Taylored Trips – Up the Creek

We were trying to decide whether to go to the Origin Festival or to the Up the Creek Festival when I

saw an advert in the Paarl Post to win two tickets to Up the Creek. Verine and I both entered and to my surprise I got a phone call to say I had won. Heeehaa! Thanks Paarl Post.And so, with great excitement we hit the road on Friday 26th

January bound for the Felix Unite Breede River retreat

known as Up the Creek. As usual, getting there was part of the fun.

Du Toit's Kloof Pass

The Gospel Express and the biggest SA flag at Graham Beck Wines

The best way to your destination is not always the shortest, but this time I actually think it

was the shortest. We turned right at the circle outside Robertson and headed towards Bonnievale and Stormsvlei.

Breede River Sonderend River Stormsvlei farmstall and restaurant

Bridges and tunnel vision, Stormsvlei and N2 roadworks. A short-ish stint on the N2 and it wasn’t too long

before we saw the signs.

This was it! We had arrived! That’s when the party started. The rain too.

We had a light drizzle all night but it definitely did not dampen the atmosphere. The crowd was good, the music was good and the vibe was amazing.

This was the line-up.

And this was the party!

Then it was time for Mango Groove and the crowd went wild. There was dancing and cheering and when they

finished, they were brought back for more. No other band got the ovation that they got.

Mango Groove

Saturday morning made us think we were back at Splashy Fen. Everything was wet and soaked through. The poncho, gum boot and coffee sales went through the roof and everyone was happy, and wet.

Saturday morning

The crowd slowly started gathering in the stretch tent at the food court and the party was back on.

The rain started to

dissipate slightly and they announced that the weather forecast was looking up and if they moved the stage down to the river, would the crowd follow and stay down there even if it drizzled again. Amid great cheers of enthusiasm, it was agreed to move the party down to the river venue.

River venue Camping area

The Great Trek started with every shape and size of lilo or floating devise marching off down the hill

to the river.

No glass was allowed at the river and as we were sipping on a bottle of Old Brown Sherry, we had

to stay where we were. That suited us fine, the weather was perfect for a bit of OB’s.

OB's

It wasn’t long and some of the weird and wonderful lilos started

trudging back up the muddy hill again, to more sales of coffee and sherry.

Around 3.30-ish the weather started improving again and the good times continued.

Up the Creek!

What a treat, people having fun and bands wherever you look. Later that afternoon we took a walk back up to the

Kombi to get ready for the night session.

And then it started all over again.

Party, party

Soon it was time for an old favourite at the Jägermeister stage. Albert Frost hit the stage running with

some dazzling lead breaks and riffs, much to the delight of the crowd.

Albert Frost

After another very enjoyabl

e night we made our way back to the Kombi and tucked in. In the morning we had bright beautiful sunshine and we could see the Swellendam mountains for the first time. Nobody minded the fact that it rained most of the weekend and it was very surprising to see how much the Breede River had

risen overnight, indicating that there must have been considerable rain in this drought-stricken area. After an early morning walk-about, we decided to hit the road, much to the enjoyment of the local Blue Cranes.

Sunday morning

Partying Blue Crane’s

As per our

usual meandering travels, we turned onto an obscure gravel road after crossing the Riviersonderend bridge which led us to the quaint little tucked-away town of McGregor.

McGregor

As is the case in all of our beautiful little hamlets throughout South Africa, a church is always the predominant structure, impressively towering high

above the other buildings. McGregor being no different.

McGregor

The slate walls found in Barrydale are here too, so the classic artisan craft lives on

in another town amongst the other quaint and quirky buildings.

McGregor

We popped in to the beautifu

lly appointed Tebaldi’s Restaurant for something to eat and sat outside on the back stoep. The gardens and the interior décor is really something and in true small-town tasteful fashion which we are spoilt with all over South Africa.

Tebaldi's Restaurant - McGregor

McGregor

After brunch we checked out the town some more and then headed back to Robertson and the normal

hustle and bustle of the R60 through Worcester and then on home through my beloved Bain’s Kloof Pass.

Bain's Kloof Pass Traffic under Dacre’s Pulpit

Caught on camera: Some hikers enjoying the trail and a biker enjoying the road

And so ended another weekend of travel, music, party and FUN!Until next time, “Keep on Tripping!”