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Victoria Bay – 14/02/03 – S34.00.319 E022.32.885 110 ft amsl – R75.00 per site up to 4 people (mid season – R70.00 Low Season and R150.00 High Season)


Victoria Bay


The local choo choo!

It was wonderful to seek Jelte and Anneke again. They are both well and so is their Landie. They have done quite a bit of travelling over South Africa, and now where keen to get to Cape Town and to make arrangements to get their vehicle back to the Netherlands.

The kids went ahead of us to Ousthoorn as Dennis was not feeling well, and we made arrangements to meet either along Route 62 or Montagu Hot Springs. As it turns out we did not find the kids along the route and Montagu Hot Springs no longer has camping at the springs – so we lost the kids! We also decided that we did not want to go all the way back to Cape Town again. So we bid Anneke and Jelte a fond farewell – till we meet again!

Die Bos – Montagu – S33.47.310 E020. 06.780 – 701 ft amsl – R25.00 pppn

Walking distance to town, but not at the springs.

We continued to an old haunt of ours – Goudini Spa and spend a few days soaking up the minerals from the hot springs.

Goudini Spa – Goudini – S33.40.109 E019.15.841 – 788 ft amsl – R44 pppn (pensioners)

As we have never stopped (always just drove passed) Majtiesfontein, we popped in and had a good look at the Blue Train, which was parked, at the station. Very nice …
Only for the rich and famous though!

Verlatenkloof – Karoo Farm – S32.33.475 E020.33.216 – 3 349 ft amsl – R35.00 pppn

Back on the road – this time we are heading for Sutherland, but running out of daylight. Going though the Verlatenkloof Pass we came across Verlatenkloof Guest House. It was an excellent stop. We got to meet two marvellous old folk – Frans 74 years and his delightful wife 72 years. A couple filled with faith and love for the Lord.

We spend most of the evening star gazing. The stars were amazing – the best we have ever seen! The site is in amongst the mountains and is incredibly peaceful and rustic.


Weather station – at Verlatenkloof Guest House

Sutherland

The Staff at the tourism office were incredibly helpful and informative. We will have to spend a bit of time in this area. We took a tour of the Sutherland Observatory which was very interesting, and though provoking. It gave us lots to talk about!
We found the local folk to be incredibly friendly, in fact the most friendly we have encountered in South Africa. A real feel good place!

We took a drive out to a view sight over the Ou bos Pass and were able to see mountains 200 kms away – amazing!

Skurweberg 4 X 4 – Sutherland -21/02/02 – S32.17.406 E020.22.892 – 4 148ft amsl – R25 pppn

A peaceful campsite with loads of potential. The farmer has taken a lot of time to put in a 4 x 4 track and two trails, and he is currently up-grading the ablution block.

As Williston has an agricultural show we thought we would pop in there – the show was not quite what we had in mind – but it was an experience.

Williston Municipal Caravan Park – 22/02/02 – S31.20.309 E020.55.085 – 3 560ft amsl – R30.00 per site per night

We had a flat on the way to Carnavon and it is evident that we are going to have to replace all 4 tyres. We cannot complain though – they have done well considering what they have been through. The question now is where do we change them – the prices quoted to us have been unbelievable! We decide to try De Aar – as it is Saturday afternoon, we resign ourselves to the fact that we will have to spend the weekend there – but that is okay. Well, maybe not – the campsite is not quite what we had in mind – it is pretty bleak and had not been used for a long time. Also it was locked and we had to find a phone to get is opened.

The town absolutely closed down on a Saturday afternoon, and we just did not get a good feel about the place. We looked everywhere for an alternative, with no luck.
Finally we decided to take a slow run up to Petrusville and hope to find a place to camp at Van der Kloof Dam.

Van der Kloof Dam - /02/03 – S E – ft amsl – R25 pppn (pensioners)