Day 9 - Piketberg to Malmesbury. 176 km Approx.

A flatter and easier day as we pass through the Swartland wheat fields in a large loop on our way towards the coast and back inland to the town of Malmesbury. The roads today offer some superb riding. The town is the largest in the Swartland ("black land") which took its name from the Renosterbos ('rhino bush'), an indigenous plant that turns black in the warm, dry summers. The area is especially known for its grain and wine cultivation as well as sheep and poultry farming.

Malmesbury was named after Sir Lowry Cole's (British Governor) father-in-law, the Earl of Malmesbury. Settlers were encouraged to make their homes here because of a tepid sulphur chloride mineral spring that was renowned for curing rheumatism. The first farms were allocated in 1703. The town acquired municipal status in 1860. The town no longer attracts the ailing because this aspect was never developed by the local authority, and today a shopping centre is located on top of the site. What a shame, as by this stage, a hot spring would have been very appreciated by tired cyclists. Nevertheless, with only one more day to go, we enjoy a hearty south African meal and overnight.