Weekend in Clarens

We spent this last weekend in Clarens in the Free State. We took Friday off work, and left pretty early in the morning, around 6 am.

We did one stop along the way for a quick breakfast, some hot drinks and a milkshake for the youngest member of the family, who clearly didn't get the memo that the temperature was 0 deg Celcius outside! We were in town just after 12.

It was really cold the whole weekend, although luckily the accomodation we stayed in was really geared up to the weather... Wood fireplace, underfloor heating and electric blankets. At a point, I actually had to move away from the lounge area as I was getting so warm from the fireplace! More information on where we stayed is here.

The area is really beautiful. Stark landscapes with grass that is brown in winter, huge sandstone mountains and the older buildings in the area (farmhouses etc) clad in the sandstone. 

The village itself is pretty small, with a large village green with shops and restuarants around it. We ate outside at a place that had an old rusty tractor - quite the attraction for a small boy. The food was good and hearty with a varied menu. We were the only people sitting outside and I think the waiter thought us a bit mad. It was actually quite warm when you were in the sun though.

On Saturday morning we took a drive to a nearby National Park, Golden Gate. More rolling brown grasses that make for some interesting bird watching if you have the time and patience. We got out at one point but it was pretty cold with a windchill so we quickly hopped back in the car. We saw zebra, birds of prey and some buck along the way.

I spent some time that afternoon exploring the shops and art galleries. We stopped for a milkshake and fries at a restaurant we enjoyed many years ago, the Post Office. It's in the old Post Office (sandstone) building and the food was just as wholesome as we remembered. They had trout on the menu that I would have tried again had I been hungrier.

The place we stayed at was very close to the village green and was really nice for the price and amenities, http://clarenslodge.co.za/index.php/en/.  It was really reasonably priced too and comfortably accommodated two couples and our toddler who shared the room with us.

I liked the way one or two of the shops I visited had been styled, but most seemed to keep things that weren't really unique or locally sourced. In the past, I seem to recall that there was more original things for sale. It may just be my memory... The art galleries seemed to have a lot of the same type of commercial work and I didn't really see much that stood out for me.

For a short weekend trip, it was nice to enjoy the peace, the pretty views and the decent food that was within walking distance.

The highlight for me was definitely being able to spend some time together with my family that we joined up with on this trip. I can always shop when I am at home, but it was nice to spend quality time just being with people who I love.