Finally, the great day of departure had arrived.  Jay and Joshua’s two friends, Leo and Daniel slept over last night, all the luggage was packed and we just needed to pack the food and overnight bagss, hook the trailer to my Caravel and leave.  

The house was dark and silent when I arose and crept about doing those last minute chores and ticking off my checklist. I always have a phobia that a vital item will be forgotten and then because of it the holiday will be ruined!   Once I was satisfied, I woke Earl and when we were almost ready, we got the four excited boys out of bed, gave them a quick bowl of cereal and by 7:30 we were on our way – the boys and I following Grandpa and Greg who were towing the ‘cat’ Kiora.  As we left, I told the boys to say a silent prayer to God to look after us.    Jay decided that he would say the prayer aloud and said, “Dear God, please protect us on this trip, make sure we don’t crash and keep us safe and Grandpa and Greg too.”     “Did you hear the prayer, Grandpa and Greg?”  he’d pressed in the button of his walkie-talkie while he prayed!   “Yes thank you Jay,” came Greg’s reply.

By way of explanation – Greg is 21 years old and crews on Whale Rider and Kiora for Earl.   He will be fishing in the competition at Kleinbaai next Saturday and it is his penance to help look after the boys this week!

I checked the time on the dashboard clock and at the same time noticed the fuel gauge.  I had forgotten to fill up!  So Jay was once again given the opportunity to call his grandfather to inform him that would stop for Diesel in Fish Hoek.

As we travelled, we watched a stunning sunrise as Cape Town was graced with yet another clear sunny day.   The temperature, however, did not rise above 15⁰.   Earl stopped in Grabouw to buy meat at a friendly butchery whose fare is the best in the Western Cape!  I continued and the trip was smooth with only one stop/go and very little traffic.   The boys were chatty but well behaved and played the odd game of car cricket but otherwise just enjoyed each other’s company.  Daniel’s mom had packed each boy a snack pack so I did not have to worry about handing out from the general one with contributions from all.   We have so much ‘lekkergoed’ that I doubt we will get through it all!

I tried to make the trip educational and gave snippets of information from time to time – we are on Baden-Powell Road – note the birdlife here – do you see any oystercatchers on Strandfontein beach – we are now on the N2 –We are passing through Somerset West – this mountain pass is called Sir Lowry’s.  At the bottom of the pass we have the turnoff to Grabouw village – Grandpa is getting our meat there.   Now we turn into Caledon – we are halfway there now – two more towns – Napier and Bredasdorp then we turn off to Struisbaai.   I also pointed out the birdlife.  Jay and Joshua remembered the names of some but the other boys were new to birding.  They did know the national bird was THE BLUE CRANE  – there was a huge flock in a field just outside Caledon.   A few minutes after giving them the information I tested them – what is the name of the pass we have just been over, what is the town we have just been through? They gave me some amusing answers – Canada!  – for Caledon – Sir Laurie’s pass for Sir Lowry’s – omigosh – hopefully they will get it on the way home!

We left the petrol station at 7:50 and after a splendid 215km drive, arrived at our holiday house at 10:25.   Earl and Greg arrived half an hour later, which was not bad going since he was towing a boat and stopped to buy meat.

While we were waiting for the guys to arrive, Jay and Leo walked to the beach and Daniel rode around on one of the bikes.  Then again, after they’d helped unpack they hopped on the bikes and went to explore Struisbaai.

I made ham and avo rolls for lunch, and then Earl and Greg took them for a drive to Agulhas.  They made a noisy return at 14:00 and then raced off on their bikes again. 

After tea, they all jumped into the back of the Hi-Lux and Earl took them to the dunes where they clearly had a ball.   While they were gone, I prepared the braai salads and then went to the shop to get the boys a pack of cards, drawing books, crayons, pencils, and more juices for tomorrow.  

We braaied steak, chops and sausage and the kids ate like the growing boys they are!  After supper, they set up their beds and after a bit of hi-jinks we all sat down and watched Strictly Come Dancing on T.V!