#1: [09-Jan-04]

25-Oct-2003 -- My introduction to the Degree Confluence Project came via a bicycle touring forum and I am passionate about human powered vehicles and being in nature. Yes, you guessed it - I would travel to confluences by bicycle as far as possible. I chose two of the closest unvisited confluences - 31S 18E and 31S 19E. Both occur in one of southern Africa's unique floras, the Succulent Karoo Biome.

Preparations were made and I finally set out from my parents' home in Saldanha on 20 October 2003. Traveling up the West Coast, choosing gravel roads where possible to avoid traffic, passing through Vredenburg, Velddrif, Laaiplek, Dwarskersbos, Elands Bay, Lambert's Bay, Doring Bay, Strandfontein, Lutzville, Koekenaap, and Komkans before reaching 31S 18E on Saturday 25 October. I couldn't find anyone at either the Biesiesfontein or De Toren farm homesteads and was thus unable to determine on which farm the confluence was. I walked the last 1 km to the Confluence under some threatening weather and did experience a little shower on my walk back to my "steed". Upon reaching the confluence with all the zeros on my GPS, claiming 4 m accuracy at the time, I set about taking photos of the GPS display. Then and as I stood up to look around something caught my eye - stones packed in a straight line… and an iron rod driven into the earth. The stones where packed N-S! About 5 m from the GPS confluence was a very clearly marked position that my predecessor took for the position of the Confluence, I guess. Take your pick!

Feeling very satisfied I celebrated quietly sans French Champagne and headed back to my "steed" and pedaled to Bitterfontein where I would spend the night. Part one of my mission accomplished!