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Whether we can, Weather we can’t!

Whether we can, Weather we can’t!

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Our little holiday depended on weather conditions. Where are the days when we could determine weather conditions by experiencing the day, e.g.putting your head out the door, or feeling inclement weather in your bones,watching a mountaintop being covered by a cloudy cloth used to be a good...


Life After The  Great Trek

Life After The Great Trek

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Our gut is our best indicator of all things good and dire. We have been incredibly fortunate on this journey as all the keys have fallen into place. For us a good indication that we’re on the right track. Anyway, that’s how I see it. This time the dealer is on our side.  Exhausted after weeks...


An Impasse At The Crossroads

An Impasse At The Crossroads

Posted in Musings

Honestly, where I’m going with this story is anyone’s guess. The fact that I’m running away from writing this blog is a testament to my current state of mind. Or is it that I might, unintentionally, open the proverbial can of worms? Let’s see. But let me start at the very beginning....


Our Honey Badger Always Has The Last Word

Our Honey Badger Always Has The Last Word

Posted in The Honey Badger Diaries / Musings

As we all know, Honey Badgers do not take kindly to being ignored. They’re feisty, resilient and crafty. Only she knows why her nose twitched out of joint. It could’ve been the Khoudom corrugations, tall trees, narrow roads, or a field mouse that might’ve done the trick. We’ll never know....


The Illusive Perlemoen And Where To Find It in Hermanus

The Illusive Perlemoen And Where To Find It in Hermanus

Posted in Review

If you grew up in South Africa and enjoyed your holidays in Hermanus or anywhere along our Southeastern/western coast, there would be three things you’d certainly do. You’d go fishing, diving or spend time on the beach. If you’d asked my Great Grandmother what her favourite memories of...


Keeping The Best for Last – Shametu River Lodge and Spa.

Keeping The Best for Last – Shametu River Lodge and Spa.

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Camping on the Kavango River We were nearing the end of our holiday when we decided to spoil ourselves and indulge in a few days of Glamping. Yes, we were going Glamping! We'd laze at the poolside, bird watch, Loeries  were building a nest in a palm tree on the deck overlooking the river...


Yzerfontein Revisited - A Celebration Of Our Freedom

Yzerfontein Revisited - A Celebration Of Our Freedom

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

We’ve benefited from a month of short weeks and long weekends. According to someone who has limited holiday time, if a worker took their leave on the 14th of April, they would use eight days of their annual leave, but they’d only clock back in at work on the 20th day after that on the 2nd of...


On A Personal Note – When A Spicy Curry Becomes Too Hot To Handle

On A Personal Note – When A Spicy Curry Becomes Too Hot To Handle

Posted in The Honey Badger Diaries / Musings

Sometimes, during a journey, there comes a moment when one’s personal life gets in the way. Like a cloud bank before the sun, all the Kumbaya moments vapourise. Like a vrot kumquat, life sours bitterly. When you least expect it, the wind’s out of your sails, and you’re stuck rudderless in...


Rainbow River Lodge – Okavango River

Rainbow River Lodge – Okavango River

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Long holidays with many rendezvous, campsites and parks will eventually fill my mental melting pot into one large soup of sights, sounds and smells. My photographs serve to awaken my memory as I click through my albums distinguishing one campsite, experience or adventure from another. Spicing...


Travelling with Somebody. A Weekend in the Karoo - Kanniedood 4x4 Wild Camping

Travelling with Somebody. A Weekend in the Karoo - Kanniedood 4x4 Wild Camping

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries / Videos

Two’s company and three’s a crowd. There are times when we have a very unwelcome guest in our midst. Her name is Somebody, and she’s the one that causes all the ructions. It’s almost impossible to pin her down, and she never owns up, apologises, or admits to being the culprit. Her shenanigans...


