30 Aug - Kamieskroom

Left Taaiboskraal (inland from Kamieskroon) and found huge fields of thick daisies next to the road.We then took a scenic drive through the mountains (which have amazing outcrops of rock) and two passes back to Garies...this was due to not knowing where we were!! and all the Garmin said was.."do a u turn"!!! We drove through farms and I had to get out and open and close at least 15 gates!!
We finally reached the main road.
We then missed the turning to Skilpad in the Namaqualand Nature Reserve so made a U turn just before Springbok!
We booked in at Kroom camp in Kamieskroon which is lovely and new, with our own braai, patio and wash up facilities.(R90 pp)
We got directions to Skilpad and took an afternoon drive. The flowers were lovely but not as good as previous years due to lack of rain.
The weather during the day is beautiful with temparures of 33° and the evenings still a bit chilly.

29 Aug - Papkuilsfontein to Kamieskrion (Taaiboskraal)

Went for a drive and stopped and walked every now and again through the flowers which is the best way to experience them. Drove through their farm and on to the canyon which has wonderful views.
Drove back through the Vanrhyns pass to Garies where we stopped in at info who gave us a map on where to see the flowers in this area and info on another farm camp outside Kamieskroon.
Taaiboskraal was fully booked and the friendly owner said if we were happy.. go and find a spot anywhere on their farm!! Fortunately we are self sufficient and used our own hot water shower etc...so there is no one around apart from a few sheep!! (R100pp)
Once again the stars were amazing as there were no lights for a hundred kls. around.

28 Aug - Vanrhynsdorp to Niewoudtsville (Papkuilsfontein)

Woke up to a misty morning which later cleared and had temps.of 35 ° again today.
Drove up the Vanrhynsdorp pass which has spectacular views across flat country side as far as one can see.
Arrived at Niewoudtsville church where the info office for the flowers is. We saw quite a lot of flowers along the way. We were told to go to Mantjiesfontein where the flowers are lovely, but not as prolific as when we were here previously. We came across a couple who were experiencing an item on their bucket list...It was to sit in the flowers and have a picnic lunch with a bottle of wine!!
Stopped for a beer at Papkuilsfontein and Basil found another lorry!! The owner told us that she has a camp site on her farm amongst the flowers..so that is where we are camped for the night..no electricity and no cell signals and the stars are amazing. Sat and listened to the Klapper Larks marking their territory.(R120pp)

There is one other couple camped here..what a pleasure compared to last night!!
Did a little hand washing and once again it was dry in 2 hrs!!

27 Aug - Strandfontein to Vanrhynsdorp

Woke to a beautiful morning overlooking the Atlantic ocean. Had a leisurely breakfast and drove to Vredendal to stock up. Found everything we needed and were generally pleasantly surprised with the place.
We then headed off to Namaqua wine co-op just outside town but found it closed. There was a sign saying tasting at Spruitdrift on Saturday. We found it and had a wonderful wine tasting followed by a really lovely lunch. They even cater for kids tasting with grape juice pairing with jellytots!!
Purchased lots of wine and brandy and then drove on to the camp in Vanrhynsdorp ..thank goodness, not too far!!
It is choc-o-block and got the third to last site. We have not experienced this so far. Everyone is here for the flowers and are very friendly. A felllow camper has just come across and given me a jar of preserved peaches from her farm..how kind.
I am sure Vanrhynsdorp doesn't normally have this many visitors during the year! (R95pp)
If we pass Vredendal on a Friday on the way back, we will place a large order as you get 20% off your wine purchases!!

26 Aug - Rondeberg(Clanwilliam) to Strandfontein

A beautiful day with temp. at 33degs.
Drove a little way and stopped for Wine tasting at Teubes. The lady there told us that we should go to Fryers Cove in Doringbaai for Wine tasting on the beach and lunch..so off we went in the total opposite direction of where we had intended going!!
We ended up buying their amazing Rose and having lunch there. They also have an Abalone factory next door.
Drove past beautiful flowers alongside the road.
We are camped around the next bay at Strandfontein. Went for a lovely long walk on the Beach and on arrival back, one of the other campers, Dave Bishop walked across and invited us for a delicious Thai curry.
Again we have our own private ablution. (R125pn)

25 Aug - Clanwilliam to Rondeberg

We were happy to leave the campsite we were in last night!! the only thing going for it was the view!
It was a beautiful day today with temperatures reaching 32 deg.

Drove into town and straight to the Wild Flower Show in a lovely old Church in the main street of Clanwilliam...I won't carry on about how amazing it was.They also had a separate room where every variety of wild flower was labeled. The pictures speak for themselves...what a wonderful day...Even Basil was gobsmacked.

Visited the Ramskop Nature Reserve where the flowers are water assisted we were told..very pretty and a large variety of wild flowers.
Had a little drive to the foothills of the Cederberg to look at more flowers and then found the most amazing campsite, Rondeberg Resort. It has a lovely dam with views of the mountains, well kept gardens and we have our own abulition block with braai, patio and fridge/freeze.
Went fishing this afternoon but neither of us had a bite. (R125pn)

24 Aug - Langebaan to Clanwilliam

Bumped into friends (Lynn & Lorrie Stanton) from Pennington area at the same camp site in Langebaan..such a small world!
The sound of the sea crashing on the shore was really loud and it was rather chilly, last night.
The wind changs direction a few times a day here, so it makes it difficult knowing how to set up camp!
Spent the whole day driving through flowers...Vredenburg to Paternoster( such a lovely typical Western Cape seaside resort with character)...then on to Velddrift where there were fields of flowers. Drove on a country road to Clanwilliam and through the Piekenierskloof pass with wonderful views and again the flowers were beautiful all along the way.
It is a lot warmer here, which we are enjoying.
We are camped alongside the lovely, huge Clanwilliam dam.(R105pp)