Saturday, 29 March 2014
Saturday 29
What a beautiful place to wake up in. God's glorious creation, Storms River.
After breakfast took a slow drive to Lookout beach at Plettenberg Bay.
Then onto Ebb and Flow north camp site at Wilderness.
Roads are quite busy with the start of school holidays
Last night of the holiday tonight , sob sob. It has been a very enjoyable and relaxing holiday with many interesting new experiences.
Friday, 28 March 2014
Friday 28
Drove today to Storms River mouth where we have last stayed many, many years ago.
The camp is fantastic and Sanparks are once again doing an excellent job.
We have a caravan site right on the waters edge and will sleep listening to the crashing of waves all night.
Looking forward to it.
Walk at long distance ( for me that is ) to the restaurant for milk shakes.
Wednesday 26 additional
While on the game drive in Woodbury game farm we witnessed 2 juvenile Fish Eagles involved in a game of talon locking. Juvenile birds fly at each other, claws first and lock their talons together and then free fall in a spiral until one releases. They do this to sharpen their hunting skills. It was amazing to witness this game a few times.
Thursday 27
Spent the day in Addo which is about 40 km from the farm where we are staying.
On the way we drove next to the Shamwari game fence and came across 2 cheetah feasting on a fresh kill.
Addo seemed to have less elephant than when we were there a number of years ago.
Saw loads of kudu and other antelopes.
Eventually found a herd of elephant right on the road. As they passed we could have touched them.
Had a unusual sighting of a rooikat stalking. It was at the side of the road and we had a really good view of it. Launched itself onto it's prey in a bush which we could not quite see into.
Had coffee at the only food place which is a steak restaurant. The camp lacks a snack type coffee shop so we bought crisps etc for picnic lunch.
Came across more elephant one of which got a little annoyed as I took close up photos of it. Had to depart in a hurry.
Went into Addo via the northern gate so drove down and came out the southern gate.
Came across a large plain where there were loads of elephants and other game. My faith in seeing lots of elephants in Addo is restored.
All together it has been a great few days at Kenton and on the farm.
Time to move on tomorrow to Storms river mouth.
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Wednesday 26
Had a great sleep in a huge "grandma's feather bed". Rained in the night, glad for the roof over our heads and inside bathroom.
Took a walk up Beacon Hill behind the house this morning. Pretty tough going on my ankles but I am determined not to stop doing things as much as it hurts at the time. Von is my faithful walking stick as usual.
Richard has invited us for a game drive this afternoon and supper with him and his wife.
Went to Wodbury tented camp at 15h00 where Kyle a range together with Richard took us on a game drive for about 4 hours. Had amazing sightings of white rhinos amongst other game. They have a constant fear of poaching haven lost 2 rhinos a few years ago. The game reserve employ their own anti poaching unit, I hope they are successful because the rhinos are fantastic animals and we really had good views of them.
Sundowners atop a hill.
Searched at sunset for their lions but could not find them.
Had a very pleasant evening meal with Richard and his wife, Cathy.
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Tuesday 25
A bit cooler last night so had a better nights sleep despite the old spring bed!
This morning costumes on and beach time. Weather is still warm and sea a little cold to go in at first. Yvonne swam and I paddled like an old man at the seaside.
Packed up now and heading for Gush farm near Sidbury.
15h30 Only had to drive about 90 km today to the farm where we will spend 3 nights. It belongs to Richard Gush who Ed used to work with at Eskom.
Really an old farm house. The Gush family came to SA with the 1820 settlers. Three brothers owned as many farms until they were consolidated into 2 a while back. We are north of the N2 where they breed cattle for slaughter. South of the N2 is there game lodge for about 28 guests where they have the big five. Richard is hoping to organise us a game drive tomorrow.
Monday, 24 March 2014
Monday 24
Quiet day today as we are having a heat wave in this part of the country while we hear that Cape Town is experiencing heavy rain and storms. Guess the cold front will hit us in a day or so.
Went to visit the 1820 settler town of Bathurst today. Interesting toposcope atop one of the hills in town that showed where all the original settler farms were, unfortunately a lot of the information plaques were stolen for there metal.
Most things were closed Monday but did manage to have a cool drink at the Pig and Whistle pub which is the oldest continually licenced pub in SA.
