2020 - 4 X 4

 

Thursday – 24 September 2020.

At last our long-awaited trip that was booked during lockdown is here.

No rush to start our trip as we have the entire day to get to Nottingham Road and group will only meet at 7pm.

What we did not realize is that it is Heritage Day and the first long weekend of travel for many – and many it was. The roads were really busy as everyone wanted to get out and exercise their freedom again.

Lesson number one. When Google tells you that the highway route will be 50 minutes longer and to take the alternative route, listen to it. Roads works held us up for an hour just after Villiers. Just as the traffic eased off another 35-minute delay showed and this time we took Google’s advice and took the R103 detour. No more hold ups.

We all met at the Crystal Barns Estate – originally, we were going to spend the night at the Nottingham Road Hotel but were notified that there was a change of plan. The setting is beautiful but the rooms and the food we are not going to discuss. Rather forget about it and enjoy the trip.

We are twelve cars in the convoy – ready for some touring.

 Friday – 25^th September 2020.

We were surprised that it was not a crack of dawn departure and after breakfast – again we will not talk about it – we set of at 0900.

We travelled along the Lower Lotheni Road to Himeville on good dust roads along the foothills of the Drakensburg. Magnificent scenery most of the way. Just past Underberg we passed through the Coleford Nature Reserve and then refuelled in Kokstad.

Travelling down the Tabankulu road through the Mountains and through Lusikisiki toward Mboyti Lodge for the night.

We arrived in the dark because of heavy traffic, being a Friday and also a few pit stops were stretched out.

Myboyti Lodge accommodation is spacious and comfortable, the food was really good. Old fashion set menu to choose from so we feasted on Pickled Fish, Roast Lamb with Veggies and Tiramisu with a bottle of Robertson Pinotage.

Bed was calling after a long day.

Saturday – 26^th September 2020.

Mushroom, Bacon and Cheese Omelets for 7am breakfast. We miss our coffee and cream but looking forward to the day. Everyone was ready at 0800.

We did not have a briefing about today are left in the dark a bit, so I will try and track our route as accurately as possible and look it up on Google maps later. 

Missing the Magwa Tea Estate last night in the dark, we were fortunate enough to see the rolling fields of tea bushes as we leave Myboyti Lodge and then had a peak at the sea again at Port St John.

The R61 is a good highway to travel and again all we saw were mountain after mountain occupied by the local people who are constantly building their new homes. It does not look like Covid has affected them and buildings are sprouting up everywhere.

Being Saturday morning, Mthatha and Maclear is extra busy and it is slow going through the towns but soon we left Maclear onto the Naude’s Neck Pass. Breath taking views and 4X4 that is not too difficult so we could enjoy the scenery.

We arrived in Rhodes at 17:25 where we are staying in homes in the town. Dinner was buffet – Chicken Pie, Lamb Curry with all the trimmings of rice, samp, etc.

The accommodation is disappointing but no more of it here. We all know it was Covid period, but we expected more from this historical town in the first place and secondly, cleanliness has nothing to do with Covid.

According to our itinerary, we would have stayed two nights at Tiffendale Lodge. This I was really looking forward to. The explanation is that The Lodge is closed due to Covid. My thought is that we should have been notified beforehand.

Sunday – 27^th November 2020.

I miss not having a coffee while I have my quiet time – these are the little comforts that would make the trip much better. There is every conceivable piece of equipment in the house to cook a three-course meal but alas no coffee for the morning.

It is rest day for those who do not want to do a 4X4 route through Wartrail and New England, so after breakfast of Scrambled Eggs, Mince and Vetkoek, all others set out in their vehicles.

A wonderful day of technical driving – steep inclines, slippery slopes and rocky paths with Tim assisting everyone safely through the tricky patches. We loved every minute of this route.

A buffet dinner of Chicken, Lamb Curry (again) and the trimmings and then Elizma’s husband came to tell a bit about the sheep farming in the area. It is the highest area that yields the highest price for wool in South Africa. Also, the area produces the most wool. There is a folk tale about the Wartrail that he shared. Young Sotho girls were brought along the trail and were bought and sold – I will check to see if I can get more information.

We will be pleased to leave Rhodes as we have not enjoyed the accommodation or the food.

Monday 28^th November 2020.

I am still searching for that elusive, good cup of coffee and at 0730, after breakfast of scrambled eggs, some kind of sausage and bacon that I wish was crispy.

