Correct call makes for a winter-wonderland experience in Nieu Bethesda
Mrs Guru gave me that puppy dog look and subtly suggested a night or two in Nieu Bethesda, one of her favourite small towns.
Besides, she said, there was still so much she wanted to see in Nieu Bethesda, and the people were so friendly there.
As all husbands know, a happy wife is a happy life, so I was not going to upset her and gave her the go-ahead to book, after consulting with an ex-colleague on his views as to the chances of snow.
We left home on Sunday morning, warm clothes packed, a flask of coffee and some snacks for the road. I don't know why I always get so hungry on road trips.
Heading north towards Graaff-Reinet, we saw some amazing cumulus-type clouds, which just had cold heavy air written all over them.
I took this as a sure sign of moisture and cold, the main ingredients needed for snow.
After relating this to Mrs Guru, she asked if I was trying to convince myself or her that the models were right.
At that stage, I was not overly concerned, as seeing those beautiful cloud formations made the trip worthwhile, even if we did not see any snow.
Stopping every 10 minutes to take photos, turned a three-hour trip into an almost five-hour trip.
After a nice cosy supper and a few glasses of wine, it was off to bed to dream about waking up to a winter wonderland.
During the night, we heard heavy rain and on our previous visit, a long-time resident and farmer told me that it does not snow when it rains in that area. Disappointment started to set in.
The next morning, I was woken up by a very excited Mrs Guru shouting, 'It's snowing, come look.'
Sure enough, the snow was falling but was melting as it hit the ground. It did, however, settle on our vehicle and the surrounding plants.
Off to the local Village Inn and after a hearty breakfast, the owner told us that the snow was laying thick on her father's farm, just outside town.
We did not delay and in 4x4 mode it was on the road, taking it extremely slowly.
The further we went, the heavier the snowfall became, turning the countryside into the winter wonderland we had hoped to experience.
We were so excited we were speechless. Once again stopping every few metres to take reels and reels of photos.
When we got to the farm, we did not venture further up the mountain as it did not look too safe.
There was no way I was going to get stuck in the middle of nowhere in those temperatures.
Besides, we only had two litres of Old Brown Sherry in the car, and we would not survive the cold on that.
So, we took the 8km trek back to the village and encountered a bunch of 'Crazy Daisies' (as I christened them) along the way en route to the farm/guest house.
They were part of a group on the 100km Nieu-Bethesda Camino, walking about 23km a day.
That is gruelling by any standard, but in the snow, well either very brave or crazy comes to my mind. I take my hat off to them.
Then approaching the village, we noted that the snow on the side of the road started to get slushy as it was starting to melt.
An hour later, looking back to the once snow-covered mountains around the village, there was hardly any sign of significant snow.
While on our jaunt I was able to build a snow angle (snowman) and get to pelt Mrs Guru with a grapefruit-sized snowball. We were like children.
Another tick off our proverbial bucket list. We have been lucky to have experienced snow, our recent trip to Founders Lodge with an awesome two game drives and enjoying fish and chips on the beach at Paternoster. All in the space of just more than a year.
My advice to anyone who wants to have a snow experience is that you must be there before the snow begins.
Most of these events only last a few hours at best, so if you want to travel after the snow has fallen, it will be too late.
It's like fishing or playing Lotto. You cannot catch a fish without a line in the water or win the Lotto without a ticket.
Watch the forecast and then take the chance. We were unlucky two years ago, but this time around it was well worth it.
This week in history:
1965 Heavy stock losses in the Cradock and Maclear regions.
Dam Levels
69% slightly down from previous weeks 69.46%. Impofu down to 51.93%
Weather Safety Tips:
Once again, we read about another vehicle washed away on a low water bridge resulting in numerous fatalities. Avoid low water bridges were there is fast running water in times of flooding.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
The Hippo cure for Garden Route Outeniqua rust
It's a known fact that living on the Garden Route for any length of time can cause a condition called Outeniqua rust, a colloquial term for what is a lazy and or super-relaxed attitude. It's said that one interpretation of the George number plate CAW is an acronym for 'call and wait', referring to any kind of service in this area which doesn't happen at breakneck speed. This deadly Outeniqua rust disease is apparently brought on by being so entranced by the Outeniqua mountains and the beauty of this area that you slow right down without even realising it. And along with this newfound bliss and lethargy, motivation and productivity go right out the window. I didn't know I was almost unconscious, that I needed a visit to a proper self-respecting city, until I recently visited Cape Town and discovered that I was actually still alive and kicking though the insidious rust had clearly rendered me just short of comatose. I have lived on the Garden Route for about 10 years now and have only made flying visits to the Cape area, not the centre of town though. A trip to Cape Town's Hippo Boutique hotel right in the heart of the city was just what the doctor prescribed for my rust malaise. Nothing rural about this location I am happy to say, no cows on the pavement like we get in Knysna, and no guinea fowl sounds, definitely no troops of marauding monkeys trying to break into the kitchen. We arrived in the later afternoon, in time to just drop our bags and then hit the pavement before dark. Almost immediately I could feel lifeblood coursing into me rather like an intravenous drip I would think. Hippo is located in Park Road around the corner from Kloof and Long Street, in the centre of town near the trendy suburbs of Gardens. There are people, lots of them, out and about, from dog-walkers to tourists and everywhere I look there is something happening. Even the sight of the dustbin truck is exciting because we don't always see one where we come from. And joy to the world, there are buses regularly checking into central town headed for the respective suburbs. I had completely forgotten that such a magnificent service exists in a real city. I am like a kid in a toy shop because there are stores everywhere and they are open even though it is now after 6pm and getting dark. Hippo couldn't be more perfectly located from shops and eateries ... just around the corner is a dedicated Woolies Food which stays open until late, there is more than one supermarket to choose from and hallelujah, one stays open 24-7 — even if you aren't going to shop at 4am, it's the principle that counts. There are lots of restaurants and bars to choose from and there's even dim sum in Kloof Street. There's a fancy ice-cream shop and Wine Concepts, at Lifestyle on Kloof shopping centre, which does a walk-in tasting of bespoke South African wines. There are nightclubs like Tiger's Milk. Bottom line is there are so many choices. Hippo Boutique Hotel pulls a clever move for breakfast. There are so many options in town and people like exploring, so the hotel gives guests breakfast vouchers for Therapy which is located at the entrance or for the Egghead Diner down the road. The voucher was more than generous and both places offered a change from the predictable breakfast suspects. I had a breakfast burger at Therapy and it was memorable while Mark had the full-Monty which came with surprising extras like a generous mushroom sauce. When it comes to things to do in the centre of Cape Town, there are a myriad of choices. Take a stroll through The Company's Garden which is a large public park situated in the Cape Town CBD — the main commercial district. It is the oldest garden in SA, and a national heritage site which was originally created in the 1650s by the region's first European settlers who also grew fresh produce here to replenish ships rounding the Cape. It's just lovely to see people peacefully taking their lunch breaks on benches in the gardens. Don't get too friendly with the squirrels because one actually ran up my leg. The South African Museum, founded in 1825 and situated in the historic Company's Gardens, is not boring. It offers a vast historical collection ranging from fossils to ancient insects and historical tools. They have an impressive section dedicated to Charles Darwin. No visit to the centre of Cape Town would be complete without a stroll around Bo-Kaap, which is a vibrant and historic neighbourhood known for its brightly coloured houses and cobblestone streets. It was formerly known as the Malay Quarter and is considered the historical centre of Cape Malay culture in the city. The area is famous for its distinctive architecture and rich cultural heritage, attracting tourists and locals alike. I find a Turkish shop and am in my element because they have the real McCoy products like tea. The Cape Town V&A Waterfront is also nearby and it's just one of those things people always do when they visit this city. There are art galleries in town and if you have your own transport, it's well worth going to Constantia Glen or one of the wine farms in Constantia. You could spend days happily exploring the Cape Town area. Quite apart from the joy of being at the heartbeat of the city, staying at The Hippo Boutique Hotel is a treat because this place goes over and beyond when it comes to making guests feel welcome. The décor and vibe here is fresh, funky and fab. For starters, all the rooms have views, giant windows, of Table Mountain or Signal Hill or the bustling city street. At night I am so