TOUR 1 FREE STATE, NATAL MIDLANDS AND BERG
If the date is 14 January 2007 we should be at the stage where we are packed for our first trip in the series of about 10. We will have done a dry run to a local caravan site to ensure we have all the things we need for our journey. Our main journey is set out below, however as you know on this type of trip plans can and will change at the drop of a hat.
We left home an hour before the allotted time. We were very exited and could not wait to hit the road. They are building a new road leading into Parys and all the sign posts have been removed resulting in us having go into town to enquire from a local taxi driver how to get there. He kindly escorted us out of town to show us where it was. The gravel road was so corrugated that we were just about shook to pieces by the time we reached our destination.
14 January Klein Paradys Caravan Park Parys to visit Parys and the Vredefort Dome and Koppies dam nature reserve and surrounds.
We arrived at Klein Paradys at 12h00 and were met at the gate by the friendly local. We were advised what would be the best site and 2 hours later we were settled on the banks of the Vaal River. Our plan was to stay for 4 days. On Monday morning we visited the little town and the Dome. We had the most spectacular thunderstorm that evening and had rain each afternoon thereafter.
Every morning and evening we had a visit from the resident pet Mr Peacock who came to demand his bread roll having received it he would get into his favourite tree or just casually strolled away. Leaving us to feed our newly acquired African Grey Parrot who was named after Dante the Philosopher.
18 January Deneysville Caravan Park at the Vaal Dam View dam and reserve
20 January Memel
· We left for Memel at about 10h00. When we arrived at Memel we were told that there are 2 caravan parks but both were in the back of private properties and you had to use ablutions attached to the house and the only view you would have was into the back of the next house.
23 January Natal SPA
· When we left the Dam we had to go and do some shopping in the next town which was Vryheid. Have you tried parking a 6mtr caravan in a shopping complex and go and do your shopping, The stares you get. Having done so we set off for the Spa which is on the Paulpietersburg road. We felt very welcome as we walked in and decided to stay for four days. There are 4 warm baths and a super tube and as for the birds - plenty. Talking of birds. Steph got an African Grey Parrot from Farther Xmas and he (Dante) was with us on the trip and we had so much fun with him so far. After each feed he would strut around the van and on the ground sheet as part of the family. In the morning he would exercise his wings by flapping madly. (Thought. we better get him clipped soon) On the second morning I had just finished feeding him and he was perched on the cage when a bakkie drove past had made a loud clang and Dante took off like a bullet. Firstly low and then up and away into the tallest poplar. We called and shouted for him but eventually gave up and went for a swim. That same evening Reuben saw him flying in our direction, he tried to perch in a tree nearby and fell resulting in him flying away from us. We told everybody about it and then went to bed. We went to Vryheid for shopping the following morning and still there was no sign of Dante. We arrived back home at about 11 o’clock and as we put the packets down we heard Dante’s call. As we turned around there he was safely secure in his cage. What a relief. We were then visited by one of the staff to tell us that one of the labourers found him on the grass behind one of the buildings and he gladly submitted himself to capture. A reward of R50 for the labourer left two lots of people very happy. Dante was duly told that he was confined to barracks.
26 January Wakkerstroom via Piet Retief
· We were happy to leave as Dante was safe and sound. When we got to Wakkerstroom we found a nice shady spot at the Oude Stasie Caravan Park overlooking the vlei and Wakkerstroom. One hour later we were all set up and were able to relax and enjoy the view. We noticed that the reeds have taken over a large portion of the vlei. Johann and Elsie told us about the quaint little settlement of Luneburg which is about 70 km from Wakkerstroom. It is an old German Missionary settlement run in the traditional German way. Having bought biltong and cheese sausages we went to see the clinic and their school. Both are pristine and spotless. Obviously well run. On Sunday morning we woke up to sudden winter. We went for breakfast at the local hotel which was a luxury by now. We had a lovely drive to view some more birds. We were met by Prof Bokdrol and his colleagues who thought that a Cape Shoveler was a Yellow Billed Duck. Not convinced we searched the books to find out that it was a Shoveler. On the 29th we woke up to a very pea soup morning and packed our bags ready to go to the Drakensberg. This was a change to our original plans due to the Bank asking Reuben to come back for a period starting 1 March 2007.
