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.