Easter Weekend – April 2022
When a long weekend approaches, it’s usually a cue for us to pack up our camping gear and go camping somewhere on the West Coast (and if it’s wild camping, that’s even better).
Some of our regular readers may remember that we went on a wild camping trip at Groenrivier on the West Coast in December 2020 (you can read about it here), and we couldn’t think of any better place than to go there again.
Groenrivier is approximately 490km (304 miles) north of Cape Town and located on the West Coast of South Africa. The two most popular routes to Groenrivier are:
- You can either drive on the convenient N7 highway (tarred road to Garies and the nearest town to Groenrivier). And then you just follow the dirt road towards the sea for about 70km (43 miles) to reach Groenrivier.
- Or you can travel along the coast (like we did). Some roads are tarred and others are dirt roads. In our opinion the scenery is much better on this road than the one on the highway – you can drive slow and see the ocean most of the time.
Paid camp sites:
Some camp sites at Groenrivier are free, while there are others where you have to pay a small fee. The camp sites you pay for either belong to the Namaqua National Park or to a private farm. Some may have ablution facilities, but otherwise it is quite rustic.
Free camp sites:
When you stand on the free camp sites, there are no facilities. You have to bring everything with you: Tent, food, water, wood, gas, loo and shower facilities. We chose a wild camp site for this weekend.
We were a group of 17 friends … well, one of them was a baby of only 4 months! I think it’s brave parents who go wild camping with their first baby – hats off to them!
The crayfish (lobster) season was open during Easter weekend. Every morning the men (and one very brave girl) put on their diving suits to catch crayfish in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This is then cooked right there at our camp site on the beach – it’s probably the best way to enjoy crayfish.
One must be in possession of a legal permit to catch crayfish (and then the quota is only 4 per permit holder). Luckily we were a big group and everyone was able to enjoy at least one or two crayfish. The leftover was used for salads and in a seafood paella.
On the free camp sites, pets are welcome to enjoy a camping weekend with their owners. There were four dogs at our campsite and they enjoyed running around on the beach.
While enjoying a walk with the dogs on the beach, I had the opportunity to take some photos of this pristine coast. I suppose not much has changed here over the past few hundred years.
As always, the sunsets on the West Coast are picture perfect! And we were lucky that our camping weekend fell on a full moon cycle.
On the Saturday of our long weekend, Berto and I offered to drive to the nearest town, Garies. As mentioned at the beginning of this post, it is a 70km dirt road ride (140km round trip). We took some of the garbage bags with us to throw away in town – the rule here is: what you bring in, you must take out. We also bought more wood, fresh water, ice (and cold beers).
On the way we drove past the Groenrivier Lighthouse – it dates from the 1980s and is a rather derelict 17.2m concrete structure used as a navigational aid along the West Coast.
By now most of you know that no camping post on our blog would be complete without posting some food photos. One must eat! There were quite a few skilled chefs in our group and almost everyone got an opportunity to prepare something during the weekend.
As I mentioned earlier, we enjoyed a full moon long weekend. It was with wonder that we could see the moon rising over the hills. This prompted the younger ones in our group to take “moon catching” photos.
The morning we all had to leave again, we woke up early. As we enjoyed one last cup of coffee by the fire, we watched the world wake up. Beautiful cloud formations decorated the sky, while the moon hung low over the sea. It was time to say goodbye until next time.
We had a great time with our friends while wild camping. Being able to be in nature was good for us. Oh yeah, and as for our little 4 month old fellow camper … he was the sweetest baby – definitely a wild camper in the making!
Great food and location. Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly … what more do you want 😉. Thank you, it’s a place close to my heart!
LikeLike
Briljant. Wish I was there
LikeLiked by 2 people
Baie dankie 🌸. Wish I could go back right now … and stay until the next full moon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not surprised you decided to go back there! The beach, fresh seafood, sunsets and full moons… it looks like paradise!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re 100% correct … unspoiled paradise it is! Fresh seafood next to the ocean (that you had caught yourself) – must be the best there is!
