Day 41 Plettenberg Bay

Glorious morning, the pink sky woke me, I was up and out with my camera before the dogs opened their eyes, well my resting spot was a great one, overlooked by mansions shuttered and forlorn looking, fancy boats in moorings that are cold and wet with dew, I bet my rent was cheaper than theirs here as well, we had a lot of walks on the river and then off to have some coffee with Bev before our vets appointment with a lovely lady named Nerine from Aloe Vet, she came outside and Slicky was lying next to me with Pepi laying her head on his haunches, Lani rolled into a ball on the other side of him, Josie tucked her tail under her legs and scampered back into the camper and we quietly let Slicky go to a better place, it took awhile but it was very peaceful, she is going to bury him in a tranquility garden which is perfect for my gentleman dog, he was such a perfect soul and he deserved this peaceful, pretty town as a final resting place, we took his collar off and hung it in the camper, so he travels with us still. Thanks Bev for helping to make this a good transition for us, your help was appreciated.

saying goodbye to Slicky

a monstrosity built in paradise

I took off up the road too upset to hang around, I wanted some travelling time so I could be alone, we went through Humansdorp and then followed the R102 up past the Tsitsikama mountains finally joining the N2 just before the big tree, we took the turnoff to go and see the giant yellowwood again, the last time I saw her, she was purported to be 800 years old, it was unprotected and just there where everyone was making their mark on her trunk, then I read the ads about her and she is apparently only 600 years old, today we came into the parking area, huge area, we were the only visitors and the board says she is 1000 years old, hope it is not me doing the aging, we wanted to go and have a look at her, take some pictures, enjoy the majesty of her huge girth, but was told by the lady taking the cash at the kiosk that I could not go and walk the 500m to see her with my dogs, no amount of arguing would change her mind, SAN park rules and rules are rules, so we headed out again, she did shout after me that I could go by myself, I just had to leave the dogs in the camper, well I will not be rude and tell you what my reply was.

So we went on our merry way, I stopped at the Khoisan Village where the highest bungi jump in the world is, got some contacts from the very quiet village, again the only visitor and then went to check out the bungi jump, R1000 to attempt to break my neck and no gaurantee that my knees would hold up, they are buggered from 10 years of soccer and already give me a lot of grief with all the walking, hiking and in and out of the camper, so we decided to leave the bungi jumping to more brave souls, I did stop on the bridge to take some pictures, much against the rules, solid red lines everywhere but by this time I was fed up with rules and laws and being told what to do and took what pictures I wanted.

We finally came to the turnoff to Natures Valley and would you believe thay put the tollgate just in front of it and asked me to pay R38 to go 10m to the turnoff, I was spitting mad as I have travelled all the way on the R102 and only got on the N2 as the R102 merged with it and splits again at Natures valley, no amount of arguing with the sheep would deter them, I turned off the camper and blocked up the lane for 30minutes but in the end I had no choice but to pay, take all the info from them and sue the buggers later, I don't believe they have the right to charge a toll if their is no alternate route, I will have to check with the AA and then sue the buggers, this day is going from bad to worse.

I'm really hungry and want to stop soon, travelled down to Natures Valley with expectation of staying here for a few days to destress and relax and just walk the beaches all day. We get to the SANpark entrance where the campsite is and discover they are the only campsite in the Valley, and of course, yes you have guessed it, NO BLOODY DOGS!!!!

So we parked on the very lonely beach, lots of signs that said no dogs after 9am, I ignored them all and we played in the river, walked the beach, rolled on the dunes, had some lunch, therw the ball and never met another soul, beautiful little bay with stunning views, white beach, clean water, lots of bird calls all around the cliffs, a really nice spot, but we did not even bother heading into the village, just hightailed it out and headed for Plettenberg Bay, I think if I could go and stay with Lorraines Uncle on his onely farm right now, I would.

Finally came into Plett and looked for a campsite to stay for a few days, none take dogs, we eneded up going into Plett, which is as big as Joburg to my eyes at the moment, and I travelled for miles, mostly in circles, looking for a beach where I was allowed to walk the dogs, I was finally directed to the arse end of Plett, which stretches as far as the eye can see, is built on lots of different mountins and has a lovely long beach protected by dunes so you have to use walkways to get to the beach, but we finally found one and spent a lovely hour chilling, we kept losing Lani, I am used to her and Slicky following us at a distance and Slicky's black body is always easy to see, now we cannot see Lani on the white beach and we kept losing her today.

She is a bit lost in the camper, she kept changing her spot to sleep in, not like her at all, I wonder if she was a bit lost not having Slick to cuddle up next to.

Our Plett plot

our view of the Beacon hotel

sunset from our view point in Plett

No place to sleep, lots of laws in this very rich place, no parks near the beach and I am now fed up with idiots and their rules, so I found a plot of land with a for sale sign on it, right on the beach, parked the camper on it, walked around taking photos and looking officious and then fed the dogs, when the local dog walkers came by for a chat, I told them I was looking over the place for a friend who has put in an offer on the plot and we are staying here for the night to check it out for him and take some pictures and report back on it's viability as a spot for a holiday home, you know the old adage, if you look like you belong, people will believe it, sometimes dealing with sheep is easy.

We went up to the top of the wooden platform the owner built here, and took lots of pictures of a very pretty sunset, all the neighbours think we belong.

Isn't life strange.

This was a horrible day and I am glad it is over, I'm going to have a lovely cuppa, a short walk on the beach and hit the sack by 8pm. Tomorrow I don't want to do more than 50km.