The Christmas Group

The group of ten had a wonderful time by all accounts. The weather in Cape Town did not do as it was supposed to and the rain came and the wind blew, we did see some sun shine now and again, usually at a distance. Christmas lunch was at the wine Estate of Blauuklippen, did they put on a feast, we eventually left at about 15:45, with all in good spirits and full of food.

For the extension up the Garden Route we changed to a smaller coach and used a 15 seater Sprinter with a trailer, this was much better as there were only 7 guests, the driver and myself.

Day 1. We went up the Route 62 to Outdshoorn. A pleasant trip with a wine tasting at Calizdorp at De Kranz and checked ion to the 4* Op Stal Country Lodge, that night we had a wonderful meal at the Lodge.

Day 2. Start off with the Cango Caves, the group was lucky to have the Head Guide, Eric, as their guide. He gives a wonderful tour. Next stop was the Safari Ostrich Farm, with a tour of the working farm followed by the famous farm lunch of.......Ostrich Steak! From here we went into the town and did the CP Nel Museum and the Le Roux Town House. Dinner at the Lodge again, this time it was 'a la cart' (sorry my key board does not spell in French).

Day 3. Down the Outeniqua pass, through George, drop the trailer in Knysna, stop at the Knysna Elephant Park. A great time was had, I got some reasonable photos. Then it was off to the Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park, a quick snack lunch, (saving space for the dinner tonight!!) a good long walk in the forest to the swing bridges, then all the way back to Knysna for our 'New Years Dinner' at Dry Dock Restaurant in the Knysna Waterfront. Some of us went up to 'Olde's' looking for a party. By this time the party had moved on to the Zambeze Club in the main road, we stayed at Olde's and had our own party!

Day 4. Late start! We only had to be at the Featherbad Ferry Dock at 12:30. Here we went on the Featherbed Experience. Starting with a short cruise across the 'Lagoon', then lunch (a gorgeous spread of food) afterwards we get onto trailers to travel to the top of the Western Headland (+/- 2 km drive) then the fun starts, we walk back down via the forest and the beach. At the end we have a short cruise back to where we started from.

Day 5. Near the end. This is the long day, an early start, 08:00, stop off at Mossel Bay to visit the Dias Museum, then on to Swellendame for lunch. The long road home to Cape Town ends at the Air Port at 16:00 where the guests catch their night flight home leaving at 19:05. We all say our good-buys and wishes for safe travel and come back as there is lots more to see and do.