The canal that takes water from Bulshoek dam to the vineyards all along the Olifants River to Vredendal. This pic was taken near Klawer. The Olifants River irrigation district was proclaimed in 1911. The scheme consists of the Bulshoek Dam, the Clanwilliam Dam and a network of canals. This is the main canal and is 261 km long.
A Brunsvegia on the way back from Gifberg near Klawer.
This is Spoelgat - a hole in the rock. Quite a magnificient piece of geologcial structure. The rock formations were fantastic on all the walks.
This is a minute little mesem that grows out of the rocks at Gifberg. The pink flowers are 1cm diameter and the grow from what looks like lichen. There had been a bit of overnight rain and these little flowers popped up all over the place.


We found some really great bushman paintings. The colours are quite spectacular and we were pleased we found them.
This is the juvenile cobra we discovered trapped on a rock in the middle of a 'pothole' surrounded by water. While Alan was taking this pic it kept spitting at him till it ran out of it! It was very apprenhensive! Anyway when we left we put a stick across for it to be able to escape. I hope it managed ok.

Back to the blog since ages ago.
We spent a lovely weekend at Gifberg. Nothing to do but hike and read and catch up on some much needed rest. We did all four hikes. At least Alan did - I did only three but they were all quite long so.... The longest one (10hours) we only went half way as we did not make enought time to do it all. Nuggett was able to come along with us and she had a ball. I think she enjoyed it more than us

Pics of Richtersveld

Sendlingsdrift was our first stop in the park itself. Here is a picture of the sweet little chalet we stayed in. It right on the Orange River.

We went for a wonderful trip up to the Richtersveld last month. We had lovely sunny weather, cod fronts, miz weather and great weather. Our first stop was at Port Nolloth. A sweet little town with a sense of history about it. We stayed the night at Port Indigo, a self-catering at Mcdougall's Bay. We went for a lovey walk to the harbour and back. Saw a lot of birds and watched the sun go down.

In the early hours of this morning - about 5am - there was movement and noise on our roof. Nugget barked and Alan went outside to check it out. Nugget growled and got back in her basket. No excitement for her thank you very much. He didn't take a torch so saw nothing. What can you see in the dark anyway? But we both heard it move across the roof. Next day he went to see if he could find any spoor on the roof and instead he found the mouse trap. It had been left outside the kitchen door with a dead mouse still in it. This must have been what attracted it to the house in the first place. This pic is of us and Nugget when she was young and all. She is still the sweetest thing.

Hazel's House Spring 2007

Welcome to Hazel's House Blog.
Hazel's House is a Bed and Breakfast establishment at The Baths, Citrusdal. I have two bedrooms - one with a double bed and one with two single beds. Each has its own bathroom. There is an adjacent room with a kettel, fridge etc. Also braai facilities. Also, in the garden there is a spa bath and a shower. All the water comes from the hot spring so it is wonderful to be able to bath or shower outdoors. Truly exhilarating!
500 metres away is The Baths - the best hot spring in the world!
We have wonderful views of the Kouebokkeveld Mountains across the way of the Olifants River valley.

This past winter we have had some extremely wet weather. This will make Spring one of the best flower seasons in a long time as the flowers are already popping up and the veld is looking magnificient.