Leaving Johannesburg

I remember when we first arrived in Johannesburg I couldn't wait to leave the city. I was surprised how much Johannesburg felt like home. I wanted to see "Africa". I don't know what I expected, but I really didn't think Johannesburg would have shopping malls, nice restaurants, and so many of the comforts of home.

Since we have been here in South Africa,  we have been able to travel to so many places . My favorite place has been the bush. I absolutely love being out in nature. I love the sights, the sounds, and the smells of the bush.

This weekend Bruce and I decided to leave Johannesburg for a few days. We traveled south to Drakensberg. We had been to Drakensberg once before with some of the other missionary couples and it was stunning.

This time we decided to try a new place. We weren't sure what to expect but hoped it would be every bit as quaint as the photos.

 It was a beautiful day

 

 and very relaxing drive

We drove South toward Durban for about 4 hours and then turned into the drive leading to

The Lords of the Manor

 

 As we turned into the drive we saw this beautiful manor

 

It was absolutely perfect

Not a soul around

It didn't take long for Bruce to begin to unwind

 

You give this man a book, a warm fire, and a comfortable chair and he is one happy camper

 

 I couldn't wait to go exploring

 

The first thing the next morning I headed out for a long walk

 

 

It was so peaceful

You give me the smell of fresh grass, cows mooing, and birds chirping, and I am one happy camper

 



 It was a perfect start to a beautiful day

Later in the day Bruce and I went exploring in the car

 

 

We found this old Anglican Church and cemetery

 Beautiful rolling hills and ponds

And these cows by the roadside. Bruce teased me for taking this picture of a cow

 

 

After driving awhile we began to enter a small township

We passed women pushing wheelbarrows with large Geri cans of water.

If you look closely you can see two women at the well collecting their water 

 Once we passed through the township, we were surrounded by the beautiful Drakensberg mountains

 We hadn't intended to be in the car so long, but it was such a beautiful day and we were enjoying the sights so much that we drove until the sun began to set.

 

I was absolutely thrilled to be able to see a beautiful African Sunset.

The perfect end to a perfect day