16/10/2007

Day 1 - Ixopo to Cintsa West

A damp dreary morning.  After packing and repacking and checking Betty, we left Ixopo at midday.  We unpacked a small present given to us by our friends in Durban and found "Betty Bear" and instructions to take a photo of her at every major city we visited.

The late start and slow journey through the very hilly Transkai (visiting the birthplace of Nelson Mandella on the route) meant that we would not make SPW as we had intended that night, and after a very foggy run made Cintsa West camp site at 9pm.

17/10/2007

Day 2 - Cintsa West to Hogsback     

We had a good start, after our first night in the tents in South Africa, only taking 40 mins for everything including packing the tents away.  We made  our planned visit to the Eastern Cape Regional Headquarters of  Student Partnership Worldwide (SPW), and then were shown two of their communities at Keiskamahoek  and Cata where they run a three year programme of training students in life skills to a level where they can train others in the same skills.

After leaving Cata we set out for the the Hogsback Nature reserve and camped at a site overlooking a huge gorge. 

18/10/2007

Day 3 – Hogsback to Hartenbos

Relunctantly, we left Hogsback and headed South for the Coast.  After a good drive on long straight roads we passed through the Outeniqua pass and arrived in Hartenbos at about 9pm and camped on the beach within a stone's throw from the beach.

19/10/2007

Day 4 - Hartenbos to Hermanus

We woke to a clear sky, no dew and after breakfast headed for Cape Agulhas, Africa's most southerly point, and the southernmost point of our journey.  After visiting the Cape, no whales spotted, we headed up the coast to Hermanus and found a campsite at Onrus.  

20/10/07

Day 5 – Hermanus to Stellenbosh

We woke to a beautiful morning and did all the necessary chores before heading off to see if we could find any whales.  We were treated to a feast of whales in the bay.  A pod of 7 were in the bay and  displayed themselves beautifully for our cameras, videos and binoculars.

Following that we set off for Stellenbosch in the vineyard area, where we would watch the World Cup Final.  At Gordon's Bay we met up with another traveller, (www.myjourney.co.za) and swopped stories.  In Stellenbosch, we found our campsite, had lunch, and visited the vineyards, and a wedding!  In the evening we watched The Match, discussed legitimate tries, and then to bed.

21/10/07

Day 6 Stellenbosch

A break from travelling today.  After doing the chores, we went into town for an internet cafe and some shopping.  In the evening we fired up the Braai (BBQ) for our camp meal.

22/10/07

Day 7 Stellenbosch to Capetown

Up early to be ready to talk to Tracks for Africa an overlay system for the GPS.  After talking to him we visited a Land Rover garage and stocked up with items for Betty and got some Land Rover baseball caps. 

We then headed into Cape Town hoping to visit Robben Island and Table Mountain.  No joy, one covered in clouds and the other fully booked.  Headed for Cape Point and a campsite.  Dreadful night - rain lashed the tents.

23/10/07

Day 8 Cape Point to Atlantis

Annother poor day of weather - visited Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope) and took photos of the London signost (9623km).  Then we visited a penguin colony and took lots of photgraphs of these special birds.

We then headed for a camp site  near Atlantis, dinner, hot bath and bed.

24/10/07

Day 9 Atlantis to Cederberg 

Hooray, we woke to clear skies and a light breeze. and drove north to the Swartruggens region, and had lunch in the mountains.

We met up with a Dutch couple who were overlanding in South Africa. Swopped stories and details of campsites. We went to one they recommended.  Very good, and they had lamb chops and wood for a braai (BBQ)

25/10/07

Day 10 Cederberg to Garies

We took our time leaving this camp site  and then diverted our route to include a visit to a vineyard and do a bit of winetasting.

We drove on to Garies, our hottest day yet, and found our campsite, which appeared deserted.  However the showers worked, so dinner, showers and bed.

26/10/07

Day 11 Garies to Orange River and Namibia

Up early and on the road by 7am.  First to Springbok, no power that day, and on to the Orange River border with Namibia. 

Fun at the border claiming back VAT.  A small cheque will be sent to Britain. We then had a short drive North to Namibia, and dealt with the formalities there. 

We had a recommendation for a camp site just North of the border on the banks of the river.  Swim, dinner (Braai), a visit to the bar, and then turned in.