Travel - Camping on the River!

I decided to surprise my youngest daughter and planned a camping trip! I am not a camper!!

I love to travel and find amazing new places to visit but they must be in the comfort of a house with all the necessities and yes - luxuries! So this little holiday was quite a challenge for me!

A friend suggested this camping spot which is about two and half hours away from Cape Town and on a beautiful, picturesque river. The campsites are under trees and our site looked out at the river. Khomeesdrif campsite is on the Riviersonderend River only 15 min away from the little country town of Greyton.

Camping life is slow - there is lots of time to play "tennis", chat to new friends and prepare meals, kayak on the river, swim, play cards and relax! 

I actually realised how wonderful it is to all sit around a wood fire and chat! There was no internet connection or electricity so we couldnt be "busy" on our phones!! 

We decided to take a short 15 minute drive to the pretty little country town of Greyton.

The main street is lined with many restaurants and art galleries and antique/vintage shops. 

Old signs on a very old building - lovely! 

Talor has  always got a camera around her neck and finds the most amazing places to get the perfect "shot". She is such an amazing photographer!

Hope the birthday girl with her best friend - Josie. 

This is my favourite artists studio - David Kuijers. I absolutely love his work and have one print of his up in my house but was very tempted to buy another one! 

The quaint streets of Greyton. 

Back "home" to our campsite it was still raining and cold so we made another large fire and snuggled around the campfire for another cup of tea and rusks ans chatting! The slow life!! I think I could get used to this :-)) 

Happy 13 birthday my beautiful Hope! We love you so much!!xxxx

Shirley xx 

Kommetjie / Daily Life

We are back from our break in the mountains and on Sunday it was a beautiful warm sunny winters day. When the sun shines  during the cape winters - everyone takes the opportunity to spend time outdoors - and soak up the much needed SUN!!  

We decided to catch the sunshine down at Kommetjie beach. There is a very easy walk from the beach all the way along the ocean to the Slangkop Lighthouse. The sandy path leads onto a boardwalk which leads you to views of the mountains, lighthouse and beautiful ocean views. 

We have been on this walk many times over the now 17 years we have been living here and it is still one of my favourite places to walk! 

The sky was so blue and clear that you could clearly see the back of Table mountain! So magical! 

I have always loved to sit and watch and listen to the waves! It really calms my soul and I feel so energised and refreshed. My dream is to live in a house overlooking the ocean!! 

  Surfers paradise! 

Paradise found! 

Soaking up the sunshine with my girls ....  before school starts and its back to the daily grind! 

"She smiled at the ocean because the waves told her story "  r.m.drake 

Sunset over Kommetjie -  5:57 pm   

Karoo Adventure

There is nothing quite like the Karoo landscape in all of South Africa. It is a place I first visited when I was a student studying and I remember the vast open landscape, fields of sheep, the endless stars in the  night sky, the full moon shining bright in the pitch black night. It is truly spectacular! On our drive from Cape Town to Graaf Reniet the early morning temperatures before the sun rose dropped to minus 4 degrees!

My nephew and his wife and their new little 6 month old baby work and live on a game lodge just outside of the gorgeous little Karoo town of Graaf Reniet. This is the view from their house.So peaceful.

The beautiful church in Graaf Reniet.

I found a cute little wool shop with lots of yarn! I just love this crochet tree!

So many different varieties of cactus. 

 We went for a long game drive and eventually spotted the magnificent white rhino!

 This female cheetah broke her leg in January but the vet was able to save her leg and she is recovering in a boma and will soon be released to be with the male cheetah. Hopefully she will have some cubs!She is so beautiful.

The giraffes and their 2 beautiful babies  who are only a few months old. It was so special watching these little giraffes!

T

The sunsets in the Karoo are absolutely breathtaking!

                              There is always time for strawberry cupcakes after a game drive.

My beautiful family.

                                                 My nephew and his adorable boy!

As the sunset we lit a fire, sipped some wine and laughed and chatted. How blessed we are! What a view!

There is nothing like the Karoo night sky! I felt so relaxed and refreshed.