2nd November A Day To Remember
It would’ve been my Grandmama Joe Knight’s birthday; she was born on 2 November 1906. She would’ve been a ripe old age (113), and I often wonder whether she'd be proud of our rugby team, especially given our rich family history with the sport. Sharing this connection can deepen family and friends’ pride and nostalgia.
South African rugby runs deep in our veins. My great-grandfather, Percival Ross Frames, was the first president of the South African Rugby Union, serving from 1889 to 1894! I think they’re all smiling, and I couldn’t be prouder of our united South Africa supporting our men in green and gold, especially after winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan 130 years later. This shared history makes me feel proud and connected to our roots, and I want my audience to feel the same.
My brother, also named Percival, and Sue had us up at the crack of dawn on Friday morning; we were going camping. “Some people have to work”, Butch is fond of saying, so off the two boys went while we got our last bits organised for the weekend at Rivierzicht River Resort on the Breede River near Robertson.
Every time we set off in our Honey Badger, the packing and organising stages are becoming easier and less arduous. Although we have limited space and therefore must live “smartly”, making do with only the necessities, we do have many luxuries that make our trips unforgettable.
Armed with a packet of freshly delivered almond croissants from Daly Bread for breakfast and four celebratory cupcakes from pâtissière Juanita Stanbridge, we were ready to hit the road.
I must mention that although we love our Almond croissants, I loathe the process of getting them. For some unknown reason, it’s impossible to place an order. The staff stoically refuse, no matter how persuasive you are in your attempt to place an order. As someone said while Butch was trying to place an order a few weeks ago, “Their service is shocking, but their product is so good; hence, we put up with it!” Sue and I ran a few errands and returned twice before the delivery arrived, an hour after it was scheduled. We are hooked. Not even Jason’s in Green Point can beat these. Believe me.
Rivierzicht River Resort, nestled along the Breede River on a scenic farm, offers a range of accommodation options, including tents and self-catering cabins. It's an ideal spot for our family reunion, blending relaxation with outdoor adventures, which I hope will entertain and inform those interested in our family's travel stories.
Next time I will take my longer lens, as there is a profusion of birdlife. If one is patient, one could photograph birds nesting, feeding, and swooping down on the water. With binoculars, a keen birder could tick a few off their list or enjoy the friendly wagtails as they come ever closer for those easy pickings. This scene invites us to feel calm and appreciative of nature's beauty.
The river brings a calmness we all yearn for, and I found myself just sitting there, taking it all in, enjoying the youngsters on their floaties, the canoeists paddling, or the occasional shriek from a neighbour as she plunged into the icy waters on a hot afternoon.
Fishing is big, and many enthusiasts plied the waters with their rods, casting their lines from rafts, kayaks, rowboats, inflatables and even a "kick-boat". I watched, tongue in cheek, as one angler cast his line with a flourish, only to have it snag on a branch. Fortunately, I could spare him the embarrassment by shifting my gaze to a red Bishop in mating plumage, strutting his stuff.
When we were much younger, we’d sometimes find that our excitement and enthusiasm at being “away” would get the better of us. We’d lose our inhibitions, the moment would become too much, and we’d indulge too much, becoming quite opinionated, loud and boisterous as we burned the candle at both ends before temporary amnesia overtook us. We’d forget the consequences of our carefree abandon.
Fortunately, we’re much older and much wiser now, but it was not so next door. Deep into the night, we heard the debates, with everyone agreeing in disagreeing tones; we could forgive them, as it was most likely the forthcoming rugby match, and we all had an opinion, didn’t we? The barbecue fires were lit early, before sunset, and the tinkling of ice cubes or the pop and fizz could be heard as we settled with our sundowners, snacks and opinions.
Supper was a tremendous success: a fragrant, spicy curry and a delicious chocolate mousse-and-granadilla concoction to round off the festivities. As midges, mosquitoes and other light-seeking gnats sought our exposed flesh, we turned in.
As the sun’s rays touched our windows, we jumped up, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to take on the world as we warmed up for the monumental battle ahead. The boys were not going to miss a single moment of the warm-up. Our neighbours were deathly quiet. My grandmama’s words, “act in haste, repent at leisure”, came to me, clear as a bell! The sun beating down on their tents would move them, eventually! In our green jerseys, we set off for Robertson town.
Once again, we had a table reserved at Bourbon Street, and it was packed. What an atmosphere. Although I realise not everyone is a rugby fan per se, I do think Saturday’s match was far more than that. It was a fight for unity and camaraderie among battered and bruised South Africans, for the underdogs.
A Springbok squad that no one rated (except us SAFFA's) for a win. A team that pulled together with only 18 months to go and consciously changed their mindset from playing for survival to playing to give a nation hope again. We saw individuals become a collective whole with one aim: to make their country proud, regardless of personal circumstances. They succeeded. We are proud—a day to remember forever. When the final whistle blew, there was not a dry eye in that restaurant. I am most proud because they united us at home and made South Africans around the world proud of their country of birth.
For tea, we enjoyed Juanita's delicious, mouthwatering cupcakes. I highly recommend any of her creations. You can find her enthusiastically selling her cakes at the Groenstoor in Brandwacht on the first Saturday of every month.
