Gariep Dam's eastern side (and a bird''s eye view of Adamsfountain - in the Great Karoo)

Overlanding in the Great Karoo can be challenging at the best of times and weather due to long and flat distances between towns. A gravel road from Colesberg to Gariep Dam was unexpectedly awesome. Just watch and see for yourself. We stopped and flew the drone for you to see the green patch with the grass in the wind. What a peaceful place this Adamsfontein is!
I lost a significant amount of data on my camera due to bad management and therefore could not show you the beautiful photos that I took. But that is what it is, sorry!

Willem se Kampie Padstal is on the road east of Gariep Dam close to Venterstad. We found it on @googlemaps and the reviews were great, so we stopped for brunch. It consisted of krummelpap, wors, coffee etc. and it was worth the stop.

If you travel over the impressive Hennie Steyn (could not find out who he is) Bridge near Bethulie, you can see the Gariep / Orange River down below.
“The current Hennie Steyn Bridge, or DH Steyn Bridge, was officially opened on 20 June 1970, along with the new Bethulie Train Station. The new bridge was built due to the construction of the Gariep Dam which raised the water level of Orange River. The original bridge completed in 1901 (as per Paul Smith) was located about 3km west of the current bridge but was deconstructed because of the dam. The route of the original railway can still be seen on satellite imagery and the old Bethulie train station building still exists on the western side of town.” - Ethan Merkel, 2020/07/29

A Farmstay in the Freestate was the ultimate stop for the last night and Die Kuierhuis outside Ventersburg, was an excellent choice with good reviews.
Amanda made us feel like part of the family and we had coffee on a real 'Vrystaat plaasstoep' The little old farmhouse that we stayed in, was clean and comfortable with a view on the dam where flamingoes peacefully grazed. And the drone went up to show you more of this lovely place.

@thefatbutcherthiandesmidt7976 is a butchery in Ventersburg that you cannot miss due to signage. Stop for everything delicious - not just meat.

And then we have to go home after 26 nights at 12 awesome destinations and 4354.9km of tar and gravel road with scenery for the soul.
This was our retirement celebration trip and it was incredible. Way more than we could plan and imagine.

Now comes the next big trip in September - Northern Cape! Keep watching and SUBSCRIBE if you have not yet.