Links here to Part 1 , Part 2 and Part 3 or our trip.
We departed the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park via Helskloof Pass. Although not particularly technical, the pass proved to be hard driving, largely because of the poor condition of the road surface. Turning south, we chose the route via Lekkersing, which was generally in good condition, apart from a short stretch near Lekkersing that was badly corrugated. Along the way, I was pleased to have another opportunity to indulge my fascination with the ruins that punctuate this remote landscape.
By the time we reached our campsite at Modderfontein, just outside Springbok, we were thoroughly exhausted and had little energy left to explore the local attractions. We had also been forewarned that the wildflower season was particularly poor this year, so there seemed little reason to venture further afield.
The following morning, we said goodbye to our friends, who had travelled with us up to this point, and continued south towards Kraalbaai in the West Coast National Park, hoping that we might still find a few flowers in bloom. Late that afternoon, we boarded our houseboat under beautiful sunny skies. It was a very different story the following morning, however, when we awoke to find ourselves completely enveloped in thick fog.
Without the warmth of the sun, the few flowers we encountered in the Park remained tightly closed, refusing to show us their faces.
Nonetheless, we thoroughly enjoyed our time on the houseboat at Kraalbaai, and, despite the less-than-ideal weather, I at least managed to fit in two swimming sessions.
Rather than taking the direct route home, we made a long detour along the Karoo Highland Route, passing through Nieuwoudtville, Calvinia and Williston, and spending a night in Oudam Cottage at Konka Guest Farm outside Carnarvon. The detour was partly to explore an area that was new to us and partly to avoid having to make a separate trip to Douglas to collect a Border Collie puppy. Our brief introduction to this fascinating region has certainly left us wanting to return and explore it in greater detail.
After collecting our new puppy, Fudge, we finally turned for home, spending a pleasant last night of our journey at Sweetfontein Farm Lodge outside Britstown.
Ironically, the Karoo surprised us with more flowers than we had seen anywhere in Namaqualand or along the West Coast.
And so, after 16 days and 4,675 km, our journey finally came to an end. It had been a trip of contrasts, shared with good companions, and we returned home with a wealth of memories, photographs and stories to tell.
