Flower Trip - 2nd to 3rd September 2006 We had a group of 6 vehicles join us on the two day trip which left from the Engen on the N7 on Saturday morning at 7.30am. The group consisted of Linda and I in the Touareg, Sonja and her friend Dorthe in her cruiser, Desiree and her son in their Hyundai, Andy and Jeanine and 2 kids in the Landi, John Armstrong and Shirley in their Toyota, Jan and his family in his Mazda bakkie and John and Kathy with their four legged daughter in their Toyota. We took a leisurely drive up to Clanwilliam on the N7 intending on doing a track on the easterly side of the dam going into the town but decided against it because the dam is very full and we were unsure if we could get around the dam in these conditions. Short fuel stop over in Clanwilliam and onto the R364 to the Biedouw Valley via a coffee stop at the top of the Pakhuis pass to take in the stunning view. Not much flower activity until we turned off the R364 going down to the Valley. The trip down was stunning and an introduction for things to come. There were quite a few cars in the Valley where we did some driving around and photo taking. Back up the pass and out of the Valley onto Niewoudtville. The R364 and the lead off onto the Niewoudtville were layered in carpets of flowers along the sides of the road and into the veld. We did a lunch stop over here to take in the beauty and more pics. The turn off to Niewoudtville had been recommended to us as there is a flower farm who have opened their gates for visitors to drive around and look at, unfortunately it was like Cavendish square on a Saturday morning so we moved onto the Pavement Glacier instead. An interesting set of flat rocks that were scarred by ice millions of years ago. The next leg was through the town of Niewoudtville and onto the Doring River waterfall on the R357 Louriesfontein road that was flowing very spectacularly but also well populated with sightseers. From there we moved onto our final leg for the day to Calvinia via a flower farm Matjiesfontein off the R27. This was a spectacular trip through the farmlands stopping to take photos and examine the various flowers. Our stay over in Calvinia in the Carmel Villa was a treat with the owners organising an evening braai for us with the best Karoo lamb chops I have had in a long time. We spent the evening sitting outside in a courtyard chatting and swapping stories before turning in for a very comfortable sleep in this highly recommended B+B. Sunday am saw us up at a leisurely time and a wonderful farm breakfast presented by the owners Mr and Mrs Botha, a fuel stop and on our way via the R355 south without Jan who had stayed in Williston with his parents and had to spend more time with them. What a treat the R355 through the Tanqua Karoo was for all us. Carpets of yellow flowers in places as far as the eye can see in an area traditionally bare of colour bathed in the most amazing kaleidoscope of colours. We turned off and took the road passed Kragga Kamma over the Katbakkies pass, Ceres, Bainskloof pass and via the back roads, lots of good byes and home. An 864km round trip for us without a hitch, great company and memorable pictures of a stunning display of flowers only nature can provide for us till next time.. The contact details for the Carmel Villa which comes highly recommended and sleeps up to 18 people in their two houses and two outside rooms is as follows: 19 Pastorie Street, Calvinia, 027 341 1446