We immediately hit the dirt road and down Mitchell’s pass. The pass is very rocky and not too long. All the drivers love the parts when they are able to set their 4X4 vehicles into gear. After the pass we refuelled in Elliot.

Next to tackle was the Katberg Pass which I think is the highlight of the tour. We climbed the winding round through the mountains with lush trees and ferns lining the road, looking down onto the farms in the valley from an awesome height. It was a privilege to see this part our country. We hit the plains at the top of the pass and then through Cathcart on our way to Hogsback.

The Arminel Hotel, set on the hills is our stop over for the night. The rooms look good and I spied an electric blanket that will definitely come in hand as I am sure it is close to zero degrees in the evening at the moment.

Dinner in front of the fireplace was excellent. The buffet was an array of starters (Spring Rolls, Mussels, etc), Pea Soup with Croutons, Fish, Roast Beef and I can’t remember what desert was. Richard brought our Limoncello and all decided they would try, even the receptionist.

Tuesday 29^th September 2020. 

A crisp sunny morning greeted us and a breakfast buffet. My highlight at breakfast was a decent cup of coffee and at last fried eggs and crispy bacon.

The day’s trip consisted of dirt roads and a stop in Tarkastad where everyone stopped for coffee and cake or quiche. A refuelling stop in Steynsburg at 1630 and we reached our accommodation at 1800.

Once again, we are not staying at the prescribed accommodation. The explanation again for the change is ‘Covid’. I was so looking forward to a stay at the popcorn farm mentioned in the itinerary. I have Googled for this Guest farm and only find one, namely Waschbank River Lodge and it is actually open for reservation if you email them. I think this is worth some investigation.

The River Destiny Lodge is very basic. Dinner was a la carte and I had lamb chops which I always have when I am in the area. Richard opted for his favourite as usual – a rump. We didn’t get to a desert as the kitchen closed before we finished our main meal.

Another one of those overnight places you would like to forget but this trip has been fabulous.

Wednesday – 30^th September 2020. 

It’s our last day and we are all packed and ready to hit the road home.

Breakfast and goodbyes are now all that is left.

We had our highs and lows on this trip, but it was really good to be back on the road after lockdown.

2645 km round trip of some of the most stunning scenic routes in South Africa.

 

 

 

Hungary 2020

Thursday 05-03-20 and another day experiencing this lovely country. Hévíz is only 10

minutes away from our home base Keszthely.

The town is located near Lake Hévíz, the world’s second-largest thermal lake, but biologically the biggest active natural lake. Its temperature is affected by the combination of hot and cold spring waters, coming from 38 meters underground. The water breaks out from a spring cave, at approximately 410 liters per second, with a temperature of 40 °C. The biological stability of the lake is shown by the 

Zalakaros Forest

temperature of the water, which has not changed for years and even on the coldest winter days doesn’t drop below 24 °C. That makes bathing possible in the lake year-round. In the summer, the water temperature can reach 37 °C

Zalakaros Lookout Tower

We spent the day at the indoor Thermal baths - outside was a bit chilly for us. You can't really float in the sulphur water and also the current drags you down so everyone floats around on their noodles. You can wait in line for a series of ten power jets to massage your body from the feet to the shoulders. a buzzer sounds and you move onto the next jet. All very relaxing and orderly. Later we lazed on the deck chairs in the inner sun porch.

Monday 09-03-20 and we are off exploring again. Zalakaros is our destination with an amazing forest to have a short hike. There is a beautiful panorama from the  Zalakaros Lookout Tower and it is said that you can see the Kis-Balaton on a clear day. The Kis-Balaton - Little Balaton - is defininatly not small and in the 1800's it used to be a bay of Lake Balaton but the Balaton deteriorated and 

so to preserve the wetlands the Kis-Balaton was established.

Lángos

The weekend weather was beautiful and we had the chance to wander round the Balaton waterfront in Keszthely. We also had our first taste of Langos - pronounced Langosh - a Hungarian sreet food speciality. It is like a Vetkoek dough shaped like a pizza and deep-fried. You then paint your base with garlic butter and drench in cheese. It is really yum and really fattening.

We have now opened a banking account with the OTP Bank in Keszthely and are just waiting for the wheel to turn with the house in Varaszlo.
Monday also saw the crashing of the markets world wide and the Corona Virus is spreading.

Wednesday 11-03-20 and once again bad news about the house. For a second time the owners have pulled off the market. We think this has also to do with the Covid-19 virus and everyone is really in a panic. We are not interested in any of the other country homes we have seen so it is time to decide what to do.

