A rocky start to a new adventure

6-8 SEPTEMBER 2020

Even prior to buying Miss Daisy, my parents-in-law had invited us to visit Namaqualand and the Richtersveld with them. This meant we only had four days at home to get Miss Daisy shipshape. She was washed from top to bottom, inside and outside, and by the time we left home again, it really felt as if she was now ours and ready for a new adventure.

Andre wanted to do some more fishing in Clanwilliam Dam, so we left Cape Town on Sunday, 5 September 2020, two days earlier than the outlaws planned to. We had a quick breakfast at the Wimpy (Engen Swartland 1 Stop). Luckily! Because just after we cruised onto the N7 again, before we reached Malmesbury, we got a phone call from our son: “Mom, I think my driver’s licence is still in the bakkie!” And so it was! Now what? We were definitely not turning back with a caravan in tow. Andre had the clever idea to leave it with the security guard at the entrance to Mount Royal Estate just off the N7. The kids collected it there shortly after. Crisis averted.

In Clanwilliam, we stayed over in the Municipal Caravan Park next to the dam. (Check out my Caravan Park Reviews Page) We decided to erect the rally tent, just to see what it looked like. I don’t think we got the poles quite right, but hey, I had shade to sit under and admire the view of the dam. Andre then set off to fish while I sewed the cushions for our couches and bed back into their covers after washing it.

On Monday morning, after Andre did some sunrise fishing, we decided to do some exploring in town. I needed a hairdryer and we quickly popped into Clicks to buy one. Andre went back to the bakkie to wait for me while I paid. And in those few minutes I suddenly found myself in the middle of a hostage drama. When you travel, you tend to lose touch with what is happening in the real world. Well, I read about the unfortunate Tresemmé advertisement, but I did not really take notice of the EFF’s threats – until I was locked up inside Clicks while the EFF toi-toied outside, shouting into their megaphones! I asked the manager whether I could not just slip out through the back door, but he insisted that he had certain protocols to follow to ensure our safety. The police were on their way. A nice young girl came to offer the “tannie” a seat at the back near the pharmacy, but I declined. Then I heard one of the employees telling others about a petrol bomb that was thrown into another Clicks. Well, suddenly that seat at the back did not sound too bad – even though I was still a bit miffed at being called a “tannie”! Soon after that, the police arrived, and we were escorted safely out of Clicks.

When I put the hairdryer into the back of the bakkie, I saw my daughter’s evening shoes, which she needed for a small “huisdans” the coming Wednesday, lying behind the driver’s seat. Long story short, it was one of three things I had promised to take out of the bakkie for her before we left. And I had not seen the shoes! Now what? Dad to the rescue again! Andre remembered that he had spoken to a couple, who was also camping next to the dam, and that they lived a street or two below us. We hurried back to the camp, because it was already after twelve and they would be returning home that day. Phew, luckily they were still there and willing to take the shoes with – another crisis averted!

After an eventful morning, I needed some relaxation. We drove out of Clanwilliam to the east on the R364. Just after Augsburg Agricultural School, we turned right onto a small gravel road. We were treated to beautiful views of the mountains and fields covered in pretty wildflowers. An afternoon in such natural beauty was just what the doctor ordered to calm my shattered nerves!

On our way back to the camp, we bought some yummy roosterkoek from a lady who bakes them next to the road in Clanwilliam. And when we approached our campsite, what did we see? Andre’s parents could not wait any longer and had already set up camp next to us – a day earlier than expected. Andre and his dad could still do some fishing that afternoon and early the next morning before we continued our journey. Unfortunately, the fish did not feel like biting!