29 January – Ladysmith Municipal Caravan Park
· When we arrived at the caravan site we were met by a group of contract workers using the caravan park as a base. One of them even used the ladies ablution as his bedroom. We decided to grin and bear it and not use the ablutions at all as we were only there to find a vet and would leave the next morning. The luxury of having your own shower and toilet in your van was worth the extra money paid for our van.
· Due to Dante’s flight we decided that he needs to have his flight limited by asking the local Vet if she had experience of doing the clipping. “Yes, I have a Macaw and know exactly what to do”. Five minutes and R55 later we were out of there having been told that Dante will not fly more than a meter before plunging to the ground.
· We got home and let him roam around and needless to say he tried to fly but instead of a meter it was more like five meters even though it was very low. We did not think too much of this and went to bed.
30 January Royal Natal National Park in the Drakensberg
· We left Ladysmith early as we did not want to shower there and set off for Royal Natal. What a bad road after you turn off at Drakensville to go toward the mountain. Pot holes and taxis and animals. Needless to say when we arrived at the Mahai Camp which was in an excellent condition and we sought a nice shady site and started our routine of setting up camp. I noticed that we had lost a grease cap on one of the wheels. Our next door neighbour was an elderly German gentleman who we greeted and he commented that we look like professional campers as we were well equipped. As he was alone and a long way from home we decided to invite him for supper which he gladly accepted. We made a Lamb Knuckle potjie which all three of us enjoyed very much with Jurgen and Reuben having second helpings. He invited us to Germany and Italy as he has accommodation in both countries. Having had a few night caps and exchanging e-mail addresses we bid him farewell as he was heading for Port Edward the next day.
· Early morning we went for a walk to the Cascades and Reuben tried to convince Steph to drink some of the beautiful water. She refused by giving all different reasons why the water was undrinkable. We arrived back and said hello to Dante. Reuben went to empty the dustbin whilst Steph was talking to Dante perched on the table. Dante decided that he wanted to join Reuben on the way to the dustbin. He started off by flying very low and then developed height. So much so that he landed up in the upper branches of a large pine tree. You can imagine our disappointment and what we said about the vet. We located Dante after a long search and tried to coax him down to no avail. We told all the campers as well as the workers about it and put his cage on the ground. Every so often someone would come and tell us his whereabouts. By late evening he started getting hungry and flew around quite a bit. He finally, due to exhaustion, landed in long grass near the camp. It is the fastest I saw Reuben run for a long time. Dante was again in custody to the pleasure of all the campers as well as us.
· The next day was a washing and cleaning day after which Reuben went for a long hike in to the small berg.
2 February : Mountain Splendour.
The next morning after packing up we headed for Mountain Splendour in the Champagne Valley of the central berg. The view of the mountain is spectacular and as for the ablutions what a pleasant experience. A half hour in to our setting up of camp a lady arrives with a pot of tea for us. This was one time that the tea tasted better than a frosty.
· Being Friday eve it was Super 14 time and we set off for the lapa for a relaxing time. Another couple arrived to also watch soon after us, and after greeting them we noticed that there was an African Grey on his shoulder. “Who clips your birds wings” and he replied that he does. After telling them about our saga he offered to do Dante the next morning. Since then he is very limited but has become a stroller and explores all over the van and surrounds. The folk were from Weenen where they farmed citrus.
The next day we went to watch a raptor display and we were enthralled by these birds of prey especially "Chaos" the vulture.
5 February Mountain Splendour to Giants Castle:
· We were advised that there is camping at Giants and set off. What a disaster of a road and needless to say two more grease caps later we arrived at Giants only to be told that there is no camping and we would have to go back 30 kms to White Mountain caravan park. This was not much of a park but we decided to rest there for two nights as the packing up and moving was quite an ordeal and we did not want to do it too often. Not much can be said of this one.
7 February Midmar dam.
· Having done our thing with the packing we set off for Midmar dam with three wheels without grease caps. We travelled all the back routes and saw so much of the midlands and the small towns. Steph even saw the factory where her “Tsonga” shoes get manufactured. On arrival I boldly said may we have a site for 4 days. No, you may not you may only have two nights as this is “Midmar Mile” week end and you must be out by Friday morning. Two is better that none so we stayed. What a lovely site high up and over looking the dam with a few swimmers already doing their training. Went for a drive in the small reserve and saw all the listed antelope and plenty of birds.
