Day 12 Hlalanathi Drakensberg 23 April

Hooked up at 09h30 travelled 105 Km to Hlalanathi which in Zulu means 'Place of rest'
went over Lichens Pass 2041 m past Sterkfontein dam and over Oliviershoek pass 1971m

Steadies down at 11h30 put up canvas and satellite dish for a 4 night stay.
Magnificent camp site on the golf course, 60 stands some with own ablutions/kitchen.
Stands 1 to 56 have fantastic views and position overlooking golf course. stands 57 to 60 are sh1t,we got 59. It is the start of the long weekend and the camp is full.
We said at the outset that we would get good and bad sites,we will make the most of it.

Co-ordinates of our camp site:
28.65873 S
29.03453 E
1277m elevation

Day 11 Golden Gate 22 April (Birthday)

Thank you so much for all the e mails, SMS's and calls on my birthday.
Day dawned windy and cool, it is probably the head of the cold front that passed through Cape Town.
slept late went for another drive into Clarens decided not to play golf as I play enough in the wind in CT and don't need to get frustrated on a strange course, R400 saved. One day is enough to see Clarens.
Lettie is treating me to dinner at Brandwag Hotel tonight. Packed up canvas as we are leaving tomorrow for Hlalanathi caravan park at the foot of the Drakensberg mountains where we plan to spend 3 nights. There is a golf course on site, it is only circa 80 Km from where we are.

Day 10 Golden Gate 21 April

Woke to cloudy skys, did housekeeping on caravan, Lettie took the washing to the hotel and asked the staff where they do the hotel linen to do the bundle for us in the hotel machines, done, washed dried and ironed for R30. (cheeky but effective)
Went on a game drive to the vulture kitchen did not see anything.
Baboons raided camp today and as most people were out I landed up being the baboon guard, stopping them from stealing from unattended caravans.
Decided to climb Brandwag from camp, only have my golf shoes that resemble anything like hiking boots. up and down in 1.5 hours, not bad for someone turning 61 tomorrow, wearing golf boots, magnificent views all round, you have to be there to see the true picture, a camera does not capture the mood.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, not sure what lettie has planned for me, maybe she just might take me to dinner in Clarens, my budget does not allow.

 Brandwag top is the target of the walk

About three quarter way up taken from the approach

The last bit, most difficult and steepest, there is a chain to hold on and help you up.

View onto Brandwag Hotel from top

View from top onto Glen Reenen Camp site

Lettie watching me through binoculars while I take the photo from the top

Photo taken from top showing shadow and form of Brandwag peak, interesting

Day 9 Golden Gate 20 April

Sunny day, allowing the canvas to dry out, went into Clarens, toured the art and craft shops, had a cheese board for lunch, great!!! golf course still to wet to enjoy, maybe tomorrow. Early braai as temperature dropping as there are no clouds.

View from behind our caravan towards the Sandstone peaks

View back to camp from one of the walks up from previous photo. Lettie waving

Bradwag viewed as you approach Glen Reenen which is the name of our camp site. Will go up on a walk tomorrow

Day 8 Golden Gate Highlands National Park 19 April

Steadies up at 07h30 travelled from Cradock via Hofmeyer, Steynsburg, Aliwal North, Rouxville, Zastron, Ladybrand, Clarens, GG. We decided to give Little Rock in Ladybrand a miss as we were only 130 km from GG. Again we broke the rules and travelled 643.2Km today. Steadies down at 16h00, lovely camp site, great neighbours, magnificent views (photo's to follow), lots of rain around. Put some canvas up because of the weather. According to the people here it has been raining all day and only stopped as we arrived. Plan to stay for 4 nights, visit Clarens and the art studios, coffee shops and maybe a round of golf, weather permitting.

Co-Ordinates 28.50608S 28.61870E elev. 1926.6m (our camp site)
(Kerry. the last Co-ordinates are on Day 4)

Thanks to all that are following us how about some comments and messages

Chat soon

Day 7 Mountain Zebra 18 April

Rained till early hours of this morning...there were a few campers that were miserable this morning!Their tents were sopping wet and lots of mud around them...we were warm and cosy and dry. Was a bit chilly this morning but the sun shone and no clouds around. Had breakfast...bacon, eggs & toast, we sat in the sun eating as it was chilly under the rally tent. Took a short drive to try and see the allusive Buffalo...but no luck. All the animals were lying down due to the chill in the air.
Got back to camp, started to packup as we are leaving early for Golden Gate tomorrow, going to be a long drive! After the packing up I gave Andrew a haircut and he looks all "spiffy" now.
A few thunder clouds around but no rain yet, holding thumbs it will not rain.

Till later...

Regards
Lettie

What the park is named after.

Day 6 Mountain Zebra NP 17 April

Woke early and decided to phone DSTV before going into Cradock, just as well as all that was required was to download new software, the decoder had not been used since our last holiday in June 2009 and was out of date. Done, yes Kerry we watched the Stormers annihilate the Chiefs.
Went for a game drive had breakfast at a lovely picnic spot next to the Wilgerbome river. Spent the afternoon watching sport. At about 16h00 a big thunderstorm with lots of lightning and heavy rain which continued late into the night, forced us into bed early, no braai, mince curry cooked in the caravan which now has a lovely aroma to it.