We packed up and headed toward the Drakensberg at around 8am. We chose not to drive back south to Durban and then west (all on national roads) and rather went with the cross KZN option. What we didn’t realise when selecting the route that the first bit of the route would be on gravel (around about 60kms). The first bit of the gravel road was fine but it did deteriorate later. We all felt for O and her back. What was evident from the others that the Landy handled the gravel much better than B’s Toyota. He was using words like ‘most road ever’ whereas H and didn’t think it was bad (in fact at one point H was doing some online shopping even on her cellphone).
The route took us through places like Jozini, Dundee and Ladysmith. We stopped at Jozini for refuel at the BP. That was a mistake. It was right next to the taxi rank and the filling station was just a mess of cars and trucks. To make matters worse, a delivery truck decided to reverse from the pump next to me and almost took out my mirror and left side of the car. I hooted, H thumped on the side of the truck but the driver just persisted. He stuck his head out and said he could see he was fine but either his vision was distorted or he wasn’t looking properly because he was definitely going to hit my car. Eventually he stopped briefly when everyone was shouting at him and I reversed and got my car nearer the pump because he would have otherwise hit it. H found the company contact details and wrote to them but of course no response whatsoever. We had stopped at BP because A wanted to use them for his Discovery points and then in the whole mess he decided to go to the Total instead. If there was somewhere further to move him on the blog order I would.
After Jozini we were back on tar roads but lots of potholes. Fortunately using Waze for navigation and it warns you every time you hit a pothole section. That was quite helpful and allows you to slow down before you hit the poor section. While the roads were potholed in places, they were still far better than the roads we have experienced in the past in the Free State and in the Eastern Cape.
As we approached the Drakensberg we could see the air absolutely covered in smoke. The wind was blowing strongly too and we could see what looked like a runaway veld fire. It was somewhat concerning in that there is only one road in and out of where we are staying. Fortunately it seems to away from the area where we are or they managed to extinguish it. Either way it doesn’t seem to be an issue.
We arrived at The Cavern at 4pm and once we had checked in and had a guided tour of the place, we offloaded our luggage and then had to take the car to the parking area (which is at the bottom area). The parking spots and turns are so small that the only way I could actually turn one corner was to reverse into the fence and push it back slightly. Fortunately no damage to the Landy because it has a spare tyre on the back so that gives some protection.
The accommodation is very nicely appointed with a large bathroom and lovely balcony overlooking the Drakensberg. The rates are fully inclusive (3 meals, 2 teas and all activities). We only paid R1710 per person per night (less than $100 per person per night). It absolutely is good value for money. Dinner last night included a choice of 3 starters, 3 mains and 2 deserts and in addition there was a buffet salad, bread and cheese board (with multiple cheese choices). They also have their own wine cellar where you can go choose your wine and pay for it and then drink it with the meal. The prices were very reasonable for good bottles of wine.
The only noteworthy part of dinner was when O came back from the salad bar and complained that she had a ‘granny’ in front of her. I said ‘oh you mean like a granny like H?’. If A wasn’t entrenched at the bottom of the blog order already, O would have been moved there.
Until later today (I had hoped to send yesterdays earlier but was just too tired after the 7-hour drive yesterday).
P, H, B, S, O & ………… The one who should remain nameless after his Green Twinspot