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Our epic road trip around SA
I
n early December, for reasons that are not germane to this
story, my wife and I embarked on a road trip around the
country. Our journey of eleven days took us nearly 4 000km
through the centre of the country, down the Garden Route to
Cape Town, up the West Coast and around the top of the
Cedarberg , and back eastwards to Gauteng through the
Hantam Karoo.
The trip was planned with a number of goals in mind. Firstly,
we wanted to revisit places we hadn't been to for decades.
Secondly we wanted to reconnect with friends now living in farflung places. And thirdly we both sensed a deep need to get out
of this madhouse we call home, namely Gauteng, for after a
long and stressful year, we were both going a bit stir-crazy.
And I can confirm that there is nothing like a long, open road
through the vastness of the Eastern Cape or the Karoo to instil a
sense of wonderment at this immense, empty country, as well
as a bit of perspective and balance.
For if, as you drive between towns such as Calvinia and
Carnarvon, you turn your head from side to side, you will see
treeless plains of scru