We couldn't even buy a traditional queen pineapple in Bathurst because, as they told us it so hot that the pineapples are "too cooked". Even the chickens are continually having to be dunked in water to keep them alive in this weather.
Did some shopping for provisions at Port Alfred Pick n Pay where we were given 10 percent discount as Monday is pensioners day !
Sunday, 23 March 2014
Sunday 23
After breakfast said our goodbyes to family and new friends, met up with Ed and Wendy and headed south to Kenton on Sea.
After East London took the R72 coastal road. There are some really nice looking holiday resorts on river mouths all along this coast. Pity it is so far from Cape Town.
Staying in a house owned by one of Ed's ex work colleagues. Really comfortable and ideal for our purposes.
Tonight eating at the Sandbar floating restaurant on the Bushmans river as recommended by Tani.
Saturday 22
What a nice sleep in real beds! Bit worried about getting us back into a roof top tent after the hotel! A RTT is a different type of holiday that allows us to see much more than we would do and experience different things that are not always possible staying in hotels. Well that's my opinion anyway and I am sticking to it. But I am the first to admit I could not do it without Yvonne and I would not want to anyway.
The Morgan Bay hotel tariff includes dinner bed and breakfast so we had a real full buffet breakfast. The hotel also use seating plans for meals so it is nice that there is no rush and bun fight for seating.
Relaxing day walking on beach, chatting, reading and an afternoon snooze.
For dinner we all sat at one long table to enjoy a 7 course meal !
Saturday, 22 March 2014
Friday 21
Had a great sleep - no late partying went on.
Loads of runners have assembled this morning to take part in a trail run from the hostel. Had a quick bite to eat and on the road by 9.
Took gravel back road to Kiskamieshoek. Road at times was not on Garmap and used mainly by forestry dept. Lovely drive through forests, mountain passes, over Sithole dam wall and through numerous villages. Everyone we met was extremely friendly waving with one hand and thumbs up with the other. Took longer than expected but that was the nature of the trip and we had time on our hands. Sure beat boring straight tarred roads !
Arrived at Morgan Bay about 3pm and left Ed and Wendy to book into the camp site and we slummed it at the hotel. Waited as ours did in our room so that Rod would not see us.
We all gathered in the snooker room off the pub at 7pm. Louise and Rod came to the pub for a drink and we all filed out with silver eye masks on. Well Rod nearly fell through the floor and was speechless for a while.
Had drinks. Followed by a sea food feast. Then more drinks including Jagermister and tequila! Danced and partied till midnight when we retired.
Some of the younger generation carried on till 02h30 and that could be sent in their eyes at breakfast the next morning.
It was great that we were invited and that we could make the trip. Really enjoyed celebrating Rod's 40th that Louise did such a good job organising and keeping a secret. Also nice to catch up with Dereck and Yvonne again.
Thursday, 20 March 2014
Thursday 20
Afraid to say we had a shocking nights sleep last night. We are camped pretty close to reception and bar and there was a bit of a party going on , not too bad to start and got some sleep. Then it got really loud so I went to complain at 4 in the morning only to find it was not guests but the owner and his mates. Really shocking don't evar stay here.
Today we found out there is another much nicer camp site in town but cannot face moving so hopefully it will be alright here tonight.
Today , we visited fairy walk, info centre for more info, a most interesting potter by the name of Anton v d Merwe who happens to be related to Helen Martins of Owl house fame !!
Had fantastic pizza at Butterflies Bistro.
Visited St Patrick's on the hill church, very nice experience far better than visiting a labyrinth !
Rained a little in the night and is still cold and slightly overcast, hopefully no rain tonight our last night in Hogsback.
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
We really tried this afternoon to assist Hogsback economy but failed. Everything is closed even the information office ! Anyway had a nice drive around the village and surroundings. Visited a labyrinth not that it did much for us but we were inclined to not take it seriously.
Weather is getting cold and a little overcast. Cold we can handle just don't need rain while camping !
Wednesday 19
Had a great sleep after a braai of Karroo lamb chops, fresh from a butcher in Somerset East for R 90 kg.
Woken by monkeys jumping on our tent. Had a full fairy fry up breakfast all for only R 35.
Took a walk to see the bath tub that hangs over a cliff - see picture.
