Trains and Boats and Planes! (Not really Planes though!)

Well, here I am, better late than never! Home again after a wonderful few days lazing on the banks of the Berg River. We arrived on Thursday morning after a journey of 45 minutes, and were unpacked, tent up and relaxing, an hour later! Alfie stayed in the car until everything was in place and then came out to inspect, and find a convenient tree!

All set up and ready to do nothing!

What a beautiful spot. We identified 54 bird species without moving away from the campsite! The list contains 180, so we didn't do too badly! From the large flamingos to the tiny mossies and everything in between, they can be seen here.

Iron ore heading to Saldanha Bay.

We (I actually) waved at every train that passed by, but not once did a driver wave back! I counted the trucks, there were 342 and usually 6 locos, but they were amazingly quiet.

Me being ignored again!

We gazed enviously at the little motor boats that cruised up and down the river, some with fishermen and some just 'messing about on the river' as the song goes! Jan, the owner, told us that the sea pushes 60 km up the river, and his salt pans are a few km past the railway bridge. And in amongst all the interesting stuff on the farm, is a shed full of salt ready for sale to the fishing industry.

Salt!

And it was hot! We had mist two mornings that we were there, but once it cleared the only place to sit was under a tree, with a book, a cool drink and as little to wear as possible. Even in the shade, we got sun burned! Rob took part in a radio competition but apart from that, we did nothing! But we did have visitors! Emma and Coert came on Saturday for a glass of apple juice, and Dee, Daan and their two dogs came on Sunday and stayed for lunch!

A spider web in the mist.

One of the most interesting aspects of the place was the unisex ablution block! It was spotless, with huge shower cubicles and loads of hot water (not that you needed too much hot), but it takes some getting used to having the male neighbour shaving topless in the basin, or the chap from two sites down meandering out of the shower with a towel wrapped around him! It gives a whole new meaning to sharing!

One of the old houses, dating from the early 1900's

We sat in bed drinking our coffee and thinking about getting up, but there was no rush and no time limit!

Planning the day!

And the car didn't move for the next three days! We didn't even go to Velddrif for fish and chips!

That's willpower. Or sheer laziness!!