Wild Camping - Mudumu Campsite 3 - Second Time Lucky - The Caprivi adventure continues

Wild Camping - Mudumu Campsite 3 - Second Time Lucky - The Caprivi adventure continues

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries / Videos

It’s all very glamorous staying in beautifully appointed campsites with manicured lawns, five-star ablutions, and interesting restaurants. Even more so is gliding on a makorro and going for guided game drives. I'm not complaining. Still, we love doing our own thing. Besides, social...


Climbing the Skerpenheuwel To The Breede Otter Campsite -

Climbing the Skerpenheuwel To The Breede Otter Campsite -

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries / Videos

When you’re a Grey Nomad, you’ll probably answer to Hodophile too, and we’re both. The Honey Badger stood forlorn, dusty and neglected in a barn behind a lock and chain, and she needed a weekend out, even if it's going loco on a road less travelled by us. My response to the Knight’s...


The Gondwana Collection -  Getting Carried Away -  A Handy Tip From Us

The Gondwana Collection - Getting Carried Away - A Handy Tip From Us

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Doing your homework thoroughly before going on any trip is recommended; we all know that. We often have good intentions of following up on friends’ recommendations, advice, and experiences, but we rarely do when it comes to the crunch. The reasons are lack of time, procrastination, and the...


Calamity Jane Rides Again - Wild Camping While A Storm Brews

Calamity Jane Rides Again - Wild Camping While A Storm Brews

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

It is safe to say that life never runs as smoothly as we expect it should. While storm clouds were brewing, we went blissfully on our way,  entirely unaware of our troubles simmering away.   We left the leafy confines of Ngepi and made our way to a wild camping spot in the Mudumo National...


Island Style At Ngepi River Camp - Namibia

Island Style At Ngepi River Camp - Namibia

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

The marvellous advantage of writing or diarising is that Butch and I continually relive our adventures. Many of our conversations are rehashing and reimagining our trips which of course, inspire us to investigate future trips. I’ve just returned from an invigorating 27km bike ride, and I...


Casually Cruising The Khaudom National Park - North Eastern Namibia

Casually Cruising The Khaudom National Park - North Eastern Namibia

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries / Videos

Once again, we set off as early as possible. We had a big day ahead and knew the going wasn’t going to be easy. By all accounts, we were breaking all the rules. It’s suggested that one does the Khaudom in a convoy of at least two vehicles, preferably three. We have a Honey Badger, a Butch, and...


As Promised - Some Simple Summer Salads and A Crackling Good Pork Belly

As Promised - Some Simple Summer Salads and A Crackling Good Pork Belly

Posted in Recipes / Vegetables / Meat Dishes / Salads / Starters

OK. If I loathe one thing, it must be a promise made and not kept. I can remember Butch’s mom Bets’ disappointment when a lady at her bible study (nogal) PROMISED to visit and never did. She was profoundly hurt. The person who made the glib promise (as we so often do.. “Oh we must get...


Namibian  Bank Holi-YAY And A Flat Battery

Namibian Bank Holi-YAY And A Flat Battery

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

You may well ask, “how the Dickens do you two do it?” We don’t know, and honestly, we try our best to avoid misadventures. But, as I remind Butch, nobody is interested in a boring story, and everyone loves a liberal sprinkling of drama and tension. Our excitement intensified as...


Beating The Odds - Navigating Namibia Naturally

Beating The Odds - Navigating Namibia Naturally

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Thanks to Boris Johnson, who tried to win Browny points, South Africa was again back on the red list, banning all travel to and from our country. By the stroke of a pen, millions of travellers could unpack their suitcases, lock up their passports and go out and buy a Christmas tree they were...


Ba-Ba Banff

Ba-Ba Banff

Posted in Review / Travel

Our vision is always 20/20 in retrospect. When Boris closed the borders on us last week, I realised I had just made it to Canada and back in the nick of time.  Window periods both ways.  The way the world works now, we must grab opportunities when they present themselves without dithering....


