Weekend away!

Would you be able to remember what you did on the weekend of 13 - 14 November 2010? you never know when you may need an alibi. Gattina from Writers Cramps hosts this fun and interesting meme. So please do join us by clicking the link below. I'd love to hear what you did over the weekend.

We spent a quiet Friday afternoon in the garden and after a light supper, retired early. The next day we were off to see our precious John and Debbie in the Berg and of course, our four lovely Natal grands. (more about our "visit" in tomorrow's post)

Friday afternoon is the best part of my weekend. The gardeners have all left, the garden services have mowed the lawns and I wander, camera in hand, throughy my own piece of paradise. Here Shadow shadows his Yoomen !

 Angie and Eddy, who are the best of friends, have a rough and tumble in the garden. You can see the loose grass on Angie the way they've rolled around on the newly-mowed lawn

On Saturday morning, after feeding the cats and dogs and securing Shadow inside the house (he had plenty of food and water for the next two days), we loaded the motorbike, hopped on and were off! As usual, we were blessed with the most amazing weather. The countryside is also very green and lush after widespread rains across the Free State last week. (more of the surrounding scenery tomorrow too)

We enjoyed coffee and cheese sandwiches on the side of the road

We always stop for a bottle of still water at Golden Gate which is about an hour-and-a-half from home.  The National Parks Board offices have beautiful gardens. I couldn't resist photographing this indigenous Scilla Natalensis (Blue Squill) on the way to the shop

...and close up

Walking from the National Parks Board offices/shop, I spotted this juvenile Red-winged starling on the cross piece of the gate. He was calling his parents whom we heard answering from the roof of the building nearby. Isn't he gorgeous?

I always take photos with my little Sony Cybershot fromn the back of the bike. Above I tried a different angle by holding the camera low down - almost level with my boot -  to share the feeling of the bike leaning into the corner. Bikers love corners aka "twisties" and the trip down to the Berg from Golden Gate Highlands National Park has many of these!

Champagne Valley road with the majestic Cathkin Peak in the distance. John, Debbie and family live a few kilometers to the right

To see what others around the world did this weekend, click here