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Gregg Howard invited a limited number of members from the Overland Forum on a weekend in the forestry plantations around Barberton. A relative of Gregg is the manager of one of the forestry plantations in the area and was our host for the weekend. We had access to an excellent camp site next to a stream in indigenous forest, fed by a beautiful nearby waterfall.

The Saturday morning we drove through the forestry plantations and we had the most beautiful views of the De Kaap Valley as we drove along the rim of the oldest volcanic crater in the world towards the old gold rush town of Kaapschehoop. Many years ago, when the valley was still teeming with game, Sir Cecil John Rhodes peered over the De Kaap valley and said: "The finest view in all of Africa."

From Kaapschehoop we took the winding tar road down towards Nelspruit, and later turned off on the dirt road to Hall's Gateway where we enjoyed a meal at the Wimpy Restaurant. From there we went to the hills nearby where our host presented us with a very interesting lecture on the ruins of Indians that roamed the area about 2000 years ago in search for gold and other precious metals. Apparently they made use of monsoon winds to power their dhows across the Indian Ocean. On our way back we had to clear our way at some stages through fallen trees that fell over the road.

The Saturday evening we had a braai at the club house and had an enjoyable time, and that extra tot poured makes one forget about the chilly wind.

Sunday morning was quite lazy and we had a walk around the camp site along the indigenous forest stream to the waterfall. After brunch we slowly started to break camp before returning home after saying goodbye at the club house.

Many thanks to Gregg and Steve who made this weekend possible, and also many thanks to those members of the Overland Forum who attended this weekend event.


The waterfall at the camp site.	Gregg Howard's Unimog at the campsite.	Thomas Ezendam's Unimog.

Saturday morning on the road to Kaapschehoop.	View from the rim of the oldest volcanic crater.	Feral horses near Kaapschehoop.

Gregg Howard's Mog at Hall's Gateway.	Thomas Ezendam's Mog at Hall's Gateway.	Lowveld view.

Indian ruins date back 2000 years ago.	Lowveld view.	Thomas Ezendam and friends admire the view.

The waterfall at the campsite.	Piet Visser taking photo's of the waterfall.	Lake at the club house.

Drivers & swmbo's * : Gregg Howard; Thomas Ezendam; Barry Gernaat; Peter Levey; Greg Mollink; SW Burger; Pieter Visser.