Travel
Around The World With A Wooden Spoon And Spatula
Pfft, to armchair travel we might think. For the foreseeable future, it’s a new reality whichever way we look at it. The thought of not travelling is like telling a ladybird she may not save her children burning in their house. Dreadful. Unthinkable. Depressing. Every morning I throw back...
Still Wandering - Gatsrivier Guest Farm
With dust billowing in our wake, we made our way from the Tankwa farmstall back onto the main road (a 70km detour, I was told) to continue our meanderings in search of peace. The road north became quieter, and farmsteads became fewer. In the Karoo, sustainable farming can only be on vast tracts...
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 some creative thinking and a will to do something...
Honey Badgers Don't Hibernate
I stopped laughing. My one redeeming attribute is that I enjoy a good laugh, some start deep in my belly, others I try to suppress as they tickle my spirit, but, on the whole Butch and I enjoy a good old fashioned chortle. When did merriment leave us? Sometime, I can’t pinpoint, probably...
Breakfast Inspiration - BIRCHER
Sometimes we all need a little inspiration. I find we slip into a routine very quickly especially when it’s just Butch and I. Every meal is just a repetition of the day before as we’re both busy and meals at home just serve their nutritional purpose. Keeping us sustained and hopefully healthy....
Gifting Memories - La Colombe and Kleinbosch Kloof
A few years ago we decided to invite a grand-daughter on a camping weekend to Prince Albert. It was an opportunity to get to know her better and for her to experience some of the things we enjoy. As luck would have it, it was the very weekend of the Olive Festival so we had much to explore...
Weekend Meander to MIDDELPOS
Pompelompie Hartklop (Heartbeat) Festival. The heart of the Karoo beats in its people. They are a hardened community, resilient and steadfast in their faith and in the land. Here every person is worthy. So, one fine day Butch comes along and suggests we go on a road trip to Middelpos. I’d...
Lets 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...
Windy Weekend Weather Wolseley
It’s often hard to believe there was a life before a disaster. Fortunately there is. Our memories eventually only remember 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”! So before the great debacle and...
2nd November A Day To Remember
It would’ve been my Grandmama, Joe Knight’s birthday. Born on the 2nd November, 1906. She would’ve been a ripe old age (113), but, would she have been proud of our rugby team? Absolutely. Oftentimes I wish she could’ve witnessed and experienced our Rainbow nation in action, especially when all...
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...
Winter Wining And Dining Winners
One restaurant left a foul taste in our mouths. Their food is mouth-watering; their communication is shocking. More about them later. Let’s move on. Should I ever complain about anything, roll your eyes. I know, life is a bed of meringue, sugar and spice. I am spoilt and sometimes indulged....
Safari On Super Suppers And Snacks
Gosh, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt that spring in my step. A new shop opened in town: Nibbly Bits. As the name suggests, they stock many delicious nibbly bits. I went all out and got us some treats. After my spree, I met up with friends en route to Prince Albert in the Karoo, and we...
Tips And Tricks For Camping, Overlanding Or Roadtripping
Every trip has unique challenges, and it’s impossible to plan for every eventuality, especially when space is at a premium. African roads are often poor; always keep that in mind. Here are some of the things I learned on this trip to help you feel confident and in control of your planning. ...
Mabuasahube - The Pecking Order
At last, we were ready to enjoy ten days of doing absolutely nothing. That's what dreams are made of... a real holiday. The wonder of Mabuasahube. All we do is wonder what’s next. Shrug. Shake your head. Nothing. We wait and see. No expectations. But there is always the promise of a surprise....
The Fab Four Conquer The Kalahari - En Route to Mabuasahube
Best friends, best buddies, best Boetie (brother) and hiekkelsuster (crochet companion) – that’s what Percy and Sue are to us. It’s rare to hear siblings of our age actually like each other and choose to spend time together. We do. We’re close, companionable, comfortable and cosy. The recipe...
My Many Miles To Mabuasahube
Plus, many hours spent practising MA-BU-A-SA-HU-BE and successfully playing the sympathy card. But first, we rendezvous at Melton Wold in the Karoo. Planning a trip on short notice is very exciting. From the moment we decided, during one of our long boozy lunches, that we needed a quick getaway,...
Who Let The Dogs Out?
Who let the dog out? And what's more in the Kalahari to boot! So, there we were, minding our own business, watching another beautiful African sunset, contemplating the day, sipping drinks, when a Land Cruiser came hurtling up our road in a billowing cloud of dust. My stomach lurched, and I...
The Story Of My Crochet Blanket
I dread coming home, not the actual being home, but the flight; it scares the living daylights out of me. I am a wreck; no customs official leaves me be. I will always be the lucky one to be “randomly checked”, scrutinised and frisked. Do I really look like a drug-courier-terrorist? I wonder. Do...
"Maricha! Where have you been?"
It’s Monday, the 8th of July 2019, and it will be the very first time I open my laptop to scroll down to Word to take up my keyboard once again and write. It’s been a while. I hope my words don’t let me down after all these months. I opened this scribbling, written while in Canada, and thought it...
Bonnievale River Lodge And White Linen Camping
Sometimes the end of a story is the story. Our stay in Bonnievale is a classic case where a mishap could make or break one's enjoyment of the moment. We have friends who are Swallows; they spend six months in South Africa before migrating back to the UK for the summer. Somewhere along the line,...