Searching For The Perfect Brew(ery) - A Road Trip To Calgary

Searching For The Perfect Brew(ery) - A Road Trip To Calgary

Posted in Review / Travel

All work and no play is not a hard and fast rule with this crew.  They’re inclined to lean towards the sentiment that it makes Joe dull and kills innovation, invention and inspiration, or to be boringly predictable, which is an anomaly coming from an accountant, especially one who’s co-parenting...


Surprise!

Surprise!

Posted in Musings

My telephone ping-pinged, and my wristwatch vibrated. A message from Joe, he’d completed another work-out, got a badge and wanted to rub my nose it in, I thought. At least I’d cycled, I applauded myself while rolling my eyes.  He could be so irksome about my exercise regime.  I took a sneak...


 Lekkerwater Beach Lodge - Go With The Flow. Naturally.

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge - Go With The Flow. Naturally.

Posted in Review / Travel

In October, three things happened simultaneously; one was a belated birthday celebratory weekend away, and the other two were unexpected events I never dreamed possible. Like most surprises, my life turned topsy turvy overnight.  I had three days to prepare for a weekend away, a cooking class,...


Being Gobsmacked By Beauty - Nieuwoudtville And Biedouw Valley

Being Gobsmacked By Beauty - Nieuwoudtville And Biedouw Valley

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

In the grand scheme of things, three OMG’s in one day aren’t that bad, but, you see, I’m not that sorta gal.  But then again, I’m known to have a mouth on me.  My expletives were utterly spontaneous, what my eyes saw my mouth exclaimed before my brain had caught up. My most vivid memory of...


Exploring Van Rhynsdorp and Garies -  Unlocking The Door To Spring -

Exploring Van Rhynsdorp and Garies - Unlocking The Door To Spring -

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Maskam Guest Farm and Klipkraal Campsite. Day two of our blooming bonanza road trip started bright and breezy. But, we needed to get off the N7, the busy main artery from Cape Town to Namibia.   Blooms, still closed made splashes of colour, like a Jackson Pollock canvas,  on the verges...


Flower Power - Camping Around Namaqualand

Flower Power - Camping Around Namaqualand

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

TOP OF PIEKENIERSKLOOF - KARDOESIE CAMPSITE AND ON TO CLANWILLIAM My best memories of childhood holidays were waking up reluctantly at 4h00 on the morning of our departure.  Then we could get away with travelling the first bit in our PJ’s and being squashed up against my brothers, who...


Spring Shenanigans and Daisies with Honeyed Hearts

Spring Shenanigans and Daisies with Honeyed Hearts

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR  SUCCESSFUL FLOWERING IN NAMAQUALAND. Within a matter of hours, we had the Honey Badger packed, our bikes strapped on, our picnic basket brimming with delicious goodies, the fridge stocked, and meat in the deep freezer for six braais.  My tummy clenched and unclenched like...


Dessert The Winter Chills And Berry It

Dessert The Winter Chills And Berry It

Posted in Recipes / Desserts

No matter the occasion or the poshness of the menu, my eyes inadvertently always seek out the desserts. You might think I'm the spitting image of Queen Victoria and suggest I don't succumb to the desires of my sweet tooth.  I’ll skimp on starters and nibble on lettuce leaves but, don’t deny...


The Final Whispers of Winter – Recipes to charm

The Final Whispers of Winter – Recipes to charm

Posted in Recipes / Vegetables / Meat Dishes / Salads

I can feel it in my bones; spring is in the air. I hadn’t forgotten the recipes for our warm get together with friends last week. I’m in a reflective mood today, reminiscing good times around the island in the kitchen. The cookery classes I attended and the meals my children and I had at home...


Fully Vaxxed We Celebrate Family, Friends and Firstborns

Fully Vaxxed We Celebrate Family, Friends and Firstborns

Posted in Recipes / Vegetables / Fruit / Miscellaneous / Musings

I've raged against injustice, prayed with prayer sisters for healing, we’ve wept for the grieving and consoled friends, colleagues and acquaintances in mourning; we’ve given thanks for healing and been enthralled by those who’ve recovered, often miraculously. While we wait for these...


