Woke up today with Coldplay, Paradise, in my head, good song! Long drive today, scenery a bit boring, but a couple of interesting things, namely driving over the Orange River, which is actually brown, but halfway across the bridge we were passed by a truck with 2 huge trailers containing oranges, how ironic! Also, on the other side of the bridge is a sign which reads "It is illegal to purchase chameleons" - not sure why, it just is!!!

Stopped off at the supermarket for provisions, well crisps, and I bought a chocolate bar to eat, not because I really wanted it, but because it was called a Chocolate Log (phnar phnar) - sure I'm getting younger on this trip!

We passed two volcanoes - Table Mountain (which we hope to climb next week) and the 2 sisters. Wasn't overly excited by the destination as Shendle told us it was an easy stop off with not much there. Once again, he had called our bluff (this really is another trip that keeps on giving). Cradock itself is not very exciting, couple of key facts though - A UFO was seen in the area on 5th July 1968, the cricket ground and library are the 2nd oldest in South Africa, and lastly, Olive Schreiner, who together with Karl Marx's daughter started the world wide feminist movement, lived in Cradock. The main event was the hotel. The original owner has bought every house on the street and renovated them in a Victorian style. I had May's house, which was a two bedroomed house, complete with lounge/diner, kitchen, en suite shower, bathroom and garden ALL TO MYSELF!!!! It was beautifully decorated with original features, the dining table fully set up with a bone china dinner service, in the kitchen was original dressers, the bedroom furniture, big wardrobes and a lovely big double bed, the list goes on and on. We had lunch in Shendle and Mish's residence which was asparagus wraps and feta salad, followed by tea in a proper tea cup (one raised ones little finger whilst drinking as one should). To top it all they had free Internet and wifi (not having been online for most of this trip, it was like giving a junkie a hit!!!) I spent about 2 hours updating my blog, checking emails etc, just bliss!

Dinner was a 3 course meal which was accompanied by a couple of bottles of Merlot (between the group, not just me)

Now, I realise I haven't mentioned how the dynamics of the group are going since mentioning at the start there is only 3 of us. It's actually working really well, Sue and Barry are a lovely couple with lots of stories about their travels and living abroad. They haven't thought twice about including me in everything they do (walks, shopping, going for a beer etc) and when I want, I just take time out to be by myself. Together with Mesh and Shendle we are a great little group, having a fab adventure, everyday being different, with lots of laughs along the way!!

A nice lie in this morning, followed by a wonderful breakfast of tea and toast made from home made bread. There was a whole range of stuff to choose from, the others had cheese scones, butternut and cheese flan, sausages, eggs, cereal and tomatoes. Hmmmmm.