Journey to Wilderness

Jo and I went on a road trip to Sedgefield to pick up Matt who was there with some friends.  We stopped off at Wildnerness for the night on the way there and Swellendam on the way back.  What a wonderful time we had.

Garden Route Game Lodge

We saw a sign advertising The Garden Route Game Lodge and spontaneously decided to go there.  It was obviously ordained as we literally arrived 5 minutes before the game drive started at 11 am.

Highlights

• Having the vehicle to ourselves.
• Robyn, the guide, who was very friendly and very knowledgeable.
• 'Africa from behind."
• The lions, especially when the female lifted her head and preened for photos.
• The baby ostriches

Wilderness

Highlights

• A multitude of colourful paragliders as we came into Wilderness.
• The amazing guest lodge where we stayed: Moon Tide.  We stayed in Stone Cottage with two bedrooms.  
• A wonderful swim in the warm, soft water of the lagoon followed by a beautiful sleep in the sun.
• A sublime dinner at Pomodoro: pizza with blue cheese, onion, ham and sweet fig and the best base ever.
• A stunning sunset at the beach.
• A delicious breakfast at the lodge.

Coming into Wilderness

Moontide Guest Lodge

Sunset at the local beach

Sedgefield

Highlights

• Meeting up with Bridgette and Stuart and their kids. We were there to pick up Matt who had been staying with them.
• A swim in the shallow lagoon mouth and skimming the ball to each other.
• Softserve ice creams all round: sugar cone, vanilla, caramel dip, nuts, flake. Yum.

Swellendam

Highlights

• The old guest lodge, built in 1796.
• A swim in the pool, refreshing in the oppressive heat.  We chatted with some other guests, who are lecturers at UCT.
• Going out for a delicious dinner (Kudu, Ostrich, Steak) with Jo.  Matt stayed at the lodge as he wanted time to himself.  We had rather a lot of trouble finding him dinner afterwards.
• "Competing" on the WhatsApp family group with Antony and Sam who were in Matjiesfontein.  Their pool was greener but shallower.  Their dinner larger but less culinary.
• A walk to the waterfall at the local nature reserve with a beautiful mountain backdrop. The waterfall was rather disappointing with the drought, but some good exercise.
• A berry smoothy and mudcake at the nearby berry farm.

Cypress Guest House

Dinner at a local restaurant

Walk in the nature reserve

Berry smoothy at local berry farm

Driving home