Review
We Wend And Wander In Wonder Through Rwanda
At last! We are getting into the swing of things. Our days are longer, and distances travelled are slightly shorter as we fall into the relaxed African rhythm. This boils down to the realisation that I’m spending more time reading, cooking, relaxing and indulging in tiny treats like sitting with...
Island Style - Zipping Through Zany Zanzibar - It Is Hakuna Matata
It’s all about wanderlust and island dust. When we mention an island, our immediate reaction is, “Oh, how romantic”. I wonder why we’re all so intrigued by small land masses surrounded by an ocean. Zanzibar has always conjured exotic images and bright colours, blue seas, white beaches and...
Our Authentic Travel – Three Anchor Bay Stay
Family and fish go off after three days. This mantra is so ingrained in me that being a house guest for an extended period does not sit well. We had hardly dragged our suitcases, bags and bits and bobs up the flight of stairs in Green Point that Butch and I decided we needed our own space....
The Illusive Perlemoen And Where To Find It in Hermanus
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.
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...
Rainbow River Lodge – Okavango River
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
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...
Climbing the Skerpenheuwel To The Breede Otter Campsite -
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...
Calamity Jane Rides Again - Wild Camping While A Storm Brews
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
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...
Beating The Odds - Navigating Namibia Naturally
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
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
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...
Lekkerwater Beach Lodge - Go With The Flow. Naturally.
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
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...
Flower Power - Camping Around Namaqualand
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...
Clickety Clack Closer To Home
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...
Revisiting An Old Favourite - Moggs Country Kitchen
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...
Mediocrity Underwhelmed - Reader's Restaurant - Tulbagh
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...
Head In The Clouds - At The Frame House
Bosmans’ Wine and Protea Farm – Hemel en Aarde Valley. Sami-Joan suggested we take ourselves off to the Bosman Farm in the Hemel and Aarde valley for a Tapas lunch and wine tasting. She’s a foodie and loves her wine; I knew I could take her word for it. We phoned immediately and were...
From Mexico To Kathmandu
Every sign and forecast pointed to a wet, wintry weekend. Soon we had the wall heaters blazing, our non-skid socks and fleecy jumpers on. We lay in late, dipping rusks into hot coffee, occasionally casting an eye outside. At this rate, we’d spend the weekend in bed. Nope, we needed to...
Fab Four Ride Again - Kraalskloof Campsite - Slanghoek
My sister-in-law Sue needs no introduction, though she’s a tough cookie and doesn’t take no for an answer. Trouble came as an email from the proprietress of a campsite she’d reserved for the weekend, on the banks of the Breede River. Glamping in the mountains The email said the grounds...
Chicken Soup
For the soul on a moody Monday as autumn bombards us in earnest. Mondays are quiet days in our house. The usual chores bring me down to earth, especially after an eventful weekend. I enjoy the slow rumble of the old washing machine and the warmth as our linens spin in the tumble dryer,...
Death And Mourning In Times Of The Corona Virus
Maybe it’s just me who’s dwelling on death today, as a photograph pops up on my screen, taken three years ago, before the unthinkable. One of my very best friends passed away and will never appear in another photograph. Technology and social media are our new memory keepers. ---oOo--- With...
A One Night Stand - Cremorne Holiday Resort - Port St John's - Fabulously Flamboyant
Travel is about exploring deeply, delving into a place's culture, history, art, and architecture, and sparking curiosity and connection. Before our trips, we research as much as possible before we set off. My inquisitive nature, fuelled by the anticipation of new, unexplored destinations, is...
Road tripping the Transkei - Wondrously Wild – Mdumbi backpackers
Mdumbi Backpackers is one of the few places that make me feel as if I’m in another country. The people are cool, the weather’s divine, the landscape is so different from ours, and even the history is different. Many people find themselves drawn back to their homes in the Transkei, where...
