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).
Rivierzicht River Resort, Robertson – Western Cape Province (March 2018)
Most of you know how much we love to camp. And we are lucky that our friends like that too! Since we no longer live near Cape Town (where they all live), we don’t get the opportunity to camp together very often.
Today’s throwback is therefore a special post where we look back on one of our most enjoyable camps with all of them.
One of our favourite campsites as a group was at the lovely Rivierzicht River Resort near Robertson – 160km (99 miles) from Cape Town.

Set up camp along the Breede River
There are different accommodation options at Rivierzicht. You can either stay in one of their self-catering cabins or the bush camping tents. Although we have stayed in the bush camping tents before, we have always preferred to pitch our tents near the river and then sit around a fire while catching up on each other’s lives.


Making a fire is part of camping
It was our mission to always go camping at Rivierzicht towards the end of February or beginning of March. Then it wasn’t so hot anymore and it’s lovely to sit outside in the evening.
Our days at Rivierzicht usually consisted of long strolls on the farm, swimming in the river or just sitting on the banks of the Breede River while enjoying the scenery.


The Breede River is a good place for some water activities
The trees on the campsites provided lovely shade for the hot days and we packed our camping chairs in a big circle every day and had a great time.


Campsites with lovely trees for welcoming shade on hot days
In the evenings, the men usually made a fire. We would have a ‘braai’ or some nights we would make a ‘potjie’ (you know, that social activity where everyone sits around the fire while the potjie cooks – typically three to six hours).

The men around the fire
The older children (who are now already young adults) would roam the campsite, while the smaller ones played nearby. And the women … well, we would, while enjoying a glass of wine, solve all the problems of the world (of course you would say).

Enjoy a glass of wine
After dinner we usually made a fresh fire. It was always the best time – long, comfortable silences with only the sound of nature. And if we were lucky, we could also watch a full moon rise above the river.


Late nights were the best time when we camped
Usually no one was in a hurry on the morning of departure. The men would jump in again and prepare breakfast on the fire. And for the last time we would enjoy each other’s company and then (reluctantly) pack up and return home with happy memories.

The last breakfast fire
We hope to have such fun camping adventures when we see each other again.
Good times!
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Good times indeed John … especially when camping with a group of special friends.
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Lovely memories.
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These are indeed very good memories, thank you Rupali 🌸. Camping in the summer is one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities for us!
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Golden days, Corna! Hope you’ll be able to enjoy them again soon.
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We miss our friends (and the fun camping weekends with them). It was so nice to look back on one of our many fun weekends together. Such precious photos and memories! Yes, hopefully soon again 💌!
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South African barbecues are definitely the best Corna!
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Oh yes, you are so right Marion 😄! If the weather cooperates (which it usually does), there’s no better way than enjoying your food by a fire on the banks of a river!
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Good memories 😊 Maggie
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Thank you Maggie, it was nice to look back on this lovely weekend … definitely good memories.
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What lovely memories. We have always wanted to camp at Rivierzicht but haven’t made it there yet. You have whetted my appetite for it.
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Oh, I would definitely recommend Rivierzicht. The tranquility (and how beautiful and clean it is), makes it an absolute pleasure to camp there.
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Looks completely idyllic. With friends, food, wine, fun conversations all in a beautiful setting; what more could one want?
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Absolutely Tricia, you mentioned all the important elements that make camping fun 😊! Camping with like-minded people (and then your best friends on top of that), put these weekends forever in our hearts.
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Sitting around the campfire, sharing stories and being in the moment with no distractions. It’s a great opportunity to build relationships and really get to know each other. xx
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There is just something very special about sitting around a campfire, while enjoying good company in nature. Sometimes we would just have fun conversations, but I also remember many times when we had deep, insightful conversations … and it’s great to share these with your best friends. Thanks for your valuable thoughts Aiva 🌸.
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Such happy memories with friends! We love camping too, but we’ve only camped in one place that was as pretty as your spot along the river, and we were in a commercial RV park. I sure like the idea of the men cooking while the women solve the problems of the world. Drinking wine sure helps with any problem. Have a wonderful weekend ahead.
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We also have many RV parks in South Africa (here, however, they are called caravan parks). It is very popular – especially among the older people who no longer want to set up tents and sleep on stretchers (one of these days, that will be us 😁). Fortunately, all the men in our group like to cook (especially on a fire), so there is more than enough opportunity for us ladies to taste the local wine. Thanks Kellye, hope you have a nice weekend too.
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A lovely relaxing way to get together with good friends. Quiet time at the campfire and watching the moon rise…I would love that. You don’t mention insects? It would be impossible to stay outside at night here right now!
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Those were special times … I especially remember this weekend and how beautifully the moon rose and reflected in the river. We always have citronella candles burning when we camp (and we apply insect repellent). Miraculously the mosquitoes have never bothered us here at Rivierzicht. But I do remember one or two other places where the mozzies had a royal time … then we made sure not to go camping there again (in summer) 😄.
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What a wonderful way to catch up with friends – camping with wine and good food, perfect!
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I think the reason we love catching up at camp is because there are no distractions. There is (limited) WiFi, but no television … it makes quite a difference to have a meaningful conversation 😁. And of course the good food and wine help!
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Dit lyk heerlik! Ons is juis op pad na ons riveirhuis toe
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Dit was ‘n baie lekker naweek. Dis natuurlik altyd ‘n bonus as die weer ook saamspeel … hoop julle het die naweek ook lekker weer by julle rivierhuis.
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Your posts makes me reflect that I should have done more camping in my life. Literally I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been camping, with three of those as a. kid. I feel the intimacy of the occasions through your article. If we ever get to South Africa, I’ll be adding “Camping with Corna and Berto” onto our to-do list.
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To enjoy camping, you need the right equipment (and good weather), otherwise it becomes a mission and unpleasant. We are constantly shopping for better (or more comfortable) gear for camping. Like higher stretchers (one gets older and then it becomes difficult to get up from a low bed – you know 😊). Leighton, I can assure you, you guys will really enjoy camping with us … just think about it: Lovely evenings around the campfire with the Milky Way stretching brightly above you!
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Julle laat kamp regtig lekker lyk, Corna! Goeie tye om na terug te kyk, né.
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What wonderful friends, food and fun! I’m curious, do you ever fish when you camp?
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We always take fishing rods with us on a camping weekend, but we don’t necessarily catch fish 😁. The rivers don’t have such tasty (edible) fish – although there are trout and salmon in some rivers … we always take meat with us so we don’t starve! Such fun times!
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It’s always nice to have camping friends, it’s just such fun.
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I have to add that not all our friends were always so crazy about camping … but I think we convinced them later that it’s great fun 😁!
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Ahhhh that’s so nice. I can relate to that myself.
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You are lucky that your friends like to camp. Sounds like you have a lot of fond memories from camping with them.
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Yes, it’s not always easy to get all our friends together at the same time for a camping trip. So when this happens, it becomes a weekend of great fun and enjoyment!
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Die lewe kan darem nie veel lekkerder as dit word nie, ne?
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Sê jy vir my! Om so om ‘n kampvuur saam met jarelange vriende te sit … dis wonderlike onthou tye!
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