Photos and big hugs were what sent us off . I imagine Bettina still telling people about the crazy blind adventurer and his big mate visiting . I know that I would not drive by without including a meal , laugh and hug at Mad Hatters .
Just a few minutes south of the town , we stopped at an incredibly famous landmark called the Muisbosskerm . This is a popular outdoor restaurant . The place is fabled to have started when a fisherman would grill his catch for his friends and family right next to the rocks . The crowd grew and eventually , a kraal of tumbleweed sort bushes was formed into a circle and a proper outdoor kitchen was cemented . On the day we stopped , the place was not operational , but on walking around the venue , we could see and smell the remains of a recent feast there . Lobster shells burned away in the remains of charcoal ash , a sticky drink that had spilled on one of the large granite tables that I leaned against for a photo and the odour of a seafood spread . We vowed to visit again on a day when we could enjoy a feast for ourselves and rode on .
The village of Elands Bay is famous amongst surfers . In winter , massive swells come through making for perfect surfing conditions on the waves that cross the bay . With the baboon point range overhead , surfers have sworn to have found their perfect ride here . The village was thrust into fame after been featured in an 80s surfer ’ s movie called the Endless Summer . On our Thursday morning ride through , the sea was as flat as a salt pan , but when the swells come , so do the hordes of sun-bleached VW camper van driving surfers . I imagine the sleepy hollow to be defibrillated into life then .
Our midday stop was at a goat ’ s cheese farm called Bettie Bok Kaas . I love goat ’ s cheese and thought I knew a lot about it , but I was in for a real treat .
Farmer WA Hugo gave generously of his time . We spoke about his goats , the different cheeses and goat dairy products he makes and his life in general . Through original methods and raw milk , the goal is to preserve as much of the wholesomeness of nature as possible and drive a greener and cleaner way of farming . This can be seen in how they care for their animals . WA is a true West Coast character , with four sons , all named after biblical people . We tasted cheeses , butters , milks and more . Big Mike even had a goat ’ s milk cappuccino . I tried my hand at milking one of the goats , with little luck . WA ’ s young son wasted no time giving me a patient and thoughtful lecture on the right way of doing this . Overall , it was both an excellent and very surprising experience . In the middle of nowhere , on the Bettie Bok farm , this character and his family
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