Woe is me - Picasa has gone and I have spent days trying to find an alternative solution to handling my pictures.

I have battled to try and sort out Google+ and in the end decided to just find another solution.

Eventually I decided to try Photodex Producer and YouTube. My first load to YouTube was "Public" but I decided that I am not really interested in publishing for the wider world or boring innocent people to the point of distraction so have now posted the files as "unlisted". This means that unless you have the address you will not see the pictures and the address will be on our web site here.

In August 2016 we decided to go and see the flowers in the Western Cape. We knew that it was a bit early for the flowers but set off anyway.

The pictures we take are really for our memories and you need to visit these places yourself to experience the views and enjoy the experience. Many of the pictures are taken through the windows as we drive along. I have always liked the views and therefore take lots of pictures to remind us what we have seen.

We did not book and just made a phone call from Bloemfontein to make sure we could get a camp site at the Karoo National Park. We stayed for three nights and toured all over the park. During our drive around we found a 4x4 route we had not done before and on this route we saw a very large herd of Eland. This Park has a lovely campsite with lovely warm showers. Amazingly many of the campers came to look at our setup. We have not toured much locally in this vehicle and it was a surprise that it attracted so much attention. The weather was often overcast and it was raining on the morning we left.

Karoo National Park - August 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE49JZz8IL0&feature=youtu.be

We decided to head for the Tankwa Karoo via a roundabout route we had seen in "More Back-Road 4x4 Trips by Marielle Renssen". We inverted part of their route and headed for the Swartberg Pass. In the middle of the pass we descended into Gamkaskloof (Die Hel). On the way we came across an elderly motorbike enthusiast who had fallen off his machine and apparently broken a bone in his arm. Fortunately others returning from the unheavenly place were able to assist and were carting him off to hospital. Eventually we reached the bottom of the pass. At least twice I did not quite make the hairpin bend and slight reversing was required. It was raining. On arrival at the bottom we went to the restaurant where we had two chops each which were very nice. We booked into a little old house where we had stayed before. I tried to light a fire in the stove. It was cold and damp. I made smoke. Every time I closed the door of the stove the fire died and every time I opened the door there was a small re-ignition and enormous bellows of smoke spread out into the kitchen. Sylvia left the house and sat in the vehicle reading her book while the rain fell and smoke erupted. In the end I just gave up and we relied on our clothes for warmth.

Gamkaskloof - Die Hel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG2IfwKdm5Y&feature=youtu.be

On leaving Gamkaskloof we headed down the other side of the Swartberg Pass and headed slowly towards the Tankwa Karoo. The journey stared slowly and much later I was beginning to put foot to try and reach the Park Offices before they closed. Phew we made it! We obtained a camping spot with a private kitchen and bathroom. Quite luxurious. The next night would be in a campsite with no facilities at all. We rode around and up the pass onto a 4x4 route which was shaped like a tennis racquet. Driving down the handle was very easy and you could do that in any high clearance vehicle. Shortly after entering the racquet head things got technically interesting and a 4x4 was required. The weather was lovely and the views spectacular.

Tankwa Karoo Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICnpZFTbKnY&feature=youtu.be

Tankwa Karoo Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spJTTGzl03c&feature=youtu.be

After a good night at the facilities free campsite we headed for Citrusdal. The Baths was the place of interest. GPS in charge we headed into the unknown. Soon the unknown arrived at a very significant river crossing with a local on a raft transporting a motorbike over the river. A few minutes were taken to carefully assess the position and decide that as we could not watch someone else making a vehicle crossing we would not be providing the entertainment. We met the new property owner and he very kindly offered us the option of spending the night there. We decided to head back. On the way there I had said I was glad we were not going up the bit that we were coming down, It was fine on the return leg. Further down the road we met a fellow traveler coming towards us. I asked if he knew where he was going. He said no. I explained that there was a most significant river crossing in the direction he was heading and if he would like to try it I would gladly go with him to watch. (It was a small low clearance off roader and if he made it I would do it easily.) He turned back.

Because of these small diversions it ended up a long interesting drive in the Ceres direction before again relying on the trusty GPS which led us into many ares never seen by us before.

On arrival at The Baths - being a Saturday - there was no accommodation available. As a result we went a few hundred metres up the road where we found an excellent campsite with good facilities.

On Sunday it was raining and this time we managed to get a chalet at The Baths.

Tankwa Karoo to Citrusdal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4JQwQHG4yM&feature=youtu.be

We headed north from Citrusdal as we wanted to visit Skilpad near Kammieskroon. We usually carry a lot of fuel and it was very misty when we left Citrusdal. We had enough fuel to drive to Kammieskroon easily so that was decided. On arrival at Kammieskroon we were told there was no fuel and there was unlikely to be a delivery for a few days actually it would be a week at the earliest before supplies were replenished. So that was the end of Skilpad and off we headed to Springbok with one tank showing empty and the other very low. We made it with a few litres to spare. Off to Goegap next to see the flowers. There were practically no flowers to be seen and we managed to get a night in a hut with mattresses and no bedding. Sylvia said the lady said we must use it. Well I suggest that suppliers of good rooftop tents suggest that too. How I missed our tent - next time if there is a next time I am on the roof.

The lady explained that the 4x4 trail had some extreme bits and she marked the map in red. This was very kind of her. We certainly did some of those bits and they really needed a 4x4. The scenery was good and we would like to return later to see if the flowers are out.

Goegap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpCFfEMqStU&feature=youtu.be

As an experiment I have made another slide show with motion effects:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNkQLmtuSU&feature=youtu.be

Next we decided to visit Daberas again. This is a really lovely place adjacent to Augrabies Falls. You need to book before going as the gates are locked and you may not have a cell phone reception in that area. Camping is not generally available.

Daberas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7EXJ-s17Rs&feature=youtu.be

After Daberas we went to Augrabies Falls.

Here we found some 4x4 routes that we had never seen before and there was one which we could not do because of time and it was a requirement that two vehicles were together. It is worth mentioning that the Vervet Monkeys visit the campsite just before sunset and carry off snacks which they grab from the unsuspecting tourists.

Augrabies Falls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeHVrSTn_wc&feature=youtu.be

On the way back we stopped over at Barberspan. We were very disappointed as on a previous visit we had stayed in a little bungalow and the food was excellent. We camped this time and the facilities were not up to scratch.

The overall distance we travelled was 4270 Kilometers.