An up and down route Karoo to Wilderness 3

A road trip is always packed with fun and when driving only on the back roads time is not relevant. 

We had time to chat, to look and to explore.

This will be our last leg of our journey that zig-zag through 3 provinces and travelled more than 2000 km 

Part 3

We needed to stop in Britstown 

The church in the centre of town

Our next stop was Victoria West

We found this wonderful memories of Mannetjies Roux a legend in rugby circles 

in Victoria West. Read more about the Victoria Trading Post here 

We passed all these wind turbines and wonder what was it all about. 

It was Noblesfontein Wind Farm

Beyond the valleys of Victoria West and Drie Susters in the Northern Cape lays a vast landscape boasting a new kind of bloom. Noblesfontein Wind Farm is situated 40km from Victoria West and is one of the first privately owned wind farms in the country. The erection and completion of the wind farm was in 2014 and there is 41 towers currently in operation. The farm, which belongs to the Roux Family Trust, was chosen not only due to the position of the land, but also due to the family’s own commitment to renewable energy in South Africa and it does not only focus on the environment through the use of alternative energy resources, but is also trying to give back through various projects in the community.

Thank you to Noblesfontein for sharing this picture

Beaufort West

Beaufort West is the largest town in the arid Great Karoo region, and is known as the "Capital" of the Karoo. Did you know? Professor Christiaan Barnard, the town’s most famous son who performed the first successful human-to-human heart transplant is honoured in the local museum, which houses a display of awards presented to him and a replica of the original heart transplant theatre.

Beautiful architecture 

After travelling for some time we stop for a bite at Boeteka Farm Stall 

They have proper padkos and the warmth and authenticity cannot be replicated. You will find this Farm Stall on the N12 

A selection with a difference 

When driving to the coast you have to make time to stop in Meiringspoort. The poort follows the natural gorge hewn by the Groot Rivier (big river) through the Swartberg range connecting, on either end, the towns of Klaarstroom and De Rust or the Groot and Klein Karoo respectively.

The 24 drifts are numbered and named according to something that happened. Some of our favourites are:

Spookdrif (Ghost Drift) A supernatural light, was seen at this drift.

Damdrif (Dam Drift): Upstream was a large waterhole. 

Boesmansdrif (Bushman's Drift) There are broad deep clefts in the rock, where bushmen lived. There artefacts were still to be found as late as 1965, but now the area is overgrown by wild fig trees. 

Skelmkloofdrif (Hidden Ravine Drift) Legend has it that layabouts (skelms in Afrikaans) living in this ravine stole Petrus Meiring's sheep. 

Aalwyndrif (Aloe Drift) named after the beautiful mountain aloes, which bloom from 

July to September

Nooiensboomdrif (Maiden's Tree Drift) Given this name because of two Kiepersol trees on either side of the road, their branches intertwining. 

Steweldrif (Boot Drift) Legend has it that Petrus Meiring's wagoner's boots were washed away at this point, causing him to return home for another pair. 

Herrie se Drif named to Herrie se Klip after CJ Langenhoven chiseled the name of his imaginary elephant in the stone which is found a little further up the river.

Witperdedrif or Rabbi se Drif (White Horses Drift or Rabbi's Drift):A Rabbi along with his horses and cart was washed down the river 

Wadrif (Wagon's Drift) A number of wagons were washed away at this point through time. 

Uitspandrif (Outspan Drift) There was space at this ford for the wagoner to outspan his oxen. This is now the site of a very neatly laid out picnic site near the Great Waterfall

Ontploffingsdrip (Explosion Drift) A wagon, fully loaded with dynamite and travelling at quite a speed on the very bumpy "Boer Road" is said to have exploded at this point because of the volatile cargo. Miraculously although the cart and mules did not survive, the driver did. He only carted wool afterwards.

Rooiuitspanning Or Langstraatdrif (Drft at the red Outspan or Long Street Drift) There was room enough at this drift for a number of wagons to outspan. The soil here is red, hence the name. This is also the end of a stretch of road almost 3 kms long without any river crossings, which is referred to as Long Street.

Peerboomdrif (Pear Tree Drift): A huge saffron pear tree made this a popular rendezvous and outspan. On the road nearby was a house. Two spinsters lived here until the death of one.The other buried her in the lounge and disappeared, never to be seen again.

De Rust a quaint, picturesque Victorian village connecting the Klein Karoo and the Karoo. De Rust has always been the place to rest before challenging the route through the next pass. 

Outeniqua Pass almost there. The Outeniqua Pass was built utilising labour from Italian prisoners of war between 1943 and 1951. 

Wilderness time to kick off the shoes and enjoy the sea. We stayed at Wilderness Dunes and this was wonderful. The only down side 225 steps to the beach. 

