with our legs in the swimming pool they had carved into a bed of rocks . All this in that harsh landscape . It ’ s one of those places that has to be seen and experienced to be fully appreciated . Our campsite that night was on a beach down at the river , a piece of heaven in a setting like being back on the Orange River . Bonfire , steak , sundowners , and the milky way stretched end-to-end above us . Life doesn ’ t get more simple .
Day 2 began with coffee and sunrise on the river , followed by the ride halfway back down the valley to another farm called Enjo . I ’ ve been here before and have always loved it . The setting is stunning and the new owners , Lauren and Guy , are putting in a heartfelt effort to make it even more special . Every small detail is noticeable . Another evening of fire , stars , and even a homemade pizza – a special delivery from Lauren who took it upon herself to make sure no cyclist was going hungry at her campsite !
The third day provided a relaxing finish to the trip . The whole ride had balanced hard work and reward under a relentless sun . Along the way we were met with nothing but kindness and friendliness . For me that was one of the highlights , that Kade could experience that . The city tends to shut us in away from people , but being out in the country there is a genuine sense of people being welcoming and warm .
In a world of over burdening ourselves with a paralysing amount of scrolling screens and duties , this a place so far removed from it all - it is a return to a simple life made up of wheels ticking over , dust rising from the ground , and watching the sun rise and set over a river .
Granted , a 10yr old isn ’ t going to have the same spiritual experience , but I like to think that years down the line it will still be in his mind as more than a tale of heatstroke and a sore ass , with the homemade pizza clinching the title in his books for the biggest highlight of the trip !
By contrast , I have a beautiful memory of watching him sitting by the river reading his book in perfect peace , with the sun setting over the mountains in the background .
That ’ s proper soul food to me .
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