Day 1 of trip to George and Wilderness

Have been for an early (well for Saturday, early) walk, read the papers, lounged in the pool with my book so maybe now is the time to get on and update the neglected blog.

On Sunday 23^rd we set off for our trip up the garden route. Started off slowly as we had to stop a couple of times to secure the boogie and surf boards on the roof. Eventually we stopped at a service station and bought some rope which did the trick. The drive is so beautiful with the mountains to our left and fields to our right. The route pass lots of ostrich and some sheep as well as arable farms. We stopped in Riversonderend to buy pies for breakfast. These are the best pies I have ever tasted – the pastry is to die for. After a loo break we were on our way again. Stopped for a coffee at an Aloe Vera padstal.

Arrived in George around 2 and went to Chareen & Craigs for tea and Christmas cake. All the family were there - Mom, Mik, Ray, Saskia, Andrew, Lara, Matthew, Chareen, Craig, Rhett, Erin and Erin's two Scots friends. Great to see everyone together again. Chareen’s home on Fancourt golf complex is stunning (Rose would love it!)

After tea, tour of the house and discussion of arrangements for the following day’s Christmas Eve lunch we set off the short distance to Wilderness calling in at the agent’s to pick up our apartment keys and then straight to Pete and Mim’s. Another happy reunion. Whispering Leaves is the apt name of their beautiful new home. After tea and a brief discussion of plans for the coming days, we went to our apartment at L’Azur which was to be our home for the next 8 days.

We were all delighted with the 2 bed roomed apartment with balcony which included a built-in barbecue and stunning views of the sea. (Much to Ed and Mike’s delight, the lounge featured a huge flat screen TV on one wall).

We unpacked, freshened up and drove up to Kwelanga Country Retreat at Pacaltsdaorp east of George where Mike, Heather, Trent, Chad & Che were staying to join them for a superb dinner. What a gorgeous location with views across fields where a couple of wildebeest and a baby wildebeest and a buck were grazing over to the ocean.