Avocado Adventure Part 1

This is strictly outside the remit of this blog but fun anyway and our adventures with Fiona, Harry and their 4x4 Bakkie in South Africa certainly worth writing about. Harry's Bakkie is kitted up for 3 weeks unsupported camping with solar panels for power, a huge water supply and fridge freezer for provisions. Complete with a roof tent,awning and even an outside shower. Toilet provisions mean digging a hole, but out in the African bush it's hardly an issue, although Fiona's late night encounter with a hippo is really scary and certainly beats any tales a motor homer may tell about rabbits, moles and spiders, when on toilet breaks! Fiona and Harry are made of sterner stuff and take in their stride all the bush can throw at them!

Harry's Bakkie

 



A place for everything!

 

 

 

We started our adventure in Johannesburg at Fiona's and Harry's beautiful house. After a lovely evening with them, we set off the next morning to their farm at Hazyview near Neilspruit in the north of the country, not far from the Kruger National Park. The journey was around 5 hours and included some beautiful scenic drives and some fabulous scenery which defys any photo. Africa is such a huge country almost too big for us little "islanders" to take in. It seemed so odd to us, chasing North to the sun.

 

We arrived at the lovely farm which used to grow avocados and many were still on the trees. Harry had described the farm as primitive, we thought it was very up together with stunning views across the valley and fascinating wildlife. We were quite pleased not to meet the crocodiles, although we did manage to find a porcupine quill for our Grandson. We had BBQ's and an amazing walk down to the river on the farm, Harry leapt about on the rocks but thankfully decided it was a bit to dangerous for us "townies" to cross the river. We retreated to the lodge to take in the views. The farm is a beautifully serene place to be in and we loved every moment of it.

 

 The sleeping cabins.

 The lodge overlooking the valley, fantastic views.

 Harry and Fiona have planted loads of palm trees on the farm which grow rapidly in the heat. No mean feat as the farm is covered in massive rocks which have to be moved. Digging out the pool and putting up buildings here is a real labour of love!

 Even putting down simple paths is a major endurance engineering project.

The farm has a river running through the land at the bottom complete with waterfall. We trekked to the river edge taking the dogs with us. Harry said they would frighten the snakes away, reassuring!!! It worked, we didn't meet any.

 

 I was really pleased not to meet a croc! This is a favourite spot for Harry and Fiona.Thankfully Harry said it was too difficult to cross for us ! The river is part of the farm property, wildlife included.

This spot by the river is a truly magical place to be.

 The climb back to Base Camp was well worth the effort.

 

Our next little outing was to The Kruger National Park, just on the doorstep of the farm. Touristy and busy but we were so lucky that day as we saw 4 of the Big 5 before lunch!

 

 

 

 The impala are adorable and in beautiful condition. Their camoflage is perfect and they are so playful. However many we saw we still loved seeing them.

 

 

 



Zebra in the wild are so funny and they appear to get on with most other animals, I guess unless they are seen as food! We saw loads at Kruger.

 

 

 

 

 

Strangely I was really scared of the elephants. This was a lone bull one, later we saw breeding groups but I found them forbidding! I guess it's sheer size and strength. Later in our hoilday we went in search of the long tusk elephant which we didn't find, I was kind of relieved we didn't come across any.

 

 

We were priviliged to see so many beautiful giraffes in the wild, I love the picture of the giraffe strolling down the road at The Kruger at the side of Harry's Bakkie.

 

 


Having seen so many beautiful animals in the wild I think I would find it really hard to see them in captivity, they were truly one with their surroundings and meant to be there.

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU FIONA AND HARRY FOR SHOWING US YOUR BEAUTIFUL WORLD. xxx

 

Part 2 of our adventure to follow.

 

 



Summery Somerset

When I started this blog it was going to be about life in a Bailey! As things have turned out it's become more of a kind of ramble about our rambles. Rest assured any relevant Bailey bits will be mentioned!!

We were left with a week in August which included the Bank Holiday Monday. We were hoping to go somewhere mildly more exciting than Brean, but as I had left it so late to book, we had to grab what we could get! So Unity it would be. We thought Smartie had better have an outing, so suitably loaded up off we went for our epic adventure and a mere 45 minutes later, we were safely settled in the Yellow field by the duck pond on a super pitch.

The sun beamed down, so out with the sun loungers and an early glass of wine and a bit of evening sunshine!  We decided we had better do holiday things as we were staying for a whole week, so I had downloaded loads of holiday touristy things to do which we thought we would try out. The first thing would be to explore the fort at Brean Down.

Half way up the steps!

We made it to the top 209 steps!!
 