We had only one topic of conversation for the rest of the weekend. Try as we might, we’d return to rehashing the game, reliving every scrum, lineout, penalty, try and conversion, in awe and wonder. Magnificent! We all agreed we’d outmanoeuvred England, good and solid. They didn’t stand a chance as Rassie and the guys pulled one rabbit after another out of the bag. We even loved the referee!
Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “You have restored a self-doubting nation's belief. When we believe in ourselves, we can achieve our dreams. Our father, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, is smiling down from the heavens today."
For supper, Percy and Sue surprised us by putting a spatchcock chicken on the fire in a bag! Keep the grid cold, then rinse it under a cold water tap just before use. Then place the chicken on the grid in the sealed bag. Cook high and slow, turning frequently, for 60 minutes. Juicy and succulent, as no moisture is lost. Perfect. A new recipe in my armoury.
Sunday was spent leisurely. I even managed to get Butch out of his rugby kit after our morning walk. It was the perfect day, and we spent it in the shade of a large Acacia tree on the riverbank, watching the slow, mercurial water as it meandered to the sea. For lunch, we built a fire and braaied, enjoying the beautiful, manicured green lawns, the shade, and the water. They granted permission, on request, to stay until Sunday evening, which was great. If I could’ve, I’d have stayed a little longer.
P.S. I had the luxury of using the shower in our Honey Badger, as we had plenty of water on tap and electricity for our geyser. Bliss! I didn’t have to cart my belongings to the communal ablutions, where I’d inevitably forget something and only realise it when I was in a compromised position! I did a recce of the facilities and found the four cubicles near our site well appointed, with large, glassed showers, lavatories, and a hand-wash basin in one spacious cubicle. I can't speak to how they work, though. I believe some campers were disappointed.
My pockets, filled with stones, bones and the odd plant, are imprinted in my DNA. Great-grandfather Percival Frames collected and cultivated succulent plants and served on the Board of Trustees of the National Botanic Gardens at Kirstenbosch. Several plant species, including Aloe framesii, Delosperma framesii, Pleiospilos framesii and Homeria framesii, were named after him by H.M.L. Bolus, and Volume 4 of Flowering Plants of South Africa was dedicated to him. He also collected both marine and land shells, and purchased foreign shells from G.B. Sowerby and others. His collection later went to the South African Museum in Cape Town. The snail Sculptaria framesi was named after him.
I’m not too keen on snails.
South African rugby runs deep in our veins. My great-grandfather, Percival Ross Frames, was the first president of the South African Rugby Union, serving from 1889 to 1894! I think they’re all smiling, and I couldn’t be prouder of our united South Africa supporting our men in green and gold, especially after winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan 130 years later. This shared history makes me feel proud and connected to our roots, and I want my audience to feel the same.
My brother, also named Percival, and Sue had us up at the crack of dawn on Friday morning; we were going camping. “Some people have to work”, Butch is fond of saying, so off the two boys went while we got our last bits organised for the weekend at Rivierzicht River Resort on the Breede River near Robertson.
Every time we set off in our Honey Badger, the packing and organising stages are becoming easier and less arduous. Although we have limited space and therefore must live “smartly”, making do with only the necessities, we do have many luxuries that make our trips unforgettable.
Armed with a packet of freshly delivered almond croissants from Daly Bread for breakfast and four celebratory cupcakes from pâtissière Juanita Stanbridge, we were ready to hit the road.
I must mention that although we love our Almond croissants, I loathe the process of getting them. For some unknown reason, it’s impossible to place an order. The staff stoically refuse, no matter how persuasive you are in your attempt to place an order. As someone said while Butch was trying to place an order a few weeks ago, “Their service is shocking, but their product is so good; hence, we put up with it!” Sue and I ran a few errands and returned twice before the delivery arrived, an hour after it was scheduled. We are hooked. Not even Jason’s in Green Point can beat these. Believe me.
Rivierzicht River Resort, nestled along the Breede River on a scenic farm, offers a range of accommodation options, including tents and self-catering cabins. It's an ideal spot for our family reunion, blending relaxation with outdoor adventures, which I hope will entertain and inform those interested in our family's travel stories.
Next time I will take my longer lens, as there is a profusion of birdlife. If one is patient, one could photograph birds nesting, feeding, and swooping down on the water. With binoculars, a keen birder could tick a few off their list or enjoy the friendly wagtails as they come ever closer for those easy pickings. This scene invites us to feel calm and appreciative of nature's beauty.
The river brings a calmness we all yearn for, and I found myself just sitting there, taking it all in, enjoying the youngsters on their floaties, the canoeists paddling, or the occasional shriek from a neighbour as she plunged into the icy waters on a hot afternoon.
Fishing is big, and many enthusiasts plied the waters with their rods, casting their lines from rafts, kayaks, rowboats, inflatables and even a "kick-boat". I watched, tongue in cheek, as one angler cast his line with a flourish, only to have it snag on a branch. Fortunately, I could spare him the embarrassment by shifting my gaze to a red Bishop in mating plumage, strutting his stuff.