When in the area you have to visit Knysna and Belvedere, but that's not all you also have to eat at all the wonderful eateries in and around. Do not forget Victoria Bay, Sedgefield and Hoekwil. There is so much more to see and do. 

Enjoy your trip 

Thank you for taking this wonderful trip with us 

Till next time 

Sandra 

Our route from Northern Cape to Wilderness in the Western Cape 2

We have made time to explore the back roads during our trip to Wilderness. 

With no "padkos" but only cold water we started our journey.

We visited 25 small towns on our route 

And zig-zag through 3 provinces and traveled more than 2000 km 

We traveled for many kilometers next to the railroad 

The old steam engines made way for diesel locomotives 

We entered the Northern Cape and the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme

Hartswater was laid out in 1948. 

There is a monument built in the shape of a miniature church dedicated to the women of Vaalharts for their contribution towards building and developing the Vaalharts irrigation scheme located in the town of Hartswater.

You will find Olives South Africa just outside the town an a must stop on route 

The women monument built a s miniature church
The Vaalharts Irrigation water canals
The Olives at Olives South Africa
And old mobile at the wine cellar
Lots of donkeys along the route 

Our next visit Jan Kempdorp which was the site of a concentration camp for German men. The first plots was wold in 1938 and was named after Genl. Jan Kemp the Minister of Lands.
It is also known for the location of an Ammunition depot.
The most important reason for our visit was that our son Gerald-Cecil and his very special wife, Lesinda,  live in this small town.

A good reason to visit Jan Kempdorp is to go and have a look at stored steam locomotives at
93 Ammo Depot.

You have to get permission to visit this site as it forms part of the Military Base 

We had to say goodbye to our children and move on to Kimberley. 

As you enter the city you pass Kamfers Dam and the Lesser Flamingos breeding site  

Kimberley is known as the Diamond City. It is known for the Big Hole. A hand-dug hole the size of eight football fields. The labour that went into this is unthinkable. 

Next to the Hole is the Mine Museum and you can imagine the frenetic days of the diamond rush. 

Thanks to the photo's that we could use 

The Big Hole from the sky and the Star of the West that opened in 1870

Kimberley is known for the monuments and old buildings

Left: The Honoured Dead Memorial is situated at the meeting point of five roads, and commemorates and the tomb of 27 soldiers who died defending the city during the Siege of Kimberley during the Anglo Boer War. It was designed by Sir Herbert Baker as commissioned by Cecil John Rhodes. It is built of sandstone quarried in the Matopo Hills in Zimbabwe. It features an inscription as commissioned to Rudyard Kiplin:
This for a charge to our children in sign of the price we paid. The price that we paid for freedom that comes unsoiled to your hand. Read, revere and uncover, here are the victors laid. They that died for their city being son's of the land."
Top Right: This bronze work by Hamo Thornycroft depicts Rhodes mounted on his horse with a map of Africa in his hands. Facing north it symbolise Rhodes vision to extend the British Empire into Africa. Rhodes is depicted in the clothes he wore at the memorable Indaba with the Matabele leaders in Matopos in the 1880s.
Middle Right: St Cyprian's Cathedral
Bottom: The Town Hall is a beautiful building was constructed in 1899. Fergus Carstairs Rogers was the architect responsible for this outstanding workmanship.The old tram that stops right outside the town hall

Our next roadstop the Diamond Fields N12 Battlefields. We stopped at the Riet River which commemorates The Battle of Modder River. 

A wall that depict the Anglo Boer War 

The magnificent bridges - on for vehicles and one for trains catches your eye. The old picture of of the reconnaissance soldiers on their bicycles on the train tracks 

The block house that was built during the Anglo Boer War to protect the railway line 

Our next stop was Hopetown and the Oranje Rivier but before we get to Hopetown you have to read about my great grand father's brother and The Grange here.

The wind pumps at The Grange
Alfred Ernest - my great grandfather and Allister Thornton was brothers. Allister Thornton FINCHAM was born in 1871 inherited "The Grange" from his father they were ruined by the ostrich slump and become diamond diggers on the Vaal River, mined manganese at Black Rock and dug salt at Britstown. He was always looking for oil without success. Allister FINCHAM, the diamond millionaire, is his son.
The sign along the N12
Allister snr and Allister jnr with a selection of diamonds
Allister jnr 

Hopetown was founded in 1850 a farming area where several large diamonds, most notable the Eureka and the Star of South Africa were discovered between 1867 and 1869. 

This could be a beauty once restored.  Seeing some potential 

Kambro Farm stall was the stop for something to eat. They offer more than just food we left with some of the wonderful canning and jamming that is on offer. 

You have to try the pears in red wine.

Thanks for traveling with us 

Till next time 

Sandra