It's been a while ... & we still going strong

Okay, admittedly we not very good at this blogging thing. A combination of lack of signal and just getting on with living life is probably the reason the internet is not hearing our story... well that's my theory and we sticking to that!

So some time and some places have passed since our last blog. Some things don't always turn out as planned so we go with the flow and make the best of it. Learning to be more flexible has it's challenging moments but it feels good when you realise you making positive steps forward. Life changing moments are a happening and to be an active part in it is both scary and exciting - it's all good.

From Durban side the weather continued to be sh!te even after hanging around for a few extra days in the hopes of a ray of sunshine.

We packed up and headed back to the Midlands - a home away from home! The beauty there is so incredible, even spending a couple of rainy days was great.

We went to this 'really' rustic place in the mountains with some bass lakes and we even hooked a couple of fish... well I actually speak for Erin & Andrew. Those fish (grrrr...) stayed far away from my hook! But it was fun none the less!

There were the domesticated kind of wildlife there that chased the cats and Erin! LOL  We saw llamas and another Australian Cattle dog, who got a fishing hook in his paw, and the owner just pulled it out with a pliers and off everyone went, including the dog as happy as ever. Geez it really brings to life how suburban people mollycoddle their pets - compared with how farm people don't! These farm dogs are so loyal and content wherever we met them & were extremely friendly.

Eventually it was time to think about our next stop but there were a few challenges ahead in terms of piles of washing and where we were going to watch the rugby. We could either race down to Gariep Dam or hang around - and hang around we did! Back to Bushwillow and got some more free wood, it was so nice to be greeted with a 'welcome home' and ended up staying a while.

 The weather turned for the better and we took a super hike up through the mountains and found a 97m high waterfall! We could get right to the edge to look over. Kinda unnerving at first, but after a while the vertigo fades.Amazing, we were totally blown away! Check out the photos, but they do not do the real thing justice.

The school holiday week was freakin' super, finally we could relax and not be stressed about exams or sticking to the timetable. I know one might thing that we are on one permanent holiday but the reality is that we still have to maintain some structure and encourage the self-discipline in Erin to maintain the high standards she has been achieving thus far. It's all good though and this is a wonderful learning curve for all of us and an experience that is priceless.

School is back in session and so far as term 3 marks are trickling in Erin has done a good job with her exams. We really proud of her & know how much hard work she has put in, even though she has a unique schooling experience it can't be easy when everyday feels like a weekend.

A week gone by at Bushwillow feels like a mere couple of days, time stands still nestled in the mountains surrounded by indigenous forests. I could have stayed on... but eventually we convinced ourselves it was time to get on our way.

We spent a whole evening discussing our route and planning distances etc... but when we got to our first stop at Bethlehem we found the entrance unaccommodating (to say the least) and we could not fit our van (all of 3m tall) under their trees and decided to carry on to the next town - Senekal! If anyone has ever been to Senekal - which I seriously doubt as the only people who have stopped in Senekal are the people who are born there. At 7:30pm the entrance to the dingy caravan park was closed - I was actually relieved!

Andrew & I looked at each other with that knowing look - no man not that look! Refueled with diesel and kentucky we drove on towards Bloem. The plan was to take a short nap at the 1-Stop but too many redbulls later denied us that opportunity and we drove ever onwards towards Gariep - the journey we were planning to take 3 days to do we did in 13 hours! Holy crap you might think 13 hours! Yeah up hill is a bitch! 



We had to stop on the side of the road at one point and make a cat litter box for the very disgruntled kitcats. Shame the look of relief on Peppa's face was so obvious and poor Tsonga just 'knuiped' the whole way.

Eventually we drove up to the gates some obscene hour with serious doubts of being let in at the ungodly hour of 1am. Paid up for the night we entered the park like some villains in the night we set up for sleep. Hell No thought the cats & off they went jolling for the rest of the night prancing around like they just had a redbull shot.

Today we are forced to hang around instead of going to Lake Gariep Resort because Peppa has done another disappearing act AND we found out this morning that we are not actually allowed pets of ANY kind. It's a bit nerve wracking when you know you breaking the rule but we really didn't have any choice at 1am. Also in the defence of the cats, they are not a nuisance to their surroundings and are so well behaved, that I can't understand what the major problem is. I suppose a little bias creeps in.  Anyways the plan was not to stay here for longer than a night (just a stop over) as this place has such strict rules that we feel like we're in boarding school once again and all we see from our campsite is the harbour - not even the real dam. As I'm typing this the Peppa cat has just been found by her best friend Erin, & I'm thinking the silly cat better be here tomorrow morning when we hit the road to the other side of the dam.  As I look around though we all have smiles on, sjoo total relief.

Another day is laid to rest with a lekker braai on the go and all has ended well.