Transport Used: Train (WEST), Bus (171), foot (7kms walking).

Places Visited: Laingholm beach, Laingholm Takeaways.

Hacks Discovered: The AT Journey Planner app shows walking paths/routes that you can’t see on google maps. Also ask the locals for local knowledge of the best ways to get to a certain place on foot. For easier routes ask people walking dogs, for more adventurous routes ask joggers.

On my way there:

For this 24 hour adventure I stayed in a beautiful cabin (an Airbnb in Laingholm) surrounded by a beautiful garden. It was very comfortable, with multiple types of cereal and coffee/tea available for a delicious breakfast, a modern bathroom and a comfortable bed.

On arriving I decided to eat first then scope out the area after I had finished one of my classes. I unpacked and re-packed enough things for a walk, ate a bowl of porridge and set out from the airbnb around 5:15pm. I walked along Tane Rd, through a hidden bush walk that connects it with Warner Park Avenue, and then follow Warner Park Avenue all the way down to Laingholm beach. It was a beautiful walk, so lovely that I could almost forget I had to walk the whole way back – uphill – later.

Down at the beach by 5:50-ish, I enjoyed the view of the bay – stunning and misty, communed with the very-friendly ducks there and drank some water then meandered across to the local takeaways shop Laingholm Takeaways to see what greasy (or not-so-greasy) grub I could have for my dinner. I decided on a fish burger and (not my finest moment but nostalgia caught me) also a battered hot dog.

Food Review: The fish burger was ok, not excellent (some lettuce + the battered fish+ sauce) but not bad. However, the hot dog was perfect and exactly as a nostalgia hotdog should be. It was extremely processed, filled with memories and near-drowning in that version of tomato sauce that is almost exclusively used for hotdogs that one buys from local takeaway places. Both together made for a very satisfying meal, though a heavy one, which I justified by thinking of the 3 kms I had walked to get there and the 3 kms I had yet to walk back to the Airbnb thought the walk back along Victory Road, was very hot and uphill it was an excellent challenge and I got a great view of the bay at the top.

Reaching the airbnb again around 6:30pm I had a gloriously cold shower and refreshed myself before a couple more hours of work.

After about 8:30pm I relaxed gloriously into watching some youtube videos, reading the book I’d brought and playing some puzzles before retiring to the super-comfortable bed. 🙂

The next day, I had to leave early so I packed up at 7:30, had an amazing coffee, and left at 8am.

What a wonderful stay! I highly recommend this idea of a 24h getaway for people with limited time who want to immerse themselves in a different location/ambience. 🙂

Happy Summer and festive season to all!

Thanks for reading.