Kenya friends 53 years later!

We were still waiting for our vehicles to clear customs so we took the opportunity to do a two and a half  hour drive from Durban to Muden to visit some friends who we used to play with some 53 years ago in Kenya! It was an interesting drive up using some not so main roads and within about 15 minutes I had to avoid a head on with someone overtaking on a blind corner.

On the way up we stopped for lunch in Greytown for lunch at a cafe at the local nursery with incredible views and scrumptious food.

Driving out to Muden the countryside was getting quite dry and arid and I started thinking that the farm we were heading for must have been on quite rough country. We wound our way down a rough dirt road to come out at what I can only call an oasis. Bridget and Edmund took on the farm from Bridget’s parents and have really made a beautiful tranquil home there. The farm is now leased out and is 150 acres in size and predominantly planted with Pecan trees which are being harvested as we speak.

The Pecan trees ready to be harvested.

Our walk around the farm with Bridget and Edmund.

The homestead is made up of The Big House, The Small House, The Barn and The Gecko Ronddavel and some of the most beautiful gardens I have seen. Bridget and Edmund met us at the gate and showed us to our very comfortable accommodation for the next two nights. Edmund then suggested we go for a walk to see if their resident 6 metre python was out sunning itself but alas it had turned in for the day. A walk through the Pecan trees down to the Mooi River followed and Edmund showed us how to crack the Pecan nuts which were delicious.

This was our delightful accommodation for our stay.

The Barn (Pauline wants one just like it!)

The first night we caught up on all the different families and what they were all doing and after so many years apart there was a lot to catch up on. 

The next morning Charity had laid out a beautiful breakfast on a table in the garden overlooking the dam. (I could really get used to this!). Following breakfast Edmund again took us down to see if the python was out sunning himself and I’m happy to report it was out and what a magnificent specimen it was. After this Edmund took us for a drive in the area of the Mooi River and we witnessed some truely spectacular country.

The sun baking Python!

He was very lethargic but we didn’t get to close just in case!

Bridget had invited some of her family for lunch to meet the Aussies and we had a great day getting to know them all. Bridget (Masterchef) had cooked up a delicious African Potjiekos (think camp oven) made from ox tail and vegetables all cooked up in a delicious spicy sauce and then we finished off with a lovely chocolate tart. 

We really enjoyed our stay with Bridget and Edmund and hope to stay with them again soon.

We left the Mooi River early on Monday morning hoping to get our vehicles cleared through Customs on our return to Durban. Alas it was still not quite ready due some paperwork but we have been assured that we will be able to pick them up by midday on Tuesday.

Fingers crossed!