Category: Annual Leave – 2016 November

We wanted to spend a night at the hot springs in Aliwal North, but they were not open due to renovations in progress. The rest of the town seemed to have very limited options and appeared run-down and dirty. When we spotted The Pantry, a local restaurant and deli, we decided to have lunch before moving… Continue reading Golden Gate and Clarens

We always enjoy Port Alfred. It is one of the places that we think we would be able to stay one day when we move away from Jo’burg. After lunch at the Fresh Fish Market we settled in at the local Municipal caravan park in exactly the same spot as before! For our evening meal… Continue reading Port Alfred and Yellow Sands

We had planned our trip and arrival in Herolds Bay to coincide with the date of Joe van Biljon’s farewell. He had just taken early retirement due to health reasons and a few caring Comair staff (mainly Suzanne and Estie) had arranged a surprise farewell party/braai to take place at the picnic site. It was… Continue reading Herolds Bay to Port Alfred

We were sad to leave De Hoop but at the same time looked forward to experiencing the R62. We were previously unable to stop at all the interesting places along the route due to time commitments, so Barrydale would now be the main focus for the next leg of our journey. One is completely cut… Continue reading Route 62

We stopped for lunch at the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens after we left the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. On our walk after lunch we passed some workers that were ‘playing around’ with a puff adder. Snakes are always interesting so of course Roger had to get some pictures. I was a little concerned that they would… Continue reading Cape Town Friends and Family

After breakfast with Debbie and Jonathan we drove to Brackenfell, Roger in Ufudu and me with Debbie’s car. The reception at AC Motorhomes was warm, as always, and we left Ufudu in their capable hands before meeting Kevin for lunch. It was good to see him, as it always is. Here he is, a 22-year… Continue reading Two days without Ufudu

During our sabbatical year I wrote extensively about all the places we visited. I have undertaken to not repeat anything mentioned before about any places we subsequently visit, with some exceptions of course! The Karoo National Park is one such exception. Reason: rare sightings (for us) and the fact the this was the first time… Continue reading Bloemfontein to Cape Town

The N1 from Jo’burg to Cape Town is monotonous. Boring, in fact. We like to travel on the alternate routes, stopping at farm stalls and interesting small towns and villages. This time was different in many respects, and while I sat drifting in and out of a vegetative state many thoughts flitted through my mind.… Continue reading 2016 Annual Leave: Leaving Home