“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” - Anita Desai
Toward the end of January this year, we decided to take a short “get away”. Other than Winter, January is one of the few months in the year which Dave has open and free from events - so we grabbed the opportunity with both hands and hit the road. It was all a little “impromptu”, so finding a place at that time of year (when the entire Western Cape is literally saturated with tourists), which was not only dog friendly, teenager friendly (wifi) and also Dave friendly (wood-fired hot tub) was NO easy task!!!
The one and only place which met 99.9% of the above criteria (substituting the wood-fired hot tub for a Jacuzzi) was Cedarkloof Botanical Retreat and that was where we were headed!
Approximately three hours of driving and meandering many hills, we arrived at our destination. We truly were in the middle of NOWHERE! Butts numb, legs twitchy and just generally exhausted - we gladly hopped out the vehicle - found a spot for the fur child to re-connect with mother nature and then proceeded to look for the front door keys of what would be our "home away from home" for the next seven days. There are several cottages at the retreat, but we stayed in cottage number 5 - which after a few days of exploration around our surrounds - we deemed likely one of the nicest!
A humble, but cosy affair, the entrance was fitted with french doors, which led you into the open plan lounge/living and kitchen areas. Nothing fancy, but all fundamental needs were met - excluding wifi! Upon arrival, we discovered that the wifi was only reliably functional at the main centre of the retreat.
As we live in the middle of nowhere ourselves, and our house in particular is in a complete signal dead zone, we had to opt for a mobile form of internet some time back already... so we actually had our sim driven router + antennae along with us and thankfully found ONE SINGLE windowsill which actually managed to nab a few bars of signal for us to survive - although, we were told during our stay that the retreat had recently acquired new owners and wifi in the individual cottages was high up on the priority list.
The Western Cape - in ALL it's facets is a little like a woman really... there are multiple seasons in one day and they can swing from high to low in a matter of minutes! When we arrived the weather and general energy levels resembled the desert scene from the 1987 movie "SpaceBalls" - but with less tin, lol!
Whilst the sun is around you're dying of heat, as it sets... youre tying everything you can to the ground so it does not become airborn and then once it has set you are freezing your toosh off unless you have the grace of a wood fire flame.
So, yes - we started in the Jacuzzi and then eventually progressed to the fire, which inevitably leads to the braai...
Night one, we kept it pretty simple. Dave and I threw some boerewors on the braai and Jude opted to griddle his own steak over the gas in the kitchen. I suppose my foodie passions are rubbing off on my little man... he starts his international chef course next year and I am not sure who is more excited! - yeah, it is probably me! ...and very particular he was about how his steak was prepared!!!
The onions had to be charred in the pan... BEFORE the steak hit, butter had to be placed on the cut and rare was the only order of the day - (a silent thank youuuuu given that my teen son knows the ONLY good way to serve a steak!)
Dinner done and dusted - it was time for the fire pit. No, South Africans CANNOT and DO NOT EVER get tired of sitting around flame. It is probably the ONE thing which unites us all more than any other... except perhaps RUGBY! - Speaking of such... GO BOKKE!!!! They were total champs against Scotland on Sunday!
Up and at 'em early the next morn, we headed out on one of the botanical hikes. The paths are a little less than clear to be honest, and we lost our way once or twice... but it was still the most incredible way to start the day... despite the unintended detour which led us over a bridge which I was convinced had a thousand snakes waiting underneath, ready to devour me whole!
The heat there during the day was almost unbearable which quickly explained the aircon in every single room of the accommodation - which is why we were up at about 6am to head out. There is something so very special about being a part of the world waking up at that time of the morning.
Despite his general fears toward human lifestyle, Posh Pup was an absolute trooper along the mountain pass and he showed us all up as we went along our way! He has well earned his nickname "Jack of the Bushveld" hehe! He may not hold much favour for our "polluted ways", but he most certainly loves the wild!
During this time away I was actually faced with several IRL complications... that including the ongoing battle I was wrapped up in with the purchase of our now house. The seller literally tried to screw me out of a 500k deposit and the house... so I was trying to enjoy the time away, but also had to deal with the reality of attorneys, agents etc. - hence we spent quite a bit of time at the main centre of the retreat. Jude was happy because they had an ice cold pool as well as fully functional wifi, and Dave also had plenty work admin to get through - so it was a good spot to be!
It is funny really, how the more time you spend out in nature - the more you crave it. Aside from having to deal with real life stuff whilst staying there, I will say... this was probably one of the BEST "societal disconnects" I have ever had.
Other than hiking, there is pretty much nothing to do, not even nearby - so you are somewhat forced to simply soak up the sun and come to peace with your own mind. As always, it is great to live outside your own comfort zone and personally, I have always enjoyed camping or "living on a whim" - I absolutely LOVE the challenge of taking an almost impossible situation and/or space and turning it into something totally enjoyable - a place that resembles and functions like home.
Washing from a bucket, cooking on a stick or a t-shirt as a table cloth... my mom taught me well how to turn anything into a fully functional home environment and I am ever grateful!
Our last night there, Dave and I did our steaks and Jude opted for the first use of the microwave and one of his frozen pizzas, whilst posh pup reveled in the surrounds.
When we arrived there was a plant outside near the braai area which had been placed in water in a cut off bottle - it was practically dead. I am assuming that whomever had placed it there, had intentions of taking the cutting home and planting it in their own garden (totally something I would have done) but had probably forgotten it.
I did not want to "remove that memory created", so potted some soil in the bottle and left a message for future visitors which I (less than neatly) crafted with the acrylic paint pens which I brought along for the ride.
Homeward bound! It was SUCH a great week away... and I know I only shared a few snippets with you, but really speaking... the whole point was to disconnect, so I did not take that many pics. Nonetheless, it was absolutely FANTASTICAL and I would go back there in a heartbeat!!!
I may not have taken away many photos, but I left with a whole lot more!!! Silence and time for contemplation is grossly underrated these days and something which my heart and mind regularly craves! This getaway afforded me that and so much more!
❤❤❤
Until next time...
Much Love from Country Bumpkinland, South Africa xxx
Jaynielea
PS - If you seek a little explanation for my 2yr absence, you can find my "return to Hive" post HERE
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“Why is it that we spend so much of our time preparing for when we can do what we want, instead of just doing what we want right now?”
― John P. Strelecky