2015-12-28 Gariep Dam Nature Reserve

Some beautiful clouds on the drive out of CT...Thankfully making it cooler

Our campsite for the night:

Skipping stones

Review of campsite:

Beautiful view over the dam from almost all sites. There is a launching area for boats and I am guessing most people come here to fish and watch animals drinking from the dam. We didn't see anyone swimming in the dam? And there is no pool (though there was a jungle gym for the kids and I saw kids on it even at night with their head torches)

I was worried when I first saw the prefabricated bathrooms, but my fears dissipated when I walked inside and saw it was clean and nicely tiled.

Each campsite had a picnic table and braai which was convenient…it even appeared that there was a bag of charcoal half full at each braai when you arrived?

Our only issues was that it isn't very protected (hence the amazing views) so it was windy at night and we noticed this noise wise in our tent

2015-12-27 Cape Town December Traffic

Snuck out for an attempt at paddle boarding and then a recovery brunch

You can't see Scott in this pic cause he just fell in!

Then suffered through the traffic to get to Houtbay (literally…25 min to go 4 km!)

Then cause the restaurants were so full we had delicious sushi on the warf while watching the seals (and hoping the boys didn't fall in)

Review of Ou Skip Resort, Melkbosstrand:

Again, Ou Skip is another example of an old school holiday "resort" were you can buy your caravan spot and come yearly. The pool looks like a well kept public pool, though thankfully with less screaming kids. And there is a little shop that smells of slap chips...And we heard about but never saw the table tennis and pool table. There was also a full evening kids program for the Christmas season. It is also a few minutes walk to melkbosstrand beach and a short drive to the shops, restaurant and long board hire. 

I was bleak when I first saw our camp site because the only view was the bush surrounding it, and it had no grass. The unit opposite us in turn had grass but no shade. Well, the lack of view turned out to be an absolute blessing as we were so sheltered from the wind that we heard it in the tree tops but went kept awake by it by our flapping tent.

The ablutions, while old school were spacious and clean. Though sadly no toilet paper...literally I wouldn't mind paying extra for that! There is something so shameful about having to walk through a campsite with a roll of toilet paper under your arm...though at least everyone else you walk past is feeling your pain! And sadly there was a bathplug thief while we were there (according to signs from management).

So I would have to give it a 3.5 out of 5, just cause of the lack of view

2015-12-26 Day up the west coast

Manage to sneak in lunch in Paternoster at 11:30 before all the reservations (after a 1.5 hr drive)

Then jumped in the Langebaan lagoon in the West Coast National Park

2015-12-25 Christmas Day

Noisy/musical time with the family

Followed by a windy sunset

2015-12-24 Time with the van Pletsens

The ladies went for a manicure/pedicure treat while the men baby Sat

Followed by some pool time

Then Scott and I snuck off for a movie :)

2015-12-23 Time with the Barters and on Melkbosstrand

Enjoyed some family time with the Barters

Then our first walk on Melkbosstrand beach - Lots of kelp in the water...am sure lots of sharks hiding in it!

2015-12-22 Franschhoek Wine Bus/Tram

Had three complimentary tastings on the Blue line, along with a paid Olive (and dog playing) and chocolate tasting. 

Then recovered by napping at Sir Richard Bransons estate in the shade (in honour of his audio book we just finished). 

We then took the tram and tractor ride and enjoyed some art at a 300 year old estate. Quite an exhausting day if relaxing!