Jan and Shadow the Sheepdog arrived at our campsite at 8:15 am on Wednesday 11th November as agreed. After introductions and pleasantries the men started doing what men do best: inspecting the vehicle (Ufudu) and discussing details that only make sense to them. With some details still to be covered we left to meet our breakfast reservation time at the Living Life Station Café where a smiling and bubbly Veronika was waiting to serve us. What a lovely place and pleasant experience it was. Thanks Jan for a sumptuous breakfast!
After breakfast Jan kindly drove us around town and the surrounding area, showing us all the points of interest. It makes a huge difference to one’s experience of a place to have such a wealth of local knowledge available! Thanks Jan for being our tour guide.
About 10 km north of town is the Priory Church of St Augustine, Modderpoort. It has the most interesting history! Go to http://saintaugustines.co.za/wp/home for more information.
When we got back to camp in the late afternoon where Ufudu’s inspection continued. That had no sooner finished when we were treated to a most welcome thunder shower! After Jan left the sky cleared somewhat so we decided to go to the Bald Ibis colony at Hoffman Kloof that he told us about. We were hoping to still find chicks on the nests but when we got there we found all the nests empty. We saw around ten birds, including some fledglings flying and resting on the cliffs. Our first Bald Ibis sighting!
Thursday morning dawned cool and cloudy with a few spots of rain. This made for a pleasant change from the previous day’s 37 degrees; just the right weather for a morning hike along the ridge above Little Rock Resort to The Stables.
The Stables is a cave-like structure formed behind a huge chunk of sandstone that has detached from the ridge on the southern side of town. During the Basotho/Boer war of 1858 the Boers used this feature to stable up to 40 horses. It was a great walk and impressive feature; just a pity (as always) that it isn’t kept clean and tidy.
After a pleasant experience in Ladybrand we had a most enjoyable lunch at The Cabin Farmstall, en route to Golden Gate National Park.
Hey Letitia n Roger
So great to again hear about your Ufudu trips ….as always, so interesting and detailed ……making me want to follow in your tracks with my little van. We are currently saving towards and extended trip to KZN next year….so in the meantime I have to be content with local birding trips!!
Stay well and love to you both!
Tones n Howard
Hi Toni & Howard.
It is lovely hear from you again! Your planned trip sounds great. And by the way, we envy you your ‘local birding trips’.
Letitia & Roger
xxx
Hi Roger & Letitia fantastic to hear that you are on the road again, where are you headed? We have just returned this morning from Dolphin Resort in Ballito. We went for the weekend to visit Raymond & Dawn, whom you met at our place. Rained most of the time but great fun anyway. If you come this way please let us know. Lots of love too you both. Charles & Moya
Good to hear from you Charles & Moya! Dolphin Resort is one of our favourite places and I am sure the locals rejoiced about the rain!
We are at Sterkfontein Dam with howling, non-stop wind. Wakkerstroom and KNP next. Love from both of us