Kameel Stoepstorie: Details of a railway line

Kameel Station is 805 miles from Cape Town. 
It is 4449 ft above sea level 

The Cape to Cairo Railway was a dream project to cross Africa from south to north by rail. 

In the words of Cecil John Rhodes 

" the railway will form the main trunk line connecting the markets of the Cape Colony with the British South Africa Company’s territory and, ultimately, on joining with the Beira Railway Company’s line to Salisbury, will afford through means of transport from Cape Town to Beira."
We all enjoy a train ride and the sound of the wheels on the track smooth us into a relax and slow mood. 

The smell of the smoke when the fire is stoke. 

The magnificent whistles and steam sounds 

The friendly fireman and driver that always waved 

The station building was demolish and the only sign is the water tanks.

We took some photo's of the details

A part of the railway line that has been neglected over the years  

A section of the tracts that is still used for passing trains once a day 

The wooden sleepers has made way for concrete sleepers 

Spotted this old Rhodesian Teak sleeper 

The railway switch is still intack 

Details of the switch (wissel in Afrikaans).
A switch, turnout or points is a mechanical installation enabling trains to be guided from one track to another.
It could be at a railway junction or where a siding branches off. 

More details of the switch.  The switch consists of a pair of linked tapering rails, known as points (switch rails or point blade) lying between the diverging outer rails.
These points can be moved laterally into one of two positions to direct a train. On the photo you can see the two rails next to each other.

The distance meter to Warrenton in the Northern Cape
179.5 km to go to the next junction.
You will notice that there is more of these distance meters standing in a row.
The next one reads 179.6 and these are 100m apart.
After the 10th marker it change to 180.
It reminds of of the road makers.
One can say different ways of transport but sharing the same information.
Thanks to all the members of Footplate Memories that helped me to understand this. 

Dates stamped on the bar of inspections carried out 

Little details of days gone by.
Thanks you to Eddie Barlow for sharing these detail photo's 

Trains honored on stamps 

Watch this short video on Steam Trains

Thanks to Mark Ruddy for sharing this video

25NC's nostalgic trip between Kimberley and De Aar, South Africa

Music: Oh Brother .... you got a long way to go ...the artist Finch & Henson

The journey of a steam train 

Click HERE to see the video 

My mother next to the rail track. 

Thanks for visiting 

Till next time 

Sandra 

Kameel Stoepstorie: Afghan with diamonds and bobbles.

After spending some time looking for a pattern to knit a stunning afghan this was the number one choice.  

This pattern was copied from Freepattern.  You can download it here 

If you do have problems please send us a comment with e-mail address and we will forward it 

The texture and lace effect was a must.  Must say it took longer to finish than expected.  

The texture and leace effect was a must.
Must say it took longer to finish than expected 

I have used Elle Pullskein wool and adjusted the pattern accordlingly

Finished - hand made with a lot of love 

Thank you for visiting till next time 

Sandra

Kameel Stoepstorie: A drive in a beautiful area . . . . Kameel

DeOudeHuize

Some time ago we took you on a trip to the area close to the Kalahari Desert.  

You can read the post here
Today we would like to introduce you to a Bed and Breakfast called 
Kameel Rust and Vrede in this area.
Translating Rust and Vrede means Rest and Peace and you will agree. 
It is hard to imagine the cool, green oasis that awaits you when you arrive 
at Rust and Vrede after a journey through the hot, dry but so beautiful North West Province of South Africa. 

The ideal place to be for a late afternoon dinner as the sun sets in the West

The beautiful sunsets to capture 

This establishment is situated near the Kameel railroad station. Situated between Stella and Delareyville on the R377 in the North West Province in South Africa
The Railroad was built in 1894. 

The establishment is set in a beautiful and well manicured garden. 

You are invited to the heart of this historical area 

The spacious rooms are all very comfortable and well equipped with private entrances. The rooms have en-suite bathrooms as well as tea and coffee facilities and a bar fridge.  Accommodation is offered in the shade of beautiful trees and gardens and you can watch heavenly sunsets and listen to the sounds of nature.

There is also caravans for rent.
If this is your option you can stay close to the area where small game are rehabilitated 

Relaxing round a camp fire 

You can experience early evening with a drink on the patio
Walks in nature is a must
Cooling of the farm dam will help to cool you after a nature walk
Remember you camera to capture the sunsets 

A festive evening where dinner is served and an antique tent
Can you imagine this special experience? 

A wonderful dinner prepared from local products 

  

A special romantic dinner on the patio of a room

The gardens are an oasis and at night time you will see the smaller wild animals grazing in the garden.

You will be able to take a walk on a well-marked route to the “pannetjie” where there is an abundance of birds. 
You will also be able to see the Camel thorn trees.

Hope that you will soon have the opportunity to visit this wonderful area and establishment 

Till next time 
Love 

Sandra 

Kameel Stoepstorie: Ode to our family living in Kameel in the North West, South Africa

DeOudeHuize

In the NORTH WEST the stars were so close you could touch them when standing on your toes. 

As we travel we noticed the large fields and the grain silo's every so often. 

What started off as a simple road trip to attend a funeral became and ode to the entrepreneurial and hospitable spirit of our family. 

