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NB: This post was actually published minutes before Steem went down earlier this week. I edited the original posts and am re-posting this because I wanted people to A) be able to see it and B) to be able to engage with it. I was met with suspicion and skepticism yesterday - hence this post. I was later made aware of a rather insulting and hurtful conversation that transpired about me and my content, in a public discord chat room yesterday, among a select group of people - people that until recently, I respected, admired and really liked. I have to say, that reading the things that were said about me and my content have literally brought me to tears. It genuinely took the wind out of my sails for this place. I have done nothing but pour my heart and soul into this platform from day one. If I am not supporting or promoting Steem and the people here in one way, I am doing it in another - on every single social media platform I am a part of! 99% of my time goes to the support of others and my own content comes last. I have not bought my way to the small stash I hold, I have worked for every single bit of it - day after day - EVERY DAY since June 2017. I am honestly gutted by such thoughtless "mouths" - most of whom have absolutely no knowledge of me or my journey and efforts here on Steem. I have always been one of the completely die-hard supporters here and to have read what I did, I honestly feel like just walking away. Hopefully, this feeling won't stick around for too long - I am pretty practiced at bouncing back. As for my post, well here it is... and I have declined the rewards on it because FNCK all of YOU (you know who you are), your doubts and the things you had to say about me in that conversation. I know who I am, what I stand for and where my moral compass points and it is now abundantly clear to me those people don't.

.....

Had the most amazing day today! Sometimes, the impromptu plans turn out to be the best! When I woke up this morning, despite the gloomy looking weather, I knew I wanted us to do something with the day - plus, I was excited too... for "posh pup" (Herbie) to have his long distance adventure with us as a family :)

So, up we got and off we headed... we did not really know where we were going, other than the general direction which was "inland" because the weather is normally warmer there, so we headed in the general direction of Stellenbosch. Two thirds of the way there, Herbie decided that the comfy ride was a little overwhelming and he had to share his breakfast from earlier all over grannies lap hahahaha!!!! (funny, not funny...) so we had to made a quick stop to clean up lol. Then we headed to Warwick Wine Estate, which was gorgeous, but far better suited to a nice hot Summers day - which today was not! So on we went in the direction of the Route 44 Market.

Enroute to the market there were a few tracks that were playing on the radio, so I added them to my playlist. You all know I am all about the "soundtrack to life" so I simply had to share them with you! One is pretty old, the other is local and the last is at the request of my little man Jude :)

The old...

The local...

The little mans favourite...

This was the first time we have been to this market, despite the fact that we have driven past it a thousand times to go to the market just up the road. The first thing that blew me away was the SIZE!!!!! It was HUUUUGE - almost endless! What was amazing was that there was NO shortage of place to sit. Most markets are SO congested and you literally have to wait in line or fight for a bloody table haha! There was none of that, which was fantastic!

Jude (naturally gravitated to the tables that interested him lol - but as soon as he had his hands on some "gloop" and a burger, he was as happy a a pig in shizz nizz! :)

Posh pup was a little more nervy for the first little while and considering that this was his first BIG ADVENTURE - it was completely understandable! I think as "pup parent noobs" lol, we were equally as stressed.... it was particularly sandy, so all the treats I had packed for him were completely covered in sand the second we gave them to him... so we ended up fetching an old towel from the car for him to lie on... hehehehe... yes, these are "posh pup" adventures ;) and we still had a good giggle, because the towel we gave him just happens to be a "HUGO BOSS" towel HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Once we were all settled - I went on my usual "snappy happy" trip! I absolutely LOVE walking about and capturing the hive of activity around me at places like this! And I have to say, as far as markets go - I was blown away by the amount of variety available! I didn't even photograph a quarter of what there was!

That little walkabout left me feeling more confused than anything because I had no idea WHAT I wanted to eat! lol... So, back to the table I went and decided to sit and listen to the band for a bit before opting in on any of the deliciousness!

The band was fantastic! - A two man, but they played such great classics which really kept an awesome vibe rolling the whole afternoon.

At the end of it all, I surprised EVERYONE at the table with my food choice @zord189 - yes, I actually ordered a PIZZA!!!!!! hahahahahahhaa!!! Anyone who knows me well, knows that I HATE pizza! I consider it "cardboard food". I am a woman who cooks from scratch in her kitchen every single day! Nothing I make is bought (except on really lay days) - but if there is a sauce, I make it from the ground up etc. so pizza to me is well.... um.... ya! But anyhoooooo I ordered the most AMAZEBALLS pizza! - Basil pesto, tomato, roast chicken and feta! YUMMMMM - and yes, it was DIVINE!!!

As for posh pup, well he had not widdled or anything else the ENTIRE time we were there, so I took him for a walk, hoping that he would find enough peace to relieve himself - sadly not, but I did bump into an old family friend on the way which was pretty cool! - He was supposed to send me the selfie we took, but as those moments go... I am still waiting haha!

Nonetheless we went on a little more exploring before all the packing up started...

This market is SO massive that I only managed to explore and photograph the food section lol - but there is about five times as much to see, including all the crafts, adventure world for the kids and a home "design" niche. It really is AMAZING! We will definitely be visiting route 44 again soon, but for today... posh pup was pretty knackered... hehehehehe so homeward bound it was...