CLARENS/GOLDEN GATE TRIP

This year Mike and I decided we would explore our own country South Africa. I cannot believe that I have lived here my whole life and only now have visited Golden Gate and Clarens in the Orange Free State. It was absolutely beautiful (a little chilly in the evenings) and I am sure it will be the first of many visits to come. God willing! We drove up to the Free Sate and through Golden Gate National Park in pouring rain. For our first night we had really pushed the corners of the envelope and we had booked two nights accomodation in a traditional oxwagon. We were met by Ollie who showed us to our wagon. It was surrounded by puddles of rain water. So much so that Ollie had to dig a furrow to divert the water.



I must say it was an experience that I am glad we had but probably would not do again, not for any reason really except that as we mature in years you like more comforts. There was a communal kitchen and ablution facilities which were very clean and functional. The water was heated by a coal stove and could have been hotter. The setting under mushroom rock was beautiful and the surrounding scenery stunning. For more on St Fort Oxwagon camp check out the website on http://www.oxwagon.co.za/stfort.php



THE BEAUTIFUL LITTLE TOWN OF CLARENS









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Look at the talent used in making this art totally out of dried branches, my favourite the bicycle!















I saved the best for last, the absolutely amazing mountains and scenery of Golden Gate Highlands National Park, settled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains. We stayed at Glen Reenen Rest Camp, we were going to camp but it was too cold so we stayed in a chalet. 10/10 rating this. I recommend the camp site for campers, but suggest you wait for warmer weather.

This is the Rest camp taken from the walk to Mushroom Rock.



The actual accomodation and camp.





Look at the size of Mike compared to the size of the mountain!

Storm Over Karkloof Natal

Earlier this month we went to the Mountain Backpackers social campout at Bushwillows in Karkloof Natal (Just outside Howick) the campsite was really lovely and the owners hospitality really exceded expectations. On the saturday afternoon the sky started to darken and we experienced the most amazing storm grow over the campsite. These are some of the photos. The heavens opened and it poured with rain for a solid two hours, luckily we were in the conference centre under shelter. Eventually the storm abated but at 2.00 am the following morning we woke to the sounds of our tents flapping around and most of us spent the next hour or so trying to stabilize our tents so they were not wipped away by the strong winds.
An amazing spectacle and an amazing weekend.

Stormy Sunrise

This photo was taken at sunrise at Umkobi beach on the Kwa Zulu Natal coast. It was amazing to see the Dassies waking up and looking for food amongst the rocks in the forefront. The rain over and the magnificent sunrise with clouds and their silver lining was a spectacle to behold. Worth getting up very early for and also worth the slip on my but down the wet grass as I tried to line up the photo.