Day 250 - Mon 07 June 19,907km Petrus Steyn, SA

Tiring of looking like an old man thanks to my golden white beard and wanting to celebrate reaching £19,000 raised for re-cycle thanks to Sam and Danny's sterling efforts I decided the time had come to shave off my 8 month growth. Not a decision I took lightly it will no doubt please Helen and my Ma but I'm certainly going to miss it's warmth and sun protection in coping with the temperature extremes of the highveld and also the delight of discovering tasty morsels in my mane between meals.

We're still making good progress towards the Royal Bafoking stadium for Saturday although the riding is starting to take it's toll with Danny suffering from a knee problem and Sam gamely battling on through an achilles injury. Lets hope I too don't loose my cycling powers with the beard. Our current accomodation is an incredibly old fashioned Afrikaans B&B stuffed with flower patterned upholstery and jars of pickled veg.