Johannesburg to Bloemfontein

I really do not like leaving for a road trip late in the afternoon, however sometimes one does not have a choice and so at 3:30 p.m. on a Friday in June we set out on the usually four hour trek from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein. The first half hour was quite pleasant and as we drove along the well known streets of first Krugersdorp and then Roodepoort we chatted gaily about what we were planning to do over a much earned long weekend.
Once on the highway it was not too long before we joined a long queue of cars each patiently waiting to change lanes as the road went from three to two lanes and thus slowed us all down. Through the cows guts of road improvements and the toll gate and then at last we were away from the city smog and could turn up the radio and start to enjoy ourselves. We drove past squatter camps and townships and over the Vaal river and left Gauteng behind us as we entered the Free State. The road was in excellent condition, wide and free of pot holes and we were able to make good time as we passed small towns along the route only stopping once to stretch our legs, then back in the car as the sun started to set and the twilight hour approached.



Sunset came quickly as did darkness and as we travelled along it was lovely to see that even though it was June the farm lands were still looking quite green and we could see that the farmers had in the main harvested their crops and were busy preparing the land for the next crop.
This was the first time I had travelled to the Free State in winter, usually we go there in spring or summer where we see acre upon acre of sunflowers as their heads follow the Sun across the sky.
We arrived in Bloemfontein around eight o'clock and were glad to get out of the car and find a comfortable seat in my sister and nieces lounge and enjoy Chinese takeaway dinner with them as we all shared news and views as to what was happening in ours and their lives.
The weekend flew and we enjoyed going out in the cool air and having picnics and drives around the old city while we had fun laughing and joking about all and everything that happened to cross our minds.
In the evenings we watched movies and snuggled under blankets content with each others company and full tummies after good dinners. After movies we sat and chattered until late into the night before we made our way lazily to our beds.
The days passed so quickly and before we knew it we were packing the car once again and leaving to return to Johannesburg. We left Bloemfontein at midday and took a leisurely drive home on roads that were much quieter than we thought they would be.
The farmers were busy in their fields collecting up the hay into huge round bales that were placed in neat rows throughout the fields. We saw cattle and sheep grazing peacefully. We decided not to bother to stop for drinks but to rather head home and try and beat the traffic.
It was good to arrive back at my daughters flat and as we said our goodbyes and I climbed into my own car for the last hour of the trip I was glad to be back in Gauteng with all its hustle and bustle.
Some home is always such a good place to be.

A world washed clean the Johannesburg/Mpumalanga road

Last week Friday I set out with a friend to travel to Nelspruit (a city that I thought was a small town). It is about a four hour drive from Johannesburg on a long and meandering road where the scenery changes from the flatish lands of Gauteng to the rather mountainous hills and dales of Mpumalanga.
As we drove along I could not help thinking that I had never before seen the vegetation that lush and green anywhere, or at any time, in Southern Africa. There were waterfalls glistening in the sunshine as they made their precarious way down steep hillsides and into the rivers below. A lot of the roadside trees were in full bloom and their colours stood out for miles as if they were bright beacons of hope casting out joy to all and sundry passing by. The air was fresh and clean with not a sign of city smog to keep it hanging heavily from the skies.


We saw birds floating on sunbeams and heard their happy cries as they celebrated the richness of the gifts of nature. This world had really been washed clean and one could almost feel the negativity in ones own being dissipate into nothingness as we wound our way past pine forests and fruit farms, gently grazing cattle and sheep and countryside alive with insects all singing as they warmed themselves up in the mid-morning sun. As the day heated up it became more humid yet the air remained light and so we continued our journey in comfort.
Nelspruit came into view, long straight streets criss-crossing each other in an attempt to bring all into the hub of the city centre. The flamboyant trees with their majestic bright orangey/red flowers reminded me of childhood days when I had scrambled up the enormous specimen that stood guard over the driveway at my parents home, happy days and happy memories.
We had a wonderful weekend and met delightful folk, yet come Monday morning were both glad to know that we were returning to our own homes. We left Nelspruit at about eight-thirty and decided we would amble our way back to the fast moving world of Gauteng. The drive was cool and as we gazed out at the passing countryside I was glad to notice that the Gods had placed a protective and gentle mantle over the hills and valleys, a soft promise that wherever we are there is always a sign that so to are They.