Given that the South African road network comprises over 700 000 km and that the distance between major towns can be over 100 km, several roadside picnic spots have been established along the main roads. These provide one with the opportunity to safely pull right off the road in order to take a rest from driving. Most have tables and seats and many have either shady trees specially planted there or wooden structures to provide welcome shade on a hot day. No other facilities are provided except for a receptacle in which to put one’s rubbish. Here is a typical one in the Northern Cape:
I noticed on our recent trip through the Western Cape that long-haul truck drivers make good use of these spots in which to sleep in their cabs for a while before continuing on their journey. Other motorists stop to eat the food they have either packed for their journey (called padkos – road food in this country) or purchased in a town they have passed through. We stopped at this picnic spot outside Aberdeen:
Unfortunately some of these welcome stopping places have been vandalised or left in such a filthy state that one cannot really use them; others have become targets for potential thieves … all of which means that one has to look around very carefully before stopping. I am pleased to say that most offer the safe and welcome respite travellers need.
Apart from the welcome shade on a particularly hot day, we could also enjoy a pleasant view from the table – one of several:
A large truck was parked further ahead from us, the driver fast asleep, so we could enjoy the rest and scenery in peace on our own … or so we thought. A quick movement caught my eye and, after much searching, I found that we were being watched after all:
This lone monkey watched us closely without bothering us at all. Here is another example of a roadside picnic spot we stopped at to change drivers on our way home:
Something Over Tea 
Welcome respite indeed. It’s sad that people often do not clear up after themselves.
The greenery and the blue sky are such a cool contrast to the heat.
LikeLike
These places are often well situated and the scant shade provided by either the trees or roofs is always welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SA looks so much like Southern California, minus the monkey of course, poor us!
LikeLike
Yes, it was rather fun to see this monkey – especially as it didn’t bother us at all while we were eating.
LikeLike
Childhood memories! 😊
LikeLike
I can imagine … 🙂
LikeLike
A great idea – and love that little monkey!
LikeLike
It is a marvellous idea for the distances between towns can be very long indeed and drivers can do with safe places to pull off the roads to rest / eat/ change drivers.
LikeLike
very interesting!
▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪
▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫
LikeLike
I am pleased that you find it so 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
An excellent, and possibly essential, facility – apart from the few that are desecrated
LikeLike
Most of them are clean and in good repair.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The roads look in good condition, which is a blessing.
LikeLike
Western Cape roads … I cannot say the same of those in the Eastern Cape – cannot vouch for the pristine nature of the picnic sites in this province either.
LikeLike
Just driving from my house to the Mall, 8km, is somewhat of an ‘off road’ experience at times. It is difficult to know what to say ,but if we were to use another road metaphor then going downhill seems appropriate.
LikeLike
Very clever. In my town we play dodgem with the potholes, some of which stretch right across the streets.
LikeLike
Same here. The situation is becoming untenable. My gardener says Jhb is getting like Zim! What to do?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember as a kid stopping at similar picnic areas before the US interstate highway system was put in. The picnic tables/pavilions in Virginia always seemed to be neat and well-kept and freshly painted in black and white. The modern interstate rest areas, however, seem to lack the same attention of cleanliness. Not sure I’d want to be watched by a monkey, though!
LikeLike
Monkeys can be a real nuisance. Oddly enough there was only this one monkey – no sign of any companions – and it kept to itself, which pleased me no end.
LikeLike
The shade must be most welcome! Loved the monkey. 🙂
LikeLike
The monkey was a surprise 🙂
LikeLike
We also found a few beautiful stops on our trip through the Karoo
LikeLike
They break the tedium of the long empty roads.
LikeLike
Oh yes, absolutely
LikeLike
What a good idea to provide safe and shaded places to stop. A pity they don’t also come with a loo, even if it had to be a composting one. That is often what I am most in need of on a long drive!
LikeLike
That is very true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely view to enjoy at a rest stop!
We’re on the look out for birds when stopping for a snack but never a monkey 😏
LikeLike
This monkey caught me by surprise, especially as it was very quiet and unobtrusive 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many wonderful memories of Ma and Ouma’s padkos being unpacked from tupperware and foil at picnic spots like these!
LikeLike
Padkos and roadside picnic spots … conjure up so many memories from when we were young!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh shade. These scenic stops look quite inviting. I bet that monkey was hopeful for leftovers.
LikeLike
It was the most ‘polite’ monkey I have encountered for a long time.
LikeLike