During the changeover to the millennium the world went mad with preparation for this once in a hundred years event. My then partner and I spent the night fishing on the Mossel Bay harbour wall. It was perfect as we spent the night quietly reflecting on the year and what lies ahead. Since then I've realised I do not like the maddening crowds, loud fireworks and strangers thinking it is ok to kiss you.
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| On the Kraaldoorn road |
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| Lovely views on the way to Kruisrivier |
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| Colourful shed |
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| Dirt road with koppies |
During the changeover to the millennium
the world went mad with preparation for this once in a hundred years
event. My then partner and I spent the night fishing on the Mossel
Bay harbour wall. It was perfect as we spent the night quietly
reflecting on the year and what lies ahead. Since then I've realised
I do not like the maddening crowds, loud fireworks and strangers
thinking it is ok to kiss you.
With this mind-set I decided to spent
New Years in the Karoo with my family and dog. We set off from
George just after 9am to arrive in time for breakfast at the
Smitswinkel. South Africa is in the grip of heatwave and Oudtshoorn
was as close to hell as you can get! Poor Jess was allowed on the
stoep but was panting so much so gather a lot of sympathy. She was
burnt and beaten before being rescued, so I do not like shaving her
as this shows all the scars. She almost seems timid with the scars
showing and there is the danger of sunburn on the scars, so it is
best to keep her coat.
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| Smitswinkel, Oudtshoorn |
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| Breakfast at Smitswinkel |
Breakfast was lovely as usual at this
gem of a shop. They sell gorgeous gifts as well as treats like
freshly baked bread, pre-prepared meals and gorgeous jams. ( look
for the Hartjieskraal label from Laingsberg..their tomato jam is out
of this world!)
Our host at
Kraaldoorn Farm Cottage phoned us to
confirm our expected time of arrival. We slowly winded our way to
Calitzdorp stopping at Volmoed church for a few photos.
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| Volmoed church |
This is a
beautiful sandstone church that was donated by a farm owner, Mr
Olivier. He saw the need for a church that can seat a congregation
of 700. The cornerstone was laid in 1910. It stands proud in an
area formerly known as Armoed, named after a local resident with that
name.
Some information indicated that the
church is for sale, while others listed a Ds Andre Fourie. According
to the 2011 census the population of Volmoed consists of 472 people.
We refuelled at Calitzdorp before taking
the Groenkloof road to our accommodation.
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| Calitzdorp damwall |
It is a dirt road in excellent
condition passing the Calitzdorp dam, fed by the Nel's river. The
Nel's river originates in the Swartberg mountains and eventually
joins the Gouritz river.
After about 11km we reached a huge tree
with a sign reading “galg”.
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| Galg!! |
Kraaldoorn owner Peter met us and
showed us to our accomodation. At this stage it was about 38 degress
outside, so our lovely cool house was alovely escape from the Karoo
heat. Peter pointed out that the sheets are not ironed but clean! I
immediately took a liking to him..who in this lifetime have time to
iron sheets anyway?!
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| Silo outside Kraaldoorn Farm cottage |
He bought us some water in a lovely jug
and while our dogs got aquinted with each other Peter also invited us
to use the pool. Both our dogs are called Jessie and are rescue
dogs! They muster the energy to play a game of chase before
succumbing to the heat.
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Kraaldoorn Farm Cottage deco
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| Mirror outside Kraaldoorn Farm cottage |
We later took Peter up on the offer to
use the pool. Clouds gather though and we soon heard thunder. We hurried
back and what followed was the most magnificent Karoo storm, complete
with hail. This was just what was needed to cool the scorched earth.
A picture perfect sunset followed while I lit the braai.
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| Sunset after a storm |
We had a lovely meal before turning in
to wake in the next year!
Later the afternoon we took a drive to
Kruisrivier.
The dirt road took us pass several
beautiful dwellings, some deserted and several gorgeous streams.
We made several photo stops along the
way.
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| Cute |
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| Serve refreshments |
At Kruisrivier there is a photogallery owned by Roger Young,
featuring photographs mostly from the area, while his wife Phyllis
makes costumes.
The striking red koppies which surround the area are the result
from iron-rich conglomerates which were deposited by turbulent rivers
in the Cretaceous Period, some 130 millions years ago. The
Conglomerates oxidized in the warm humid climate to a reddish colour
that we can still see today.
We re-joined the R62 towards Calitzdorp. In Calitzdorp we sent a
few happy new years as there is no cell reception at Kraaldoorn
before driving back.
I lit the fire and we sat sipping drinks while looking at the sun
greeting us goodbye behind the hills. While we sat waiting for the
arrival of the stars, we saw several bats and a owl who silently
glided across the sky. A lovely way to bid the first day of 2016
goodbye.
The next morning we went for another walk before packing. Upon
greeting Peter I had to ask the reasoning behind having a gallow in
his garden. One reason is to try and hit the trapdoor from the deck
with a golf ball!
We again took the Kruisriver dirt road but decided to continue
towards the Cango caves. This time we stopped at the Kruisriver
Gallery for some gorgeous homemade lemonade. Jess was offered a bowl of
cool water on the stoep.
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| Gorgeous little houses |
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Just before Oudtshoorn |
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| Aloes |
At Kruisrivier we took the Cango Caves road to the left. We
passed lush green fields before the dirt road ended.
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| Mushroom open sandwich..tasty! |
We stopped at
Oue Werf in Schoemanshoek for a light lunch. This is a lovely little
hidden gem..and yes..Jess was welcome too!
We were in Oudtshoorn way
to soon and soon crossed the Outeniqua where the cool see breeze was a
welcome relief from the dry Karoo heat. I will be back to Calitzdorp
soon to visit a few vineyards!
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