As we had a short drive today, we decided to visit the photography exhibit in the town's museum and it was excellent. Pictures and equipment told the story of Graaff Reinet's past, and the camera collection brought back many memories for me.
Instead of the prescribed route for the day, we detoured through the game park - great to go game viewing in an open Ghost. it is a small park but we did see a fair amount.
The road to Cradock passes over two long and fairly high mountain passes, but it was an easy drive. Definately cooler on the plateau. Arriving in Cradock, we were treate to an amazing lunch in the garden of the hotel owner. Great cold buffett and excellent desert of melktert and koeksisters.
The hotel needs to be seen to be believed. All the houses on the street were aquired and restored in period correct fashion. Each house is assigned to a guest - so Bill and I have a 4 bedroom house, fully furnished with a garden too, all to ourselves. It is 1920's living at its best.
In the evening we were treated to various local singers performing in the Dutch Reformed Church - an imposing building nearby. Afrikaans songs, English songs - but the night belonged to the four Xhosa women who sang Nkosi Sikelela Africa - a powerful and very moving rendition of the National Anthem. The irony of this group singing that song at this location was not lost on me and I am sure I could feel the earth quiver as so many long dead souls spun in their graves. It was a fantastic performance, as were the other artists.
Dinner in the hotel restaurant was elegant and delicious. Candelabra on each table. Biltong salad followed by lamb chops, leg of lamb, chicken and Kudu pie and of course, desert.
Terrific day
Thank you Jeremy Greene for giving me this link - a big hug to him please - just wish I could have been there too! x Delwyn
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