LikeLike
What a fun weekend, away from the modern world and all its noise and drama. That baby is going to grow up to be a naturalist. So nice that the parents still feel able to carry on and include such a small infant. Good for them! I am interested if you have ever seen the so-called green flash when the sun sets in the ocean? I can’t say I ever did. There is something special about a night beside the ocean. I still remember the sound of waves on the beach where I was in boarding school in Cambodia. It is very soothing. And you had the full moon. Brilliant!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Like you said – away from the noise from the modern world … that’s my favourite type of break away! Oh yes, that little baby boy is going to be a nature lover – just like his mom and dad! No, we have never seen the “so-called green flash” – maybe not on this side of the world? But it sounds like something spectacular! Absolutely, I love listening to the waves breaking against the rocks – literally a few meters away from our tent. Thank you for your lovely comments Carolyn – while typing this post, I just felt like going back there now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just have to gate-crash on Corna’s blog to say, yes, I once saw the green flash – on the other side of South Africa, as my brother and I perched high on a huge rock in the Tsitsikamma Marine National Park watching the sun go down. Such a magical moment and really just a flash – over in less than a second and forever in my heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s awesome Tannie Frannie! I didn’t know it existed here in our part of the world … maybe I should just spent more time looking at the sun setting, it truly sounds amazing! Thanks for letting us know 💌.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and funny moonphoto!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! Oh, we had a good laugh about the moon photo’s – we took so many photo’s of “catching the moon”, but in the end only two of them were good enough to be published 😁.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to hear!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful weekend get together with all your friends. I can’t believe how organised you all are and that you have got wild camping down to a fine art. As always the food looks superb and those crayfish and mussels for the seafood paella! What a clever idea to ‘catch’ the moon in photos too! Hope this weekend is good too, it’s forecast to be really nice here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Marion 🌸. I think, after a couple of wild camping experiences, we should have everything under control … and it helps when you know there are more friends that will probably have the stuff you forgot at home 😁. You know, I think seafood paella in a setting like this, is probably the best meal ever! We enjoyed the ‘catch the moon’ photo’s – it was really fun and the younger ones taught us a couple of things!
I’m happy to hear the forecast for the weekend is good there by you … you deserve some good weather after a long winter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic location! I always enjoy your food photos; and what a great outdoor kitchen. 🙂 I can see why you’d want to return; time and time again. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely, that outdoor kitchen is a great place for long conversations with old friends around a late night fire! Thank you for reading and your lovely comments as always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like fun! You are prepared, a shower at a wild camping site!
LikeLiked by 2 people
There is always that element of fun when wild camping … we’re almost becoming children again! Oh yes, one needs to shower and if you have the shower tent and warm water, why not? It is maybe a little bit more of an effort – but it’s always a fun experience!
LikeLike
Fabulous location, as everyone has said…and lucky you all got on with that many people and no fallouts! You must all be very good friends. The full moon added to your great experience, no doubt.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely – THE best location on the West Coast for wild camping! We know these friends for many years … some were little kids when we first met them and they are now young adults. So yes, we came a long way! We will have to try and remember when the next full moon is – it seems that’s a great time for camping!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lekker!! Bly ek weet nou ook van Groenrivier.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, ek dink nie Groenrivier is meer ‘n “bes bewaarde geheim” hier aan die Weskus nie … ons is altyd verstom om heelwat GP nommerplaat motors hier te sien 😄. Dit is ‘n lieflike ongerepte plek – en ons deel dit graag met ander provinsies!
LikeLike
What a fantastic location for wild camping! Nothing makes you feel like a proper, real-world, adventurer quite like wild camping – a night under the stars where the raw realism of it all makes it seem like you’re part of some secret club. I am glad to see you had a great time. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Aiva for your lovely comments. Oh yes, this is one of the best spots to wild camp in South Africa … next to the ocean and under the amazing blue-blue sky. I like your term “secret club” 😉 – now, it feels even more special! Thank you for taking the time to read about our weekend, I hope you have a great weekend. Corna 🌸.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰🥰🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Julle het behoorlik laer getrek daar op die Namakwa Weskus! Lyk na n fees!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha 😄, “laer getrek” … nou klink ons soos die Voortrekkers van ouds! Ek hou daarvan – dalk is dit hoeka soos hulle dit gedoen het daardie jare!
