Celebrating 50 (II)
“If you haven’t grown up by age 50, you don’t have to”. I don’t know who said it, but I LOVE it!
In our previous post, me and a friend went on a gin tasting experience to celebrate my 50th birthday (you can read about it here). The celebrations didn’t stop there though and I could see no better way to celebrate 50 years on this earth with camping next to the ocean (this time with family).
Elands Bay:
Elands Bay is only a 2-hour drive from Cape Town (and more importantly, just 1 hour from our home). It is well off the beaten track, has beautifully unspoiled beaches and if you’re a keen surfer, this is THE spot to visit!
It is just so BEAUTIFUL … forgive me for the HUGE amount of photo’s in this post! But then, we were there for 4 wonderful days and every sunset was more magnificent than the previous one!
Our camping spot was located on the Elands Bay Hotel camping ground. The hotel is literally next to the camp site, but I must admit … our accommodation was my preferred choice!
With the tents pitched, we all went down to the beach (just a five-minute stroll) to enjoy the pristine beach … not to mention an amazing sunset!
The next morning, we made our way quite early down to the beach – temperatures will reach the high 30 degrees Celsius and the cold water of the Atlantic Ocean was just what we needed!
After we enjoyed the beach for most of the morning, everyone was ready for a late lunch. Corn in foil (dripped with garlic butter) were placed on the coals. The fish lovers were not left behind (we are after all in a quaint fishing village) and they were treated with fish prepared on the fire.
Towards the evening, fog came rolling in from the sea. It was very welcome after the hot day … but it was only for a short time before the fog disappeared and we could witness another sunset!
A visit to Lamberts Bay:
The next day started out with a light drizzle – it’s almost hard to believe that it was so hot yesterday! We decided to drive to Lamberts Bay (only half an hour away) to view the fishing boats in the harbour. But first, we headed to Isabellas Restaurant for something hot to drink (and something cold for my niece’s little boy).
Although the rain stopped, the harbour was wrapped up in a blanket of fog. Just as we walked over to the fishing boats to take some photo’s, the fishermen were busy preparing their boats to catch fish and crayfish.
We took a stroll on the walkway on the breakwater. I was fascinated by the breakwater blocks … they had the appearance of the Camino waymarkers we saw on our Camino journeys in Spain and Portugual!
Back at our camp site, we made a fire to prepare ‘boerewors’ (sausage) for a late lunch. The fog was still present over the ocean and we spotted a yacht close to the beach. As the fog rolled deeper into the ocean, it almost looked as if the yacht was moving towards a silky cloudy sky … the scenes were astonishing!
And then, with the fog rolling away, the rain came back. Fortunately, only for a short while and then a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky and we had a lovely evening.
This was the ideal opportunity to walk down to the beach to take photo’s of (yet another) sunset.
Today is my birthday! And we are celebrating it with a hike up a mountain … of course you’ll say!
In the Bobbejaansberg (Baboon Mountain) above Elands Bay you can view numerous San (Bushmen) paintings. Their ancestors apparently lived in this area for more than 20,000 years. It’s difficult to put a date to these paintings, but it’s estimated to be between 200 and 6,000 years old … much older than my 50 years!
The rock paintings include several hundred handprints, large eland with bodies painted in red (but from which the head, neck and legs have disappeared because they were done in white paint).
When we climbed down the mountain, we saw some old buildings in the valley below and walked closer. We are not sure what these buildings were, but we enjoyed the graffiti on the walls.
On our way back to the camp site, we stopped at the little harbour of Elands Bay where boats came back from their morning of catching crayfish.
The well-known Sishen-Saldanha railway line (also known as the Ore Export Line) is an 861km (535 miles) heavy-haul railway line which also go pass Elands Bay … through Bobbejaansberg (Baboon Mountain). We stopped to take a photo of the entrance/exit tunnel.
The fog of earlier disappeared and it was a beautiful sunny day … time to go down to the beach for one last time!
Because it was my birthday, I could choose the final meal for the weekend. Without hesitation, I asked Berto to prepare a lamb rib next to the open fire … his speciality and my favourite!
We also witnessed one last sunset … probably the most beautiful of them all this weekend!
Oh … let me just share one last picture! Berto said, in celebration of my 50th birthday, he thought it would be a great idea to put our first sticker on the back window of our Suzuki Jimny (he said “she’s looking a lot like you” … hmm, maybe when I was 18) 😁.
What a great weekend – filled with laughter and making new memories. Elands Bay is a great place to just unwind, as well as enjoying spectacular sunsets and unspoiled beaches. We hope you enjoyed another camping trip with us.
