What work for electronics, also work and is sometimes vital for us humans too. Yes, now and again, we all need a hard reset: unplugging completely from the daily world and it's relentless routine.
Its hunting trip time for me and close friend Ruhan !
Our rendezvous point changed a little this year, from Uniondale to Willowmore.
Ruhan and his wife stayed over in Willowmore in a guesthouse the previous night. Before departuring, we went for breakfast at a cozy coffee shop in Willowmore, called KAPOET
They serve my absolute favourite coffee. . . .condensmilk coffee !!
I also found a pair of Mohair socks in Kapoet that just might come in handy for the extreme cold weather forecasted.
The drive to Victoria West is, as always, an event on its own, with loud music and lots of treats ðŸ¤
Special mention should be made of Ruhan's trusted 3L KZTE Toyota bakkie that was "overhauled" and "revamped", just before the trip. This trusted steed was already part of so many of our trips, and now, who knows how many more to come?
But . . . Time for an ice-coffee stop 😉
Later, a proper braai stop 🔥
The BEST braai broodjie ever !!
(Only just managed some photo evidence before it disappeared 🤣)
Because of the cold and windy weather predicted, we opted for the "stoep" of the farm house to set up camp. It's like "the best of both worlds", a bit outdoorsy, but with some indoor facilities close at hand.
Each year when we walk into the "veld" for that first time, I have the same thought: WILL we, and WHERE will we find springbuck to even have a shot at? The area consist of vast open plains, and you literally look into far-off distances filled with nothingness.
Then we just start walking, one foot in front of the other, using the wind direction in our favour to stalk pray we can't even see . . . . yet.
But each year we make it work and we do succeed 💪
We stalk on foot, we crawl if need be, we take our time, we make tripple sure of distance and wind before we take the shot.
It's calculated, it's patient, it's presice, it's clean, it's instant and humane.
Apart from the seriousness of the hunt, we also enjoy our time in nature with picnic-like breaks.
["Picnic-like breaks" refers to rest periods that share the characteristics of a picnic: they are generally informal, relaxing, social and often involve food and drinks enjoyed outdoors or in a casual setting away from a primary workspace]
A highlight on the meal menu this year was Stokbrood.
[Stokbrood (Afrikaans/Dutch) for "stick bread" is a popular, traditional snack or side dish made by wrapping strips of bread dough around a stick or skewer and cooking it over a braai or open campfire until golden brown and cooked through. It's a social food, often enjoyed while gathered around the fire. The inside can be filled with butter, syrup, jam or even boerewors once the stick is removed]
We filled our stokbrood with honey that tastes like candy floss! This honey comes from Ruhan and Lucille's own bee hives they farm.
I know you can taste that right?!! 😆😆
As the sun sets peacefully over the Karoo koppies, another great adventure comes to an end.
Till next time . . . . .
