Moving around silently. Undeterred by the heat that filled my eyes with sweat, I creeped around the camp site behind my camera lens, capturing our first camping trip together. Mom and son, generously hosted by M and T.

Before I share my pictures with you, I must just tell you that this was my first time camping inland. Unfamiliar territory . . .

We left Cape Town after a frantic search for my bank card, which I only found ten days later! It was a long, hot and dusty road. No aircon!

Our first night in Citrusdal proved to be a bit of a challenge as the wind picked up drastically after 5pm and we weren’t sure if our tents were going to survive the night! I had visions of us waking up in the middle of the night, basked in the starlight while our tent floated downstream!

Fortunately we had lots of pegs and rope to ensure our tents survived the onslaught of a freakish berg wind. Once we got through our first night, I settled into the silence of the area. No traffic noise, no people noise, OPEN SPACE and a river which I refused to swim in because, well, it’s not an ocean! It was blissful peace and quiet.

Our host were so generous in spirit AND they exposed us to Banting bread, onions on the braai, balsamic vinegar (the first thing Kai asked for when we got home) and LOTS of wine (for me!).

It took Kai and Badger (the puppy) at least four days to get used to each other, even though Kai still jumped each time the dogs came near him, Badger settled and stopped herding Kai around the campsite. This was quite funny!

We had a lovely time, and I hope to do more mom-son holidays in the future. Best of all was spending time with kai, lazing under a tree without having to do or say anything. Content in each others’ space.

Here’s a look at our holiday in pictures, with much gratitude to M & T for inviting us to tag along.