This post is for the #wednesdaywalk challenge and the #makemesmile challenge collaboration. This collaboration initially took place once a month, but due to its popularity, 
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Today's post is actually more of a drive than a walk...lol.
It is also a continuation of our walk last week at Polo Pony (Shongweni Club).
After leaving the Shongweni Club, we decided to go to Summerveld.
But before going to Summerveld, we wanted to see if the road has been repaired (after the floods) or how we could get to the Shongweni Farmer's Market. During last year's floods, the road was completely washed away at one point.
We were happy to see the road has been repaired and we could use the same route that is known to us to get to the Farmer's Market.
But the Farmer's Market is open on weekends only, so we decided to continue along and just go for a nice scenic drive through the Shongweni area.
Back in 2016, our youngest daughter, Lucinda, got married at one of the most beautiful wedding venues here in the Shongweni area.
So we were keen to visit the area and relive some memories in the process.
Just after passing the Farmer's Market, this is one of the first views as seen from the car. To the right, you see the railway line also finding its way through the valleys.
As you can see in the photo above, there is no space to pull over. Fortunately, it was very quiet and there was hardly any traffic.
So, what I did, was to just stop in the road, making sure that we would be able to see oncoming traffic from a distance and move along in time if any other traffic should appear. While being stationary, I would then take photos as quickly as possible without getting out of the car and not remaining stationary for too long.
Speeding on this winding road is impossible due to the road's winding nature, going through the valley. Besides that, there is still a lot of damage to the road with many unexpected, huge potholes since the floods. So, unless you're on a suicide mission, speeding is out of the question on this road. Considering this, I felt safe enough to stop at times, as long as I had a clear view of any possible traffic approaching us.
In the next photo, I saw, what we know in Afrikaans as a "koppie". I suppose in English you can call it a hilltop? Please feel free to help me out with the correct description...
Coming around another bend, we approached this little bridge. Only one vehicle can cross the bridge at a time.
I stopped on the bridge and took the next photo just before crossing the river.
We went quite far, but as we started to exit the Shongweni area on the far end, we decided to turn around and head back again.
Coming back, before crossing the river again, we had another view of the "koppie" from this side.
The next minute, just before going around the next bend, we saw this castle right in front of us. After a quick look in the rearview mirror and with no other traffic in sight, I could stop to take the next photo.
We were aware of this castle for many years but we've never seen it until now. Back in 2004, we lived in Drummond which is close to this area. During that time, both my wife and I were working at a huge farming/agricultural shop, catering to the farming community in this area. I didn't deal with the public, but my wife did and she told me about this guy who was living in a castle in Shongweni and who often visited the shop.
And whallah...here it was, right in front of us...
Zooming in a bit.
Shortly after this, we arrived back at the bridge where we had to cross the river again.
On our way back, we noticed a waterfall that we haven't seen before.
Shortly after this, we turned away toward Summerveld. But that will be a post for next week.
So that's it for today, folks!
Thank you for reading my post. I do appreciate it!