Clarens

This must be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Sadly the weather was not brilliant but it did not deter Wendy from checking out every single one of the shops in this small little town.

We also had a wonderful B&B to stay in for our short stay. Getting an internet connection was proving to be very frustrating but still soon be at Mequatling. They must have a better service by now!!

I am sure Wendy could have spent another few days in the art galleries but at we have a schedule to keep so we had to hit the road again.

The potholed road to Mequataling. Didn´t think this could have got worse but it has!!

But the views on the way have been sublime. I forgot how much this landscape stirs my soul. Don´t know why maybe ghosts of past conflicts are at work in the mind.

Makiti

This really is a bizarre location. In the middle of the Free State between Vrede and Warden and right next to the N3. Wendy this was an inspired choice for our first stop out of Witbank. From the welcome we received from our host Philip de Kock we knew that this was a gem in a somewhat wilderness of nothing that this part of South Africa portrays. The actual truth is way different to this and to dig deeper reveals so much more.

Our accommodation was a purple Rondavel. A first for me as well as Wendy.

The grounds surrounding the small round houses was littered with eclectic sculptures amid a beautiful backdrop of the sparse sandstone outcrops typical of this part of Africa.

Witbank

A few days break in Witbank (new name Emalahleni.. pronounced Emaalsheni I think) to do the washing and get the final plans sorted for our trip to Port Alfred. The Soutars do this trip in one day (1170kms) the Taylors will do it in a more sedate 5 days hopefully having enjoyable breaks and meeting new friends on the way.

Met up with Caitlin and her boyfriend Johno. Had lunch at a garden centre nearby and do not want to re-live the short journey across town tackling the potholed roads that spoil this industrious town.

Andrew and Terry as usual working their butts off but soon to have a break!! Dogs not too happy when they here they are not going on holiday. Worse is to come Diana!!(Hindsight being a wonderful thing)

See you soon next year Tequila!!

Retrospective

OK so South African technology scuppered my plans for the ongoing blog. But now back in Portugal with excellent wireless internet throughout our little house I can try to relive our experiences with you.

After the problems encountered at Manchester Airport the rest of the journey was fine. KLM and the staff were the best and looked after us in the cheap seats very well. On arriving at Oliver Tambo Airport Wendy had wisely booked assistance. This place is enormous with what seemed like miles to walk before even seeing Passport Control. We were assigned a rather small young lady to assist who needed assistance from me to get Wendy up the steep 1 in 3 obstacle hills installed in the upgraded air She was brilliant and pushed Wendy all the way to the Hotel transfer bus.

A few minutes later we arrive at our designated hotel to be told that we had been upgraded to the D'Oreale hotel. This was a 5 star establishment on the same complex that didn´t disappoint.

The rooms were luxurious and the breakfast to die for. Shame Wendy wasn´t eating much and I could hardly do justice to it. The setting for the restaurant looking out onto the gardens with flowing fountain was spectacular.

The real world can wait another day or month..

3rd World Country?

Obviously I wouldn't want to offend any individuals with who stumbled upon this blog but my worst fears about internet connections in South Africa have been confirmed. Away from the main population centres both wireless and 3G or 'dongle' connection has proved to be extremely hard. This has not been helped by the appalling service provided by 2 of the 3 Vodacom franchises we tried to get assistance from. Wendy is determined to take this further with Vodaphone.

Finally on the eave of our return to Europe we have decent connection at the airport!!.

All of this has not stopped us having the most amazing time in most amazing country in the World. How long it will remain to sustain this status is unknown.

Speak again soon when landed back in the UK

On our Way

On our way to South Africa. The beginning, well after Wendy's miracle packing performance.

Great flight with Monarch to Manchester followed by a quick visit to Warrington to see my parents courtesy of sister Liz.

Stayed at Radisson hotel this being the closest one to Terminal 2. Rooms are fine but there was a pervading smell of smokers lingering in the corridors which was none too pleasant. Another issue I would have if one was to be critical was the coffee and tea service in the room. Just Earl Grey tea bags no normal tea. I mean I wouldn't expect there to be Yorkshire tea but a little effort to get close to the normal stuff would have been good.Wendy felt the duvet cover was too small for the king size bed but as I didn't have any of it I couldn't really comment.

Up at 3.00am showered and booked out by 3.30 and off the the terminal. So far so good. Queued with bags and then came up against Attila the Hun's great grand daughter. A humour less individual better suited to dealing with mechanical objects rather than the public. Two bags weighed 46 Kg with an allowance of 23kg each.Because the larger bag had 3kg more and the smaller one 3kg less we assumed we would be safe. Attila's rele thought differently and requested 100 E for the excess. Failed miserably in trying to persuade her she was in the wrong (job maybe). Off to the ticket office to pay or at least challenge it with somebody more reasonable. Oh not to be. Eventually the Air France lady turned up and although more pleasant than Attila her attitude was strangely more stubborn and no less insulting. Not forgiven us for Agincourt obviously.

Eventually we got on the flight but some people decided not to so the flight was delayed. Amazingly we got to Amsterdam on time and now here we are on the way to Johannesburg. Long flight but out traveling companion seems to be a very pleasant German girl off to surprise her boyfriend in Kimberley of all places. Hope he hasn't got a home girlfriend as well!!

Wendy packing

Among many of Wendy´s amazing talents is her ability to pack a pint into a quart pot. So that is what she has been doing today. Whether I will be able to lift the bags after she has done this is another matter. She also seems to be able to convince the airlines that our bags only way 21kg when my back says they are at least 10kg more. Incredible woman!! So tomorrow off to Manchester, will be able to see my parents in Warrington and then fly to Amsterdam 5.55 Monday morning and onwards to Johannesburg.

Exciting but I hate long flights. Get bored too easily. Wendy watches films,I walk up and down the plane. But it is the end that justifies the pain, so take the drugs and wait for the fun to begin!