Wet and Dusty Roads 
Happy Birthday Corna, and welcome to the club! It looks like you had an amazing weekend, the perfect place and company to celebrate 25.. on each leg, as one of my friend was saying🥰
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Haha, 25 on each leg … that’s well said (a good balance 😁)! And it seems I find myself in good company. Thank you, it was a wonderful (long) weekend next to the sea – those sunsets were just amazing!
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Oh don’t mention again about those sunsets, you made me jealous already once💕💕
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😊
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Heaven on a stick! The birthday that just keeps on giving!
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Ah, what a beautiful expression … “heaven on a stick”! Thanks Mel, that is exactly what this weekend was – I think I should celebrate 50 continuously this year 😄.
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You go for it! The last couple of years have been so messy and stop/start, you be 50 for as long as you damn well please! 🙂
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Wonderlike manier om n mylpaal te vier! Ek glo die herinneringe gaan jou regdeur hierdie jaar tot seen wees.
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Dit was inderdaad die perfekte manier – kamp langs die see … vir my is dit soos 5-ster behandeling! Baie dankie Dries, ek glo jy’s reg – pragtige herinneringe en hope seen 😊.
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What a great birthday weekend. I’ve never heard the quote, but I’m going to use it! Love the view of Baboon Mountain and the sailboats in the fog. Happy Birthday! Maggie
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I think that quote must have been first used by a very happy 50-year old 😄 … perfect for me! Oh, the different views of Baboon Mountain was really beautiful – with every sunset it changed into a nature spectacle! And the fog always brings that extra magic to a photo taken at the ocean – I love it! Thanks Maggie, I think I have now properly celebrated 50 🌸.
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Happy Half Century to you. What a wonderful way to celebrate. There is nothing quite like the West Coast – the awesome beaches, the unspoilt environment, the wonderful people and the ever so relaxed lifestyle. It’s been a while since we did a proper visit there. You have inspired me to revisit.
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Thank you for your kind wishes! Yes, the West Coast is synonymous with a relaxed lifestyle, isn’t it? I love everything about this stretch of our country and hope you find find your way soon over to this side of the coast (with your caravan of course 😁).
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Jou pragtige blog help met my heimwee na die see 🥰
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Ai Tannie Frannie, die see is lafenis vir my siel … ek kan vir ure sit en staar na die branders, dit lyk net nooit dieselfde nie!
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Elands Bay looks idyllic from its pure white sand to its stunning sunsets and what better way for you to celebrate your birthday Corna than with family and friends hiking. You are just like me when it comes to lamb, my mouth is already watering at the thought of Bertto’s expertise on the coals.
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Marion, Elands Bay is probably one of the most beautiful (and unspoiled) beaches on the West Coast. I love lamb (in all forms) and that rib was amazing (why, I don’t know, but food always just taste better next to the ocean for some reason 😉). It’s great to always have a chef close by …
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Well you’re certainly celebrating the big day in style. Keep lovin it!
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Absolutely … camping in style! I like it!
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You never have to apologize for too many pictures! You know how I love sunrises and sunsets! That looks like a great beach. Before I became vegetarian I used to love fish, especially fresh out of the water and I remember enjoying crayfish. Grant likes to remind me that plants are alive too!
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I know … when I post a sunrise/sunset photo, I always think of you 😊. Yes, Elands Bay probably have one of the most pristine beaches on the West Coast – a great place to unwind! And I agree, fresh fish and crayfish are probably one of the best dishes to enjoy (especially when you’re camping next to the ocean). Hmm, Grant is a wise man …
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Happy birthday! Looks like a great way to celebrate.
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Thanks Diana! I think I should stop celebrating my birthday now … but you’re right, this was the perfect place to have a birthday!
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Beautiful photos. I particularly like the sunset; it’s absolutely stunning!
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Ah, thank you so much Tricia. Yes, those sunsets were pretty amazing … we could not wait to see the sunset every evening. There was almost a sacred silence in the camping grounds while the sun was setting in the ocean – truly spectacular!
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Love that beach – looks so pristine and relaxing. The cave art is amazing, such sights blow me away, just thinking about the thousands of years that have passed between their origin and our time. The sunsets are gorgeous, and so is your camping meal.
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That beach … I was mesmerised with its beauty to be honest! I agree with you about the caves – we have many of these close by (especially in the mountains) and I always find it fascinating to visit. Now, can you just imagine … that camping meal while watching the sun set … that’s total bliss!
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What a beautiful place to camp! Hitting the beach is a great way to rejuvenate, and camping near the beach maximizes your relaxation time as you can listen to the sounds of rolling waves, breathe in the fresh sea air and soak up the sun’s warmth from your campsite or out on the beach. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Oh Aiva, you describe the feeling of being on a beach so wonderful … it almost feel as if I’m back at Elands Bay! This was definitely a great camping spot and we wouldn’t mind going back there again. Enjoy your weekend. Corna 🌸.
