Blog Update – 28 th January 2013 – 16 February 2013

Leaving Grahamstown, for me, was the nicest feeling ever…I felt relaxed again.   We had decided to head to Morgan Bay, but in Grahamstown, having my hair done, I chatted to some of the local ladies who often visited a place called Cintsa Bay.  They raved about it and it is the start of the Jikeleza Wild Coast Meander, so armed with my phone and campervan/caravan guide, I began the search for a suitable caravan park.  The first one I called was Rendezvous Caravan Park in Cintsa West.  Trevor Taylor is the owner and it is aptly managed by 92 year old Ralph Jones.  I queried dog friendly (tick) and availability (tick), so off we went to Cintsa West.  We got horribly lost, but after discussion with Trevor, realised we had gone too far down the Gonubie road, so back we went.  We arrived in PARADISE.  Wow, it is soo beautiful here.  This time we chose a caravan site, well away from any human or dog activity.  Right in the corner, next to some horses and across from cattle, sheep and pig (lets).  We also have the luxury of our own bathroom, just a stones throw from our campsite.

Our first afternoon, we were visited by Ralph and welcomed and settled in. Ralph has a little JR called Whiskey.  Whiskey is a local and a favourite amongst the campers and caravaners.  He knows everybody and likes nothing more than to sleep outside somebodies tent at night, in exchange for a titbit now and again.

Our first evening was gorgeous. No wind, warm and balmy.  We took a walk on the beach, down to the lagoon, heaven. The beaches are pristine and one can walk forever. There is a lagoon here which is tidal and warm.     The dogs were in 7^th heaven, so were we for that matter.

Washing day and beach walk, in that order.  The dogs had quickly settled themselves into camplife at Rendezvous.   I made my way to the laundromat, ably assisted by Whiskey and Ralph.   No lessons needed, I was very at home with the hows of operating a washing machine and tumble drier.

At Rendezvous there is a beautiful clear swimming pool which I’m sure John and I will make good use of.  Just next to our campsite is a paddock in which two horses roam, Fudge and Dash, both horses are part of the Newhampshire Equine Rehab Centre here in Cintsa West. They have approximately 40 horses that have been rescued in various stages of neglect and abuse, to be rehabilitated for beach and dune rides. Fudge and Dash are the latest arrivals.  We have made friends with them, they now look for John, I and the dogs when we walk at night.  They come running up to the fence in the hopes of getting a carrot or two.

The farm across the road from Rendezvous also belongs to Trevor Taylor.  He has some sheep, cows and horses.  Just above Trevor’s fields is a lady who lives with a couple of pot bellied pigs who visit now and again.  They are not popular with Ralph and he is forever chasing them off, but this doesn’t deter them in any way, they are soon back again.

Our first week in Cintza we met a couple from Germany.  Connie and Thomas Nicolai.  They originally booked only two nights at Rendezvous, but ended up staying 5.   We had some really lovely beach walks with them and shared a glass or two of wine in the beautiful evenings, round our campfire.  We had one very memorable evening with them.  We left fairly early in the evening with the two dogs and walked along the beach from Cintsa West to Cintsa East.  We met Connie and Thomas, who had gone on ahead, at a restaurant called Michaelas.  At first, reluctantly, they let us bring the dogs in, but after an hour or so, we were fully at home and the dogs had won the hearts of the restaurant manageress (heeehaa), she actually allowed us to have dinner in the restaurant with the dogs next to us, on lead, sitting with their heads in the restaurant and the bums on the patio (a sight to behold).  We had a delicious buffet, being a Saturday evening.  The total cost per person R100, not shabby…..

It was around 9.30 when we walked back home, along the beachfront, in the dark, armed with our headtorches and our bodyguards (the dogs).  It was low tide, so beautiful….memorable.

Connie and Thomas left early the next morning, so it was back to just John, I and the dogs in Rendezvous.   Sunday the 10^th was a chill day, hot and balmy again, we took the dogs for an early morning walk on the beach, then just flopped the whole day.  I got to read my book under the awning.

I decided on Monday the 11 February 2013, it was time for a little bit of retail therapy…suffering  just a little from cabin fever, I took the zook and headed into Beacon Bay which is about half an hours drive from Cintsa West.   The shopping mall has a Pick and Pay, whoop, whoop, so I spent a good hour walking round familiarising myself with the layout as I would be back several times in the next month to do some shopping, especially stocking up on stuff we were not able to get at the local Spar at Crossways.   Then onto Clicks and Game.  Shew, this is a mini town all on its own…..just one small hole…..no coffee shop offering free wifi L.

This week was also dedicated to booking for John’s Code 14 license just in case we did a campervan swop next year in Aus or NZ.  I believe to drive a campervan of our length and weight, a code 14 license is required, so what better time to do it than now.   So,  first things first, John needed to pass his learners license.  Another visit into EL to purchase the necessary book from which to learn his code 14, then swat, swat, swat.  Back into town again to write his license which he aced, just like that and left some of the youngsters standing…:)   then came the search for a driving school offering code 14 license lessons.   Enter..Chris….so John took his first lesson in a truck.   Went well and has planned his next lesson for week of the 18 January 2013.   He does his license on the 8 March 2013, just before his Mom arrives from Joburg.