· We had decided to go up Sani pass the next day as our stay was now limited. Set off early in the morning and we were on top at 2675 mt at lunch time. The view was spectacular and cool. There is a pub at the top of the pass so we had a drink before setting off again. As we left we saw a storm develop below us in the pass.
· On the way up there are signs that only 4X4 may go up the pass, however on the way down we saw several taxis driving up laden with passengers and their goods. So much spent on a 4x4 for what?
· When we got to the border post we saw the effect of the storm as every stream was a raging torrent, however the water moves away very quickly.
· We were hoping we could make it back to Pietermaritzburg before 5 closing time as we needed grease caps. Needless to say we got into PMB at 16h45 and by the time we found the van place it was 5:20. When we looked at the closed doors we noticed some movement inside and asked with sign language that we needed help. Little while later caps and grease in hand we headed back to Midmar. A relaxing evening as the park was still empty.
9 February: Moving to Wagendrift dam at Estcourt.
· On our route we called in at the Tsonga factory and saw how the shoes were made by hand and Reuben bought Steph a beautiful pair of shoes for her 10th Anniversary. We tried to call in at a bead shop but parking the van was a problem so it was left for another time. On arrival at Estcourt we bought what was necessary for the next couple of days. We headed for Wagendrift and arrived at about lunchtime and were told the park is almost full for the weekend due to the Mile. However, we found a lovely shady spot and an hour later frosty in hand we viewed the water. We visited the local reserve and picnic spot with not much more to do. On Sunday afternoon a gentle breeze turned into a near gale with its source in the direction of Midmar. The wind was so strong that we had to batten everything down and use a special strap to hold the tent down. This was the storm that cancelled the last race at Midmar while we didn’t get any rain just the cold wind.
12th February Golden Gate
· A casual pack-up and journey brought us to Golden Gate via Oliviershoek en Spioenkop Dam. Shorty (the Pajero) had its time cut out getting the heavy van up Oliviershoek as well as the pass before Golden Gate but seem to cope well. We arrived at Golden Gate and were met very friendly by the receptionist of the park. Sight selected we set up camp in good time. Dante was always the first out of the vehicle and placed in advantage point to watch our activities. Once the camp was set his door to freedom was opened and he would inspect our work. Every time he saw a new bird his reaction was to puff up to make himself big. Reuben went for a drive whilst Steph was reading in the caravan – she was unaware of the visitors who were enjoying Dante’s bag of peanuts lying on the table. When we discovered the robbery the ketty came out and the baboons smartly headed for the hills. To prevent it happening again we asked the cleaning lady to keep an eye on our van while we went for a ride. We must admit there is not an awful lot to see in the reserve except for birds, kites and vultures. On our last day at Golden Gate we had a rude awakening when we got back from the ablutions to find that all our bananas were enjoyed by the baboons who calmly went into the van took the bag and sat in the tent scoffing them leaving only the peels behind and we later also discovered that our bag of rusks met the same fate.
14th February Valentines Day and our Anniversary – Wyndford Holiday Farm
· Our journey was short and sweet as Wyndford was not very far away and on arrival Roy showed us where to leave our van, as we would be spending the night in one of their luxury rooms. This was a treat after a month of camping and using different ablutions. That afternoon we went with Lyn and Roy into Bethlehem for tea with Sally and the little ones and also to fetch a friend of Lyn’s who was to spend a few days with her. That evening we enjoyed a super meal with the family and guests.
15th February Homeward bound via Frankfort
· Having had a relaxing night and no packing to do we set off from Wyndford. Our plan was to stop off at Frankfort for our last night however, when we got close we decided that we would rather push through and sleep at home. The bed at Wyndford had made us realise what we had missed. The trip was eventful however, when we got to Germiston we were attacked by traffic from all side and decided there and then that this is not for us especially after a month of no traffic. On arrival at home we set about the task of cleaning up and packing away and looked forward to the family gathering which some of the children planned for us.
· We now look forward to our next trip starting 5th March when we head North West. You will be able to read about that in tour 2.
Thanks for reading and goodbye for now.
