Our Story
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Every traveller's journey has a unique beginning.
Our Great Adventure began rather unexpectedly.
I’d always secretly dreamt of doing something like this—living an adventurous, mobile life while travelling across Southern Africa, and finding and exploring ‘hidden gems’ and beautiful off-the-beaten-path places in South Africa.
You could say we were propelled into our journey, AND we also took a wild, crazy leap and decided to get out there and just do it!
How it All Began
So, this is how our unique ‘once upon a time’ began…
For 3 years, Dale and I co-managed a 115-sleeper camp and conference centre and were making some major headway in developing the establishment and building the ministry. It was our perfect little paradise—a gorgeous campground for hosting groups, school camps, retreats, and leadership programmes, nestled along a beautiful river in the Southern Drakensberg (near the idyllic farming town of Underberg, if you’re extra curious—see below).
A little sneak peek: Our home overlooked the Umzimkhulu River, and these were the views from our verandah.
But then along came the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Sadly, due to the heavy restrictions inflicted on the travel industry in South Africa, the owners of the establishment were forced to sell the following year, leaving us retrenched in the process.
We weighed up all our options—finding new jobs, staying in the area, getting our own place or renting. But nothing shouted “Yes” or gave us that much-needed sense of peace.
Until one very normal day arrived.
I was standing over the stove cooking dinner for us, lost in my thoughts of what the future could hold. I knew that God held our future, but facing the dark cloud of retrenchment, coupled with relocating the entire conference’s assets, and not knowing where or what we were doing next, was incredibly stressful.
We literally only had a few months to move and up-root our entire lives, but into what exactly?
Suddenly, Dale walked into the kitchen with a peculiar skip in his step. I knew he was mulling over something in his head. He sat on the countertop opposite me, stroked his beard for a moment, deep in thought, and said:
“Love, let’s sell everything, get ourselves a caravan, and travel...”
I thought about it for a second, smiled, and with my spatula in hand, walked over to him and gave him a BIG HIGH-FIVE.
“Yes, let’s do it!”
And that was it. The little phrase that changed our lives forever.
**
Upon our decision we instantly experienced a peace that transcended all our understanding—which can sound quite peculiar, if you ask me! Here we were, staring at the uncertain future before us, but daring to take that great big leap into the scary and beautifully wondrous unknown before us.
We knew we would regret not taking the leap now. So, with our hands empty, but our hearts full of excitement, peace, and great expectation of what was possible, we felt ready to go!
We soon established that we had exactly two months to sell most of our belongings and pack up and sort out the entire conference centre for its new owners, all while planning for our new mobile life. It was pretty crazy, to say the least! I don’t think I’ve ever been a bigger bundle of stress and exhaustion in all my life.
Oh, and did I mention that we didn’t have an actual mobile-home yet!?
Thankfully, my parents offered us their caravan to help us get us started on our journey, allowing us more time to search properly for our own little home-on-wheels.
**
Well, after two crazy months, on that special day when we finally hitched up the caravan to our vehicle and drove out onto that dusty dirt road leading out of the campsite, we were so tired but brimming with great anticipation for the adventure that lay before us.
I'll never forget that moment—feeling the weight of what lay before us.
Who knew where the road would take us.
Where Are We Today?
Well, our adventure continues... into our 4th year now!
We had no idea that we’d be going for this long.
We have grown so much as a couple and as individuals and I can truly say that it was one of the best decisions we ever made.
It’s also been a wonderful privilege to experience life this way. Every day is taken as a gift—a treasure—a remarkable 24 hours’ worth making the most of.
You may be wondering if we miss the “normal” life?
The camping, mobile life is certainly unique and something to adapt to. Yes, we rely on public ablutions, and don’t have a large, comfy couch to sink into after a long day at work, and sometimes we are hit by some really nasty weather.
But, we’ve grown to embrace every part of the lifestyle and journey, with everything life throws at us—from the incredible highs and lows to everything in between.
Would I change anything?
No. Absolutely nothing!
We get to see and experience beautiful places and meet the most incredible people along the way.
We're enriching our lives with an unforgettable treasure of memories together.
And, we have discovered the full freedom of contentment in the simple, non-materialistic things of life, with a deep sense of peace in the unpredictable unknowns life often brings.
There is so much joy in experiencing life this way.
Month to month, we get to soak in all the natural wonders around us, from timeless estuaries and rivers, to magnificent untouched beaches, and jaw-dropping mountain roads and views… all in our ‘backyard’!
And best of all, as a very happily married couple, we get to do life together in a remarkable way.
So, buckle up my fellow-traveller and jump into the adventure of a life-time with us.
It may be the best decision you ever made.
See you on the road! ;-)
Snippets Over the Years
25th March 2023:
Chintsa West (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
Us celebrating one full year of travelling.
25th March 2025:
Witsand (Western Cape, South Africa)
Three years in and still loving the journey.
25th March 2024:
Canon Rocks (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
Two years later and still loving it!
25th March 2026:
Plettenberg Bay (Western Cape, South Africa)
Can you believe it? We've been doing this for four years now!