Von and Ed have now gone for a short hike to the indigenous forest and Wendy and I will meet them later by car.
Now 4 hours later and Ed & Von went for a long walk up and down forest paths. Wendy and I did part of the walk to see the Swallow falls. Very pretty area here.
They are preparing for a trail run at the weekend laying red markers on the trail so we could not get lost !
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Tuesday 18th
Left Camdeboo at about 9 for a slow drive to Hogsback. Stopped at Somerset East to visit King Walter Battis of Fook Island museum. Great to see and feel an association with my high school art teacher, who unfortunately had to regard me as one of his artistic failures!
Also bought some Karroo lamb chops for this evening.
Drove through some typical Eastern Cape small towns / villages. Roads are in fair condition and driving no worse than CPT.
Town of Alice is amazing to think the previous Govt built a very fine university there to keep the locals away from the traditional "white" universities. Fort Hare university looks in good nick and very busy especially considering how small Alice is.
Fantastic scenery on last few kms to Hogsback in the Amatola mountain range.
Battled to find away with fairies camp site but eventually did. Strange little hippy place but no camping electricity and unisex ablutions. Will stay tonight and might reconsider for next 2 nights.
Monday, 17 March 2014
Monday 17
Took a drive to Nieu Bethesda and the owl house. Interesting Karroo town of wide streets, quaint shops (but empty of goods and customers), smiling locals and kids paddling in the lei water to cool off.
Owl house is weird that's about all one can say about this eccentric women who besides creating weird statues locked her father in a room with no windows. Hope our children don't get any ideas! !!
Had milk shakes, visited local ale brewery, local pottery and walked around.
Just got back to camp after a very scenic drive through the mountains.
Tomorrow to Hogs Back we go.
Sunday
Took a drive through the" game viewing area" not much to see unfortunately.
Went to local Spar foe provisions. Town has amazing houses and buildings mostly well maintained and of similar era architecture.
Into Valley of desolation for sundowners. Climbed all of 220 meters to the one view point, no major achievement for the others but it was for me !
What a great view over God's creation of the great Karroo. Amazing rock formations. Met a young German couple who are touring SA for their first time.
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Sunday 16th
Sunday late lie in followed by a leisurely fried breakfast, need extra cholesterol tablets tonight.
Still lazing in camp now at 12h50. Waiting for weather to cool down a bit and then plan to drive through the game viewing area to have sunset in the valley of desolation.
Saturday 15th
During the night we heard lions roar but it is difficult to determine how close they were. Spent a while in a bird hide and then did a drive through the park and stopped at one of the picnic spots where you can get out your car. Really a nice fenced off area with benches under shady trees around a very cold swimming pool, definitely no solar heating on it. Used our flasks for tea and snacks.
Then drove 210 km to Camdeboo National park, via Aberdeen and Graaf Reinet. Both interesting little towns from the old Boer settler days , wide streets and Victorian architecture with the usual enormous Kerk right in the centre of town. GR is the 5th oldest town in SA and it is where most of the great trekkers came from.
En route stopped at a 1 year old farm stall in the middle of nowhere because they advertised ice cream from about 5 kms from it !!!
Sharing a fairly large camp site, sandy but shady.
Took a late afternoon drive into the valley of desolation. Very scenic with large peaks of dolomite.
Friday 14 March. Day 1
Managed to leave on time at 09h00, due to diligent preparation and working from lists. Only had 480 km to do so took a slow drive North on the N1 following Ed and Wendy. Try to habit stopped for coffee and toasted sandwiches at Worcester Ultra City.
Felt really great getting away again and meandering through the beautiful Hex River valley
Not much can beat a road trip in SA especially with Yvonne who I know I will be very dependant on again for this trip.
Arrived at Karroo national park at about 4, booked in and set up camp. Lovely settings with grassed sites and clean ablutions.
Had dinner in the restaurant eating Karroo lamb of course. 3 of us had lamb potjie while Ed had a venison one.
Must say that Sanparks are really doing an amazing job in looking after our national parks and they are so friendly and enjoying their jobs.
Had a great sleep and managed the roof top tent besides having a pretty sore back.
Also nice travelling with Ed and Wendy they are very easy to get on with and we seem to work well together.
Here's to a great 16 days
Saturday, 15 March 2014
Friday, 14 March 2014
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