We leave Loxton on a gravel road, the R356, for Fraserburg. Is the road in a good condition? I think so, but I think the secret of any gravel road travel is low speed. At high speed you will get flat or written-off tyres and it is also easy to lose control over your vehicle. I drive at 60 km/h which gives me ample time to enjoy the scenery and avoid ditches, and if I really have to drive through them my vehicle is not damaged (nor Anette’s nerves). Last year, when we travelled to the Tankwa Karoo National Park,…

It doesn’t take long to drive to Beaufort-West. The sky is a brownish grey due to a headwind blowing up lots of dust. We didn’t know this wind was going to blow the best part of the four days we were going to spend there. It is still very dry although the area had some out-of-season rains in the past couple of months. At least they do not have to cut the water supply during night-time anymore.  About 5 km before the town we join the N1 from Cape Town and shortly thereafter you can exit to your left to…