The Happy Cruisers Go to South Africa: Storms River Rest Camp

#38 Milkwood Place was the name Marius and I gave to our campsite at the Storms River Rest Camp where we lived in camping luxury for 5 weeks. The weather was beautiful the entire time we were there. Willie and Katie have reserved this ocean front spot every December for the past 23 years! The reason this spot is so special is that it is protected from the often heavy ocean breeze by Milkwood trees which surround the campsite.

Milkwook or Sideroxylon inerme has a sturdy trunk and a large, dense, rounded crown. The flowers have a strong, unpleasant smell kind of like stinky feet. It is a great firebreak in areas where frequent fires occur and grows in the harshest coastline conditions. It produces shiny blackish colored fruits which are eaten by birds and can create quite a mess. A protected species in South Africa, no Milkwood may be damaged, moved or felled.

#38 is located directly below Marienburg at the bottom of the sea cliff. Home is a 10 minute drive away. Very convenient when you need something!

The camp set up included two bedrooms, a kitchen, dining area to seat six and a braai area. Bathrooms and laundry were down the road a bit but very clean and accommodating.

Below is the view from the opening in the Milkwood trees you see above.

View toward the rest camp swimming pool

Another lovely sunset

Storms River Rest Camp on Christmas

Pancakes and Yogurt

We spent a fair amount of time at the Storms River Mouth which was a short distance from our campsite. In the early 1900's lumber that had been processed at the sawmill in Marienburg was lowered down the steep cliffs via cable to a transport ship. Now there is a restaurant, gift shop and swimming beach with scuba, snorkeling and kayaking concessions. A hiking trail from the restaurant leads to a suspension bridge across the Storms River.

View of Storms River Mouth from the restaurant.

It was a Great Day for swimming.

View from the trail to the suspension bridge.

Indian Ocean from the trail.

View toward the Indian Ocean.

The Storms River Gorge from the bridge.

The Restaurant from the bridge.

Sarah, who helped Katie, take care of Marius and Riaan when they were small taught me how to make bread. (I really had never made bread before!)

Marius took some of the bread dough and helped me make Roosterkoeks on the braai!

This made Mom Katie very happy!!

We had lots of visitors over the holidays including Miriska Ferriera and her fiance Kirsten. (Miriska is Janene's sister.)