It was a long and challenging drive to Underberg in Natal today. My cousin’s husband is very experienced in navigating his way through the Transkei and Kwa Zulu and I was more than happy sitting in the back seat chatting to my cousin.
We arrived in Underberg early in the evening and went to the local supermarket to stock up on water, meat, salads and other essentials (like beer for the men). We decided to have a braai (barbecue) tonight as we didn’t feel like getting dressed up!
It was a beautiful evening albeit quite chilly. We unpacked and my cousin and I had a gin and tonic and relaxed, ready to help with the food preparation when required. The woman working on reception seemed to be a ‘Jill of all trades’. She arranged a trough with a grate so that we could build our fire. We had found gluten free boerewors (a delicious South African sausage) so I was really looking forward to the meal.
But there was a delay in cooking the meat! We first had to watch a rugby match between Western Province and Northern Transvaal so had to get our priorities right! Food came second but was well worth the wait! It was delicious!
The following morning we woke early to go on a trip up the Sani Pass into Lesotho. There were ten of us in the mini bus when we made our way to the South African border patrol to present our passports. A few miles along the dirt road we arrived at the Lesotho border post and repeated the exercise.
Then the adventure began in earnest! Up and up we went along winding gravel roads. We stopped occasionally for photograph opportunities, sometimes having to reverse to get around very tight bends with sheer drops on either side. I sat in the middle so could stare ahead which helped relieve travel sickness and prevent me from peering down into the abyss!
We reached the top and, after a talk by the local pastor, we went for lunch at the highest pub in Africa. Many photographs and a nice meal later, we made the even more perilous journey back down the same gravel road. It was even more challenging than the drive to the top but we eventually reached the South African border in one piece!
What an amazing adventure and this was only the beginning! My husband and I went for a walk before our evening meal. The weather had been very kind to us. It was clear and bright and not too hot. We saw birds never seen back home and watched monkeys darting through the trees, some with babies on their backs. A perfect end to a perfect day.👠
Jenny Burrell 