12 Oct - Lake Eland Oribi to Westville

Woke up to light rain. Had breakfast and took a drive around the Reserve. We saw Wildebeest, various buck and giraffe who have a few babies.

We have had the most amazing holiday...The down side is all the weight I have put on, even my feet are fat...The only up side to putting on weight is that it irons out a few wrinkles!!

Thanks to all who sent comments and wishes to us on the blog..

We can't wait to see Amber and Carra who was just over 3 months old when we left and is now almost 6 months.

Cheers untill our next trip!

11 Oct - Morgans Bay to Lake Eland Oribi

It was a beautiful morning so we went for a walk on the Beach and collected shells before leaving Morgan Bay.

We spent most of the day driving through the Transkei. It is greatly improved since we were last here but the towns are still very busy and slow you down. One or two of the towns have bypasses which we didn't take but will in future. The roads are lovely now but we still had two stop goes with a wait of 10 min at Kei River and 20 min outside Kokstad. Still have the odd animal on the road despite all the new fencing and still have a few bad drivers!
We passed through at least 5 road blocks/ speed traps manned with at least 10 police officials!!

We arrived at Lake Eland in Oribi Gorge and we are the only people here, only Gemma the hand reared Blessbok, instead of the usual dog, so very peaceful.
This is our last night of camping this trip.
(R100pp)

10 Oct - Yellow Sands Resort to Morgans Bay

We went back to the shell strewn beach and collected more shells.
We then drove back to East London to visit a very helpful Toyota dealer who changed our fuel filter.
We hit the road and arrived at Morgan Bay. It was so windy, we went straight to the restaurant in the hotel and had a leisurely lunch.
We first came here 33 years ago and have been back several times and each time it has developed more.The hotel is looking lovely but the camp site is a bit tired.
We took a drive to Double Mouth which now also has a campsite. When we last went their we the only people on the beach and a cow ate part of our towel!
The wind finally dropped this afternoon so had a lovely walk along the beach.
We are camped on the lagoon/beach at Morgan Bay (R95pp)

9 Oct - Cannon Rocks to Yellow Sands Resort (North of Gonubie EL)

We left Cannon Rocks and drove on to Port Alfred. There has been an amazing amount of development. They now have a lovely Marina on a large Estuary. When we were last here, it was just a tidal river.
We crossed many large rivers/estuaries with clean blue water on our way to East London.

Our plans have changed once again..we intended going to Morgan Bay this evening but a light came on in The Lorry which indicates that we need to see a dealer!
That is why we are camped outside East London so we can pop back to see one tomorrow.
Once we had settled we had a walk on the Beach and collected shells.
Yellowsands campsite is on a lovely beach and lagoon,pp amongst trees, so is well protected from the horrible wind that has been blowing all day.(R50pp)

8 Oct - Cannon Rocks

We went and watched the kite boarders doing their tricks. Then drove on and had a look at Boknes and Bushmans River and the river estuary with its clear blue water.
Went for a lovely lunch at The Sandbar which is a floating restaurant on the Bushman's river.
Went down to Kenton on Sea for a quick look. We popped in to Cannon Rock's beach and a car stopped us and asked if we were camping at the local park, so we said we were and he said..are you Johan and Ebeths friends? They recognized The Lorry from their photos!! Talk about a small world!!

We are now back at camp and watched the disastrous rugby match against the All Blacks.
Good to see such staunch Shark supporters in EP ..even named their house "The Shark Tank!!

7 Oct - Cannon Rocks

Went on a lovely 14 km walk this morning. We went down the road and saw cannons that were retrieved from shipwrecks between 1600 and 1800 (hence the name of the town). Parts of the wrecks are visible at low tide. Research shows that the origin of the cannons are either German or American.
We continued our walk through the coastal forest which has been incorporated into Addo Elephant Park, across amazing sand dunes and then back down along a lovely deserted beach.
This afternoon, Basil joined Johan and a few other locals for an enjoyable couple of games of pool at the community hall.

28 Sept - Franschhoek to Greyton

We woke to another miserable day so had a slow start.
Drove out to an Estate called Babylonstoren which had been recommended to us by quite a few people..well no wonder!! What an amazing place, even the weather improved!
It is a huge farm started in the 1600's but purchased and opened to the public in 2010. It has 3 restaurants (including one in a hothouse) a luxury hotel and a wine tasting room in the vineyards with views of the mountains. We enjoyed their wine which can only be purchased directly from the estate. They grow all their own fruit and vegetables, make cheeses, breads, preserves, home cured meats including wine and herb flavored bilton, soaps, creams and olive oil. Their gardens are amazing growing every possible vegetable one can think of and not to mention all the flowers.They are all labeled like a botanical garden. We were intrigued with the way that the pear and plum trees are pruned to grow sideways. Some of the paths are covered in peach pips and the one fountain was surrounded by Perlemoen shells. They also have their own ducks, turkeys and fowls.
To crown it all they have the most amazing huge Clivia garden stretching along a stream for quite a way. We were enlightened to the fact that there are 6 different original species and there are now 660 different hybrids.
Definitely worth a visit.
We finally dragged ourselves away and went over Franschhoek Pass again and once again marveled at the view.

Made or way to the cute little town of Greyton which we will explore tomorrow.
We are camped a few kms outside the town beside a river at Oewerzicht camp site (R125pp).