Clickety Clack Closer To Home

Clickety Clack Closer To Home

Posted in Review / Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Camping in Rawsonville - Goudyn - Stillewater on the Smalblaar River You might think it’s ridiculous to go away for the weekend, and all you do is go off to the next hamlet.  As soon as I step into our Honey Badger to spring clean and spruce it up, make my bed and pack my goodies into the...


Shell We Go West?

Shell We Go West?

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

Exploring the West Coast National Park and Groenrivier. With the sun on our backs in the morning, we set off from Upington to Springbok. All along the Orange River aqua systems through vineyards, date palm plantations, water mills and the legendary Pink Padstal where stocking up on books,...


We're On The Bus Gus

We're On The Bus Gus

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries

We had to fetch the Honey Badger in Upington. Our immediate thought was a rental car, but the logistics would be a nightmare. Flying was out of the question, too expensive.  Driving up in our car was not an option either; two vehicles on the road would be ridiculous, which left us with no...


Weekend Inspiration - Moroccan Soup With Spicy Beef Meatballs

Weekend Inspiration - Moroccan Soup With Spicy Beef Meatballs

Posted in Recipes / Meat Dishes / Soups

I’ve been preparing three meals a day for 43 years and counting.  There were days that I wished someone would tell me what they felt like for supper, or suggest a change in menu.  Inspiration is what we all need.  Some of the best meals were simple ones like a fresh, crispy  French loaf with...


The Week According To Weatherman Pete

The Week According To Weatherman Pete

Posted in Musings

Weatherwise, it doesn’t bode well in our neck of the woods. Forecasts have been on the nail lately.  Right now it's raining, which means there should be snowfalls again, pristine white landscapes are on the cards. Families that haven't had an opportunity to see snow or to play in the snow might...


 Ewe Herd We Explored The Kgalagadi?

Ewe Herd We Explored The Kgalagadi?

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries / Videos

We shrew did and Veareax eagle to meet you! I Gnu we’d have a fabulous time.  I haven’t felt the sun on my skin for days and feel cheetah'rd.  That’s the sort of thing I do when I’m cold.  With this thought, I decided to cheer myself up and click through some of my photographs of our recent trip...


Winning Winter Warmers When It's Welly Cold

Winning Winter Warmers When It's Welly Cold

Posted in Recipes / Vegetables / Meat Dishes / Starters / Baking and Cakes

Recipes to warm your heart – Cinnamon Pancakes, Beetroot Risotto and Lamb necks on the braai. This quotation inspires today’s blog “Don’t think about making art, get it done.  Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it.  While they are deciding, make even...


Revisiting An Old Favourite - Moggs Country Kitchen

Revisiting An Old Favourite - Moggs Country Kitchen

Posted in Review

It takes a vagabond to change the mind of someone who, for no apparent reason, renounced his enthusiasm or support.  At the time I was shocked!  Moggs Country Cookhouse, a favourite eatery in the Hemel and Aarde valley, was, for years, one of our regular watering holes.  We’d go there on a whim...


The Chase – Homeward Bound

The Chase – Homeward Bound

Posted in Travel / The Honey Badger Diaries / Musings

There comes a time on every trip that one’s nose turns homeward bound.  In Afrikaans, one likens it to a spirited horse stopping in his tracks, cocking his head and galloping back to his stables.  Nothing can stop him when his head’s down.  Indomitable they are then. Our heads turned when...


Mediocrity Underwhelmed - Reader's Restaurant - Tulbagh

Mediocrity Underwhelmed - Reader's Restaurant - Tulbagh

Posted in Review

Creating a fine plate of food can be taught.  But, it’s something a chef or cook must be passionate about.  “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” Vincent van Gogh.  In a week, I experienced food prepared with zest and also the antithesis. According to Butch’s...