Having had four days relaxing under the stars on a farm in the Langeberg, it is again difficult for me to adjust to life back in a populated place. The Karoo and Kgalagadi has spoilt me forever as far as people and possessions are concerned, and a brief visit back to the almost wild (still had electricity!) convinced me that I could spend a long while in those surroundings.
I camped in my little dome tent for the first time since the infamous Spring star party when it snowed on the Matroosberg and the temperature at night was 2 degrees. I still can't believe it when I look at the photos of the amount of clothing I was wearing and it still didn't warm me up. Every morning they would come and ask me if I would please move into a chalet - I think they were worried I might not make it. So for the next few events I took a chalet, but the call of camping is never far away and I eagerly packed the gas stove, camping fridge and portable larder. It was hard to believe that I would only be away for three nights, considering that the car was filled to the gunwales and it has a very large boot! I felt better when I saw what other people brought and it seemed as though I had even been a little conservative.
The drive up to Leeuwenboschfontein is always pleasant, winding through Du Toit's Kloof, the Breede River valley and then Hex River valley and a stop for lunch at Die Veldskoen Padstal is always on the agenda. The women who work there could teach many a waitron about cheerfulness, politeness and how to welcome patrons. They are simply wonderful.
Once up on the plateau above the Hex River Pass, you take the turnoff to Montagu and about 30km on you lose cellphone contact with the outside world and nobody can track you on WhatsApp until you come back along that road a few days later! The farm has abundant underground water and it looked lush and shady as I pulled into my campsite. I picked a site near the large boma (with huge central fire pit and seating all round, and plugs and water) and it turned out that this was to be a very wise decision, as it rained on the last night and we all just moved everything except tents and cars into the boma, lit a huge fire and socialised into the small hours!
The night skies were magnificent, the Milky Way arching overhead so bright and star-studded that shadows were cast and no lights were needed to walk the long road back to the campsite at 1am. An astounding sight marked a bit of history for us all - as we were looking at various dark sky objects, a line of very bright satellites rose from the south west in sets of three (in all there must have been about 20) and these were the latest launch from Starlink (the controversial 5G satellites). No matter what opinion was held, it was agreed that the sight was surreal and like something from a sci-fi movie. It was spectacular!
Despite rain on the last night, Plan B worked better than anticipated, and the tent didn't leak. Apart from a drop in temperature from 34 degrees to 7 at 3am, I can count this as a very successful and enjoyable camping trip and am already looking forward to the next one!
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