We are really lucky to be able to change our flight for Thursday 12-03-20 and our

Kis-Balaton

landlady is very understanding. She actually had not even asked us for a deposit or to pay upfront when we arrived, so when she asked if one day notice period was good - what could we say. 

Lookout At Kis-Balaton

Thursday 12-03-20 was another day when the stock markets dropped a huge 10% the Covid-19 is spreading. Hungary has now closing their Universities and the border between Austria and Hungary is now closed.
We got home safely on Friday 13-03-20 - how ironic it was Friday the 13th - with markets in a shambles and the entire world in dreadful state with the virus.

Hungary 2020

After our last trip to Hungary in August 2019, Richard and I were convinced that this was where we would like to live permanently.

Our Apartment in Kesthely

Loving It Here

It seemed like one of those pipe dreams but the more chatted about it the more we realized that it could become a reality for us.

 We have spent so many hours searching houses and areas. Searching for information about residency permits. Trying to learn a little of the language to come by in daily meetings with Hungarian folk in the supermarkets or on the street.

Not a day went by that we did not plan or learn more about Hungary.

Balatonfüred Harbour

Then started the plans to spend a month here and get the ball rolling. Flights and accommodation were booked. Arrangements were made with the Estate Agents and then all that was left was to pack and board the plane.

Tagore Promenade at Balatonfüred

So here we are at the end of our first week in Hungary and we are ready to make an offer on the house in Varászló which is a village in Somogy county.

We loved the house the last time we were here but the owners took it off the market.

 This time it was the only house that we really wanted to buy after spending ages looking at other properties.


Now the paperwork starts.


In the mean time this past week we have made Kesthely our home base for this trip. We have been busy sight seeing and meeting up with some expats from Klerksdorp.

Richard with Gróf Festetics György

On our first day of arriving we drove straight down to Keszthely where we have a fabulous little apartment and will be our base for the most part of our trip.

On Saturday 29-02-20, we met up with Bruce Fonteine and

Keszthely

his wife Anna Maria in Balatonfüred which is a Hungarian spa town on Lake Balaton’s north shore. We had lunch there and they had loads of information to share with us about life here in Hungary.

Balatonfüred is a town in Veszprém county , the seat of the Balatonfüred district. The

Tapolca Lake Cave

settlement originally belonged to the county of Zala from the time of King St Stephen to 1946 . The capital of the northern shore of Lake Balaton the oldest resort on the shore of Lake Balaton. It is the sixth most popular settlement in Hungary in terms of overnight stays at commercial accommodations. Its proximity to Lake Balaton is mainly due to its carbonated springs and its Mediterranean climate.

Sunday 01-03-20 found us in Tapolca, which is also on the northern side of the Balaton. We had the opportunity to go into the caves that the town is famous for. A guide first took us on a tour of the info center - all in Hungarian - then we went down into the caves and onto a small paddle boat through the caves. A special experience.

Amanzimtoti and Eston Compak Trial 2020

It has been two years since we have been at the South African Coast and so with the Eston Compak Trial the was held in natal we decided that this was a good opportunity to unwind and relax in the sun.

We booked through Afristay.com and found a lovely place right on the beach front.

It advertised a luxury flat with luxury everything...........

I am not going to say much except - don't believe everything you read. We enjoyed our stay and the

Sugarfields B&B

accommodation was good but isn't it typical of how we are just accepting everything in South Africa. Everyone (okay not everyone - but the majority) is also not prepared to take responsibility for what they advertise.

It was not our landlords fault that we didn't have what was advertised because Afristay just advertised his property without him knowing. Pull the other leg landlord.

I think our country is suffering because it looks like there is not enough money to maintain the towns. Amanzimtoti looks really drab. I cry for my country.

Sugarfields B&B

We had beautiful weather and then off to Eston we went to shoot the Compak Trial.

On Sunday after the shoot we immediately hit the road and luckily the roads were not bumper to bumper with the huge trucks we encountered on our way down.

It was good to get back home.

Now we are all excited for our trip to Hungary.

Visas are in order, Flight is confirmed, Car is booked, Accommodation waiting for us and we are ready for a new chapter in our lives.

Stay tuned.

Christmas 2019

This year Christmas was a very quiet affair.

A very special lunch and just enjoying time with the kids and grand kids.

A typical summer in South Africa with temperatures souring to 37 degrees and all of us eating way too much.

Enjoy the few moments we did catch on camera.