Tranquil Transkei - Mazeppa Bay Revisited
Promises made must be kept. That’s a golden rule. Melissa, our niece, showed remarkable dedication and bravery by taking up a position as a dietician at a rural hospital in the Transkei, earning admiration and respect from us all. At Christmas in 2019, we solemnly promised to visit Melissa...
A Saffa Safari - A Road Trip To The Kgalagadi Trans Frontier Park
Do yourself a favour. Make a reservation, pack your tent and raid the pantry. Dust off the ammo boxes. When you've done all that, grab a few T-shirts, a pair of shorts and your favourite flip-flops. Don't forget last year's stretched and perished bather. It will do. Believe me. Now, head off to...
Why Fly - Gifberg Holiday Farm
I jolted; something wet was slowly slithering across my belly, gathering momentum as it slipped around to my back. We'd just returned, unpacked, and set the washing machine to a heavy load after a longish weekend at the very remote Gifberg Holiday Farm near Van Rhynsdorp. I’d fallen into...
Still Wandering - Gatsrivier Guest Farm
With dust billowing in our wake, we made our way from the Tankwa farm stall back onto the main road (a 70 km detour, I was told) to continue our meanderings in search of peace. The road north grew quieter, and farmsteads grew fewer. In the Karoo, sustainable farming can only be practised on...
Wandering into the future – Matroosberg Nature Reserve
It's no use crying over spilt milk. We’ve had our chips, and now we must suck it up and move on, without the help or approval of the government, closed borders or the WHO. Our lives are still in our hands. What we do with the situation takes creative thinking and the will to act. With the...
Gifting Memories - La Colombe and Kleinbosch Kloof
A few years ago, we invited a granddaughter for a camping weekend in Prince Albert, hoping to cherish simple pleasures and make memories. It was a chance to get to know her better and for her to experience some things we enjoy. As luck would have it, it coincided with the Olive Festival, so we...
Weekend Meander to MIDDELPOS
Pompelompie Hartklop (Heartbeat) Festival. The heart of the Karoo beats in its resilient, steadfast community, inspiring admiration and respect among visitors. One fine day, Butch came along and suggested we go on a road trip to Middelpos. I’d never heard of the place, but I was game. He...
Let's Hit The Road Jack - YZERFONTEIN
My beloved knew I’d be emotionally drained after our glorious six weeks in Onrus with the family. This was my weekend to be spoilt, almost an early Valentine’s treat. He made a reservation at the Yzerfontein Caravan Park for the weekend and secured a lovely campsite using the camp layout on...
Moaning Minnie on Monday
I hate complaining; it does no one any good, does it? But sometimes I am so disappointed that the only way to process my feelings is to vent my frustration. Today I see red because of how Daly Bread treated me. On Friday, as is customary, I ordered Almond Croissants from Daly Bread in...
Windy Weekend Weather Wolseley
It’s often hard to believe there was a life before a disaster. Fortunately, there was. Our memories eventually remember only the good things in life, as bad thoughts are laid to rest along the wayside. And then life goes on, and soon we say, “Life is good”!Before the great debacle and the...
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...
Making Memories In Montagu
As we get older, we enjoy celebrations. Could it be that they’re becoming scarcer, as we attend more funerals than parties these days? Fortunately, we were on our way to a birthday braai and would camp in beautiful Montagu, with its heritage homes, enormous properties, channelled water,...
A Knight's Stay - Self Catering Somerset West
It’s hereditary, this thing about me not doing sleepovers. I prefer sleeping in my bed with my ancient down pillow. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I must sleep out: my pillow. The other is packing all my toiletries. I inevitably forget something at home. This time it...
Seven Sticks Of Wood And A Block Of Blitz
No final destination was the plan. YR.com said it would be the worst weekend to go camping. I checked daily, which was very unusual, to see whether the weather would improve. Not a chance. We didn't want our spirits dampened by drizzle, so we packed up and headed off to see some spring blooms...