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Hello from a very sunny Oudtshoorn!!!
We woke early yesterday in The Crags to the sound of a rooster, squawking every 5 minutes! We had breakfast then headed out for a walk in the magic forest!! It had rained lots that night but had brightened up in the morning which was cool. The forest was nice, lots of rock pools and a stream, etc. Then we headed back and chilled on the decking at the hostel until the Baz Bus phoned to say they were nearly there and we got a lift down the drive and met the bus, which was nice and on time. (Our new motto is "if it is yellow let it mellow, if it is brown flush it down"- after staying in all these eco-friendly hostels). Only had a few hours on the bus to George where we was met by a shuttle to take us to Oudtshoorn. Lovely drive through the mountains to a very nice, modern hostel! Got another nice double bed en-suite in an actual house and not a shed and with a door to the bathroom that actually shuts! We dumped our stuff and put our name down for a trip tomorrow, before walking into the town to pop to the shop and bank and take a look at the local eateries! We decided on a nice little Italian style place nearby; Gareth was most impressed with my sophisticated palate! I had camembert to start and then seafood broth, which involved de-shelling mussels and king prawns and everything (Gareth says; it was like a comical scene from pretty woman)!! I was a bit disappointed Gareth didn't try the ostrich which is a speciality and popular dish in this area!!! We come back to hostel and chilled for the rest of the night; put our bungy dvd's on the tv- jesus I was a wimp!! Haha!
22nd November- Thursday
Got up about 7.30am, had breakfast. Then got assigned bikes for our trip later. Set off in shuttle about 8.15 to the Cango Caves, which were about 30 minutes away. We had chosen to do the adventure tour!! It started gently with a look around some of the chambers- massive and beautiful with the stalacmites and stalactites- it was like being in a science lesson again!! Then it got more challenging! We had to crawl through tiny chambers, some of them were only 27cm, so we were literally on our bellies! Another part involved trying to pull ourselves up a tiny hole, it was pretty tough but really good fun! Then we got a lift to the Ostrich farm! We were given a talk about ostriches and then shown around some of the farm. We got to feed them and then the woman asked if I wanted to ride one, as you have to be under a certain weight and so most of the blokes weren't. I had to put on a special suit and then climb up on to it and then they let it loose! It was hilarious- I had to hold on the wings to stay stable and it goes really fast! But I managed to stay on :) Everyone clapped but no one else dared have a go!
We had been left our bikes to cycle to a coffee shop then cycle back to the hostel. We set off but had only got 50m when I had my near death experience!! The seat was wobbly and then the front brake didn't work so I got a wobble on and then went flying over the handlebars, but I survived with a cut hand, suspected broken big toe and some sore tendons around my knee!! Walked to the cafe and had lunch and a drink while I decided whether to attempt the rest of the cycle back. Gareth fixed my seat and informed me of how to use the back brake instead and how to use the gears and I decided to brave it! (Didn't realise it had been so long since I had ridden a bike!).
It was about 12km back along the road and we made it safely!! Chilling tonight around the hostel, might go out for tea. Moving on to Hermanus tomorrow about 3pm. Hope all is well and bodger and badger are keeping my bedroom tidy!! And no mum chris, we didn't go to the Elvis festival- it was in September. Speak soon!!
Quick update: just been out for another meal at the resturant next door and Gareth reckons he had the nicest meal ever!! He had 3 100g steaks; springbok, ostrich and blue wildebeest (gnu)!! Served with chips, veg and salad; all for less than a tenner! I've never seen him looking so happy as when he was tucking in!! As for my injuries; had to get a piggy back up the stairs and back from the resturant, I am bruising up nicely! See ya!!
- comments
Mum Hi babe! Laughed out loud when I read you'd been ostrich riding! I remembered when you rode a donkey on holiday, had been the favourite to win the race and then promptly fell off!!! Which leads to the bike drama? Have you had your injuries checked out? Is Gareth going to have to piggy back you round the rest of your holiday??? Not sure about the steaks Gareth, sound like something out of 'I'm a Celebrity'! Enjoy and behave! Love you lots xx
Mum Hi to you both oh boy I would have loved to see you on that Ostrich Alex I hope Gareth got it all on camera you want to send it to "you've been framed" how are you after the cycle accident ? get yourself checked Alex poor Gareth cannot piggy back you for the rest of the holiday Ha! Gareth I guess you will be back to the gym after all this food no more bowel probs I hope i will think about you both the next time I use my Ostrice feather duster you both take care love to you both from us all XXXXXX
Auntie Vic Oh so bumgy jump-ok, climbing to top of mountain and coming down on rickety old ladder-ok, Riding an ostrich (you are now my bernie clifton)-ok but a bike got ya!!!! I heard a story about an man in A&E once who said his seat had fallen off but thats another story. One word of advice for next time,stabilisers! Seriously tho i hope your ok and gareths back is lasting out. Well done gareth for trying the local meat. I like if its yellow let it mellow if its brown flush it down very much. My worst nightmare crawling thro small holes so well done you two i couldnt have done that. Certainly sounds like your fitting loads in good on you both. Enjoy loves yous xxxxxxxxxxxxx (ps i will show you bernie clifton when you get back)
Auntie Debbie Have not stop laughing and smiling on hearing all your antics - cant decide whether you both are a couple of nutters!!!!!!! There seems to be a little bit of an obsession about Gareth's bowels but I do hope you have some normality Gareth!! Dont worry about your sheets sweetheart, Bodger and Badger will be too knackared! Chris is away this weekend on a stag do. Joe has an interview at the new Hollister shop in Regents Street (he was scouted when he was in club in Soho) All good with Fay she is working hard as allways, I am working all weekend. You are taking after your Auntie Debbie with your new tips "yellow let mellow and brown flush!!" Cant wait to read next instalment Love to you both XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX