We were so torn for this part of the adventure. The plan was to klap it in a day from Oudtshoorn to Jeffrey’s Bay on the 13th. Why the rush? Well it was Kyla’s birthday on the 14th and we were really hoping to be in JBay in time to spend the day with one of her dear friends that had moved out that way. And no one wants to be driving for hours on their birthday. But after our trip to Stillbaai taking us twice as long as anticipated, we were worried about overestimating how far we’d actually get in the daylight. And driving at night is not my kinda fun adventure.
So after many recommendations from my Twitter peeps, we headed to Keurbooms Lagoon. There were a few options to choose from but we chose this one because it was the most affordable. We live on a budget yo. But this being the most affordable didn’t make it any less awesome. In fact it was pretty amazing, even in the rain.
The campsite has a playground, massive ablutions and even a laundry room equipped with actual washing machines! Obviously we were like the only people there so we had the pick of any site that we wanted to use. We chose one closest to the lagoon and set up camp. Setting up camp included setting up our wind walls to make an outside toilet. One that I refuse to use because it is literally just a bucket with 9 month old poop and sawdust in it. Grim to say the least. The rest of my family don’t seem to think so though – I’m living with a bunch of weirdos!
Anyway, we stopped at the local mall to stock up on presents for the birthday girl and groceries for the next couple of days. Then we came back to have a lekker braai on our new mini braai. This thing is just too cute. We picked it up at a camping store in George. It’s a converted gas bottle and it works like a charm! While we were braaing and roasting marshies we even had a seal splashing around in the lagoon giving us a big fright. The kids were convinced it was a shark, but after much logic talking they realised it probably wasn’t and could sleep that night haha.
This is also where we introduced audio books again. They were fighting like a pack of crazy people and I just couldn’t take it again. So on went the audio book and wow, the chill. Man. It totally changed the whole vibe and we’ve been hooked on them ever since.
The next morning saw us celebrating with Woolies chocolate cake fingers in lieu of a big birthday cake and opening presents. It was a gloomy as heck morning so we packed up in the rain. And by we, I mean Seth. He likes to pack up and unpack on his own. He knows where everything goes and we just get in the way. So we sat in the nice warm, dry car while he got drenched packing up.
We’d been told about a cool tour that they do at the Mungo Mill which is just opposite where we stayed. Kyla was keen to do it as part of her birthday so we went for the free tour. It really was so interesting seeing the old machines in action and see how they were able to make the patterns without a computer. Mind blowing! I really enjoyed it.
A quick lunch stop and then we were on the road to Jeffrey’s Bay. Kyla was just so excited to be reunited with Montana. They were good friends at school until they moved over to JBay. The drive there was a bit precarious in the rain, but the rainbows made it worth it.
It’s amazing how the landscape totally changes as you pass through. We really do live in an incredible country.
We made it to Jeffrey’s Bay and the amazing hospitality of the Watson family! Obviously it was time to celebrate our baby girl turning a whole NINE years old, so we went out for pizzas. Then Montana had made an awesome cake for dessert. It was nice to have a bed and a reliable hot shower of our own to use. Oh the things that we have given up…
3 comments
I love these updates! Looks like the birthday girl had a blast. How did she feel about not having a party? I know the kids are used to their birthdays being full of family and friends, it must have been a bit different for you all. But a good different I’m sure!
Ah bless you for saying that! I have honestly felt like they have been so beyond unread and useless, so I am glad that you are enjoying these posts!! They had a big party before we left which sorta kinda made up for it, but I think they did feel a bit like they wanted a big celebration. But they are taking this all like troopers so they haven’t complained at all (about birthdays) which is nice!
[…] Plettenberg Bay […]