M and Ms South Africa Blog: Day 28 Out to Kaapsehoop (Hope of the Cape)

The last couple of days have been rainy and chilly (don't laugh!), so we haven't done too much except a visit to the local arts centre at Casterbridge and some shopping in the Mall in Nelspruit, including taking our lives in our hands crossing the busy highway. Today the sun has come out again and we started the day with the local Pre-school Christmas concert at 8.30 this morning! They start their days very early in SA. It was a very varied programme with items from around the world and the children did very well. Then we went to a small local market on the way home. After brunch we set off for Kaapsehoop, a tiny village high in the mountains that was named by the early gold prospectors. We climbed up the hill, in the hot sun, through amazing boulders which litter the hillside and wet boggy areas and we had spectacular views across the valley from the top. Roaming around the village and the hillside we saw some wild horses and a couple of foals. After a rest at the top we climbed down again and had a much-needed cup of tea in the cafe before visiting a couple of the craft/antique shops and the tiny church which was decorated ready for a wedding. on the way home we stopped off to see the Mbombela stadium which was built for the World Cup last year. We arrived back home tired but happy to a meal of stew and rice. Very tasty! Need an early night tonight as we are off to church at quarter to eight in the morning.