part-time campers!

Joe. Blogs #118 – Sunday 23 February 2024

PART TIME CAMPERS

Howzit guys!

Just got back from our little camping trip in the Slanghoek Valley out near Rawsonville. We had rented a campervan for another reason, which fell through, so I decided to make use of the opportunity and get away for a little break in the mountains.

This is one of the many reasons I love living where we do. We have the ocean, winelands and the mountains all within a weekend trip away form us!! ?

My family and I are not big campers, but we do like being outdoors. Other than the Kruger Park, this was our first real camping trip, albeit in a campervan! But watching everyone packing up their campsites this morning we were definitely happier in the camper! Its hard work going camping and I’m definitely in two minds about whether I would do the full monty of camping!!

We had fun though and managed to get the kids off their screens a bit!!

My son and I obviously did it last year in the Kruger when we hired the little Suzuki Eeko through Kitted Africa where we slept in a tent but had all our essentials ‘kitted’ out inside the van itself. My son refers to this trip as one of his best memories! I think I’m happy to camp as long as there’s something for me to do – like going out looking for animals in the Kruger!

My daughter is next in line to join me for a camping trip in the Kruger, so watch this space!! She too loves the Kruger but has a very different personality to my son!! I personally think she will take it in her stride, as long as she can bring all her face creams etc!! ??

This trip with her will be just as memorable!

This past week saw me continuing to develop and finalise our new Proto POD in Gordon’s Bay. We are currently meeting with various suppliers to finalise the various details and elements that form part of the POD offering. The POD’s not only provide an experience, but they will also provide the opportunity for us to showcase other products such as the interiors, fittings and fixtures. Even the soaps, coffees and wines will be carefully selected.

Our POD’s will also have various options that can be added to the offering such as a fireplace, woodfired hot tub and even a sauna!

Our POD’s are fully self-sufficient offering a complete plug-and-play solution to the end customer AND in case you missed it previously, fully moveable and transportable anywhere you want!

I continue to try and find my true calling here in the Cape and try feel more settled. It’s a difficult process as I move away from my previous life and towards my new one. Looking back gives me great perspective on my life so far but looking forward is something new and unexplored!

I still continue to search for ‘my community’ here in the Cape and have moments when I feel very isolated. I know this is a phase and continue to focus on my own personal journey. I realise too that if my previous ‘community’ has moved on then so must I.

I am a new person now and need a new community. One that will appreciate me for who I am, respect me for what I stand for and rejoice in my own happiness.

Being a creative person can be frustrating at times, especially when you have nothing tangible to show for your efforts. Lots of ideas and nothing to show for it can be tough but I am confident that building our first POD will change all that!

My son turns 13 on the 24th of February and I cannot believe he’s a teenager already! It’s been amazing watching him grow up into a very responsible and mature young man! He is thoughtful and considerate and has everything planned!

He was the best baby ever!! My wife and I couldn’t believe our luck – he slept and ate on routine that we could almost set our watches to it!

I remember taking him for walks in his pram early in the mornings and having long discussions about the trees! Today we have long discussions about our woeful soccer team, Manchester United!! We share in the agony and ecstasy of the many games we watch together! It is my ultimate dream to take him to Old Trafford stadium to watch a game live.

I am so proud of the young man that he has become and look forward to sharing many more special trips to the Kruger Park, especially before the girlfriends start knocking on the door!!!

So, this week my handsome son is my reason for feeling grateful this week! I love you my boy!!!

Have an awesome week, make it count, and I will see you all on the other side.

Later,????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Joe.blogs