On the Road again …

road trip Karoo

August 16, 2014, driving through the Karoo –

A restlessness, a yearning to be on the road. It would be less expensive to fly down to the coast, certainly far quicker, probably safer. A two hour flight as opposed to a 14 hour road trip. My husband has a car at our holiday home so it’s not as if I wouldn’t have wheels down there, I would.

I plan to overnight tomorrow night in Graaf Reinet, a very charming Karoo town and stay at a BnB we’ve stayed at before in October 2 years ago. Such comfort, so charming, such a genial host. Then it’s only about 450 kms still to get to my destination. 2 years back this August I did a road trip down to Plettenberg Bay, leaving Johannesburg very early in the morning and did the trip solo in one go. I want to recapture that sense of being on my own again, winding through the Karoo and those never ending roads and wide open blue winter skies and be part of the changing scenery, unfolding in all Nature’s grandeur. Just me and thee and Mother Nature –

The timing is right – government schools are on holiday so I am not tied to my volunteer work. The girls at the rooms are happy to stand in for me in my absence. My husband will manage. Already the freezer is half-full. There is food for the cats. I’ve changed a few arrangements for next week. But the following week I have to be back and not just for school. I have other commitments that can’t be changed.

I want to get off the treadmill for a bit. I know I’m lucky to have a treadmill when so many don’t. I want to walk on the beach, feel the sand and sea on my feet, watch the waves and who knows, there may be whales to watch and climb Robberg maybe.

20th Aug 2014
20th Aug 2014 Robberg.

I hope to paint, play with clay, do nothing, dream, read, finish what I’ve started reading on my Kindle, finish off the WIP, so close to finishing. June is almost over – we’re halfway through the year –

I want to be back by Sunday next week to prepare for the following week but also to watch the finals of Wimbledon on TV. I wondered which route I will take to return … perhaps I’ll meander back on a different route.

Well, those photos are old photos – here’s a recent one from last Sunday when we trekked out to Nirox, a beautiful place not far from where I live, to see the land art sculptures.Nirox June

38 Comments on On the Road again …

  1. Susan, I think you’ll love my brief blog post this coming week about searching for peace. Perhaps because I live alone with only a dog who agrees to do anything I want to do, my best bet is home.
    Even so, one of my inner voices has a constant agenda. I have to remind myself/her repeatedly that I’m not going anywhere, I have nothing else more important to do at this moment than watch butterflies or read this book.

    The longest solo drive I’ve taken is to my son’s place 12 hours south. Once I get packed, there’s a feeling of spaciousness and relaxation on the road. It helps that the drive is beautiful.

    • Hi Elaine, the third comment of yours today that my response back to you has not appeared – perhaps you received it but it hasn’t appeared on this thread .. I just don’t know. My apologies if it seems like I didn’t respond … I remember saying I was looking forward to your peace post –

  2. It is important to get away on our own sometimes to recharge our batteries. In my case, I just go out on my bicycle. It’s not as impressive, but the principle is the same. 🙂

    • Thanks Bun for coming by! I’m just back from my sojourn away…batteries re-charged ?. Have a great week ..

  3. Thanks Silvia, lovely to see you here ? Am preparing to return home…its been lovely and fruitful. Hope all well with you all. Have a lovely weekend!

  5. Sorry–somehow I missed this post earlier. I hope you’re having a wonderful and relaxing vacation! Wishing you the best!

  6. Nice to hear about your plan to get back on the Road again, sounds very thrilling, hope you have a wonderful time, doing nothing, and just being yourself !! wishing yo a happy, safe and secure trip. Love and hugs to you:)

    • Thank you Angela! I’ve arrived at my destination! No plans for the next day or so except to get my bearings – before doing exactly what I need and want to do. Love to you –

  7. Your travels and need to be free are so necessary for inner growth and new observations.
    Best on the road and be safe in the land.

    • Thanks Susan for coming by. I’ve arrived – and yes the trip and getting home and the in-between will I am sure provide ‘…for new inner growth and observations’.

  8. My Dear,

    Safe travels. It is good to be on the road. You’re taking the time to get in touch with yourself.
    Last year, as I drove to Matera, Italy which is 1700 kilometre from Germany, I experienced a reaction as you’re experiencing. There is something about getting alone to yourself that renews the spirit within you.
    Thinking of you.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Patricia

    • Thank you Patricia! I’ve arrived in Plettenberg Bay – about an hour ago. A lovely trip, yesterday in warmth and sunshine, today in cold and rain. It’s lovely. My trip to get down here in was 1300km … not in total as I still have to get back home!

      Shalom to you, Susan

    • Thanks Beth. First lap accomplished, sun is setting now while I’m sitting outside at my BnB. Peace to you – I hope all is well with you and yours?

  10. I have found both the newness during driving as well as the sameness to be nourishing. When I drove 1134 km Michigan to Montreal, Canada, I experienced a short scenic route where the highway was cut through rocky ground. The rocks along the sides of the road were striated, horizontally pink with grey. We are blessed to be able to enjoy the beauty of our planet, as long as it lasts or while we witness our remaining years). I am extremely happy for you that your have been refreshing yourself and are energized to finish getting your book into press!.

    • Thanks Joseph so much! The highway through the cut rocky ground sounds lovely! There was some of that in my trip today. And yes, many times today I acknowledged how grateful and blessed I am to see parts of our beautiful planet.

  11. Although these photos are from a while ago, they provided a much-needed respite for me, knee-deep in the moving process as my recent blog posts reflect.

    Oh, how I’d love to get off the treadmill just now. Your pictures are calming, Susan. Thank you!

    • Thanks Marian for coming by in the midst of it all. Glad you liked the photos! I’ve arrived where I’m overnighting – the trip was lovely – tomorrow down to the sea! All best wishes for the sorting and sifting 🙂

  13. Safe journey, Susan, so glad you are taking time out to be. Those walks on the beach are essential to feed the soul and creativity. Thank you for sharing photos with us. Amazing!

  14. Lovely, Susan. My recent trip to North Carolina reminded me of how much I love to travel, and how much I’ve missed it. Thanks for sharing. Safe and happy travels.

  18. I’m TOTALLY JEALOUS!!! 😉 I used to LOVE road trips. I remember one trip from Colorado to Washington in April seeing the spring desert floors as the rose colored sun rose above the red rock, Ballaroo blasting out of my radio.

    Have an awesome time exploring. Don’t wear yourself out, though. Be safe!

    I look forward to hearing your tales! Have FUN!!

    • Thanks for coming by Gwynn! Yes, I better not wear myself out! Love the image you present of the desert and the rising sun!

  19. Lucky you! Here all is fury, gnashing, hatred and recriminations! Anything I’d give for a walk along the beach to Robberg. Have a lovely time.

    • Thanks Philippa. My younger son put up a note, if you Brexit, you pays …I note that the FTSE is just about back to normal, though that means little with all the gnashing going on –

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