We all have these photos … throwback photos!
It’s described as ‘nostalgia-inducing pictures … from a different era of your life”.
Every Thursday we will throw a few photos of ‘way back when’ on our blog. Why on a Thursday? Because it’s just a day away from the weekend … and we love weekends!
You are welcome to join in or just enjoy the photos (#TB Thursday).
November 2017 – Trekoskraal (West Coast), South Africa
More than a year ago, we shared a post on our blog about the beautiful Trekoskraal (read here). This was one of our favourite wild camping spots. Unfortunately, camping is no longer allowed (we are not sure why). Even so, when we are at home on the West Coast, we still occasionally drive to Trekoskraal to enjoy the lovely views.
Early one Saturday morning in 2017, Berto and I decided to pack our tent and go camping there for one night (when it was still allowed). We were still living in Cape Town at the time and it was only 150km (93 miles) to Trekoskraal.
On the way we stopped at one of the famous farm stalls in the area for a light breakfast. Die Plaasmol (literally translated The Farm Mole) is a family-run venue with restaurant, gift shop, nursery and bar. After enjoying coffee and a bran muffin, we drove the last few kilometers to Trekoskraal.
Breakfast at ‘Die Plaasmol’
It was the start of our summer season and a lovely day at the sea. We quickly pitched our tent and then took our bottle of wine to a shallow pool, sheltered by rocks, to cool (this was before the days we had a camping fridge) … it works very efficiently.
Our tent at Trekoskraal
Chilled white wine next to a camp fire
Later in the afternoon we took a long walk along the beach. It was just the two of us with not a single soul in sight. You will hardly find another place where you can relax and enjoy sea views like here at Trekoskraal.
Heading to the beach for a long walk
For us, the best thing about camping by the sea is watching the sunset. After we made a fire, we sat back and enjoyed nature’s spectacular show. Although it was only one day and one night, it felt like we had a week-long holiday!
Sunset at Trekoskraal
Wet and Dusty Roads 
Ek hoop nie dit is oor iemand die pragtige omgewing geskend het dat besoekers nou nie meer by Trekoskraal mag kamp nie.
Aletta het ook al vir ons “Die Plaasmol” aanbeveel vir volgende keer wat ons aan die Weskus kom.
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Dries, daar is soveel stories wat die rondte doen waarom ons nie meer daar mag kamp nie, dat ek my eerder nie daaroor wil uitlaat nie. Een daarvan is wel dat mense die omgewing nie gerespekteer het nie … en dis jammer. Ons het gister in die Kaap geland en gaan binnekort vir ‘n paar dae in Langebaan kuier. Nadat ons na hierdie ‘throwback’ foto’s gekyk het, het ons onmiddellik gedink dis weer tyd vir ‘n besoek aan Die Plaasmol 😉.
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Geniet die wegbreekkans sommer vir ons part ook!
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Baie dankie, ons gaan beslis!
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That’s my kind of beach! I love the quiet surroundings and the sound of the waves breaking. What an interesting name for a farm stall. 🙋♀️😄
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It’s a beautiful pristine stretch of beach … you lose track of time when you’re here. Haha 😄, yes, I’m not sure where the name for this farm stall comes from – but it’s usually the case that most of these places have very original names.
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I love all the original names 🤩
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It seems like there are many beautiful places in South Africa, and Trekoskraal is yet another one. Terry has been to SA once many years ago on business and came home with amazing photos and stories. Maybe someday I’ll get to visit; if so, I’ll be referencing your posts for travel tips. Beautiful post Corna!
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Yes Tricia, there are a lot of places here (especially along the coast) that are not very developed yet … and they’re usually the little gems that no one knows about. I hope you and Terry can visit South Africa together one day – it’s a beautiful country with many extremes. Thank you for your kind comments 🌸.
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You definitely packed a lot of lovely activities and eating into your short trip to Trekoskraal. I wonder why camping is no longer permitted there, it seems such a pity.
