Cape Road Trip: As far as the Vaal

11/21/2016

Day 1 - Johannesburg to Parys

DISTANCE: 190kms

On the Road
Trying to find the campsite involved crossing the Vaal River several times and approaching Parys from multiple directions. Just as we were in danger of losing our sense of humour we spotted this man and his dog in the traffic.

Overnighted at: Woelwaters
Located: 35kms outside of Parys on the Vaal River.
How we found it: “Camp & Caravan” with a little help from the Parys Info Centre.
Road access: Ok. Tar sealed, some potholes.
Amenities: Ablutions clean enough (OTT crochet curtains a standout feature), braais and power on site.
Cost: NZD18 / ZAR180 for two adults

Our Experience
The first night camping in almost a year. It took a while to get reacquainted with our tent and figure out how to put it up. We were a little edgy about security, especially as initially we were the only people there, but as it turned out it was fine. We had our choice of level campsites and later a couple arrived to stay at one of the nearby cottages. A cold and dew-drippy night, didn’t sleep too well.

Soundtrack: River running, frogs, crickets, water birds, neighbour leaving to go who-knows-where (fishing?) revving his engine at 4.00am.

Highlight: Meerkats popping up in the putt-putt course.
Lowlight: Smell of decaying vegetation as a result of the recent flooding, flies.

Lessons Learnt:

The “Camp & Caravan” maps only approximate the position of campsites and Info Centre instructions can be ambiguous. While Woelwaters appears to be in Parys it is in fact 35 kms outside of it on the other side of the Vaal - in the opposite direction to the way we were sent by the Info lady.
Remembered the meaning of the South African colloquialism “moer and gone”.