August 30. Day 31

Between Borders.......

Monday started as usual, “another great day of venturing into the great unknown”. Thanked the nice ol’ people form “Ou Vellies” (pictured) and started skating towards Venterstad.

We started skating just on the other side of the bridge were we left off yesterday. This meant that we are skated into the Eastern Cape but base camp is still in the Northern Cape.

What we hoped for, a good smooth road, was replaced by yet another rough and even road including some big up hills.

We ended up 12km’s before Venterstad and pushed a total of 31km’s for the day and can feel the summer is sneaking up on us. The time on the road is starting to get hot. You can see Puddy in the pictures skating shirtless.

We made our way back to base camp, The Glasgow Pont Hotel (in the Northern Cape), pleased with the unknown road we conquered.

29 August. Day 30. Exit Free State. Enter Eastern Cape.

Last night’s rugby match was a whopper...

We definitely had a good day today executed in good spirits. Spent half the day doing some long needed washing (by hand) and the other half putting k’s on the clock. James, Max, Puddy and Cornell devoted some time to “skogging” (mixture of jogging and skating) and getting Human a bit more comfortable with skateboarding. After a training session Human joined Puddy on the road for a first time long haul! Big ups to Human!!

We started skating 21km’s before Bethulie – in which Human accompanied Puddy in and did another few k’s at sunset across the bridge of the Oranje River (which was a sight to behold) leaving us with 29 km’s for the day. Average of 18km/h and a top speed of 42km/h.

Standing on the edge of such a magnificent piece of natural beauty (Oranje River) it was hard not to devour its splendour for a moment.

Had a some lunch and celebrated another border. We are now out of the Free State and officially in the Eastern Cape. Next town Venterstad!

P.E. here we come..

August 28. Day 29. Arrival at Bethulie

After greeting and thanking the people form Nick’s Place for 2 nights free accommodation we set out to our marker on the R701 – or as we know it; “The Road to Mordor”. The ridiculously rough surface was a nightmare to ride, making Puddy very negative. Luckily James convinced him to keep pushing by rigging the San Clemente 64mm wheels on his board . This made Puddy amped for the road again. His previous wheels were done for, and after some inspection we found one wheel actually had what can only be described as a puncture.

The fauna and flora is livening up. We encountered some monkeys and a Secretary bird in the veld next to the road.

We got Human to try out the long board whilst on a brake form skating, and were surprised that he actually rode quite well. Keep in mind that he does not skateboard at all.

The team is pleased with the day’s work skating a total of 30km’s on and made it safely in Bethulie.

See you tomorrow.

http://www.sosvillages.org.za/

http://skateforchange.co.za/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Skate-for-Change/124999770872772?ref=ts

27th of August. Day 28. On the road to Bethulie.

After a good nights rest we all woke early and gave the van and Tazz a proper spring clean. Unpacked and re packed the whole shebang so everything fits nice and tight again.

We drove back to our marker of yesterday ( 7km's before Smithfield) and started the day's skating at the top of a big downhill. Puddy even pulled on a biker jacket for extra safety. Racing down he reached one of the highest speeds on the trip; 57km/h.

The rest of the road was as smooth as can be until we started heading out of town.The surface past Smithfield on the R701 was so horrific that we dubbed it "the road to Mordor" dropping our average speed from 26km/h straight down to 12km/h.

We kitted the van and Tazz with some more safety signs to avoid a situation like yesterday. We rolled a total of 26k's for the day leaving us with 592k's on the clock to thus far. The surroundings are gradually growing more uneven.

A good indication that we are starting to leave the Free State - the only place where one encounters a major uphill believing that beyond the top the reward of a satisfying downhill awaits. Only to find dead flat.

A funny rumour reached us today via sms. It claimed that Puddy will skate a stretch without pants. It's the first time that we have heard of this and are unaware of how long it has been circulating.

"OH! the entertainment rumours can provide..."

Remember yesterday...Puddy against Woman And child Abuse! Complimented by the remnants Of the Free State supplemented by Buffalo Springfield

Until tomorrow...

Thursday the 26th. Day 27

Left Reddersburg this morning. Big thanks to the guys from the Rainbow Construction Company who took us out for a meal and some drinks at the Sarie Marais Hotel last night.

