a second grass runway, which points more or less into the direction of that wind, where we after a turbulent and bumpy final approach safely touch down.
Despite weights mounted to the wings and chokes around the wheels, the aircraft is shaking and bumping in the wind which blows over the apron. Not very pleasant to hang around for long. Therefore, we meet up with our additional passenger and get ready to head back to Swellendam.
From what he can recall, the take off was the shortest and the climb the fastest he has experienced.
Unfortunately, back at Swellendam, we are less lucky and have to fight most of that wind as a cross wind on the main runway. Hard work flying today!
That cold beer at the clubhouse after refueling and parking is therefore highly appreciated.
We spend the rest of the day in Swellendam, and relax for our flight tomorrow, up into the middle of the Karoo for Christmas.