The morning was beautiful, clear and sunny. Brean Down is nearly 100 metres high, sticking out into the Bristol Channel which has the second highest tidal range in the world. It's the bit before Steep Holme and Flat Holm and gives fabulous views out to the Somerset Levels. Mendips, Bristol Channel and on a clear day Wales. Cobwebs will be cetainly blown away here, a good stout pair of shoes or walking boots essential, although we saw loads of Grannies and children in flip flops and a few Yummy Mummies in the odd pair of heels! The walk is fabulous, steep in bits but not that strenuous, we were glad we were not pushing a push chair! A National Trust stronghold , so if you are a member free parking.

 



Even Den made it to the top with a bit of huffing and puffing!
We wandered on to the the fort. Built in Victorian times, how you may wonder it's in the middle of nowhere? Smelly in places, but a very interesting hour spent rambling around the site and taking the bracing sea air and sunshine.

We ambled back via the lower pathway , spectacular views all the way and a steep path back down to the car park. Certainly worth the effort and I would imagine different views at different times of the year.

Our next foray was to explore the area around Uphill. We had heard that there was a campsite near the beach at the marina. It was a beautiful spot but not really for our kind of camping! We did have another fabulous walk here among the sand dunes and along Weston Beach. certainly a return trip called for. Also a great little cafe by the marina which looked good to eat in although we didn't try it.

This is such an interesting area of Weston and not one we had been to before. This part of Somerset is beautiful and we only managed one of the many walks I had downloaded for this area, so a return called for.

As the week went on we were really getting into the tourist spirit! Next on the agenda was Axbridge. What a lovely little place that was. Again full use made of our National Trust Membership at King John's Hunting Lodge on Axebridge, we still had to pay to get in though, the building is only rented to the NT.

 We walked around the reservoir braved the wild animals ( sheep) climbed a mountains ( well, grassy banks) and tramped down a few very long lanes. Finally, we arrived back in Axbridge for a well deserved cuppa in Ye Olde Tea Shoppe. Another very satisfying day.

For the remainder of the week we managed a trek on the beach at Burnham to see the weird 9 legged lighthouse. Moules by the beach in the Cove at Weston, a trip to the Helicopter Museum and loads of beachy walks. A great week in Somerset , glorious weather and strangely a holiday to remember.

 

The quaint Victorian 9 legged lighthouse.

The marine lake at Weston. We had Moules in the restaurant overlooking the Marina, outside in the sun.

There be donkeys on the beach.

Alien goings on, on the beach at Brean. Or perhaps too much cider? Seriously we couldn't work out how they did this, it was like the crop circles. Spooky!!

Finally, a modellers paradise on the beach. The day of the aeroplanes. Models of every description flying. Apparently, it's a kind of unofficial modellers convention held every year. We spotted the planes on the camp site and then went down on the beach to watch.

Now, I wonder what Autumn will be like in them  there parts of Zomerzet?? Time to find out soon.

Out and About At Parc Verger, France.

Just back from a great three weeks in France. We did the Portsmouth to St Malo crossing which was perfect. As usual , a fabulous meal in the restaurant and a smooth crossing. I am always amazed by the boat crews and how they fit you on the ferry.

Billie our motorhome, behaved perfectly, as we were towing Smartie we are always a little apprehensive with all the ramps and bumps. We were right at the front and they actually put the bow doors down so we could creep forward and reverse back in a space. An interesting exercise with a car on tow, glad Den was driving !!

The trip to Parc Verger in the Haut Vienne ( just North of the Dordogne, in central France) was fine though rather long. If we go again we'll stop on route. A toll free relatively straight forward journey, we travelled on a Sunday so hardly any traffic!

The camp site was great, even though we were woken up most morning by Monsieur Chanticler, crowing merrily at his merry band of hens.

Pitches at Parc Verger were huge, we had a gravel RV pitch with our own drainage, water and loo emptying drain. The toilet block was small but perfectly formed and very clean. The owners live on site and run a tight ship so it feels very safe.

Pitches at Parc Verger

 

 Loads of room for the biggest RV's.

 Plenty of room for Billie, Smartie and the trailer.

 It was so hot we actually got in the pool which on one day was 24degrees!

Billie was more than happy with all the space we had!

 

We spent the time sitting in the sun, although we did manage a few bike rides along the cyle track which ran near the campsite and was perfect. In both directions two lovely little villages and a peaceful ride through the trees.

 

 We actually rode the whole 12k in bits, although it was so hot , that was an effort. Nice restaurant on the way, so we will have to go back next year and try it.

We really enjoyed this part of the country, there were so many beautiful man made lakes within driving distance. St Esteph was another one where we managed "lapin" for lunch!

 St Matthieu, 15 min drive from Parc Verger.

Mielet, another walking and picnic spot.

If you find yourself in the area, visit Oradour St Glade, the French village distroyed by the Germans during the war. We had been many years ago and went again this time. Always a haunting experience and time for reflection.

 

 

So much to see here, if you want chateaux, they are there by the bucket full.

 

Will we visit the Haute Vienne again ? Yes, with an overnighter on the way down we,ll be back next year. We need to go back for another meal at Dino's in the village and to try out the restaurant on the cycle track. Au revoir!!