6 January 2014 – 25 January 2014

So, you probably have read our accommodation rating on Clarens Inn and Backpackers….the only plus was that we had a lovely couple of walks with the dogs into Clarens Village.   The rustic, old world charm I remember of Clarens has disappeared.  The sleepy village we once knew 30 years ago has been replaced with a busy hustle and bustle atmosphere.   There are so many restaurants to choose from, as well as lodging, accommodation, backpackers and lots of hawkers plying their trade.  We arrived after the Christmas rush was over, or so I thought… Clarens was still abuzz with plenty of tourists.

The closest town big enough and with a Pick n Pay, Clicks, Spar etc., is Bethlehem, which is about an hours drive from Clarens.   So its best, if you are going to stay for a while, camping or self catering, is to take as much as you can with you, otherwise running out  of something, its not that easy to always get exactly what you are looking for and can be on the expensive side.

From the second night onwards, we camped at Bergwoning (see my accommodation rating), which is a farm on the outskirts of Clarens, about 5 minutes drive from Golden Gate National Park.   We had the whole campsite to ourselves for the first couple of nights, then had the odd camper coming through.   The bass dam just in front of our site is also safe and clean enough to swim in, except I wasn’t going to take that chance…I had seen too many jumping fish for my liking.   Also, the farm’s horses decided to  saunter down to the dam one early morning and spent a couple of hours frolicking in the dam and enjoying a much needed cool off.  John spent a couple of mornings and evenings try-ing to catch the very elusive bass… he even ended up watching a youtube video on different flies that could be made to entice bass.

These also didn’t seem to work, but he was determined to catch that bass, before we left Bergwoning and Clarens….

We took a drive to Bethlehem to do our shopping.   Its a great town, with everything one needs.   We also took a drive through Golden Gate National Park which brought back fond memories of our camping trip there with Alan Drabbe and his first wife.

Great walks with the dogs especially in the early mornings or late evenings.  Sunsets amazing and the quiet of the surrounding farm was stunning.

All too soon it was time to pack up and head to Knysna, but we needed to stop over at Willows again for a couple of nights as we had some business to take care off.

Willows Caravan Park, you might remember is in Port Elizabeth (the unfriendly city) LOL.  This time round we visited some good friends of ours from Hout Bay Days – Colleen and David Miller…so the (unfriendly city) became the (friendly city,) overnight LOL.   We had an awesome evening with David and Col, was great to see where they were living.   They then joined us for a good old Saffa braai at Willows.

I must admit I was really looking foward to reaching Knysna…the Western Cape again and the sea.   It feels almost like home.  We had made a temporary booking at Lake Pleasant Caravan Park, however upon arrival we found that it turned out to be Lake Unpleasant Caravan Park….thanks but no thanks.  So late afternoon John, I and the dogs began searching for a ‘dog friendly’ caravan site in Knysna, or surrounds.   BINGO, Monks Caravan Park, just outside the town of Knysna on the lagoon….wow what an awesome place and THANK YOU Mrs Monk for ‘breaking the rule’s’ out of season.  We are so grateful to you.   We and the dogs were welcomed by Mara, Mr/s Monks’ daughter.  Again, apart from one other camper and their dogs, we had the place to ourselves AND it was R1000 cheaper than Lake Unpleasant.   We happily settled into our new home and will be in Knysna for the next month.

On our way to Knysna, some of you might have seen on facebook, we had a blowout on the Zook.  Luckily for all of us, it was being towed, we weren’t driving, but anyway, John had to source some new tyres, so after setting up and becoming aquainted with our new home, we decided to set aside Monday this past week for a trip to George for tyres and some much needed ‘retail therapy’.

John dropped me at the Mall and he, with the dogs, set off in search of a tyre place.   I was ecstatic to have some time to myself, wandering around the shops.  I found a Bargain Books, so was able to stock up on my books again.  I then passed this hair salon, deciding to pop in and ask firstly, the price and secondly, if there was space…yes to both.   I was waiting to be allocated a hairdresser, when a young gentleman walked past me, one of the hairdressers, I couldn’t believe my eyes…of all places…in George….there stood Jaco.  Jaco was one of Jossie’s old friends from Hout Bay…he used to be a hairdresser at Cinnamon, before leaving to work in Mossel Bay.  WOW what a small world it is….so I got a fantastic haircut from Jaco and was able to natter and catch up (felt like I was a regular) LOL.

On Sunday just after our arrival, we got an sms from Andre Schlenk…Andre thought we were still in PE…he and Giga with Giga’s brother and wife were arriving in Knysna that day, however they didn’t know we were already there.  Andre was going to be making a trip up PE way and wanted to get together….how amazing is that…we were able to let him know we were staying right opposite Thessen Island about a 5 minute walk from where they were staying at Giga’s brothers place.  So we have had some really lovely catchups with the Schlenks and John has had his cycle buddy back again.   Happy chappies all round.

So in Knysna we are till the 20 February, when we make our way back to Cape Town in time to collect Jossie from the airport and for John to cycle the Argus…..until next time   Caio