When dear friends invite you to their 50th anniversary celebration in the Cape (over two days, nogal!), you immediately programme the GPS and start planning a roadtrip!
It’s been years since we last drove to the Cape (largely) via the N1, and it was truly eye-opening. On the positive side – the roads are excellent overall, and the scenery is spectacular! The negative? Due to the collapse of South Africa’s freight rail system, the number of long-haul trucks on the road is mind-numbing.
There are, of course, always the road cowboys and cowgirls who do immensely stupid things, like overtaking on blind rises and driving way too fast (or slow) for the road conditions, but by and large people behave. And the skill of the truck drivers is awe-inspiring!
Once through the early-morning Jo’burg traffic, it was plain-sailing to Bloemfontein and then on into the Karoo. Now, for those reading this in countries other than South Africa, the Karoo is a vast, semi-arid region that stretches across much of central South Africa, known for its striking landscapes, big skies, and deep silence.
Once a prehistoric seabed, the Karoo holds a rich fossil record that provides key insights into early life on Earth. And did I mention that it’s vast? And mostly flat, apart from the occasional koppie (rocky outcrop).
Because it’s a long drive – around 18 hours in either direction – we did the sensible thing and stopped halfway to spend the night in Hanover, in the heart of the Great Karoo, and pretty much exactly halfway between Kosmos and Pringle Bay. The town isn’t as pretty and well-maintained as it once was, but our hotel – the Hanover Luxury Hotel – was funky and a bit out there (just the way I like my hotels), and staffed by fabulous young people. It was a great place to rest up from a long day’s driving.
I love flying, but the great thing about driving is the stuff you manage to see and do along the way! Like driving through the drop-dead gorgeous Meiringspoort (Meiring’s Pass) on the way to Oudtshoorn.
From Oudtshoorn we drove on to Mossel Bay to have a quick lunch with my cousins Derek and Elsa …
And then it was onto Pringle Bay in the Western Cape.
Along the way we watched the landscape change from arid to progressively greener, and eventually into fynbos-covered mountain sides.
The sun was setting before we reached Pringle Bay, and it was spectacular!
Before the start of Celebration Number 1, we availed ourselves of a walk through the Harold Porter Botanic Gardens in Betty’s Bay.
Pringle Bay is a small, picturesque coastal village located along South Africa’s Cape Whale Coast, nestled between the Kogelberg Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Part of a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve, it is renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty, and it’s wildlife …
Pringle Bay is located along a spectacular coastline that includes Gordon’s Bay.
Celebration Number 2 was at a venue between Somerset West and Stellenbosch. A great group of friends from all over came together to celebrate Pieter and Izak’s 50th year together, and their 10th wedding anniversary.
We love the Cape Winelands and it was wonderful having a few hours to just explore the area. As always we ended up in Franschhoek, one of the most beautiful towns in the Cape.
Before starting the journey home to Kosmos, we spent a leisurely couple of hours in one of my all-time favourite places, Babylonstoren.
Founded in the 17th century, the estate retains the charm of early Cape Dutch architecture with thick white-washed walls, elegant gables and thatched or tile roofs. With spectacular gardens, vineyards, amazing restaurants and so much more, Babylonstoren stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when second best just isn’t an option. And what’s more, this very special place is staffed by local people, many of them young and learning on the job, all of them amazing.
Leaving the Winelands and starting our homeward journey, we drove through the Hex River Valley, where most of South Africa’s table grapes are grown. It’s an extraordinary site!
En route back to Hanover, we stopped off at Matjiesfontein. Founded in 1884 by Scottish railwayman, James Douglas Logan, the town became an important railway stop and a fashionable health retreat for well-to-do tuberculosis sufferers in the Victorian era.
This National Heritage town also offers a glimpse into South Africa’s wartime history, having served as a British base during the Anglo-Boer War.
Just as Matjiesfontein was significant in the Anglo-Boer War, so too was Bethulie, the first Free State town reached by the invading British forces in 1900. It was also the site of a concentration camp, where Boer women and children were interred during the war in shocking conditions.
On a happier note, Bethulie is also the birthplace of celebrated actor, Patrick Mynhardt , who was particularly well known for his performance of the works of Herman Charles Bosman. Mynhardt’s biography is titled, “The Boy from Bethulie”. Bethulie is also the home of dear friend, Serena! And we made a quick coffee stop on our way home.
From Bethulie we made our way back to Bloemfontein via Smithfield …
And then home to Kosmos!
3500km driven, priceless memories filed away.
Until next time, sala kahle!
African Scatterlings 
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