We started the 1hr drive out to Karoo at about 10:30. We have really become “lazy morning” people. The drive was, once again, breathtaking. We listened to the audiobook of Little House on the Prairie, which has NOT aged well. Along with hangman, someone needs to make the “woke 2025” version.

We arrived and started to explore the beautiful gardens.

Despite the pretty pictures, let me assure you we did not have a fun time. Millie complained and cried from the moment I opened her car door to the moment we left, about 2 hours total. Some lowlights:

• She cried that we always “drag her to boring stuff” and that we “never do what she wants”
• Nick and I spent much of the time debating (arguing) if we should power through and make it clear that, while it’s okay to be upset, screaming doesn’t get her what she wants … or to just call it and go because no one was having fun
• She complained that her knee hurt and limped the whole time. She is genetically predisposed to joint problems so I was worried this would be a lifelong disability while Nick was convinced she was faking it for attention (tbd but she was fine the rest of the day)
• She didn’t want to wash her hands after using the bathroom and had a full standoff with me

Even when we thought we had gotten over it, various things set her off. It was rough outing. Beautiful? Yes. Fun? Unfortunately, no. A hard parenting morning.

Finally we left, which I think was a relief to all of us. We drove back towards our Airbnb, past the bright orange wildflowers that lined the highways.

And past this sign which felt strangely personal.

Our next stop was at Fairview Wine & Cheese, a vineyard / cheese maker combo. We knew Millie would enjoy seeing the goats. We watched them for a while and they headbutted each other and fought over their food trough.

Then we headed inside for a wine and cheese tasting. For Nick (famously lactose intolerant) they had a meat tasting, for Millie (famously 4 years old) they had a “kiddie tasting,” and for me (famously easy going) I had the regular cheese tasting.

Millie was beside herself getting to have a real glass of sparkling wine with us. Our server explained her whole tasting. She felt very fancy.

Her cheese board had one piece of regular goat cheese (she hated), a few flavored cheeses (cranberry et al), and two tiny pieces of fudge.

South Africa is in the lead when it comes to kid-friendly offerings. Many restaurants offer cookie decorating and sell entertainment packs from their menu to keep kids occupied.

When she got bored with her tasting, she drew the goats. I packed only one pen and a pink marker in my purse. She used the pink marker very sparingly, “so we remember they were boy goats” … god grant me the strength.

We drove the short drive home, lit another fire, and cooked more Wooly’s premade food for dinner. Early to bed and hoping for a better start to our day tomorrow.