massive West Coast lunch platter for us and showed a hospitality that the area is renowned for . We sat for over an hour and devoured roosterkoek [ Grilled bread ], fishcakes made from locally caught snoek , little riblets , smoked Snoek , cheeses and more . As we sat fattening up , the waves crashed on the rocks alongside the pier , just metres from our table . A friendly local lady told us the story of how and why she ended up there in a very entertaining way . The best part of this whole chat was when she told us her name . A pucker West Coast one . In Doring Bay , she is known as ‘ Fish Bone ’.
With the sun edging ever closer to the horizon , we said our goodbyes and rode the last hour of dirt for the day . Our host , Ina , at the Raston Guest House in Lambert ’ s Bay , was waiting and we were already a few hours later than expected .
With over 500km of riding , mostly on gravel , we were happy to reach our overnight stop and be greeted by the warm and welcoming Ina , another gem of the West Coast . That night , we ate massive burgers at the local favourite Weskus Kombuis restaurant . The last recollection I have , is chatting to a local guy outside the restaurant called Marco Afrikaaner . He told us that he was working there in the evenings as a car watchman of sorts . Life had always been tough in Lambert ’ s Bay , but since COVID reared its ugly head , it had become hard for Marco to feed his family . A family that included a 1-year-old baby . I felt guilty as our stomachs were full , we had spent the day playing on a beautiful bike , drank wine and feasted on a platter of treats . I opened my wallet and handed all I could spare to young Marco . My own young son was waiting at home , and I knew that I would also guard stranger ’ s cars outside a restaurant on a chilly night if it helped me feed my boy .
The first thing on the cards when we woke , was to take a short spin around the village of Lambert ’ s Bay . Bird Island emitted a strong guano stench as we neared it . The birds sang loudly and the sound of the harbour current rattling the docked boats was distinctive . We took lots of photos and video as we rode the streets until we found our breakfast spot , Mad Hatter Coffee Shop . We had not even dismounted the KTM when bubbly chef owner , Bettina come out to welcome us .
In more of that memorable West Coast hospitality , Bettina smothered us with full breakfasts and even made us a hearty take away lunch pack to enjoy on the road . Her food was excellent , her enthusiastic personality even better . Another real gem for the area . To think that she had been brave enough to open the coffee shop slap bang in the middle of a pandemic . Now that is West Coast guts !
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