Storms River Mouth
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Storms River Mouth National Park,
South Africa
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Jonathan's birthday. Gave him a ring. Phone has been working well here although internet can be a struggle. The Badgers Lodge was a really taseful place with pool and lots of nice shady areas to sit when it was hot. Found in the guidebook there was a place on the way where you could rent a motor boat and sail up river near Plattenberg. Thought I would save this for a surprise.
Nice drive to Plattenberg. There was one place renting sea kayaks to paddle out to get cloase to whales. Flatly vetoed by Pat. This is where I miss holidays with family and friends and there is always someone ready to share a mad adventure. After vetoing the kayaks Pat felt a bit obliged to go for the motor boat. Went to inspect it. Not the most impressive motor boat in the world I had to admit but it did have lifejackets as I helpfully pointed out to Pat. She tried to get me to rent the ferry that belonged to the hotel as she claimed it was a bit more of a boat. We bought a picnic and climbed aboard. By now Pat have left the guy who ran them in no doubt that her confidence in my marine ability was pretty low and this trip was a dingy version of the titanic. He became panicky and asked for the rent money in advance. He clearly thought we may not come back!
The first bit was very shallow and tricky but the river went into a deep and tranquil gorge and there were picnic tables along the way so we could pull up and enjoy the tranquility. Even Pat relaxed. Set off for Stroms River Mouth, a wild and beautiful National Park that had a long foot suspension bridge over a deep gorge where the river meets the sea. A very famous spot and as far East as we planned to go. When we arrived disaster. Some oaf at the nearby golf club had clearly dropped a fag and burnt the whole area down including the boardwalk to the suspension bridge. There was no access. I was really looking forward to a photo of Pat on that. Headed back down the caost to Nature's Valley a wonderfully wild area. Booked into a farm guest house with wonderfukl views and heating which was a big hit with Pat. The local pub was the only place in the area that served food so went there after a walk on the beach. Interesting place. Good draught bitter and they had a log brazier going on the porch we all sat around and chatted to the locals. Very nice evening.
