The Busy Lull

Monday 14 February to Friday 18 March

Some people have a dry month which means no wine. Our dry month meant no trips longer than 3 nights away. We caught up on admin and medical and dental appointments that had been neglected since the start of lockdown. Dad had a hip replacement and I was very happy to be around for that. And it was great to finally catch up with friends. 

We did a short Zebula trip.

And a weekend at Maizefield to sort out the caravan and have a pizza party. 

For her birthday we took Neil's mom on a trip to the Freestate to revisit the places where she grew up and went to school.Our first night was in Parys. Hoi Poloi is a fun eatery.

Granny and Pop's house is now a dental practise.

Central Bloemfontein is very run down.

But you can always find a gem if you know how to search. 

Nelson on Naval Hill.

 Wepener is also down at heel.

We stayed at the historic Lord Fraser Guest House.

This is Fraser's Trading Store head office, when Pop worked there and now.

Driving through the Eastem Freestate is very beautiful but all these country towns with their corrupt and incompetent ANC municipalties are pretty grim nowadays, it's hard to see how tourism can thrive again. With no jobs and no outside income things will only get worse for the people living here. Even I can't recommend stopping in places like Wepener, Ladybrand, Hobhouse, Fickburg, Fourieburg or Harrismith.

Clarens still looks lovely but apart from three british tourists we saw in a gift shop, I think we were the only guests in town. 

Our only company at dinner.