Christmas and New Year with family Brouns

Our adventures continued on from Cape Town as we had my parents and brother in tow.  We returned to Lesotho in a two day journey which took us through a sun swept Cape, foggy garden route, thunder storms and eventually into the cool of Lesotho.  The week leading up to Christmas was relatively relaxed.  I had my last week at work (more on that another time) whilst the family caught up on washing and sleep!

On Christmas Eve, I was given a half day at work, so we headed off at lunchtime into the mountains for our last visit to Semonkong.  The journey was as beautiful as ever, our visitors were suitably impressed, and we made it to the lodge by mid-afternoon.  The water level in the river was high, so abseiling was off, but I was looking forward to seeing the waterfall in its full splendour.  That afternoon we simply settled into our rooms enjoyed what the Thatcher’s Tavern had to offer.  

We awoke on Christmas morning to blue skies and a cup of tea.  After wishing everyone a merry Christmas, we had breakfast and then walked to the gorge to see the waterfall.  After almost a year in Lesotho, I thought a gentle stroll would be perfect for the Christmas morning... work up an appetite for the feast that was to follow.  However, I hadn’t realised how much I must have acclimatised as others found somewhat challenging!!  We all made it and enjoyed the spectacle that is the Maletsunyane falls at high water.  On our return we had lunch and then opened Christmas gifts... all mine seemed to be food related... what people must think of me!!  The dinner that was put on by the lodge was lovely.  All the guests sat together and enjoyed pot roasted turkey, gammon and all the trimmings.  We then played an entertaining game of dirty Santa... an interactive version of secret Santa.  The evening drew to a close with great satisfaction, although some limbs were aching!

Boxing day was a day of relaxation... a splinter group went for a short walk along the river, but had to turn back after 30 minutes due to the high river levels.  We left the lodge on Monday morning  to head back to Maseru.  We said our goodbyes to Jonathan and Armelle who run the lodge.  It had become our favourite place to stay in Lesotho, and we were sad to be leaving for the last time.

Back in Maseru, we made preparations for the next stage of the adventure.  There was washing to be done, and I had to tackle the hospital’s bureaucracy one last time to get my pay for November and December.  On Tuesday shortly before lunch all was ready, and we set off to Katse Dam.  It was a long but beautiful drive up into the mountains of Lesotho and back down in the centre of the country to the reservoir. 

The journey continued the following day further East.  We passed Thaba Tseka and took the road we had travelled with Jim, Dani and Jez only in October.  The surface had deteriorated quite significantly due to the heavy rains.  We were all a little anxious about the crossing over the river Senqu (or Orange river).  We had heard rumours that the bridge often flooded and with all the recent rains may well have become impassable.  As we turned the corner, the bridge came into view... when I say that, some of the bridge came into view.  There were numerous people standing at either end.  As we neared we could see people wading through water.  It looked as though we could get through, so we all got back into the car and I cautiously drove across.  We made it, without any incident much to the amusement of everyone standing around!  We now entered new territory for Kit and I, this was the last bit of “A” road for us to drive on in Lesotho.  It was quite rough and very spectacular.  The approach road to one particular mountain pass was rather steep.  The nerves of the passengers was not helped by the wrecks of previous vehicles lying in the valley far below!  We made it to our next lodge at the Sani Top without incident though.  Sani Top at just under 3000 metres was cold and windy.  We all changed into out warmest clothes and sipped glu wine in the highest pub in Africa.  We had dinner, then swiftly retried to our chalet with lit fire and played cards.

The following day we awoke to thick fog.  We waited around a little after breakfast to see if it would clear, but in the end headed down the Sani Pass with poor visibility.  The first timers were impressed with the “road” despite it, so still a success.  We only had a short drive to Himeville where we checked into our rooms before lunch.  We relaxed and enjoyed the relative warmth.  On New Year’s Eve we headed to the city of Durban.  It rained the whole day, so we weren’t that inclined to go out and explore.  In the evening, it dried up a little for our meal out.  A really lovely time was had by all.  After food we went back to the apartment and tried our best to stay up till midnight!!  The day in Lesotho starts and ends early, even Will had been to bed before 10pm on several nights.  Midnight proved to be a struggle but we made it.  We had some well wishes come our way from family shortly after midnight and then it was bed!

On New Year’s Day the sun was out again!  We drove around Durban to get a flavour for the city.  The city itself was a bit of a ghost town and then we got to the beach!  There were thousands... probably even millions of people enjoying the sun and surf.  It was quite a spectacle.  We didn’t get our swimmers on and try and squeeze ourselves onto the beach.  Instead we headed for the botanical gardens for a stroll and a cup of tea!  Thereafter there was time for a dip in the pool at the apartments, followed by lunch before we had to get Lei, Erica and Will ready for their respective trips back home.  Kit and I made time for an authentic Durban curry after our trip to the airport.

Yesterday we packed ourselves up and started the journey back to Maseru, the quick way round.  We stopped off to see friends in Leribe (in northern Lesotho) before getting back to a flooded Maseru.  In our absence there had been almost persistent rain, leading to many of the roads in town becoming rivers.  After my experience of the river crossing the previous week, I knew this was nothing for Jeepy so I ploughed my way through and back home.

We now have a few days to sort out and pack up before we leave Lesotho for good on Friday!!