Champagne , family & home - South Africa
5th – 11th December 2007
Even though we had reached both Cape Point & Cape Agulhas (Africa’s most southern point), as reported in the last blog update, we still had a further 1,700 kms to complete before reaching our ultimate destination – Durban . This we successfully achieved arriving at 5, Highgate Road at 16.35 on Tuesday 11th December 2007…… so we can now finally say ‘we did it’ – 11 months, 20 countries & 27,300 miles, thru Europe & Africa, crossing the Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn & of course the Equator – London, England to Durban, South Africa by road….hats off to Bula, what a machine!!
We were met by the very welcoming ‘new’ Mr. & Mrs. Spark (my bro & Vronsie)!! Lots of Champagne & wine & even more chatti
ng confirmed we really were ‘home’ & we have been enjoying the luxuries of home life since! It really was fantastic to be met by family after so long on the road & this was made even better with the arrival on Friday of my folks from Portugal, so now we have the full Spark clan under one roof, a pretty rare event & one that demanded extensive celebrating…..which seems to be continuing!!! It has been a bit of a whirlwind & culture shock catching up with all the family & friends plus acclimatizing back into ‘normal’ everyday life (excluding work of course, one step at a time!) but truly fantastic to see everyone & totally relax!
Since we last left you on 4th December having completely over indulged in the ‘fruits’ of the Cape, we worked our way up the southern coast first visiting the De Hoop Nature Reserve for one last dose of ‘wilderness’ & animals (
Cape Mountain Zebra & Southern Right Whales) before traveling along the world renowned Garden Route stopping of at Barrydale to stay with Andre & Anelda (met in Uganda back in August), who were setting up their new farm; we spent 2 fabulous days with A & A & were once again treated to some superb Afrikaans hospitality! From here we continued to George, where (pure coincidence of course!) the International Rugby 7’s Tour happened to be taking place, so after finding a suitable camp site we spent the next 2 days enjoying the worlds finest display their talents whilst we consumed 1 or 2 ales! As per usual we met & made some great new friends, this time a bunch of South African Toy boys & girls, yep they were all in the toy industry, what a small world, & we successfully abused their hospitality for an evening….thanks Clinton, Rodney, Gary & wives, much appreciated!!
From George we decided to crack on thru the Transkie as quickly as possible as we did not have the time to do it full justice & were now eager to see the family; therefore we spent the last 2 nights camping on the Wild Coast before finally reaching Durban as detailed above!
The trip truly reached its conclusion this Monday when Clare left the ‘party’ & flew back to the UK to spend Xmas & New Year with her family, which I am sure will be an equally joyous & boozy affair, leaving Bula & myself to fend for ourselves! We will now be apart for the next 6 weeks before Clare returns to South Africa to re-join Bula & I on our next expedition to Mozambique ……so not coming home just yet….plenty of time to become responsible & grow up in the future, for now there is still too much fun to have!!
So with the trip finally over I could start to eulogize about the lessons we ha
ve learnt, the experiences we have shared, knowledge we have gained & how we have become stronger, better people blah blah blah but think I will spare you that one for now, maybe another time or over a few beers when we get together. However, I will just say it has been a truly remarkable & unique experience which has certainly brought Clare & I closer together than ever (well, it was a make or break trip & after 184 nights in a rooftop tent who wouldn’t love me!!) & we will always treasure the year 2007!! If anyone is thinking of doing it, don’t hesitate, get out there now & do it!
No idea what 2008 has in-store but we
will worry about that when the time comes; for now the dream lives on! We hope everyone has enjoyed following our trip & reading the blog, we have certainly enjoyed hearing from you along the way & appreciate all the support you have given us.
MERRY XMAS TO EVERYONE & ALL THE BEST FOR 2008
Even though we had reached both Cape Point & Cape Agulhas (Africa’s most southern point), as reported in the last blog update, we still had a further 1,700 kms to complete before reaching our ultimate destination – Durban . This we successfully achieved arriving at 5, Highgate Road at 16.35 on Tuesday 11th December 2007…… so we can now finally say ‘we did it’ – 11 months, 20 countries & 27,300 miles, thru Europe & Africa, crossing the Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn & of course the Equator – London, England to Durban, South Africa by road….hats off to Bula, what a machine!!
We were met by the very welcoming ‘new’ Mr. & Mrs. Spark (my bro & Vronsie)!! Lots of Champagne & wine & even more chatti
ng confirmed we really were ‘home’ & we have been enjoying the luxuries of home life since! It really was fantastic to be met by family after so long on the road & this was made even better with the arrival on Friday of my folks from Portugal, so now we have the full Spark clan under one roof, a pretty rare event & one that demanded extensive celebrating…..which seems to be continuing!!! It has been a bit of a whirlwind & culture shock catching up with all the family & friends plus acclimatizing back into ‘normal’ everyday life (excluding work of course, one step at a time!) but truly fantastic to see everyone & totally relax!Since we last left you on 4th December having completely over indulged in the ‘fruits’ of the Cape, we worked our way up the southern coast first visiting the De Hoop Nature Reserve for one last dose of ‘wilderness’ & animals (
Cape Mountain Zebra & Southern Right Whales) before traveling along the world renowned Garden Route stopping of at Barrydale to stay with Andre & Anelda (met in Uganda back in August), who were setting up their new farm; we spent 2 fabulous days with A & A & were once again treated to some superb Afrikaans hospitality! From here we continued to George, where (pure coincidence of course!) the International Rugby 7’s Tour happened to be taking place, so after finding a suitable camp site we spent the next 2 days enjoying the worlds finest display their talents whilst we consumed 1 or 2 ales! As per usual we met & made some great new friends, this time a bunch of South African Toy boys & girls, yep they were all in the toy industry, what a small world, & we successfully abused their hospitality for an evening….thanks Clinton, Rodney, Gary & wives, much appreciated!!From George we decided to crack on thru the Transkie as quickly as possible as we did not have the time to do it full justice & were now eager to see the family; therefore we spent the last 2 nights camping on the Wild Coast before finally reaching Durban as detailed above!
The trip truly reached its conclusion this Monday when Clare left the ‘party’ & flew back to the UK to spend Xmas & New Year with her family, which I am sure will be an equally joyous & boozy affair, leaving Bula & myself to fend for ourselves! We will now be apart for the next 6 weeks before Clare returns to South Africa to re-join Bula & I on our next expedition to Mozambique ……so not coming home just yet….plenty of time to become responsible & grow up in the future, for now there is still too much fun to have!!
So with the trip finally over I could start to eulogize about the lessons we ha
ve learnt, the experiences we have shared, knowledge we have gained & how we have become stronger, better people blah blah blah but think I will spare you that one for now, maybe another time or over a few beers when we get together. However, I will just say it has been a truly remarkable & unique experience which has certainly brought Clare & I closer together than ever (well, it was a make or break trip & after 184 nights in a rooftop tent who wouldn’t love me!!) & we will always treasure the year 2007!! If anyone is thinking of doing it, don’t hesitate, get out there now & do it!No idea what 2008 has in-store but we
will worry about that when the time comes; for now the dream lives on! We hope everyone has enjoyed following our trip & reading the blog, we have certainly enjoyed hearing from you along the way & appreciate all the support you have given us.MERRY XMAS TO EVERYONE & ALL THE BEST FOR 2008
posted by Clare & Graham at 10:23 am
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