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.
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.
Denne historien er fra June 2017-utgaven av Caravan & Outdoor Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra June 2017-utgaven av Caravan & Outdoor Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm
Off the beaten track and ideal for the off-roading camper
Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss
Morgan Bay Campsite, EC
Conservation: The Endangered Vultures
Rating: The conservation of vultures in Africa is generally regarded as high priority, although limited resources are made available to assist with this important work.
Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems
Old Mac Daddy, WC
Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly
When the call came in from a fellow journalist, that his doctor had suggested he not travel due to a recent op, I had about a day to get everything prepared for an adventure to the Transkei Wild Coast.
13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance
You certainly don’t want to arrive at your holiday destination only to find your gas bottles are empty, the tent has been chewed to heavenly holiness by marauding mice, and you left grandma napping in the caravan when you put it out to pasture at your local Storage Land for the winter season.
our take on SNAKES
Caravan & Outdoor Life joins some of South Africa’s leading herpetologists in the Maputaland region to find rare species and teach the local rural residents how to react to snakes. With Opposite Lock on board, we’re all set to strike at a moment’s notice…
Caravan clinic
Our expert answers your technical questions & gives camping advice
Around The Campfire
Readers share their outdoor adventures and air their values
In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade
Slanghoek Mountain Resort, WC