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I love how you had a series of events and days to celebrate your birthday!! And of course you went for a hike on your actual birthday. This looks like a wonderful spot to camp and enjoy the beach. That last sunset shot is just stunning. I also love the shots with all the fog. Looks like you ate well. I can’t wait to go camping this summer and to cook food on the open flames. It just tastes so much better. And who doesn’t love to play with fire!?
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😄 … Normally my birthdays will be like just another day, but turning 50 definitely asked for a celebration! That hike made me realised it’s time to get back into my hiking shoes – I definitely had way too much Christmas food! I’m glad you enjoyed the photo’s (I’m a sucker for a sunset … and food that’s prepared on the fire)! Hopefully your camping days are not too far in the future 😉.
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Congratulations on your half century. All the best for another fifty years of adventures. That final sunset photo sure is sensational! Cheers, Mark
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Thank you Mark … wouldn’t it be great to have 50 more years of adventures 😄! I have to agree, that last sunset was the most beautiful of them all.
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Wow! So much great stuff here! I have many thoughts and comments in mind but will stick with admiring the photos of Baboon Mountain (especially sunsets) the cave, and last but not least the scrumptious looking lamb roast. Thanks for sharing your fabulous weekend. John
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Thanks John! Yes, it was a great place to relax and just enjoy nature’s stunning show … those sunsets over Baboon Mountain was truly something special! As for the lamb rib – when your fingers and mouth are shiny after eating this, it was definitely an enjoyable meal 😁.
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Elandsbai en Lambertsbaai is soos diamonds in the rough! Sulke pragtige plekke. jou sonsondergange is so mooi, maar vandag steel die helderkleurige vissersbote teen die grys lug die eerste plek! Die bote teen die muur is ongelooflik mooi en ek mag dit dalk by jou moet leen om dit te skilder (as ek mag,Asb,)
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Ek stem saam met jou Aletta – pragtige plekke … ek vergeet van die wereld en al sy onplesierighede wanneer ek daar is! Weet jy wat, die bote teen die muur het my onmiddellik herinner aan Malta (as jy dus daarvan hou om so iets te skilder, moet jy beslis by daardie eiland in die Meditereense See uitkom)! Jy is meer as welkom om dit te skilder Aletta … op een voorwaarde … ek wil dit graag sien as jy daarmee klaar is 😉.
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Dankie Corna! Gaan dit beslis probeer! (Sal belsis vir jou wys) Wens ek kan eendag by Malta uitkom!
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Aw it’s just so beautiful, the beaches are incredible and I love the rock paintings and murals too. I’m so glad you’ve celebrated your 50th in style Corna, and sending all the birthday love from the UK too 🙂
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Thanks Hannah! Yes, those beaches are truly beautiful … who wouldn’t want to enjoy a long walk on that soft white sand? I’m always in awe to see the rock paintings (and it was ironically that we saw old paintings in the mountain and then the modern murals just down in the valley). Thank you for your UK birthday love – it’s much appreciated 🌸.
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What an awesome way to celebrate your 50th birthday, happy birthday Corna 💝❣️May your year continue overflow with happiness. This is such a great share, Elands Bay seems awesome and the sunsets looks amazing. Enjoy the birthday celebrations.
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Thank you so much Henrietta! Yes, this was the perfect place to celebrate my 50th … my husband said I had a whole week of celebrations 😄 (which apparently makes me now already older than 50)! Elands Bay is well-known for its stunning sunsets and I’m glad we could witness these for four days continuously!
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beautiful beach
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Yes, it’s one the most unspoiled and beautiful beaches in South Africa … if you want to get away from the crowd, this is the place to be!
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What a lovely getaway – the beach, the rainbow, even the fog!
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Oh yes, a camping weekend by the sea is certainly one of our favourites! In fact, we enjoyed it so much, we’re taking friends to the very same spot next weekend 😉.
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50 laps around the sun is cause for celebration – and a long post! I don’t have a birthday anymore since I turned 50. I have a birthmonth instead 🙂 You definitely can’t fit all that fun into one day – or even a week 😀 Greetings from Tasmania.
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Haha 😁, I will have to remember that … a ‘birthmonth’ … I like that! Yes, it were 4 days of enjoying family time and celebrating 50 wonderful years on this earth – priceless! Oh Tasmania … wonderful, I’m looking forward to read more on your blog!
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When I saw the titles for your next posts after the gin tasting as hiking and camping, I was hooked and, it appears rightly so. What an absolutely brilliant place to spend time with your loved ones.
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Oh, Elands Bay is a place we can just go back to again (and again) … which we did a few months later! The most beautiful pristine beach with views one can only dream of (and indeed the perfect place to have a great weekend away with family).
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