Monday. October 18. Day 80.

A major thanks to the friendly folk from the Swellengrebel Hotel who provided us with accommodation.

We packed up and started the session from where we ended yesterday. The session proved to be quite difficult with some major uphills and a surface that was rougher than a prison rugby match.

A usual Max drove out to the next base camp to try and hook up some accommodation. It was a bit of a mission at first as the only lodging in Riviersonderend was fully booked. Luckily a friendly family from the distric took us in and gave us accommodation on their farm about 7k’s from town.

Due to the rancid conditions the skating went a bit slow with only 25km’s down and a top speed of 16km/h.

We are 10 days away from the deadline and the excitement has started to build up. We would like to urge all to make donations as time is running out to show your support.

Friday. 15 October. Day 77.

After a day lost to the incessant rain we decided to take the weather head on. Puddy donned a safety vest for visibility, tucked his head and pushed hard against the miserable conditions. He did surprisingly well and totalled a distance of 33 km’s with an average of 45km/h, pretty fast considering that the road is wet making it really slippery.

Two German tourists drove by and pulled us off farther down. They were travelling up the coast themselves and enquired about the cause and initiative. The Tazz also started overheating during the course of the session, stalling progress for another 15 min; someone forgot to check the radiator... To top it all, the roof of the van started leaking leaving the back of the van somewhat unpleasant.

After we got back on the road Max went along to Swellendam where he was set to rig accommodation. The Swellenberg Hotel in Swellendam has agreed to provide three nights free of charge accommodation.

A wet but good day over all.

Tuesday. September 23. Day 53

The crazy guy on the road.......

Our heart warming day at the SOS Children’s Village came to a positive end and we were on the road again to our destination.

We set out from our accommodation; The Gecko Lodge in Blue Water Bay, rigged the sign and started the day’s session.

It is evident that, thanks to last night’s television exposure people are a lot more aware of us and the cause. Most of the cars hooted in support and the cash donations also picked up significantly as people noticed “that crazy guy skateboarding from Joburg to Cape Town.”

At first the road was terrifying. The section beyond the yellow line was super rough. Luckily after about six k’s it smoothed out giving Puddy a chance to enjoy the skating and the weather. It was the first day since last week that we enjoyed some sunshine again and helped us regain an average of 20km/h.

We made good time today and only have 32km’s left till we hit the J Bay turn off tomorrow. SABC man Mike Propter also met us on the road to come and greet. He was the man behind the news publicity last night.

Dj Fresh from 5fm also gave Puddy another call to hear how he was doing on the road.

Tomorrow we set out to our new base camp in Cape St. Francis.

A good day for skating

Top speed 25 km/h, Average 20 km/h, Distance skated 25, Tour distance 1147

Tuesday. September 14. Day 46.

On the road again...

Packed up and ready to hit the road we were stopped in our tracks as the van packed up! The coils had burned out. Luckily a local from the township took us to his back yard workshop where he sorted the problem tjop tjop for a very reasonable price.

We started on the marker of yesterday skating through Paterson on the way to Colchester. The road was pretty standard rough at times and smooth on others. Skated a total of 31km’s, an average of 20km/h with a 55km/h top speed. Currently on 1070 km’s in total for SKATE FOR CHANGE 2010.

We stopped at the farm gates of the owner who owns the gyro copter we filmed from leaving Bloem. He agreed that he will take Cornell up again to get some aerial shots.

After we completed the last 14km’s of the day we made our way to the Sundowners BB were we are staying free of charge for two nights. Had some lovely Burgers and had a team meeting.

We end the day on somewhat of a sad note as James will be departing from the tour tomorrow.

Monday. September 6. Day 38.

You know the wind is brutal when you have to push down a downhill to get to the bottom. This was exactly the case on day 38.

The day started and ended early. We got to our marker on the road around 09:50 and quickly realised this was going to be one tough session. The wind was barricading Puddy from the front making it close to worthless trying to skate. The roads’ surface didn't make it any easier on him either. Frustration almost got the upper hand after 18km's but the crew motivated to do another few k's. We ended the session on 25km with a 37km/h top speed and an 18km/h average. Not a good day according to Puddy.

We headed back to our base camp bracing the weather and anticipating the current over cast. Let’s hope we don't encounter rain on the road any time soon.

Tomorrow we enter Cradock and if the weather holds we are in for some good fun and laughs

Puddy was exhuassted after this battle with the elements and promptly passed out on the couch in the van.

See you tomorrow.

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

http://skateforchange.co.za/

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

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...

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 !

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 !