From the sublime...............

I left the luxury of Marie's B&B on Saturday morning after a wonderful 2 day break the only drawback were Wal and Reen from Grimsby, they were a talking tag-team and never seemed to draw breath, I got caught twice but now I know the history of their family, friends jobs and holidays. I had a long trip planned to make my way to Tulbagh. The route was scenic. First I took the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert as suggested by BB.

The top of the pass is 1500 feet higher than Snowdon and they even put a sign up to let you know you have arrived.

 

 

The views are spectacular and a little scary - no barriers on this road.

 




Prince Albert itself was just another desert village so I just stopped for water.







The next stop was at The Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein, which was being set up for a wedding later that evening.

Matjiesfontain, built in 1884, is just a one sided strip next to the railway line in the middle of nowhere, where the train still stops.

I settled for lunch in the Old Post Office.

 

I arrived in Tulbagh in good time to get to the sports bar for the start of the Six Nations in fact I was early and caught the final hour of the England One Day International where Jos Buttler destroyed South Africa's hopes with three consecutive sixes, I felt sorry for all the guys so I bought a round for the bar, I don't actually remember leaving there.

 

The B&B I was booked into bears no comparison with my previous 2 days and there was no one around to make breakfast the following morning or for check out - that will be an enjoyable Trip Advisor entry. The same will probably happen at the current place but I shall not bore you with my moans.

 

I had a good day exploring today, I went up to Eland's bay which is impressive to look at and because of the cold sea quite refreshingly cool but not a place I would revisit. My second call was to The Baths which are naturally heated baths 18kms South of Citrusdal.

I spent a pleasant hour or two there and may do again tomorrow.