A Kloof Over Our Heads

I had been stuck behind my desk for too long. The workload of the first quarter of the year had nailed me to my chair. And, with the added frenzy of expos and shows all over the country, I was in serious need of some nature time.

- Francois Huysamen

Apart from a very enjoyable weekend at Rondeberg Holiday Resort, I had done almost no travelling!

So, you can imagine my delight when Jan Groen, the general manager of Travelstar, let me know that they had a brand new Navi motorhome ready to take out for a test drive.

I’d seen the latest model from their workshop at the shows, and had been itching to get behind the wheel of the smallest unit in their stable.

I was to pick up the van at their factory in Knysna. ‘That’s just half a day’s drive… where should I head to after that?’ I wondered.

At first, I planned to head further east... maybe go surfing in Jeffrey’s Bay. But as it was a long-weekend, I knew the resorts would be packed, and I was hoping to get away from the crowds.

So, the answer was obvious: Turn inland at Humansdorp, and head for Baviaanskloof.

TRAVELSTAR

The road from Cape Town to Knysna was a landscape that changed from green, to brown, to green again. With the drought, and in this season of the year, vast stretches of land along the N2 highway are dull, dusty fields.

Don’t get me wrong: as a change from the city lights, these rolling hills were still a fantastic sight to behold. But once you head past George and deeper into the Mediterranean Maritime climate of the Garden Route, the world around you turns splendidly green.

The Knysna area is one of the richest rainfall areas in the country, and most of the rain falls in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean. Despite the raging drought, the town and surrounds looked like a green paradise. Rolling into town, I saw activity on every corner even though it was a Thursday morning. Knysna just pulsates with that holiday feeling. But, before I could slip into a fully relaxed mode, I had to pick up my ride at Travelstar.