Four Provinces. Four Seasons. One Trip.
I am home!
Cape Town is still the same – everything and nothing has changed.
Over the last two weeks I had had drinks and meals with as many friends as possible. Whilst it was great, such meetings did require a fair bit of recovery time the following day! My last couple of days were busy and tiring. It is amazing how much rubbish one accumulates over the period of a year. This had to be sorted and rated. Loads was left behind as my poor little car looked like a stuffed turkey – struggling to take off. Non the less the car and I started on our journey and made it home safely!
The trip started 17 December, 03:30 – alarm goes off. 03:50 I finally get up. The car was mostly packed, minus a few valuables that could not be left over night, and so these were packed in the early morning. I eventually got going at 04:30. The car was heavy and for once this could not be blamed on my weight.
Province 1: Gauteng – cool, overcast, autumn
First stop: Bloemfontein. Pumping place. Actually, so ‘pumping’ that the petrol pumps were packed. I had flash backs of the news showing petrol pumps in Zimbabwe – queues! Instead of waiting at the one-stop on the N1, I decided to venture in to this ‘major city’ to find petrol. Not that exciting. I think I should work there next time J
Province 2: Free State – warm, sunny, spring
The second stop was required in Colesberg. Clearly this town revolves around the petrol station. I’m not sure why else it exists!?!?
Then the N1 takes you through a very dull part of the country. The Free State blurs into the Northern Cape (there is a border between some of the shrubs and rocks I’m told.) It was at this point that I decided to load my CD player with some of the greatest Christmas music of all time. I should sing carols more often – I know all the words and all the tunes, more so than any other genre of music (look out for my forth coming CD!)
Province 3: Norther Cape – hot, humid, summer
It was here that one could play ‘spot’ the radar. There was one unfortunate soul who had been positioned on the side of a hill with radar and speed-trapping devices. He was not a traffic officer and was there was no town in the near vicinity – 100kms either side. He smiled at me as I drove past. This is either because I had donated to his Christmas bonus or because he was delirious from heat. I will let you know in the next month (see if he sends me a letter in the post or not.)
The first town in the Western Cape is Beaufort West. I’m not sure the town is where it is. It’s is nowhere! Nice petrol station but in the middle of nowhere!
I drove slap-bang, right into a hail storm upon entering the western cape. A blatant reminder of where I had just come from. There was nowhere to hide, but sit and pray the marbles hitting my car don’t pierce the windscreen. They didn’t. Now, whilst I do live in the Western Cape, and I always thought it to be an awesome province it is incredibly boring!
Province 4: Western Cape – hail, rain, wind, winter
The last bit of the karoo is mind-numbingly dull. The Christmas carols where no longer good enough and I started rapping along to the sounds of Eve, P Diddy (or whatever his name is now) and even some 50. Yes, I was that bored.
It is at times like this that I am greatful for driving alone. Some singing secrets should follow one to the grave (in case you are thinking I just let the cat out of the bag, nope, I did not. It was much worse!)
The Cape does get lovely from the Hex River valley and I was sure to take lots of pictures whilst I was driving (another interesting habit of mine.) I’m thinking of publishing a book: Photos from behind the wheel.
In all naff book stores soon!
And before long, I was home. Long would be 15 hours. It took me 14!
14 hours in a cramped little, over packed car without aircon was not how I intended on spending a Sunday, but I am now home and its good to be back!
And so, it is now imperative I spend no more time with myself – a social life is now required! Give me a call, lets go out tonight!
I am home!
Cape Town is still the same – everything and nothing has changed.
Over the last two weeks I had had drinks and meals with as many friends as possible. Whilst it was great, such meetings did require a fair bit of recovery time the following day! My last couple of days were busy and tiring. It is amazing how much rubbish one accumulates over the period of a year. This had to be sorted and rated. Loads was left behind as my poor little car looked like a stuffed turkey – struggling to take off. Non the less the car and I started on our journey and made it home safely!
The trip started 17 December, 03:30 – alarm goes off. 03:50 I finally get up. The car was mostly packed, minus a few valuables that could not be left over night, and so these were packed in the early morning. I eventually got going at 04:30. The car was heavy and for once this could not be blamed on my weight.
Province 1: Gauteng – cool, overcast, autumn
First stop: Bloemfontein. Pumping place. Actually, so ‘pumping’ that the petrol pumps were packed. I had flash backs of the news showing petrol pumps in Zimbabwe – queues! Instead of waiting at the one-stop on the N1, I decided to venture in to this ‘major city’ to find petrol. Not that exciting. I think I should work there next time J
Province 2: Free State – warm, sunny, spring
The second stop was required in Colesberg. Clearly this town revolves around the petrol station. I’m not sure why else it exists!?!?
Then the N1 takes you through a very dull part of the country. The Free State blurs into the Northern Cape (there is a border between some of the shrubs and rocks I’m told.) It was at this point that I decided to load my CD player with some of the greatest Christmas music of all time. I should sing carols more often – I know all the words and all the tunes, more so than any other genre of music (look out for my forth coming CD!)
Province 3: Norther Cape – hot, humid, summer
It was here that one could play ‘spot’ the radar. There was one unfortunate soul who had been positioned on the side of a hill with radar and speed-trapping devices. He was not a traffic officer and was there was no town in the near vicinity – 100kms either side. He smiled at me as I drove past. This is either because I had donated to his Christmas bonus or because he was delirious from heat. I will let you know in the next month (see if he sends me a letter in the post or not.)
The first town in the Western Cape is Beaufort West. I’m not sure the town is where it is. It’s is nowhere! Nice petrol station but in the middle of nowhere!
I drove slap-bang, right into a hail storm upon entering the western cape. A blatant reminder of where I had just come from. There was nowhere to hide, but sit and pray the marbles hitting my car don’t pierce the windscreen. They didn’t. Now, whilst I do live in the Western Cape, and I always thought it to be an awesome province it is incredibly boring!
Province 4: Western Cape – hail, rain, wind, winter
The last bit of the karoo is mind-numbingly dull. The Christmas carols where no longer good enough and I started rapping along to the sounds of Eve, P Diddy (or whatever his name is now) and even some 50. Yes, I was that bored.
It is at times like this that I am greatful for driving alone. Some singing secrets should follow one to the grave (in case you are thinking I just let the cat out of the bag, nope, I did not. It was much worse!)
The Cape does get lovely from the Hex River valley and I was sure to take lots of pictures whilst I was driving (another interesting habit of mine.) I’m thinking of publishing a book: Photos from behind the wheel.
In all naff book stores soon!
And before long, I was home. Long would be 15 hours. It took me 14!
14 hours in a cramped little, over packed car without aircon was not how I intended on spending a Sunday, but I am now home and its good to be back!
And so, it is now imperative I spend no more time with myself – a social life is now required! Give me a call, lets go out tonight!
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