South Africa: Friendly farming country

Riebeeck Kasteel. Wine and fruit growing region

Riebeeck Kasteel again. Richly fertile area.

Groenberg Nature reserve, on the mountain pass towards Worcester

Bains Pass

Early morning view from a veranda I was invited to camp under, lucky as it really rained that night.

Vineyards in the area near Rawsonville

Cycling out of Bonnievale at dusk I was flagged down by the Jonker family and kindly invited to stay at their cottage for the night. The nighttime temperature dropped to a few degrees. Next day we motored to the top of a nearby Hill for some picturesque views across the countryside to watch the morning mists clear.

Good cycling roads look like this..

The Oaks Farm, Greyton

Gert and Marianas Ehlers (centre) surrounded by farm administration staff, house keeper and gardener.
I met Gert outside Peter Beckers farm in Namibia, we swapped contact details and a promise to visit should I pass by. On my second evening there I gave a talk about my cycle trip to invited neighbours and friend of the Ehlers.
The next day I was given a whole tour of the farm operations and administration covering drainage clearance, fruit farming, cattle farming, feeds, pasture irrigation, invasive tree clearance, damming, worker training, some hands on experience, family meal and more besides.

Pruning the fruit trees on the farm. Although cattle is the traditional family business, with the new farm they inherited a sizeable pear plantation, which is proving to be quite profitable.

Nguni cows, indigenous cattle to South Africa. Although lower weight they are more drought and disease resistant than other breeds

Game drive with Gert up into the mountains at the back of the farm. The mountains provide a reliable water source in addition to the river that runs through the valley below.

Finished by tossing pancakes in the farmhouse kitchen for our evening meal. I didn’t tell them it was my birthday that day. Given the circumstances I couldn’t wish to be with better people in a more beautiful place to celebrate it.

Lovely rooftop apartment where I lodged

South Coast towards Cape Town

Fisherman’s cottage

A Cape fur seal that owns the place, just don’t get in his way..

Cape Agulhas

The southerly most tip of Africa. From this point on its all back home!

Protea, the national flower of South africa

Short days means long shadows

Lynx with a kill

Hermanus, invited by Paul and Yvonne to their home for a chat, dinner, beers and a bed for the night. We bumped into each other 3 times in Namibia and swapped contact details. Fun and kind people. Another rainstorm passed over that night..

Chased by rain stories and squalls