Trip #4 Rivierzicht Breede River
Trip #4 - Rivierzicht on the Breede River and day visit to Viljoensdrift and McGregor for a quick getaway before the winter rains set in.
TRIP REPORT – RIVIERZICHT – WESTERN CAPE - INLAND REGION – 30 31 MAY & 1 JUNE 2022
Departing at a leisurely 1130 Ralph headed up the N1 via the toll road and tunnel for Worcester. After a short coffee break, fuel up and allowing Blue to stretch his legs they headed on to destination Rivierzicht to be in time for some late afternoon exploration and fishing. A cabin with inside braai and fireplace had been booked on a winter mid-week special at R600.00 per night and they weren't expecting too many other folk at the camp site.
The cabin lived up to the usual expectations, furnished with all the of the necessary amenities and neat and clean as always. The fireplace turned out to not just be a welcome feature but a necessity to ward off the cold, especially after a short wade in the river...
After unpacking Andrea and Jeremy set out the carp rod whilst working two bass rods on the northern river bank. Working was the operative word as underwater obstacles and an unwelcome breeze made accurate casting and retrieving a challenge. A few tangles later, one which necessitated a deep wade to retrieve an expensive lure in which the rapidly deepening river had a cold rush of water soak Jeremy through the top of his waders and they decided to give fishing up for game of soldiers.
A hastily built fire inside the cabin helped to restore clothing whilst they walked the length and breadth of the campsite. It was completely uninhabited with no other brave souls even in the available cabins.
With the fading evening light Jeremy prepared the rods and tackle after the earlier tangle debacle. Hopefully the next day would yield a fish or two before they embarked on the river boat at Viljoensdrift pre-booked for midday.
In the evening following a braai they settled in to catch up their current Netflix series on the provided TV and free WiFi. Then a roaring fire was built to sustain some warmth in the cabin overnight.
At first light on Tuesday morning Mavicus II was sent up to survey the land and take some panoramic photos and video of the landscape. A clear day that needed the sun to bring some comfort for the planned river boat trip at Viljoensdrift Winery. After a few hours of not catching any fish, Blue and a few odds and ends were packed for the short trip east to embark on the Breede River boat trip. The Waze app directions were spot on and soon they were ready to embark on the boat ride, after borrowing some fairy weed and duck weed, from near the jetty and carefully packed to re-home in the pond at home.
There were few other folk on the boat trip and a peaceful easterly and then westerly (upstream), ride on a flat-bottomed outboard motored barge with picnic servings was the itinerary.
On returning to the launch spot a large celebration birthday party was in full swing with some 60 something ladies', getting slowly hammered... Plan B - a round trip to McGregor was decided on and they set of west and then turned south to view this quaint town.
They took tea at Temenos, remarking on how utterly similar the town felt to Riebeeck Kasteel, right down to the detail of yellow Malmsbury dust in the light grey tar.
Stopped in time and overshadowed by the massive NG Kerk. Ailed by the same poverty the both of these towns portray the disparity of poor farm labour living alongside wealthier creatives who have given up the city life and settled in smaller inland towns for the peace and quiet and simpler attractions of town and country living.
The last night called for another inside braai and large warming fire as the temperature dropped to 3 degrees and frost by Wednesday morning. Blue's water bowl had frozen over and a party of 3 brave souls who had come to camp in a small tent had to be admired for their fortitude.
Ralph headed home after greeting the farmer on their way out back to Cape Town at 1015.
Summary Aspects:
Total Distance: 415 KM. 28 litre diesel. 6.74 L/100km.
Mass: – 420kg of 675kg max GVM allowed.
Accommodation: Cabin 3 Days, two nights.
Itinerary: Short visit to new places before winter sets in properly and to have some time out.
Weather: Hottest at 19 degrees full sun, coldest 3 degrees with frost. Rainfall nil. Wind, occasional gusty with wind chill on first evening.
Signal Comms and GPS: Using Waze for all trip planning due to main road use. No issues.
Forgotten items: Forgot to take along scissors. Accommodation missing scissors.
Maps
