We Rocked Werchter

If I ever doubted my ability to 'rough it' I now know that I can.

After 24 hours of train rides, waiting in stations and running across platforms with backpacks, we arrived at the first day of Rock Werchter; completely unprepared. Due to our Rome-Paris train being delayed by over 4 hours we arrived at about 7pm, without any tent and only one sleeping bag. Not to mention that we were expecting the same warm Italian Summer, and had not a single warm top to arrive to a very cold and rainy Belgium. The first night was a fantastic 8 degrees.

However, after a few beers, we decided to make the most of it and found some other South Africans at the festival who, by some small act of God, had a spare tent already set up that we could sleep in. So after watching Linkin Park, we set off for a freezing night with no mattress, clutching onto each other for body warmth. Friday, we decided to venture back into Brussels to try and find some camping gear. A piece of advice for any travelers; NEVER leave the train station in a new city without a map. We spent about 6 hours wondering through Brussels trying to find our way back to the train station. Although we accidentally passed many of the tourist attractions including Grand Place and Mannekin Pis, we have both come to the conclusion that we shall never set foot in Brussels ever again.

Eventually we made it back to Werchter, bought a tent and set up camp. We only made it back in time for the Artic Monkeys and Kings of Leon, who were both incredible performances. Saturday was an amazing line up...too bad that we drank so much beer we only remember two acts. Though, I was really impressed with Bruno Mars (before the copious amounts of beer) but the night ended on a major high for me seeing Coldplay live.

By the time Sunday rolled around, we were broken shadows of ourselves. The last time we had had a real shower was Wednesday morning, we had been sleeping in the freezing cold with no pillows amongst a nest of spiders, wearing the same jeans and shoes for 5 days. However we still showed up to see Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs Iron Maiden and Robyn. We even made it until the very end to watch the Black Eyed Peas finish the show, in golden circle. They truly put on an incredible performance. And so we made the 1.5km walk back to our campsite, along with the other 80 000 people there on an incredible high, knowing it was all worth it. Even Brussels ;)

A Catch 22

I spent most of the day telling my mother what gear she should be in. I was not allowed to drive any of the way on our trip to Knysna because,as she puts it "No, you're not a bad driver, just a fast one."

So what started out as a sulky morning led to a truely enjoyable day on the open road. Though I have travelled this road many times, the focus was always on the destination and I had never really appreciated the journey.

I saw so many beautiful things through the window, Steenbras Dam so still that it mirrored the sky; aloes growing in Albertinia; olive trees in perfect diagonal lines; lush green fields next to dry hay fields; cows in every single colour and fynbos as far as the eye can see.

We stopped at The Blue Crane, a tiny farmhouse outside of Heildelberg. They make the best rusks I have ever tasted as well as being the proud procurers of the ugliest (and scariest) doll collection I have ever seen. There was a Spanish couple at the table next to us trying to order lunch from a bi-lingual menu; they giggled as they picked out the few words the recognised and ordered chicken mayo sandiwiches. I looked down at my 'melktert en koffie' and thought, "God I love this country."