Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Coyote Café

It is called the Coyote Café.
A shop, restaurant, fuel stop and general place to take a break for travellers on the road between Bergville and Harrismith in the northern Drakensberg. It offers a great view, and good food. The number of travellers stopping here has dropped drastically because of what one travel writer describes as a "moribund road". This picturesque pass has been allowed to decay to a point where it is now dangerous to drive.

There was an attempt in 2011 to try to repair the road. The road was dug up, stop/go signs erected, and flags issued to workers to direct traffic along a one-way stretch of road under repair. Then the workers lost momentum - and left. For awhile the flag wavers did their duty and waved cars around the unrepaired road. But they too gave up and went home. So now the road stands unrepaired,but available to any who wish to brave it.....leaving the Coyote Café as the last outpost before the wilderness.
Sent via my BlackBerry

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Walking in Tugela Gorge.

Spotted this little fellow on our walk today.

We are staying in the Drakensberg at Mont Aux Sources with our good friends Eric and Angela, and when we woke this morning we knew that it was a perfect day for a walk. So Tugela Gorge was the walk we all agreed on.

We parked just below Tendele campsite, signed the book, and set off up Royal Natal's Tugela Gorge. It was a beautiful day - a crisp (Jenny would say cold) breeze, and a fantastic gorge to explore. We stopped often so that Jenny & Eric could take photographs. They had lots of fun experimenting with lenses and light settings. We concluded our walk with a picnic at the dam - watched by a troop of baboons, who kept their distance.

I am grateful for a lovely day in the mountains.
Sent via my BlackBerry