I had the privilege to be invited with on a business trip this week, and our mode of transport was a lovely 4 seater aeroplane. I have been spoilt in my life, having flown various aircraft (or rather been a passenger, except for the odd kind gesture of the pilot to allow me to hold the steer on occasion). I have taken a glide over Vic Falls in Zimbabwe, seeing the majesty of this Wonder of the World from the skies, I have seen the Falls from a bubble helicopter, landed on a lake in a ski-plane, glided around the Brandwacht Mountains around Worcester in the Western Cape, even circled above the Atlantis Dunes in a small two-seater. This however, was to be my first trip across the Free State, en route to Dundee in Kwazulul-NAtal, and I looked forward to it, as I wanted to get a closer look at the lovely farmlands in this part of South Africa.
We left early morning, our pilot was highly skilled, the weather played along so well, so the take-off and flight was as smooth as a baby’s bottom. The mighty Vaal River seemed asleep still as it was covered in mist. We passed the Bloemhof Dam, flew over towns like Welkom, Bethlehem and about one and a half hours later we landed in Dundee, after the pilot circled the airstrip a few times to gauge the wind. We were met by our host who then took us to his beautiful and successful farm. On the way back, we stopped at his incredibly beautifully decorated home to use the toilet before the flight home, and I marvelled at the decor and vistas of this historic home.
As a special treat, we got some Kentucky Fried Chicken in town, (no such luxury in our small town), and took off. I wonder how many people can say they have eaten the Colonel’s recipe chicken in a small aircraft whilst marvelling at the snow on The Drakensberg in the distance.
Click on each photo to enlarge.
With full tummies, Kobus and I dozed off until just before landing, so I had a good view of my home from the skies, and although the house is enormous, it looked like a little shack from the sky!
After a safe and smooth landing, I returned homewards, to normal life, contented to have added another adventure to my memory list.
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- The Drakensberg Mountains (nomadicmax.wordpress.com)
suletta 
Beautiful country, Suletta. Believe it or not I have a private license to fly but haven’t used it in years– to expensive. You live in a beautiful world.
Thanks Dannie. Yip, I believe flying is expensive. But you’ve done so many more wondrous adventures, so I am sure you don’t miss it too much?
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Stunning pictures of our beautiful country. Not sure I would be able to fly in a four seater! 🙂
I have always been a daredevil of sorts! Done the Cape to Rio yacht race across the Atlantic and flown in even smaller aircraft. I am scared I go into that old-age home one day and wish I’d done more.