Names of places includes Eeram, Rosettenville, Ottosdal, Excelsior, Delareyville, Hartbeestfontein and Kameel.
We realized that we are part of a grain producing area. 

On our route we came across interesting transport vehicles 

We experienced the hospitality of Julian and Maggie who show us an
array of happenings on the farm where we grew up. 
Top row: The old shed that my dad built is still standing and as always the
doors show the unique style, the hens on the farm lay eggs with a blueish shell colour. The swiss goats are a new addition to life on the farm. 
Second row: The apple goats enjoy the green grass, the sunsets is still
spectacular as is the scones and home made jams. 
Bottom row: The quiver tree that hitched a ride in an aeroplane, the sergeant
and his squad and the old ficus creeper's fruit 

Old photo's of the good times
Top row: Grandpa Victor and Grandma Hester, my dad, Gerald and aunt Jean and a cousin on the famous Harley, Uncle Ernest
Middle row: Grandma Hester, Grandpa and Grandma, Mrs McKay
Bottom row: Douglas, Elaine and Renee, Grandpa and the ladies 

Tea time and the beautiful teacups as shared by my cousin Elaine 

We came to say goodbye to Dalene - our sister-in-law
Dalene love so do fancy needle work and her embroidery is still outstanding
She raised Cecil jr, Hendriette and AJ
Back row: Kobus, Tanya, Santa, Mike, Hester, Cecil, Lieschen, Mike jr, Cecil jr, Julian, AJ, myself and Hennie
Front row: JP, Maggie, Ma Floss, Elaine, Jean , Hendriette and Sammy

Nostalgia and memories of the past 

Dalene thank you for being part of our family 
Thanks to Hendriette for sharing some of the photo's 

Thank you for taking this trip with us 
Till next time 

Sandra 

Kameel Stoepstorie: Ofelia and Lasagne

Ofelia was the hairdresser in the town, Vryburg, in the North West Province of our country.  

I hated hairdressers and still do but my Mother just love to go to the hairdresser.  

Once a month we would take the 60 km to town for this monthly treat

To my mother's disappointment the latest hair trends did not impress me but Ofelia was an Italian lady and yes you have guest it the food was much more interesting.  

I finished school and went to University to become a teacher but
In 1978 Ofelia's Lasagne a la Bolognaise became part of our family 

Over the years we have learned to make our very own pasta and what is more satisfying to serve home made pasta to our guests.

To make the Lasagne a la Bolognaise is like talking to an old friend 

Bechamel Sauce:
Melt 15ml Butter in a pan, add 15 ml flour and mix to smooth paste.  Gradually add 500 ml milk and stir continuously until smooth and creamy.  Add 250 ml strong flavoured cheese, salt and pepper to taste

Bolognaise sauce
Saute 1 finely chopped onion in 45 ml olive oil until golden brown with 2 medium carrots chopped and chopped fresh celery. Add seasoning to taste.  Add 800 g lean topside mince and 2 or 3 chopped chicken livers and brown .
Add 500 ml water, 125 ml red wine (semi sweet), 1 x 113g tin tomato paste. If preferred increase the water and leave the wine but add 30 ml sugar. Cook over medium heat and stir occasionally.

Prepare the lasagne sheets as preferred

The difficult part is to stack the bolognaise, lasagne then the Bechamel in sequence

Top with strong flavoured grated cheese

Place in pre-heat oven of 160 oC  till ready
Fill the glasses with a medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and enjoy a good match

Love from South Africa 

Sandra 

Kameel Stoepstorie: Aunt Polly's Apple pie

My first teaching post was in Port Elizabeth.  

As all teachers the first teaching experience is the once that shape and form you. 

During this time I was privileged to visit my Tant Polly and "Oom" Solly in Uitenhage and they used to invite me every Sunday for lunch.  

Polly Ferreira was a legend in our family. 

She was my grandmothers sister and was known for her apple pie. 

During this wonderful time I received the most wonderful Apple tart recipe.

Her Apple pie was the first thing that I baked it was also the first thing our son's baked.

The boys would bake it in little baking tins and impressed the girlfriends with their golden brown Apple pies. 

  This recipe has been part of our family and De Oude Huize Menu ever since.   

Being blessed to live in an apple producing part of our country I have baked this pie on many occasions when guest would walk through our front door.  

During the time that I stayed in Port Elizabeth I also had a very funny Milk tart experience 

You can read that story here 

Forty years later and it is time to share it with you.  

Enjoy the mixing, baking and eating!

The famous Golden Brown Apple Pie of Aunt Polly’s (1975)

Beat 1 cup of sugar with 3 tablespoons butter until creamy.  

Add in 3 eggs, one at a time and beat after every addition  
Beat well.  
Add 1 cup flour, sifted, with 1 teaspoon baking powder and a pinch of salt.  Mix thoroughly.  
Add ¼ cup milk and beat well.  
Pour mixture in large deep dish, greased.  
Arrange pie apples on top.  
Bake ¾ hour at 180C. 

Sauce

¾ cup sugar, ¾ cup water, and 3 teaspoons butter.  Boil slowly for 5 min.  Pour over pie when it comes from oven.   

Love from South Africa 

Sandra