mountains

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Karoo koppies – Koffiebus and Teebus

The flat top koppies (mountains) of the Karoo is as part of this arid region of the country as windpompe, Angora goats, Karoo lamb, flowering aloes and big open skies.  Two of the best known Karoo koppies are the Koffiebus and Teebus south of the town of Steynsburg. The word "Bus" means pot in old Dutch as the hills are said to look like the old teapots and coffee pots of the early Dutch Settlers.  This means that if you had to translate, let's say,…

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03/10/2015
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Baviaans Lodge – a special oasis in the southern Baviaanskloof

The Baviaanskloof must be on the bucket list of a lot of South African travellers.  Stunning scenic beauty which, if she was a person, would put her in the top three of a Miss Universe competition.  Isolation, but not like just around the corner where you can't hear the traffic.  A true wilderness area.  UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Overnighting in caves or on a river beach next to sheer cliffs.  Challenging roads.  Unfortunately for us mere sedan drivers a big part…

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27/05/2015
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What reigns supreme in the Baviaanskloof?

The Baviaanskloof.  A place where nature, scenic beauty, fresh air, great hospitality and, where I was at Baviaans Lodge in the south, no electricity and no cell phone reception, reigns supreme.  Keep an eye on the blog in the next few days to read all about our Baviaans Lodge experience. 

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25/05/2015
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My Table Mountain

I have a special affiliation with Table Mountain.  If I haven't been to Cape Town for a while I miss it like you miss a loved one.  When I do visit the Mother City I can't take my eyes off her... it... erm... the mountain.  One would swear I'm having an affair with her. So what if I do?  Anyhow, I usually try and visit Table Mountain every time I'm in town, even if its only for a trip to Signal Hill. …

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03/05/2015
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The Valley of Desolation at sunset

A visit to Graaff-Reinet isn't complete without a trip up to the Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park.  It's hard to say when the best time would be for such a visit though.  That depends if you would like to enjoy all the views in bright sunlight, want to take photos in the early morning light or want to see the sun set on the distant Karoo horizon.  Personally I like to go up in the late afternoon…

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27/03/2015
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At the top of Kloof Nek

I'm an Eastern Cape boytjie through and through and I have so many wonderful destinations and places to visit right in my backyard, but I do enjoy to venture a little further every now and then and is always open to invitations *wink*.  The Cape will always stay one of my favorite places away from home province and on my last visit I drove over Kloof Nek where I decided to stop and check out the Kloof Nek Cannons.  I…

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08/11/2014
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Koffiebus and Teebus

 The Karoo has a beauty that some admire in awe while others tend to just want to pass through as quickly as possible.  I love the Karoo landscape with its big skies, Karoo koppies, windpumps, sheep, karoo vegetation and its interesting people.  Returning home after a trip to Johannesburg I decided to drive via the Gariep Dam, Steysnburg and Hofmeyer before the last stretch from Cradock.  Outside Steysnburg are two very well know Karoo landmarks.  Teebus and Koffiebus, two Karoo…

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14/09/2014
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Lady Slipper

Ever wondered what it looks like from the top of Lady?  This is the view from just below the big Telkom tower looking west.  It was slightly cloudy and very windy when I was up there but on a clear day you would be able to see Jeffreys Bay in the distance. 

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20/08/2014
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Telkom tower on Lady Slipper

I've seen the Telkom tower on top of Lady Slipper from the N2 and always wondered how to get there.  The other day I got to go up the access road at the back of Lady Slipper on a Geocaching expedition and saw the tower up close for the first time.  Much more impressive than the tower is the view all around.  Will post a picture of the view in the next day or so.

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04/08/2014
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Hankey’s berg window at Vensterhoek

Every time I visit the Gamtoos Valley and drive through Hankey, I look up the cliffs on the western side of the town at the Bergvenster (Berg Window) thinking that I must really make a plan to climb up there one day.  That opportunity came when we spent a Shot Left weekend in Hankey staying at the The Milk House.  I told the Damselfly that I'm heading up there come hell or high water.  She asked why and the answer was…

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31/07/2014