Once again we've headed to the gorgeous Zandkraal Private Nature Reserve in Clanwilliam for tonight, to spend a cool, clear, and tranquil evening with our friends Chef Stephanie Elysee, Gordon Gloyne, their family, the intrepid Alfie Horton, and the cast of 'Charlotte's Web'.
Our first stop, long the N7, was the quaint padstaal 'AnnexKloof', where we sipped on homemade ginger beer, cheeses and caramel corn, whilst admiring the local animals...
After filling up in Piketberg we trundled off along the R366, thinking that we'd eventually meet up with the N7 again.
Well, we did. But a lot later than we thought we would. Instead, we found ourselves travelling along a combination of gravel, sand, and clay roads, winding through little towns, farms and wine estates; streams ambled along, with no real destination in mind.
The landscape enveloped us in its beauty. Rolling hills, chiselled rocky mountains, baron grasses, and lush vegetation, kept our attention focused. The strain of handling such a beast like Big Red on such diverse terrain was wearing me down, but the last descent towards the N7 and Clanwilliam made it all so worthwhile, riding through a rocky channel downwards, lined with thick green bushes, trees and plants. The mountain side standing tall along the road, as if it were the embodiment of the spirits of those who travelled before us, leaning over us and gently guiding us to our destination.
This is the beauty of unplanned travel, simply landing up where the road takes you. We might never have seen these places, or experienced the amazing landscape that lies within a couple hours of our suburban homes.
Tonight we braai and drink.
Tomorrow we venture off to a fantastically cultural town, so stay tuned...
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