So we have started our long 2026 tour. Expecting to be back around either end August or maybe September. So we headed for Hartenbos, started a day earlier and changing some of the stop overs. 

First stop AP Kerk Kroonstad short trip only 269km and only one night.

Lekker Brian. Geniet jou lekker laaaaaang toer. Sal draad dophou vir terugvoering en foto's 

Ek toer saam, en julle moet veilig reis.!!!

Enjoy the tour Brian and travel safely.

Enjoy and travel safely.

Hi Brian. Good to see the Pathfinder operating again. Safe travels.

Thanks guys I‘m sure we will enjoy, car pulled well had a small issue with the rear view camera monitor, we just plugged the backup in and sorted the problem out when we arrived in Kroonstad.

The road other than Gillooly‘s interchange which always has a lot of traffic were pleasant to drive. We left after the peak period.

RD wrote:

Hi Brian. Good to see the Pathfinder operating again. Safe travels.

Ron, yes we also pleased, pulling well and fuel cons seems to be good. 70 litre tank and still got 350 km range left that will give me about 620km on the tank pretty good for what I‘m towing :) Will fill up in Bloem tomorrow and get a better gauge.

Safe travels and enjoy it.  Let us know how the clutch works.

Sunrise at Kroonstad this morning before we left

Arrived safely at Gariep Dam decided to go to the general stands rather than the usual private ablution stands. 38 degrees in the shade here today.

Leon wrote:

Safe travels and enjoy it.  Let us know how the clutch works.

Thanks Leon we will. The clutch is working fine :)

There were lots and lots of trucks heading North today. 

Brian, at least the van has aircon. What is your next destination? 

RD wrote:

Brian, at least the van has aircon. What is your next destination? 

Ron we have decided to go to the Karoo National Park. Expecting some rain there so hopefully the temps are a bit lower. Would have not enjoyed the day here without the aircon. 

Third Stop Karoo National Park.

Last night at Gariep we had a big storm and lots of heavy wind. So we decided to bring some rain with us down to the Karoo National Park. Temps much cooler than Gariep about 25 Deg, obviously the rain has cooled it down nicely.

Fortunately the wind had died down and the journey was rather pleasant. Not a lot a traffic just quite a few trucks but they weren‘t a bother at all.

Our site and the usual tortoises 

Phew we nearly lost a window today could not have been closed properly and we suddenly saw through the side mirror one window flapping in the wind. Fortunately does not seem to be any damage- close call.

Geniet Karoo Nasionale Park...wens hulle was nader vir n meer gereelde besoek. 

Gelukkig jou venster gered...sou lastig wees met die reen.

Hoe lank bly julle daar? Volgende stop?

Relaxed Camper wrote:

Geniet Karoo Nasionale Park...wens hulle was nader vir n meer gereelde besoek. 

Gelukkig jou venster gered...sou lastig wees met die reen.

Hoe lank bly julle daar? Volgende stop?

Net een aand hier by Karoo dan twee aande De Rust of Klienplaas Oudtshoorn. Sondag in Hartenbos 

Brian, what is the name of the place at De Rust? If you stop there, please post a photo or two.

RD wrote:

Brian, what is the name of the place at De Rust? If you stop there, please post a photo or two.

Ron, It‘s called Route 62 Wine shop and Camping Grounds. If you look on google maps there some pictures of the campsite. It‘ situated directly behind the wine shop as you enter De Rust from Meiringspoort. 

I will post some pictures if we stop there. Hoping to stop there tomorrow assuming that Meiringspoort road is open and not closed after the rain. 

Thanks Brian.

Hopefully Meiringspoort is open for you. About 3 years ago (beginning March) we got through there just before they closed it because of heavy rains! We actually stopped where you go to view the waterfall and watched the water arriving which made quite a sound between the cliffs, and left for De Rust immediately. First time I have ever experienced that. It was amazing.