The sky was crisp and clear after the cold front as we left Springbok. We decided that we had had enough of bad dirt roads for a while so kept to the N7 up to Vanrhynsdorp. Just before the turn off to Nieuwoudtville we stopped in at the Knersvlakte Spens to buy some more (you guessed it!) mutton pies. This is a most interesting farm stall that is also a succulent nursery and pays tribute to Jan Smuts as a Botanist.
Then there was the Vanrhyns Pass. It was a climb that really took it out of Ufudu and we crawled up in 2nd gear at 30 km/hr for most of the way. But that was not such a bad thing because the view over the Knersvlakte is awesome!
It was already after 6 when we reached the municipal campsite in Nieuwoudtville and settled in, so we decided to find a place in town for supper. There was not much of a choice and we ended up going to Die Nedersetting. The owner, Wessie, was very accommodating and informative and the food and wine was outstanding. Definitely recommended if you are ever in the vicinity!
Nieuwoudtville is situated on the Bokkeveld escarpment next to the Doring River and has many attractions. The first stop on Saturday morning was the Dutch Reformed church hall for pancakes and rooibos tea, sold during the flower season. The pancakes were delicious; we chose one each filled with mince and another to share, with milk tart filling. The tea was referred to as ‘stokkies tee’ and came brewed loose, with a tea strainer (when last have you seen one of those?!).
The flowers were stunning so after lunch we went to the Hantam National Botanical Garden and then on towards the Oorlogskloof River. Unfortunately the wind was howling so we did not hike as we had intended but only walked the 450m Spider Trail. It was difficult just to stand still enough to take a photo and Roger had to hold me to be stable enough for some of the snaps.
We had a really good, fun day, enjoying spring and all the beauty it brings. Then, while driving back to the campsite, I got news that my sister had just passed away peacefully after a long illness. This was a shock, even though it was expected.
After a rather bad night we worked out how we would change our plans so as to attend the funeral. We decided to continue as planned to Clanwilliam, where we had a rendezvous agreement with friends Mike and Charlene, who also have an Addax similar to Ufudu, then continue to Cape Town via the Cederberg. We would fly back to Johannesburg on Wednesday 3rd, returning again on Sunday 8th in time for Ufudu’s appointment with AC Motorhomes on Monday. Roger phoned Daan and Jeanette Morkel, new friends we met in the Kgalagadi, and asked if we could leave Ufudu and the trailer on their farm during our absence.
With all the arrangements made, and after a brief drive through the Wild Flower Reserve, we left for Clanwilliam on Sunday morning.
We met up with Mike and Charlene and camped together at the Rondeberg Resort where we spent the evening chatting, drinking wine and eating lamb curry; most enjoyable and a good diversion for me. I was so very sad…
On Monday we went to the Flower Exhibition in Clanwilliam and then to the local museum which we found very interesting. Clanwilliam is one of the ten oldest towns in South Africa and lies at the foot of the majestic Cederberg Mountains. It is the hometown of greats such as C Louis Leipoldt and Tolla van der Merwe. The town is celebrating its 200-year anniversary so there were stalls and exhibitions scattered around the town centre. We had lunch at one of the stalls before leaving for the Algeria Campsite in the Cederberg.
Just before we left Clanwilliam we had our next shock: Roger got a call from Comair, asking why he had not reported for a lecture. He was also informed that his instrument rating in the simulator was scheduled for the next day! We realised that it was the 1st and that they had expected him at the beginning September instead of the beginning of October! A very shaken Roger started phoning to find out where the error had crept in. He was not able to contact any of the managers but fortunately Heather traced it to an internal communication problem and by late afternoon we could breathe again! Thanks for sorting it out Heather.
We spent another evening with Mike and Charlene, this time at Algeria. The Cederberg Wilderness area obtained World Heritage status in 2004 and is run by Cape Nature. One of the aims is to protect and propagate the Clanwilliam cedar tree, which is on the brink of extinction. It also forms the core of a leopard management area established in 1988. What a beautiful place! We will have to come back for a longer stay.
We said our goodbyes the next morning before Mike and Charlene continued their journey and we went for a hike up to the waterfall before departing. We did not realise from the sketch-map that it was at the top of the mountain and it took us 3 hours to complete!
We now headed out towards Daan and Jeanette’s farm, Diemerskloof, which lies between Wellington and Malmesbury. We arrived there just before sunset and discovered that there is a runway on the farm! Of course Roger’s eyes started twinkling even before Daan insisted there was still enough light for a flight, so they went for a quick flip in his 1960 model Cessna 172. We were warmly received and invited to dinner. We enjoyed a lovely evening of good food, good wine and good company. Thanks Daan and Jeanette.
The next morning we moved Ufudu into his luxury accommodation for the period that we would be away, before leaving for the airport in Suzi.
