As we progressed through South Africa, the scenery became more rugged but the vegetation slowly increased. There were still very long distances between towns, and not many of them. We stopped in a city called Springbox, to go to the supermarket and try to use an ATM. The queues of people at the ATMs were very long - possibly related to 1st of the month being payday - and many had run out of money, so we were not successful. However we did get a few things from the supermarket.
So we travelled on, with the vista getting noticeably greener and more lush. Shrubs were getting higher and there were a few farms. There were lovely purple and yellow wild flowers covering large swathes of land. Stopped at a roadside st for lunch, too many biting flies and bees for it to be pleasant. Came to a town with two stores, one of the ATMs was working so got some rand out, and an ice cream. 20 rand - $2NZ for a magnum.
Around 4.30 we arrived at out last camp site. Situated overlooking the Oliphant River, it was up a hillside with a lovely view. It was about 33 degrees in the afternoon, so after doing camp chores we had a quick dip in the very cold pool. First day of spring, the water was cool, nut it certainly drops the core body temperature effectively. After a quick shower we assembled on the patio at the bar for a wine tasting. Sampled at local produce. This is also the area where Roibois tea is grown. Then we had a delicious dinner cooked by the restaurant. There was a dance floor so some folk spent time there. We went to bed about 9.30.
2 September. Up before the alarm at 5.50, usual routine. Truck left camp at 7am for our final legs to Capetown. The road was through some steep valleys, and passed kilometre after kilometre of fruit orchards and vineyards. A lot of places where we had to stop for road works. Some stunning views, going over the passes between valleys.
Wednesday, 4th September. Well we have spent the last couple of days in Cape Town. Our overland truck trip has now finished and all our clothes washed! Table Mountain was clear when we arrived so we took the cable car up to the viewing point. It's actually 3000 feet above sea level. The weather was calm so we had great views.
Yesterday we took the ferry over to Robben Island where Mandela and other political prisoners were held between1960-90.
We have been out to dinner with friends a couple of times and done a spot of shopping. Today and tomorrow we are going on day tours, today to the Cape of Good Hope and tomorrow to Stellenbosch on a wine tour. Amy and Jeromé leave on their tour tomorrow at 7am, or rather continue on their truck trip toward Johannesburg.
Tomorrow we pick up our rental car for the last two weeks of our trip.
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