Namaqua Trip - Safely back home

Veilig terug by die huis. 4455km en 12 dae later. 

Wonderlike plekke besoek. Soveel vriendlike mense ontmoet. 

Droogte aanskou wat my hart laat bloei. 

Gelag tot my maagspiere seer was. 

Vele traantrekker, heimweë oomblikke beleef. 

Gasvryheid geniet vêr bo ons verwagtinge. 

Dankie my man Frank Roos vir 'n onvergeetlike 12 dae ❤ 

Kon nie vir 'n beter 50ste verjaarsdaggeskenk gevra het nie.

Namaqua Trip - Day 11

De Aar to Pretoria (Oops.....Clarens)
Over breakfast this morning we decided to take a detour to Pretoria via Clarens.
First a quick breakfast and then farewells.
(We will be back. Thank you Amelia for a fabulous stay. Your guesthouse is spectacular).

Clarens was packed. The town was a buzz with activity. 

Fortunately we found accommodation at a self catering establishment 

called Hakuna Matata.

First some shopping and then a quick bite to eat at the Clarens Brewery.

In time for a quick sunset drive through the Golden Gate Reserve.

Sleeping in Clarens tonight and then hitting the road back to Pretoria 

in the morning......or will we? 

(All cell phone images, some take through a dirty window, so the 

quality is not so good, but you get the picture)

Namaqua Trip - Day 10

Calvinia to De Aar. As at breakfast we still did not know where we were heading.
Eventually we opted for De Aar to visit my friend Amelia
who owns and runs the Boutique Guest House Manor in De Aar.
Quick photo session around Calvinia to photograph some of the old houses
and the very famous Big Red Post Box.

Then onto Williston, our first stop the Williston Mall (a must see).

Next year Sep we definitely coming to the annual Williston "Fees" (Festival).

Just missed it this time round.

Next stop ..... De Aar. Checked into the Guesthouse.

Amelia showed us a bit of the town and tonight we "kuier" with her and her friends.

Namaqua Trip - Day 9

Clanwilliam to Calvinia.
Stop over at Klawer for Michelle Champagne and Brandy.

Then off to Calvinia where Frank's mom was born and lived as a little girl.

Booked into the Calvinia Hotel

Quick 80km dirt road to Loeriesfontein to photograph the "windpompe" (windmills).

Then 80km dirt road back to Calvinia.

Puff Adder on the road to Loeriesfontein

Quick snack lunch out of the back of the very dusty Ranger.

Then enjoyed supper and drinks in the Calvina Hotel Pub, with a couple of locals.

Tomorrow where do we go?

Don't know yet 

(PS I will photograph the Big Red Post Box tomorrow)

Namaqua Trip - Day 8

Got up early so we could have plenty of precious time on the farm.

Quick visit to the bushman paintings in a small cave on the farm.

Breathtaking views and scenery.

Rooibos plantations

Took a quick drive into Clanwilliam to the "koperasie" for some supplies. 

Escorted by a male ostrich.

Passed the Bulshoek Dam. Sad to see it so empty.

Further down river the river does fortunately have good volumes.

The Dam Wall

Marius and Annaleen

Farm watch dogs

Farm Sunset