Jy’s reg Dries, dit was ‘n fees … ons gaan dit mis, maar hopenlik gaan ons ander lekker dinge binnekort kan geniet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderlike foto’s – ek kan behoorlik die geure van julle buite-kombuis ruik!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oe Tannie Frannie, dis juis daardie wonderlike reuke en geure gemeng met die seelug wat ‘n mens konstant honger het! Baie dankie vir die inloer hier langs die Weskus 🌞.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great way to spend a weekend! By the look of it you are super organised! The meals look delicious, and always taste so much better around a camp fire!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We have done a few wild camping trips before, so by now we should (sort of) know what to pack to make it a good weekend! You’re absolutely right … food next to the camp fire definitely tastes much better (even if it’s just scrambled eggs 😊).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful place you chose for your weekend with friends. I can see what a great time you had, with good food, good company and that stunning coastline – plus dogs, sunsets, moonrises and more!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your lovely comments Sarah! Definitely one of our favourite places for wild camping … and yes, with good friends, it’s even better! The rugged coastline of the West Coast always provides stunning scenery and we would love going back there (again) ☺️.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dis darem maar lekker om so in ‘n lekker groep vriend te gaan kamp, Corna! Dis so pragtig daar! Ek was nog nie in daardie omgewing nie. My man hou nie van kamp nie en sal dus seker nooit daar uitkom nie. Julle kos lyk heerlik (soos gewoonlik) 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ja, soms is alleen kamp lekker – dan kan ons doen net wat ons wil … maar saam met ‘n groep vriende is daar altyd lekker pret (en ander hande wat ook graag kosmaak)! En jy weet mos, ons eet altyd lekker op so ‘n kamp naweek!
Dis nogal ‘n rit om tot daar te kom – selfs al ry mens met die teerpad tot by Garies. Die grondpad is nie altyd in ‘n goeie toestand nie (seker weens al die kampeerders wat daar ry 😉), so dit kan nogal ‘n missie wees om tot daar te ry net om te sien hoe dit lyk!
LikeLike
Dit klink nogtans na n perfekte plek om so te kamp!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks like a lovely spot to go camping with friends over a long weekend. I love your camping setup and the food looks delicious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s indeed perfect for wild camping Linda! And with friends, even better 😁. I always laugh when we set up camp … the first question is normally, where will we prepare the food (on the fire that is) … and once that is decided, the tents are set up around the “outdoor kitchen”! Wild camping is definitely one of our favourite things to do … but with winter coming, we might look at other accommodation for a weekend away!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, lovely, lovely, Corna! And the best part about it is your saying it’s changed very little in the past 200 years! I once camped on the beach at the Lost Coast of California, but it was so windy that I didn’t even try setting up my tent & just slept in my car! Your experience looks like a whole lot more fun! 🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Lisa 🌸. Don’t you just love a place where little has changed over the years! We have camped a couple of times in strong winds next to the ocean … and then you need more hands than what is normally available to set up your tent (as well as a very strong tent)! I think, over the years, we learned how to enjoy camping … even when the weather is not playing along! Have a great Sunday, take care 💌.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing – and look at Berto catching crayfish 🙂 The food looks so good and you really are converting me to the idea of wild camping!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha 😄 – Berto is diving crayfish since he was in high school … but even he admits the water is now getting too cold for an “old man”! Wild camping is really fun (if you’re prepared … and have a nice bed & mattress) – it’s great to just break away from all the luxuries … but maybe not for too long!
LikeLike
Lovely, lovely trip Corna. Moon in the palm of your hand eh, what more could one ask for? Some wonderful detail shots throughout, particularly the succulent and the patterns of those early morning clouds. Periwinkle is a great word by the way, I hope I have an opportunity to use it in a blog one day ha ha. Crayfish on the beach sounds so damn idyllic. About as far away a scene as one could get from windy, rainy Edinburgh today. Not that we’re complaining, just two different worlds 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Leighton – wild camping is always an enjoyable trip! We had so much fun with those full moon pictures … we will have to remember to try that again 😉. Well, you will have to get to the seaside to use the word ‘periwinkle’ again – when I was younger, my dad used to caught crayfish and I always collected periwinkles on the rocks (and I’m still doing it now when Berto is catching crayfish) … wonderful childhood memories!
Hope the rain and wind makes place for sunny weather in Edinburgh soon – is that even possible?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great childhood memories indeed. Yes, we’ve had bits of sun here amid all the wind and rain. Keeps you on your toes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please adopt me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha 😅 … you are more than welcome to move in Diane! But I’m afraid, we would keep you in the kitchen half of the time!!
LikeLike
You’ve caught the moon! This was a great adventure. The fresh seafood looked worth the work and prep!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, the moon photos were so much fun! Seafood (especially those you caught yourself) are the best … and even better at the ocean next to a campfire 😉.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This trip is definitely a WILD one! WOW! I felt as if I was right there with you. I also LOVE the shots of you “catching the moon.” That’s so cool!🤍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wild indeed … but also the closest one can get to nature while camping! The “moon catching” photos were a lot of fun (we will have to try that one day again) 😁. Thank you for coming with us to the West Coast!
LikeLike