When we were much younger, we’d sometimes find that our excitement and enthusiasm at being “away” would get the better of us. We’d lose our inhibitions, the moment would become too much, and we’d indulge too much, becoming quite opinionated, loud and boisterous as we burned the candle at both ends before temporary amnesia overtook us. We’d forget the consequences of our carefree abandon.
Fortunately, we’re much older and much wiser now, but it was not so next door. Deep into the night, we heard the debates, with everyone agreeing in disagreeing tones; we could forgive them, as it was most likely the forthcoming rugby match, and we all had an opinion, didn’t we? The barbecue fires were lit early, before sunset, and the tinkling of ice cubes or the pop and fizz could be heard as we settled with our sundowners, snacks and opinions.
Supper was a tremendous success: a fragrant, spicy curry and a delicious chocolate mousse-and-granadilla concoction to round off the festivities. As midges, mosquitoes and other light-seeking gnats sought our exposed flesh, we turned in.
As the sun’s rays touched our windows, we jumped up, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to take on the world as we warmed up for the monumental battle ahead. The boys were not going to miss a single moment of the warm-up. Our neighbours were deathly quiet. My grandmama’s words, “act in haste, repent at leisure”, came to me, clear as a bell! The sun beating down on their tents would move them, eventually! In our green jerseys, we set off for Robertson town.
Once again, we had a table reserved at Bourbon Street, and it was packed. What an atmosphere. Although I realise not everyone is a rugby fan per se, I do think Saturday’s match was far more than that. It was a fight for unity and camaraderie among battered and bruised South Africans, for the underdogs.
A Springbok squad that no one rated (except us SAFFA's) for a win. A team that pulled together with only 18 months to go and consciously changed their mindset from playing for survival to playing to give a nation hope again. We saw individuals become a collective whole with one aim: to make their country proud, regardless of personal circumstances. They succeeded. We are proud—a day to remember forever. When the final whistle blew, there was not a dry eye in that restaurant. I am most proud because they united us at home and made South Africans around the world proud of their country of birth.
For tea, we enjoyed Juanita's delicious, mouthwatering cupcakes. I highly recommend any of her creations. You can find her enthusiastically selling her cakes at the Groenstoor in Brandwacht on the first Saturday of every month.
We had only one topic of conversation for the rest of the weekend. Try as we might, we’d return to rehashing the game, reliving every scrum, lineout, penalty, try and conversion, in awe and wonder. Magnificent! We all agreed we’d outmanoeuvred England, good and solid. They didn’t stand a chance as Rassie and the guys pulled one rabbit after another out of the bag. We even loved the referee!
Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “You have restored a self-doubting nation's belief. When we believe in ourselves, we can achieve our dreams. Our father, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, is smiling down from the heavens today."
For supper, Percy and Sue surprised us by putting a spatchcock chicken on the fire in a bag! Keep the grid cold, then rinse it under a cold water tap just before use. Then place the chicken on the grid in the sealed bag. Cook high and slow, turning frequently, for 60 minutes. Juicy and succulent, as no moisture is lost. Perfect. A new recipe in my armoury.
Sunday was spent leisurely. I even managed to get Butch out of his rugby kit after our morning walk. It was the perfect day, and we spent it in the shade of a large Acacia tree on the riverbank, watching the slow, mercurial water as it meandered to the sea. For lunch, we built a fire and braaied, enjoying the beautiful, manicured green lawns, the shade, and the water. They granted permission, on request, to stay until Sunday evening, which was great. If I could’ve, I’d have stayed a little longer.
P.S. I had the luxury of using the shower in our Honey Badger, as we had plenty of water on tap and electricity for our geyser. Bliss! I didn’t have to cart my belongings to the communal ablutions, where I’d inevitably forget something and only realise it when I was in a compromised position! I did a recce of the facilities and found the four cubicles near our site well appointed, with large, glassed showers, lavatories, and a hand-wash basin in one spacious cubicle. I can't speak to how they work, though. I believe some campers were disappointed.
My pockets, filled with stones, bones and the odd plant, are imprinted in my DNA. Great-grandfather Percival Frames collected and cultivated succulent plants and served on the Board of Trustees of the National Botanic Gardens at Kirstenbosch. Several plant species, including Aloe framesii, Delosperma framesii, Pleiospilos framesii and Homeria framesii, were named after him by H.M.L. Bolus, and Volume 4 of Flowering Plants of South Africa was dedicated to him. He also collected both marine and land shells, and purchased foreign shells from G.B. Sowerby and others. His collection later went to the South African Museum in Cape Town. The snail Sculptaria framesi was named after him.
I’m not too keen on snails.
RIVIERZICHT RESORT: http://www.rivierzicht-resort.com/
P.O Box 481, Riverside, Robertson, 6705
Bookings & Inquiries: 023 626 2013 | Alternative Number: 063 823 4748
[email protected]
Office Hours: Mondays to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed
Bookings & Inquiries: 023 626 2013 | Alternative Number: 063 823 4748
[email protected]
Office Hours: Mondays to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed
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