Leopard's Lair - Middelburg

What I Remember

For a very long time I did not want to return to the Farm but I am past that and a while back we decided to take Christoffel up on his invitation.

The whole week I was excited as a kid to get to the weekend.

That Early Morning Quiet

Friday morning we packed, hooked up the quads and took a leisurely drive out. We took in the scenery and the new developments along the way. A new garage here and a house done up there, but the memories that we have are all good ones and slowly the familiar drifted back.

That BIG Pig

Friday afternoon Dirk, Harry and Richard went off to hunt and not even an hour later they were back with the bounty. A warthog when skinned and gutted of over 50 kg. Smiles on their faces and talk of how it stood and where it was hit. That's what Richard was looking to do for a very long time.

We had supper at the main house with a fire going, good wine and even better conversation.

The Impala

Saturday I was up before the crack of dawn. I could get to my quiet time and sit in the perfect spot waiting for the sun to appear on the horizon. What a beautiful sight.

We spend the day going back on to our old farm. We went through the first gate, took the center road and when we reached the second gate there was some trepidation. Should we or shouldn't we? I am not sure what that feeling was but we decided to go further.

Happy Chappies

I am so pleased we did. The farm is very run down - weed have taken over the pathways,fittings have been removed, ceilings have been damaged - but I did realize that my joy lies in where I am now and I have only happy memories that I have taken from the farm.

Richard and Harry went off to shoot an Impala in the afternoon, so we are now well stocked with biltong for quite some time.

Everything about this weekend was absolutely perfect.

South African National Champs In Paarl

Nelson Wine Farm

How we love the Cape - especially Paarl.

Richard is on point with his shooting and we are staying at Nelson Wine Farm not too far from the shooting range.

It is quiet and not a sole to disturb us.

We went out to Franschoek with Orazio and Val for lunch and then found a local place near our accommodation where the chef was a Harley rider but has since been banned by a wife, Now he cooks but still has his Harley bandanna.

Shooting was good with Richard winning his section.

I was first lad on day one but that soon fizzled to third position on day two.

We Left a day early and got a refund because there was a wedding and the drinking started in the morning and we were not going to wait for the evening celebrations.

Loved it all. 

Will be back next year