Trip - Rest and Relaxation at Crystal Springs

After a hectic first 1/2 of the 2015 it was time to unwind, rest and relax at the ever beautiful Crystal Springs. Some valuable family time. 

First stop Shell Ultra City just before Middleburg, to get what? . . . . .  Chocolate Frio's from the Vida Cafe (Kaylin's favourite). Second stop Alzu for a quick breakfast. Love the animals they have on site.

 3rd stop - Dullstroom for some shopping and sight seeing.

The Chocolatier - not to be missed

. . . .then something to warm up the insides - some of it not so good on the pallet

Chané tasting Shay's "special" expresso.

Erin & Kaylin - checking in

The "Bendies" travel along.

Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge - our home for the next 4 days.

Mountain Lodge Sunset

The view from our unit

Mountain retreat, icy retreat. 

The girls ensured that the fire kept going and then cuddled up.

Prepping dinner and enjoying the wine.

Kaylin (Daddy's girl)

Saturday sunrise

The challenge

Shay challenges dad

White man can jump

Shay and Chané

One of the many pools at the resort

Happy Hour

Our 5.5 km Bushbuck Hike . . . .  if only we knew what lay ahead 

 

When nature calls . . . . 

5.5km later, sore feet and tired legs

Saturday sunset

Sunday sunrise

The locals

A trip to Pilgrim's Rest. A once quaint, interesting and lovely little down . . . .

 what a disappointment.

Locals have so to say been forced out not only of the town but out of their shops. 

Hardly any tourist interest, no open shops, 

exorbitant fees to visit the various museums and too many, 

far too many hawkers and beggars.  My heart bleeds for this little town.

Mac Mac Falls

Pancake lunch in Graskop

Back at the lodge another challenge . . . . . 

Kaylin & Erin opting for a quite moment with their noses in their book

 enjoying the winter afternoon sun. 

Sunday sunset

Monday and it's back to Pretoria but not before stopping off in Dullstroom again 

for a hearty Rose Cottage Breakfast. 

And so all good things come to an end, but the memories will last forever.