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).

Cape Winelands, Western Cape Province (May 2016)

In May 2016 Berto surprised me with a brand-new car. He was obviously very smart with his choice, because the Suzuki Jimny is a vehicle that we both really like!

My new car

Some of you will probably remember the many road trips we have taken in this car. But the very first trip we did, was three days after we got the Jimny and what better place to test it than in the Winelands (and on back roads) around Cape Town.

On farm roads outside Durbanville, northern suburb of Cape Town

Before heading out to drive up some of the mountain passes nearby, we decided it was time for breakfast. Bistro 44 outside of Wellington was one of our favourite roadside restaurants, not only because their food is so good, but also because of the lovely views.

View from the deck of Bistro 44

Breakfast at Bistro 44

Bistro 44 is not only a restaurant, but also a deli that sells all the nice goodies you can find at any farm stall. There is a real rustic feel and we relived fond memories of years back when we noticed the vinyl records. The Springbok Hit Parade records were very popular in the 1970s in South Africa (whether it was for the songs or the women in bathing suits, I’m not entirely sure).

Springbok Hit Parade vinyl records

After breakfast we drove through Wellington and then turned towards the famous Bain’s Kloof Pass. Just before we got to the narrow part of Bain’s Kloof Pass, we stopped and looked back down the valley (and we also had to get a shot of our new car).

Beautiful view over the valley of Wellington

Our Jimny on its first mountain ride

We drove slowly over Bain’s Kloof Pass and then stopped on the other end at one of the low water bridges – yes, to take another photo of our new car.

On a low water bridge

After stretching our legs, we got back into the car. It was now time to return home via Du Toitskloof Pass. We decided not to drive through the new tunnel (which goes through the mountain), but instead drive over the mountain on the more picturesque old Du Toitskloof Pass.

This old tunnel dates from 1948

Exiting the short tunnel

We stopped at the summit of the Du Toitskloof Pass where one has beautiful views over the 3rd oldest town in South Africa, namely Paarl.

View from the summit of Du Toitskloof Pass

I’m not quite sure which view I prefer

It’s been seven years since we got the Suzuki Jimny and we have so many fond memories of road trips with this nifty little 4×4. And even though we recently added the Toyota Hilux to our garage, I’m sure we’ll discover quite a few more wild places with our Jimny.