18 Fabulous Things To Do in April
These are my 18 fabulous things to do in April. Winter is not my favourite season so I need to have a few highlights to look forward to. For some reason a lot of eating goes into this list, will have to curb my enthusiasm! It is also time to prune and do some maintenance work before we have...
To Arniston With A Surfboard
The Southern Cape must boast the best weather. Autumn has come early this year; I can’t remember ever experiencing three weeks of inclement weather in February/March. We packed up our Honey Badger in the hope of sunshine and perfect waves. Arniston is a gem. As a young girl, we used to go...
12 Fun Things To Do During A Wet Spell And Beetroot Risotto
Here are my 12 fun things to do during a wet spell. Bragging rights in the car industry are earned when your new VW outruns the competition and goes from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds. Our summer went from balmy sunshine days to cloudy and wet overnight, and Autumn kept it up for 7 days. Suddenly, we...
Suikerbossie Guest Farm Meander - A Review
There are only 52 weekends in a year; we’ve already spent 9-10. Life is hectic and stressful; many need to recharge in the country, savouring fresh country air. Suikerbossie Guest Farm in the Kouebokkeveld is the perfect retreat for young and old, especially during [spring and summer...
Seven Things To Do At Suikerbossie Guest Farm
Here are my seven fun things to do at Suikerbossie Guest Farm in the Kouebokkeveld. SEVEN FUN THINGS TO DO AT SUIKERBOSSIE GUEST FARM: 1. Buy Tannie Lettie’s famous Old Fashioned Ginger Beer with raisins 2. Buy a bag of delicious dried Organic Peaches 3. Hire a slip-and-slide for kids of...
The Wall - Kariba Dam
It was time to wave goodbye to Mana Pools. A month was just long enough, and I was excited to resume our road trip and head to our next destination, Kariba. All the stories I’d heard about Kariba conjured images of holidays, fun, and houseboats. Romantic. We, of course, would not be staying in...
Going To The Dogs - Nyamepi Campsite Review
Close your eyes. In the distance, hear the cry of the African Fish Eagle calling its mate. The soft rustle you hear could be a Vervet monkey suckling her young; the soft blow is an Impala warning the herd of danger; and the loud swishing and snorting in the water is a hippopotamus...
The Company We Keep
It's true that birds of a feather flock together, just like Lilian's Lovebirds. Although we travel very well together and can do so comfortably without company, we were delighted to know we wouldn't be alone for the entire time we were in Mana. We are social animals, after all, and I need...
Mangwanani! Mana Pools
Morning! The early bird catches the worm. We’d be there when the gates opened. That’s what we thought. But of course, in Africa, that seldom happens. We couldn't have known that the fuel shortages were about to begin. Eventually, we made it to the Mana Gate, and then we had to negotiate...
Roadtripping From Our Southern Shores to The Mighty Zambezi
On a fine Friday afternoon, we were all packed and excited to set off on our 5-day road trip from the southern tip of South Africa to the northernmost border of Zimbabwe, where our journey would end on the banks of the mighty Zambezi. Our first stop was Matjiesfontein, where we...
The Honey Badger Does Its Maiden Long Haul To Zimbabwe
I am not a procrastinator by nature; I can’t multitask. This blog has been in the works for a while now; unfortunately, Murphy had a hand in the delay. I must confess that the past couple of months since my last blog have been hectic, with unexpected delays and last-minute preparations. I hope...
The Honeybadger Goes Wild - Without Reservations
Christmas was spent at home with family, but to escape the crowds flocking to our very popular beach, we decided to go on a spontaneous road trip in the Honey Badger. I am still in training, so this was the perfect opportunity to take my driving skills up a notch or two as I negotiated...
Feeling Like A Royal In Prince Albert
Before I lose my mind completely, I must tell you about my very special visit to Prince Albert a few weekends ago. This is a Karoo town to look up to, where authentic architecture and a strong community spirit create a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel at home. If you’re impulsive, always...
Oh Mercy! Mercy! Get My Jersey!
If I could, I would chisel into stone: “Never a dull moment.” And “The winds of misfortune will prevail without fail”! The weather report said rain. I said, “No way!” The annual rainfall in the Tankwa is 10 mm, so why get our knickers in a knot? I kept my eyes on the skies, and I was right,...
Glamping In Style - Have Keys and Wheels Will Travel
(Drum Roll, Drum Roll, choir of angels) Right off the bat, please accept my apologies; I will be boasting in this blog. I think I have every reason to. I know! I know it’s very rude. But then, so be it. Please indulge me. Every time I alight from our carriage, I feel I have arrived. We were...
The Tofo Tango To Mozambeats
The weight of being South African slides off my shoulders, smooth as velvet, as I cross the border into Swaziland, and a lightness washes over me like an overdue sigh. Summer has taken its toll on us. The innocence of Africa welcomes us as we greet friendly border officials and navigate...
New Hats And Old Bats - Hiking The Whale Trail
Hiking the whale trail has been a dream for many years. When the opportunity presented itself, we said yes without missing a beat. One of the most picturesque hikes in the Western Cape (possibly even the world, when the whales are frolicking in the breakers) and probably the most booked-up...