The locals here advised us not to go through to P.E. via Jagersfontein as the roads are horrible. As you can see we are now heading to Bethule after Smithfield.

Still within the borders of the Free State we arrived in Smithfield were we will be stationed for the next two days at Nick’s Place.

Cornell and Max went out with some local hunters in search of “the perfect shot” and tried to hunt some springbuck. Max “a seasoned hunter” according to him, shot and unfortunately missed. Murphy’s Law was all Max had to say... it seems that Max shoots a lot better photos than buck. Thanks to Max for being ever ready with his camera and taking some superb shots.

Around lunch we headed out on the road to hammer down a 42km session leaving us with just 7 km’s to get into Smithfield.

The wind was blasting from behind helping Puddy reach a top speed of 49km/h. That and he got another whopper of a manual down. 400m.

We encountered another crazy driver on this stretch. The driver over took us on the left, racing over the gravel on the side of the road almost running Puddy over as he swerved back on to the road. Please people be careful when you encounter us on the road.

Smith field community paper “Die Smiffy” had an interview with Puddy and the crew.

We closed the day with a braai and an intense game of hackey sack.

We are aiming for a 30km session tomorrow.

Wednesday the 25th. Day 26.

The team is back on the road and everybody seems to be in good spirits. We reached our next stop and finally bid farewell to Bloem. Staying at the Sarie Marais Hotel in Reddersburg it was obvious that yesterday’s team meeting with Puddy had positive results, as the whole crew are pulling extra weight and putting in the extra effort. We are definitely a lot more focussed.

We reached our 500 km mark today and Puddy was feeling the spirit and skated in a pink tutu and girl’s Stix&Stones vest creating awareness for woman and child abuse. This stint created much amusement for passing motorists’ and had the crew in stitches.

Puddy once again pushed hard and completed a total of 28 km’s. He managed a 550m manual and we are starting to wonder if he is close to breaking to record for the longest wheelie.

The weather was fine and the sun was out with the wind pushing from behind. Puddy reached a top speed of 31km/h on a nice downhill with an average of 22km/h for the day.

Looking forward to the rest of the trip.

Tuesday the 24th. Day 25.

We started the day off a little later than planned making some of the guys a bit edgy. We drove out to yesterday’s marker and Puddy got right to skating hard again. Even though the road was ridiculously rough (to such an extent that Puddy had to push down one the best hills he’s encountered on trip and only reached a max speed of 29 km/h) he managed to skate the longest continues stretch without taking a break. A grand 17.5 km’s. He then carried on to skate another 12.5 km’s. Leaving us with a total of 30km’s for the day. This is a clear sign that Puddy’s fitness is increasing daily. He also pulled a 500m manual. Not the furthest on the trip but pretty impressive considering the state of the road.

Max somehow managed to forget the battery for the camera so there are no images for today. Cornell shot some footage and also got some interviews with the people where we were staying in Bloem.

We got invited to the opening of a new restaurant so we will be staying one more night in Bloem, even though we are basically at our next stop. Apparently Ferdinand Rabie from the Big Brother fame will be there. So we are looking forward to creating some more awareness for our cause.

After the day’s skating Puddy sat down with us all and we had a serious talk. We structured our next 500km’s and set clear objectives for everyone on board. The tour needs to run smooth and we shouldn’t get side tracked from our objective. THE SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE.

You can view more on the organisation Puddy is skating for here:

http://www.sosvillages.org.za/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SOS-Childrens-Villages/261370131363?v=info

With only a couple of k’s left before we reach our 500km mark and have something special planned for Puddy. But more of that tomorrow...

Monday the 23rd of August. Day 24 on the road.

After an eventful Friday and Saturday in Bloemfontein, with the interview and skating at Ofm and then the festivities at Mystic most of our Sunday was spent resting and recuperating for the week ahead.

Dirk, one of the local Bloemmers composed us a ‘skate for change’ song which he then performed at the Open Mic Session on Sunday evening. Puddy enjoyed and appreciated this so much that he has set up a recording of the song which he wants to use at the end of the tour.

A great end to a great weekend in Bloem.

Everybody was looking forward to getting on the road again and we started skating to our next marker at around 13:00. There was much excitement in the air as James had arranged with one of his mates, Matthew Zalewski who is flying a Gyro copter down to P.E that they shoot some footage of Puddy on the high way.

