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Dear friends

 

 

 

Spring has sprung and it’s been a while since my last blog. Since then I have had some wonderful opportunities to get out and about with friends – Dee, Lynne and Brent. Here we are at Shongweni Craft Market, photo courtesy of a friendly passer by..

 

Many opportunities to explore some our beautiful province.  Instead of many words, I am going to let the pictures tell the stories.

 

 

It all began at Spring Grove Dam in the Midlands...

 

         

 

The day was clear and bright and the floral displays and gardens in Nottingham and surrounds spectacular..

 

   

 

      

 

The next day we headed off to the Malutis (eastern drakensberg) and happened upon Glen Garrie. 

 

   

 

Delightful. In a word.  We enjoyed an early morning coffee in the garden at Glen Garrie, surrounded by spectacular floral arrangements, large trees and the distant mountains catching the morning rays.

 

    

 

        

 

 

The new owner, Arthur met us on the way out. A friend who has enthused the staff with new purpose, vision and drive. Contagious. He extended an invitation to explore the grounds and so a leisurley stroll followed to the river and the well appointed and scenic campsite.

 

   

 

The huge trees, chortling trout infested river meandering past rocky outcrops set against the backdrop of Elandskop in the Malutis was breathtaking.

 

       

 

     

 

 

 

We took Arthur's encouragement to drive up to neighbouring Highmoor and explore the Malutis.

 

        

 

Not long after another meandering and scenic mountain road the view of the valley below on the escarpment was spectacular. Quiet. The gentle breeze blowing, the faraway sound of a babbling brook and the calls of diverse birds complementing the serenity of vast landscapes.

        

 

The next day was grey and cloudy so we meandered through Nottingham, taking a drive to Howick, the Karkloof falls, the Albert Falls and a trip around Midmar Dam. The morning mist was thick on the way to Karkloof but cleared as the thunder of the falls grew louder. At the end of the gravel forest road the falls came into view. Well worth the trip. 

 

 Albert Falls and Dam..    

       

 

     

 

Karkloof falls...

 

     

 

We could not get too much closer to the falls at Karkloof  but just standing, watching and listening to the roar of the water was rewarding. The drive back to Durban gave pause for reflection of the beauty of our country and our province.

 

After discovering that two of our band of happy wanderers had not set foot on a seafaring vessel nor observed a seaside sunset we found ourselves in Durban Harbour..

 

     

 

    

 

    

 

What a treat. We left the harbour and experienced the indian ocean swell kicked up by the north easterlies before turning back to the serenity of the secluded bay.

 

It was not long and we dropped Lynne back at her hometown, Kwambonambi and Dee and I explored the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Nature Reserve. 

 

    

We saw many animals including a number of elephants. Something I have been wanting to do for a while. It was a hot summer day. By two pm, the animals were all looking for the shade as the temperatures soared up to 39°C.

 

     

         

One really needs a couple of days to explore this reserve adequately. Later on I had the pleasure of meeting a retired ranger who had given many years of service to the preservation of this wildlife sanctuary and get a glimpse of a bygone era.

 

  

      

    

      

We left satisfied that we had experienced a true safari and grateful for the experience.

 

 

The best part of any journey is the homecoming. I am happy to be home and to have shared such wonderful moments with my friends.