A Short break-a-way for Gecko 81

Last Friday we hitched up the Gecko and headed off to Plettenberg Bay to celebrate Christmas with our kids and grandkids. Our daughter and son-in-law generously have an open home at this time of year and now that the children are growing up there are bound to be extras invited along. Having the caravan provides extra accommodation if necessary and also gives us flexibility if we feel the urge to go off somewhere.

The week we spent in Plett was lovely. The house was overflowing with young people which came with all the accompanying joyful noise too. Every day meals for up to thirteen were prepared with the minimum of fuss with everybody giving a helping hand where they could. You might wonder where everybody slept and I’m still not quite sure but the caravan was not required. The house has four bedrooms and a study which had a few mattresses thrown down on the floor. Two daughters shared a room, the earl and I had another, daughter and son-in-law had one that is separate from the house with its own bathroom. We had our own bathroom and there is a family bathroom too. The youngsters sorted themselves out on mattresses and beds wherever they could find a space!

The weather in the Southern Hemisphere is splendid at this time of year and a lot of time was spent on the beach. One of my grandsons signed up for the five-day swim challenge and was on the beach by six o’clock each morning. The boys also hit the gym every day. Oh to have such energy again! You can read about our Christmas celebration in my SYW Post previous to this one.

After a week of trying to keep up with our young relatives and with the threat of more friends arriving to join the fun we decided to escape to a quieter location. We could not get a campsite in Addo Elephant Park at such short notice but we did get a spot at the Homestead just 14km from the main gate. We have camped here before and find it a very pleasant spot.

There are different types of campsites. Some have shelters, some have slabs, and some are grassy. Most have shade. The ablutions are basic but clean and neat. The hosts are very friendly.

Ours is called The Palm

The grassy ones are roomy and easy to park in and there is one with a slab

This one has its own stoep The one in the background has a picnic table

The campsite is leafy and bird-friendly and has little nooks and crannies where you can sit and relax and enjoy the surroundings. There are inspirational signs all over and some are quite amusing.

Yes – well!

There is a play area for kids and also two pools.

A splash pool

Play area and swimming pool

We needed to fill the caravan tanks with water and there was a tap near our camp. It had sprinklers attached to it and when the watering was done we asked if we could attach our hose but were told not to use the water as it was not potable. It came from a dam. But the owner then organised a tap to be installed close by! We were hugely impressed with the two guys who did the job.

Such obliging young men and what an awesome job they did

The Earl filling our water tanks

Then relaxing with a glass of wine

Before getting the braai on the go

Happy wife – Happy life

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