Skating through town on our way out some of the locals joined us again on the road and in the van for some extra company. Ruan got caught up in

traffic and we lost him for a moment but he pushed and caught up with us again.

Puddy was amped to skate after a weekend of relaxing and did a total of 30km’s reaching a top speed of 43km’s on a smooth Bloemfontein road when he held onto a passing bakkie for a while. Once we got on the N6 the gyro-copter joined us zooming around us enabling Cornell to get some amazing visuals.

20 August, Day 21

With only 10 km's left to skate into Bloem, Ruan and mates joined in again. The wind was blowing from behind and the road was a lot smoother than the day before. There was big and seriously rough uphill in town but fortunately was followed by one 'lekker' downhill. Puddy asked that we all skate together for safety reasons but the downhill was to tempting and Ruan chased down like demon. Puddy reached a speed of 43 km/h. I can only image the speed Ruan reached.

After rolling through the streets of Bloem, we joined Ofm at their studio were radio DJ Riaan did a interview with Puddy. This was great fun as Riaan got the

studio stuntman "Mal Jan" to try the tricks Puddy was attempting. Puddy took it slow at first as not to make to hard for "Mal Jan". Puddy did some nice airs and grabs while being hooked up

to the studio with a wireless mic continuing the interview with Ofm in the car park were the ramps were set up.

Saterday was spent cleaning the van and fooling around on the local mini ramp. Max, who recently started skateboarding again (after embarking on this trip) did a rock to fakie on the ramp, after taking some solid slams.

The guest house where some of the guys are staying treated us to a lovely braai and some insight for the road ahead.

Bloem's local watering hole Die Mystic Boer held us a nice party with bands Submachine, Juggernuaght and lekker local band Apeklap who dedicated a song to us. Ruan wrote a story on us for his blog; http://www.theobscenelyloud.co.za/ which created some more awareness for the cuase. Bloem has defintly treated us well on our trip to thus far.

Skate for change Grondvat party !

Come join us Saturday 21st August at The Mystic boer Bloem for a night of rockin with :

Apeklap
Juggernaught
Submachine

Party starts at 9 pm ! come celabrate 400 km's of skating by Puddy Zwennis on the Skate for Change 'Joburg to Cape Town charity project, we are in day 20 and its been an amazing tour

SMS "PUDDY" TO 38665 TO MAKE A R10 DONATION FOR THE SOS CHILDRENS VILLAGE'S!

OR JOIN US ON FACEBOOK !

Thanks to all!!

We would just like to thank all the people who hosted skate for change in their personal home's or facilities, we really did have a amasing time with all of you!
Nico and son, gave us acommodation on their farm outside Bultfontein

Hester and her Family at Kommandodrif Angling club

Ds. Johan and Corne , at their house in klerksdorp

Hilgard, gave us our first nite accommodation at Memento restuarant in Fochville

And thanks to the Kruger Family for 3 nights on their Farm outside Potch, and space in their backpackers.

without you people this tour would not have been a succes so far!

Skate for Change honour you!

Puddy, Human, Max, james and Cornell

19 August, Day 20

Bloem locals skating with Puddy 30 km's before Bloem

Puddy, Ruan, Andries and Sheldon

Day 19 we were joined by Ruan, Sheldon and Andries for a 21 km session on the R700 between Bultfontein and Bloemfontein. it turned out a awsome day of fun, and also our first day other skaters joined puddy on the road for a session.

We later went to go skate a local miniramp, and james just new how to get the guys excited with his crazy miniramp style

18 August, Day 19

After a time well spent in Bultfontein, we move onwards to bloem, to relocate our base camp at on of the local bloem communal houses.

Skating towards "Die Rose stad'' was quite a tuff stretch, Puddy faced a few solid uphills and got a bit tired out but managed to skate a total of 28km's in his day 19 session.

The crew went out the night to go and check out the Mystic boer, the place were the Skate for Change Grondvat party will take place this weekend the 21st of August.

17 August, Day 18

After a funny night at the Hostel we got back on the R700 between Bultfontein and Bloemfontein.

Max joined Puddy for the first time on the road for about 5 kilometer's, James also joined in a bit later...

the day ended with puddy breaking a tour record with 42km's skated on day 18 !

Good job Zwennis !