Johannesburg, day 1...and there were sausages...

Ok, I'm not officially on The Sausage Trail but when the day started with a 'light' breakfast, which consisted of scrambled eggs and Boerewors, awesome, my impression of the hotel changed instantly.

Rory ha d texted me early, and I was grateful for that as I had no idea where I was and wanted to get away from the hotel. (Shown below).

We drove to Rory's brother's house. On the way I noted how new all of the offices and show-rooms were on the main motorways. Johannesburg has money coming in, new roads with an even newer and controversial automatic toll system, many big multinational names but still signs of extreme poverty and a large disenfranchised population. Rory and I chatted with Tristan regarding my business goals and the  immediate aims over the next few days. Then we left to meet with their cousin, Stuart and, more importantly the Brai. After chatting with Stu, an IT consultant who helped build the police Tetra network in the UK, and Don, an architect who owns a hotel in Bali, we tucked in to Boerewors., orstrich sausages, lamb chops, massive steaks, excellent potato salad and normal green salad, just a lea fro me. (Stu, left and Tristan, right)

After a few beers and a chat about South African politics and domestic terrorism in the UK we repaired to Tristan's house to talk more business and drink coffee. Before we knew it it was dark and time for me to go. Rory suggested we visit Montecasino, a plush casino complex not far from my hotel.

After an excellent meal of calamari and fillet steak, for only £17 (with two beers) I found a biltong shop, how awesome is that?

On the way back to the car I noticed this...

Thankfully the casino is a 'no gun zone' with a secure 'gun safe' available for those who have the need to leave their weapons prior to gambling. Lot's of guns, lot's of general violence but no gun violence on the scale of the US. Not to worry it was time for a beer and bed.

Night all.