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Rob Dempster
'Allo 'Allo Gardens! (AAG) Howick (uMngeni) AAG Blog A Coat of Many Colours! Rusty will be your Name (AKA) Edith's long awaited, and deserved, Getaway! Best viewed using a Browser Running in a window on a PC or Laptop |
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I guess this all starts with Murray. Murray was the older of our two Scottish Terriers and he passed away about a month ago. That was it, the end of the line, no puppy to keep Fergus company. When it became clear that Fergus was missing Murray, I folded. After a week, Edith folded, and we signed up for a Puppy we would have to collect from Bethlehem. Here I should say that Edith probably folded because collecting the puppy from Bethlehem would include a weekend away. I should also add that I have more recently been reluctant to go away.
For the first time visiting Clarens would see us staying outside of the village on an Estate in a Studio BnB. The estate was a now defunct farm, and the studio a large garage that included an en-suite. That said the studio was well appointed and the views it afforded were beautiful. The Estate also provided us with a good walk from our doorstep. So, no complaints.
During previous stays in the Village we have walked/climbed Titanic Rock and walked up the hill behind the village. This walk takes you in the direction of Ficksburg and I have always wanted to cycle out in that direction towards Fouriesburg on what I thought would be a dirt road. As it turns out, the road to Fouriesburg is a beautiful tar road with a generous edge that would make it suitable for cycling.
On the Sunday morning we drove to Fouriesburg. The road is in excellent condition and it also did not have much traffic on it. The roadside scenery is stunning and it must be a walker's paradise. We passed several hutted accommodation sites during the drive that we could see from the road. There were also signs for such accommodation that we were unable to see.
Fouriesburg is a Free State, "Dorp(ie)" [Afrikaans for small town.]. It, as is to be expected, has a large and beautiful Dutch Reform Church built using sandstone. It also has similar residences that match the church, and so it would be well worth cycling through some of the town to see some of these homes.
On the Monday morning we packed up and headed for Bethlehem to collect Rusty. We left Clarens in with the rain pouring down. Luckily it was not raining and so we were able to collect Rusty and head for Howick and home. As we left Bethlehem it started to rain heavily and that rain basically followed us to Howick. Occasionally we would get ahead of it, but it would never be for too long.
Edith and I think that Rusty is a lovely little puppy we are enjoying having around despite the usual chores that accompany a newly acquired puppy. He is a strong and active fellow that is trying to chew his way through our home. As for Fergus, he is not so sure. I am sure that will change.
The Water Buck that appears either side of the header text was spotted on the top of a ridge that ran parallel to the river. Pic shot at 30x with the camera resting on Edith' head.
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If you have any comments, corrections, suggestions or plain criticism, I would appreciate it if you would communicate the same to me.
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy a bicycle.
Some Links
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[email protected] | www.robdempster.com |
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