Our Trip to Clarens

Well, it's hard to believe that we've been away to Clarens and are back home again - time really does fly, but our time away was really great (albeit too short) and was just what we needed! There's no disputing the fact that it was cold (spelt F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G) but fortunately, having heaters indoors, and having the good sense to stay indoors until the signs of frost had disappeared, we didn't feel the cold as much as we thought we would. To give you an idea... on two mornings, it was still -4˚C at 8am, so we mostly only ventured out from 10am onwards and were usually snuggly tucked away in our unit by 5pm when the temperature dropped again radically. The days were warm and sunny and it was really great to be outdoors - again, not without wearing a few layers and at times, beanies with scarves, but still pleasant.

We stayed at Kiara Lodge with my folks who were there for a week. Kiara Lodge is an RCI resort, just 10 minutes drive from Clarens town, so really close to everything. Clarens itself is about 4 hours' drive from Durban which is not altogether far, but for me if nobody else, I found it a trek and was always glad to get to our destination safely, but fortunately we witnessed no incidents or accidents en-route to Clarens or travelling home. As boring as it was for us, Jordy delighted in seeing the many trucks on the road there and back so that kept him entertained at least.

With all good intentions of putting feet up and relaxing, I can't say we did much of that while in Clarens as there was a lot to see. I can't believe how Clarens has grown since Mark and I were last there, nearly 7 years ago, so it was lovely seeing all the new spots and the changes that have taken place. Some of you may know that Clarens is the home of many South African artists, and it was mainly for this reason we went to Clarens as my dad was asked to exhibit his art, which in theory sounds great... if only it were worth his while. Sadly my dad didn't sell any of his art, which found him feeling quite disheartened but in all honesty, it wasn't the right exposure for him since he was exhibiting with lots of 'beginner/student' artists which is not always going to attract the sort of clientele one hopes for - as opposed to the galleries where the more well-known artists have their art displayed.... but not without a big pricetag to do so. My dad was not able to go for the jugular as it were, and take his art straight to the galleries as he has to become known first, but being winter and with Clarens not being top of the list for many people as holiday destinations go, in hindsight it was bad-timing and also, one is reminded constantly of the credit crunch which affects spending power. It's difficult not to get disheartened, but one has to believe that when one least expects it, something good will come out of this.

Anyway, like I was saying, we went in support of my dad and to see the art in Clarens which was interesting, and after exhausting every corner of Clarens after 2 days, we decided to visit the Big Cat Sanctuary at Lions Rock, near Bethlehem, on our last day at Kiara. It is a big cat sanctuary which focuses on the rescue and rehabilitation of all big cats, from various parks or zoo's worldwide where the animals might have been neglected. There was an article published recently in our papers, about lions and tigers being rescued from a Romanian Zoo and brought to this very sanctuary and it's just as well since these lions were in a bad way. They were being fed the incorrect diet and being holed up in small cages, resulting in their physical development being hindered, leaving them in a bad way. They have since been nursed to good health and fed correctly, and thus thriving in their new home where they will stay until their time is done. It was reassuring to know that this sanctuary is part of the NGO and is sponsored by the likes of German and Swiss companies, so at least there is good funding. It really was amazing to see these big cats - the tigers especially as this is a rarity. The lion cubs were gorgeous and those playful eyes made it really hard for us knowing we couldn't just go and cuddle these boisterous cubs. The cubs had only arrived at the beginning of June so were still needing lots of TLC but were looking good, albeit a bit timid. It was quite amusing to see how interested the big cats were, when they saw Jordy.... seeing him as food more than anything else. I think he sensed this and stayed on the landrover, while the adults got off and walked to the fence separating us from the big cats, making it perfectly safe to walk along the fence on the 'human' side without fear of being attacked. I have to say, the enclosures in which they animals are kept, are really expansive which is nice to see and is very conducive to good rehab, as these animals need to be able to run around freely. It really was an amazing place to visit and we are so glad we did.

That pretty much sums up our trip to Clarens/Kiara as we came home on wednesday last week. Inbetween little visits to the jungle gyms on-site at Kiara for Jordy to play, and being out and about, we didn't stop for very long to just "park off", but a good time was had by all, and we enjoyed the break from routine. Now it's back to 'work' to finish various projects and and start new ones.

You would have gathered I'm sure that these pics are from our trip, but being distracted by the bundle of energy that is Jordy, it was difficult to take any "WOW" shots, and capture the magnificence of the landscape, but maybe next time I will have mastered my camera a bit more to get the 'good' shots. Anyway, watch this space for more soon (I hope). I'll update you whenever I can! With it being school holidays for another week, I think I will be kept very busy by a certain little rascal... need I say more! I'm not quite sure when or how I will fit my freelance work in, but it will get done somehow.

Take Care and have a great week all of you!

xxx Robs (and da boyz)