After the upmarket camping at Thula Thula, we decided to go for the more standard version, and took off for 4 days camping at the Midmar Dam with some friends from school. Luckily, they had a spare tent and some stretchers, so we packed the Little Landy to the rafters and took off for the trip to the Midlands.
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| Sometimes it is fortuitous that we only have one child - any more and they would have had to be left behind... |
The weather had been gorgeous - a string of sunny days 25° - 32°C - perfect for camping. For some reason though, the weather man decided to throw in an 8° day for our arrival. When we looked at the forecast we thought it was a mistake, but the meteorological people over here are surprisingly accurate. Hence, on our arrival, we were met with cloudy skies, a freezing wind and the occasional icy rain! Luckily, our friends had arrived the day before, so we hunkered down in their camper, consuming copious cups of hot tea, if only to serve as hand warmers before heading out to bang some tent pegs in!
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| Simon and Adey setting up our tent |
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| William, looking for a game of cricket |
Luckily, the weather turned overnight, and the next few days were absolutely glorious. Even more luckily, our fellow campers were very good at rising early and making cups of tea for those still in bed!!
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| The view from our tent! |
From then on, we got stuck into all the good stuff camping brings - swimming, fishing, a couple of jogs, go karting, campfires, marshmallows and many, many stops for cups of tea and just sitting around chatting.
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| Graham and William getting ready for the next ride |
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| Even the speed demon had a go…although the kids politely suggested that the spring suspension may have been designed for someone half my weight... |
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| A fish of some description |
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| Chill time |
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| More racing... |
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| Preparation for the marshmallow coals |
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| William, Graham and Keeran |
Out and About
We ventured further afield for a few little trips to find some amazing little spots...
This is Michaelhouse, the private boys boarding school where the Spud books (and subsequent movies) are based. If you want an hilarious, and at times painful look at the institution of South African boarding school life - this is it.
Very funny, but after reading it, you would be mad to send your son anywhere near it!
Not far from where we were camping is the small town of Howick, outside which is the capture site of Nelson Mandela. It's an amazing place with a fantastic museum outlining the history of his life (basically a pictorial snapshot of the Long Walk to Freedom).
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| This sculpture has been installed at the roadside where the police pulled over Mandela's car... |
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| ...as you can see, if you change your angle, the image is lost among the tall metal pylons. Quite impressive. |
And so...
...what a brilliant weekend away. Lovely people, lovely spot and some great things to see along the way. The Midmar Dam is the site of the Midmar Mile - world's largest open water swim which takes place in February each year. The start point of the swim is pretty much just outside our tent door, and as I've entered the race, looks like we'll be back for another visit next year!
