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).
Wild Camping, West Coast of South Africa (December 2008)
Most of our blogging friends will know that we love to camp. If there’s one thing we love more than camping, it’s wild camping!
In December 2008, we took my parents for the first time on a wild camping week along the West Coast of South Africa. My dad said afterwards that it was his best holiday ever.
The wild and desolate coastline just north of the small town of Lutzville is a popular wild camping spot. We chose to set up camp at Gert du Toit se Baai.
The road to our wild camp site
View of Atlantic Ocean from our tent
Although we camped in the height of summer, the weather along the West Coast can be quite cold and windy at times. Luckily, we only had one day of misty weather and enjoyed the rest of our time in sunny and warm weather conditions.
Windy, cold and misty conditions
Turbulent skies
As always, we prepared our food over the fire. This meant that even on the windy and misty day we had to brave the elements. Berto made one of his delicious ‘potjies’ and later we sat around the fire to keep warm. Then, suddenly, the mist lifted and we had a spectacular sunset.
Food on the fire
Sunset after the mist lifted
Campfire
We loved our time at the seaside and it was also great to see my parents enjoying their first proper wild camping experience. We took long walks on the beach and sat for hours in our camp chairs watching the waves crash on the shore.
Our happy place – camping by the sea
Wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean
One morning my dad said he would love French toast for breakfast, but that he would probably have to wait until we got back home. To his surprise, Berto prepared perfect French toast on the fire.
French toast – the wild camping way
By the end of the week we ran out of fresh bread. My mother made a dough and Berto prepared it on the fire. It is called ‘roosterkoek’ which literally means ‘grilled cake’ and is a classic South African braai (BBQ) side dish – yeast dough that is baked over the coals until golden. I’d even dare say it’s better than sliced bread you buy in the store.
‘Roosterkoek’ on the fire
We have such fond memories of this week-long camping holiday with my parents. Looking back, I realise it was one of the best gifts we could have given them – especially for my late dad who loved being outdoors so much.
Last sunset of our wild camping holiday in 2008
Wet and Dusty Roads 
Dit klink na ‘n perfekte vakansie, Corna😃 . Nou is ek darem maar lus vir roosterkoek.😋
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Ek dink dit was een van ons beste vakansies nog! Ja, so ‘n warm roosterkoek met kaas op … perfek vir ontbyt 😄.
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Nou praat jy!😋😃
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Liplekker 😋
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Even though the weather was as wild as the camping, it looks like a fantastic time with your parents. I have to admit I have never heard of wild camping, but it looks intriguing. Lovely post Corna!
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That’s the one thing you’re never sure of – the weather! But we have learned to enjoy camping even in inclement weather. I don’t think wild camping is everyone’s cup of tea. That’s when there are no facilities (no ablution, no power and no water). Basically, the campers have to provide everything themselves. For some people it’s a challenge, but for us it’s fun 😄. Thanks for sharing in our fun Tricia.
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Daar is geen twyfel dat roosterkoek beter smaak as winkelbrood nie! Ek soek al klaar na die kaas!
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Ek is bly jy stem saam Dries! Berto sê altyd dat roosterkoek op sy lekkerste is wanneer dit pas van die rooster afgehaal is en hy dit daar langs die vuur kan sit en eet (met stroop en kaas). Og, ek sit en maak nou net myself honger!
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What stunning sunsets! The French toast looks good too.
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Thanks Jo! The sunsets on the West Coast of South Africa are never the same, but always incredibly beautiful! After preparing the post yesterday, I was craving French toast, so this was on the menu for breakfast this morning. However, it didn’t taste as good as it did back in 2008 next to the sea 😉.
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🤗💙
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How lovely that your parents got to share your love of wild camping and enjoyed the experience too!
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We tried to make it as comfortable as possible for them (and we ourselves were surprised that they liked it so much). After this camping experience, they definitely understood why we love wild camping so much (however, my mom said you shouldn’t do it for longer than a week because she won’t wash the clothes with her hands 😅).
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What a special memory to have. I think it must have been nice that it was just the four of you enjoying being together. A single not-so-good day thrown in is fine if everyone makes the best of it which it seems you did. Berto’s French toast looks heavenly. We should have had him on our Sudan trip! French toast is one of my favourite things! Thank you for such a nice post.
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You’re right Carolyn, this is a very special memory – especially since my father is no longer with us. I may have mentioned it before, but Berto is very valuable on such wild camping trips … you will never go hungry 😁. After preparing the post, I made us French toast for breakfast this morning – it’s also a favourite in our house. Thank you as always for your lovely comments.
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Wild camping beside the Atlantic Ocean and French toast on the fire is pretty much a perfect recipe for a wonderful camping trip. Throw in a colourful sunset and good company and you’ve got yourself a trip to remember. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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You’re right Aiva, we definitely had the best of everything to make this wild camping trip a huge success. We look back on this week with my parents with fond memories and will always cherish it in our hearts as a very special time. Thank you for your thoughtful comments 🌸.
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🥰🥰🥰
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Where there’s a will there’s a way! I’m so impressed that your mother came up with bread dough in a pinch, Corna. (We cannot camp without making at least one trip to WalMart/MAKRO!) Berto’s French toast looks delicious, and now I’m craving some. Your photos show the beauty of the coast: the fit-throwing sea, the glow of the sun on the calmer water, and the sunsets – all spectacular. What a wonderful memory this must be for you both.
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Oh yes, we always try to make the best of any situation – bad weather or not! Between my mother and Berto, I knew we would always have fresh bread (the shops were a bit far for a quick visit). The sunsets on the West Coast are always special and this is probably one of our most beautiful memories yet – I’m glad we could share it.
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And it’s given you a lovely memory for one loved and lost. Clinging on to the good memories is what keeps alive our love for those who have passed away.
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You’re right Phil – I’m so glad we captured this holiday. Today we look back with such appreciation at a wonderful holiday with my parents.
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You can never say that you have not lived life to the fullest Corna! French toast is my favorite breakfast and I want to grab it right off my IPad! How did you get so lucky to have a mother that makes you dough and Berto to fix it? Lol
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Aw, thanks Diane. Life is there to be lived, right? I know I will never go hungry on a camping trip with Berto (and my mother) nearby! I think that French toast was the best I’ve ever eaten – food just tastes better when you eat it next to the sea 😁.
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Jou foto’s is pragtig!
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Dankie Tannie Frannie 🌸. Die Weskus is ‘n pragtige plek en ek dink ‘n mens sal sukkel om nie ‘n mooi foto langs daardie ongerepte kuslyn te neem nie!
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We tried wild camping for the first time this past summer when we were in the Yukon. I gotta say, it was pretty nice and I can see why you love it so much. It’s awesome that you were able to convince your parents to join you for an entire week of wild camping along the coast. The views look incredible, as does the food you ate.
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Aw, I’m glad you tried wild camping too. The secret of wild camping is to be as well equipped (or prepared) as possible, then it can be very enjoyable. I’m very happy today we convinced my parents to come camping with us – they weren’t so sure about it at first, but it was great to see how much they enjoyed it in the end … and the beautiful landscape (and good food) contributed of course 🙂.
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I don’t think I could wild camp, but that sunset looks absolutely beautiful 😍
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Oh Hannah, I’m sure if we give you a nice bed with luxury bedding in the tent, you’ll love wild camping 😉. The sunsets on the West Coast are some of the best to watch … and even better from a tent!
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French toast looks so yummy, now I know what I want to eat😋😋
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French toast is just so easy to make and that’s probably why it’s one of our favourite “go to” breakfasts!
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