Off to the daisies in the rain

It's off to see the daisies day! Of course it dawned wet and windy and somehow the traffic going into Cape Town was taking forever. It transpired that one car had broken down in the right line outside the Forestry station and of course the whole world stopped to look. After a delay of about 20 minutes, the traffic flowed freely thereafter. By the time we had reached the outskirts of urban Cape Town, we were ready for coffee and turned in at the Farmyard just after the Melkbosstrand turnoff on the West Coast road. It was still drizzling and a welcoming blazing fire in the grate was just the thing as we tucked into some really good filter coffee and an omelette. The parents chose milk tart and were presented with slices that filled a side plate, which they pronounced to be excellent. Duly fortified, it was time to get on the road and look for some sunshine and flowers.

Well, today it was not to be, and there are roadworks with 10 minute delay stop and go areas all the way up to Clanwilliam. Being the only road to Namibia, we were frequently the jam in a truck sandwich, and these are no ordinary trucks, but the double trailer pantechnicon type. Most drivers were well behaved, with only a few 4x4s anxious to get to the next stop and go before us, and because of these delays, the constant rain and poor visibility, it was 2pm by the time we reached Clanwilliam. There we partook of an excellent lunch of bobotie at Nancy's Tearoom, although why it is called a tearoom I cannot say. It was more like the dining room of a good hotel in ambience and decor and on a hot day, of which there are plenty, the outdoor eating area would be an ideal place for those who are travelling through, with shady trees and the Olifants River nearby.

Then it was back on the road and by 4pm, through the misty mountains and cloudy skies with an occasional burst of bright sunshine, we reached tonight's destination in Klawer. We are staying in a converted school and the rooms are the size of a classroom, with a shower/toilet and kitchenette installed. Although it is styled self-catering there is also a dining room where all meals are served, as long as you tell them you want one. The kitchen has all the things you need to self-cater, except for sharp knives, spatulas, serving spoons, bottle openers and most important of all, a tin opener. So basically you cannot cook anything that needs more than a fork to deal with it. However, clean and comfortable will do for one night, and tomorrow will tell regarding breakfast.