Senekal is a stop-over town on the N5 highway. As such it bears a resemblance to small towns in Australia also located directly on main highways. We've found a basic but comfortable and roomy B&B cottage which will suit us for an overnight rest which is all we need before continuing our journey toward the SW early tomorrow.
Today we had a spectacular drive through the Golden Gate NP on the way here, having been tipped off by Sias, Lee's father, to travel that way rather than stick to the main highways, which was our original intention.
He was irresistible, the only merchant on this windswept spot overlooking the valley in which was his village.
The tiny but beautiful town of Clarens was on our way as we exited the park travelling toward the main highway at Bethlehem. Our arrival at Clarens coincided with lunchtime and the sunny eating area next to the bakery was so inviting that Mary and I decided to pull in and take a break. The home made pies with salad served on a plate (one each) were delicious, as were the chocolate milkshake and the latte. The free Wi-Fi was appreciated also. The cost: 83 Rand, about $12 Aust.
The mountains have been left behind for the moment but we're still at altitude and expect a another below zero night tonight. Our target tomorrow is Colesberg, some 400km away so we plan a start around 8 am.
Technical: The iPad and personal Wi-Fi combo continues to pull its weight in helping to get around and stay in touch (and also entertaining enthralled fellow guests with kayak fishing videos). In Mooi River, our previous stopover place, we found that at our accommodation we had marginal and sporadic Internet access via 3G, while in the town itself some 5km away, especially in the bar at the Argyle Arms pub, we always got a fast 3G connection. It's difficult to predict the connection quality and I've been surprised at some of the out of the way places where a workable connection was possible. In some places even local residents were unaware that 3G was available.
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