enthralled with city lights that I don't even want to put the blinds down. Maybe it was living in Hong Kong for so long, but I get a complete buzz from looking at night lights in the city. It reminds me I am alive, surrounded by other humans. Knocks spots off stargazing in the Klein Karoo. We get treated to one of the apartment suites and from the moment you walk in, it's a wow. Our suite has a Mini theme, so pictures and ornaments depict the iconic car. Wallpaper is back in fashion and so the checked walls of the apartment and the polka dots in the bathroom give the space panache. I suffer from some sort of obsessive compulsive counting-thing so I have lots of things to tally. It would be impossible to not fall in love with the kitchen space. Just for starters there is an air-fryer that puts mine to shame because it's one of the latest models with two compartments. Then there's the red kettle plump and shiny and an induction stove top — a contemporary way of cooking that uses electromagnetism to heat cookware and don't ask me why or how it works because it doesn't seem to get hot, but it does cook. Of course, there is a red Smeg toaster happily parked next to a red bread-bin and ooh la la, there are two fridges in the same colour, all very sexy. The coffee station is just about as sophisticated as they get these days and the newfangled appliance (very expensive) requires a degree to drive it. I may have gone without my morning brew, but Mark knows where to insert the pods and what buttons to push to get a really good coffee. It goes without saying that if you choose to eat in, this is a perfectly easy self-catering unit with cutlery, crockery and every appliance I can think of. The hotel features spacious en suite standard and deluxe rooms plus five double-volume executive apartments — of which three, being fully fitted-out like our one, provides a self-catering option. Of course, all rooms have the mod-cons like tea and coffee stations, minibars and huge flat-screen tellies. For added convenience and security the hotel provides ground-floor and basement-level parking and a lift servicing all four floors. I take the lift for the hell of it because it reminds me of another life long ago. There's a swimming pool and 24-hour reception desk to organise anything from airport transfers to in-room spa treatments. The four-star Hippo belongs to Cape Country Routes (CCR), which is a leading group of owner-operated and managed accommodation and activity establishments — more than 20 privately owned hotels, lodges and guest houses — located on the scenic and historic routes in the Western and Eastern Cape. They are all carefully selected for their character, charm and romance, they offer top-notch accommodation and activity options to suit every taste and budget. I am glad CCR introduced me to Hippo Boutique Hotel. When I feel that Outeniqua rust might be growing over me again, I will sprint back to this very spot!
The Herald
3 days ago
- The Herald
‘Flippen lekker' being back in Nelson Mandela Bay, says Rassie
Rugby fever has gripped the Bay since Sunday when the Boks landed in Gqeberha to play their first Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the last few years. It will be the first time the Bok men's team have been in action at the stadium since 2021, when they played two Tests against Argentina behind closed doors during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Springbok women's team will set the scene for what promises to be a memorable occasion when they play a Test against Canada ahead of the men's international. EP Rugby general manager Mzi Mpofu said the Test had afforded the Eastern Cape a golden opportunity to reinforce its love for the game. 'Rugby has long been a sport rooted in tradition, with international matches often held in major cities and well-established venues,' he said. 'However, staging these games in the Eastern Cape presents a unique opportunity to reinforce our love of the sport, create new memories and inspire future generations. 'Our beautiful stadium has successfully hosted eight thrilling Test matches, though two were played behind closed doors because of the pandemic. 'Our people have only borne witness to half a dozen live Tests at this state-of-the-art facility. 'We are excited for the ninth instalment now, and the inception of new memories is long overdue. 'And we must not forget the Boks are yet to lose at our stadium. 'One of the key benefits of hosting international rugby matches at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is the economic impact it has, not only on the city, but the province as a whole. 'A Gqeberha Test is special for many current Springboks as they hail from this province. 'Players, coaches as well as the management staff. 'The team is littered with Eastern Capers. 'It's a rare opportunity for them to play in front of their families, childhood friends and former school pupils and teachers. 'It is not only the male Springboks playing on Saturday, but also our Springbok women. 'We are being treated to a rare double-header programme. 'The city will be champing at the bit to see the likes of our very own Aseza Hele crossing the advantage line with one of her trademark bullocking runs.' The Herald
The Herald
3 days ago
- The Herald
Nelson Mandela Bay goes Bok berserk
News Excitement mounts as visitors and residents gear up for action-packed Test By Andisa Bonani - 11 July 2025 Nelson Mandela Bay is bracing for a bumper weekend as more than 24,000 rugby fans from out of town are expected to visit the city for the Springbok clash against Italy on Saturday, a match that promises high-stakes action and a major cash injection for the metro. With 95% of the city's 12,708 available beds already booked over two nights, the Test match is set to bring an economic boost of nearly R44.6m, driven by visitors spending an average of R1,850 daily on accommodation, food, transport, tickets and entertainment, according to the municipality...