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We loved this impromptu decision to go camping (and the sunny weather was a bonus). I think there are a few factors why camping is no longer allowed – among them not all campers respected the area, but also the local government and farmer who could not agree to make the area available for camping (but it’s all hearsay). Like you said, it’s such a shame.
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What a wonderful place to pitch a tent, Corna. I am sorry to hear that it is no longer allowed at this particular spot. Camping on a beach is my favourite way to spend a weekend. You can watch the moonlight glittering on the water as you drift off to sleep, and in the morning, an early riser can run out and enjoy the surf before the crowds show up. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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The thing I love most when we camp by the sea is the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks … and a full moon by the sea is always a spectacle. And the long walks by the sea – oh my, now I seriously want to go camping! I can see you definitely know what makes camping by the sea such a special occasion 😉.
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Ek verlees my aan al julle alleen avonture. Dit lyk heerlik
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Trekoskraal was ons gunsteling “wild camping spot” … ek kan onthou dat hierdie ‘n heerlike (kort) wegbreek was. Ons kuier baie lekker saam met ons vriende, maar ons lekkerste tye is juis wanneer dit net ons twee is.
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Appropriately named wine! Convenient to have a natural refrigerator. Having a whole beach (and ocean!) to yourself is pretty special. A wonderful way to shed off the irritations of daily life in a city. It really does blow the cobwebs out doesn’t it?
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We usually pack a bottle of Two Oceans when camping by the sea – it’s just fitting 😉. Yes, the seclusion of this beach is perfect to get rid of all stress and problems. One forgets about the world and its problems (at least for a while) … you need places like this when you’re in the hustle and bustle of a city.
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There is nothing better than those short trips that feel like long trips. What a gorgeous place to camp. Oh, and to have the sea lull you to sleep at night must be an amazing experience!
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It’s great when such beautiful campsites are not too far from home. You’re right Kellye, the breaking of the waves is the perfect sleep medicine for me 😉. After just one day, we were usually rested and ready for a new week’s challenges!
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Fantastic to get such a gorgeous place to yourselves, makes it even more special
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That’s true … and even if there were quite a few campers, you were never in each other’s face because the campsites were so far apart.
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Looks like the farm is for sale, have you got deep pockets?
https://perfecthideawaysforsale.co.za/property/trekoskraal-farm-west-coast-land-for-sale-south-africa-beach/
I don’t think we ever got that far from Cape Town, but I do remember getting our car stuck in the sand on the track to one of those remote beaches. With parents visiting from England, an infant son and no-one for miles around it was pretty scary!
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Oh, I didn’t know it was for sale … but I doubt we have that kind of money (damn)! Yes, getting stuck in the sand in such places is no joke – especially with an infant 👀. Thanks for the link (video) – I recognised so many places now!
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It’s too bad that wild camping is no longer allowed in that area as it looks like a scenic spot. Good call on chilling your bottle of wine in a shallow pool! Looks like you had fabulous weather to enjoy the beach, along with the views. What a stunning sunset.
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Yes, it was a real bummer when we heard no camping was allowed anymore. Great weather, great beach, great sunset … that’s the perfect “ingredients” for a wonderful camping weekend 😄.
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Dis pragtig daar Corna! Ek was sowaar nog nooit daar nie, net sover as die padstal gekom! Dit was ook n belewenis!
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Ja, Trekoskraal is regtig een van daardie ongerepte juwele langs die Weskus. Ons was lanklaas by Die Plaasmol … dalk tyd om weer daar te gaan inloer (noudat ons naby is 😉).
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Ja, daar is so baie veranderinge daar!
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What a pity that you can’t camp there anymore. But I guess that makes these memories even more special. Trekoskraal looks like yet another worthy addition to your SA travel archives. A thoroughly picturesque beach, a great spot for a drink and a stunning sunset.
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You’re right Leighton, we have fond memories of our camp weekends at Trekoskraal. Fortunately, we can still visit this beach, even if we can no longer camp there – a small consolation I suppose.
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Campfire, wine, beach and the one true love. Life can’t get any better than this.
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You’re right, one doesn’t really need much more than this, right 😍?
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