KRUISBESSIE,
SCHOEMANSHOF
NOVEMBER 2008
Tuesday morning, 30 October 2008
My husband Hein
told me he wanted to go away for the weekend of 3-4 November. Somewhere peaceful – looking out on some kind
of water – not too far from home …
I must have phoned 20-30 places. All fully booked. By Wednesday afternoon, I felt defeated. But I tried one more time … and got lucky.
Schoemanshof is an old family farm, about 20 km
outside Potchefstroom – about 1 ½ - 2 hours’ drive from us. Originally, I enquired about this little
house, Kollegerus, that sleeps 4. At
first I pronounced it Kolle-gerus (Spots-quiet), but GP (the owner) corrected
me immediately – it’s Kollege-rus (College-Rest). Built in 1947, as a camping site for the Potch College
students. About 20 metres in front of
the house, is this lapa that looks out on the Vaal River. But it
was fully booked.
However – GP suggested that we take the big house. A HOUSE THAT SLEEPS 14. (photo below) The house is called ‘Kruisbessie’ and is built next to the Vaal River. (Kruisbessie, also called Cross-berry is a plant Grewia occidentalis – Buttonwood.) Although I haven’t seen these plants around the house, it’s probably where the name came from.
Friday 3 November 2008
Friday morning while Hein was at work, I
started to get everything ready. Although
he said he’ll probably only be home by 2:30pm, I packed the bags and watched
some TV.
He was home by 12 – we left half-an-hour
later. Drove to Potchefstroom, had some
McDonalds and stopped for some fishing bait.
Arriving on the farm, we drove past some old
outbuildings, through a farm gate and very slowly past sheep, while a sheepdog with
a sore foot, playfully led us the way.
Now although I’ve seen photo’s of the house,
Kruisbessie, NOTHING prepares you
for the real thing.
It’s built out of natural stone with a thatch
roof – even the inside walls are stone. The
lounge-dining-kitchen is open plan.
There is a huge fireplace for the winter,
books, magazines and also a TV with a comfortable lounge suite. Hunter’s trophies, old guns and family photo’s make
you feel at home.
The kitchen has got a back door, a pantry, 2
fridges and a chest freezer. It is
extremely well stocked – lovely plates and cups, steak knives and –forks and a
few braai forks. A microwave on top of
the fridge and my personal favourite –
The wooden island in the centre! Have you ever seen such a magnificent
piece! It has cupboards and drawers on 2
sides.
The counter tops are made of slate and can you
imagine – washing dishes while you look out on bushes, birds and the occasional
cow.
There are 2 bathrooms, both downstairs. This is
the bigger one, with a shower. Look at that basin!
The other bathroom has got a shower, toilet
and basin.
The house
has 5 bedrooms, with 4 single beds on the top landing.
There are 2 bedrooms downstairs – 1 with a
double bed, looking out over the deck and 1 with 2 single beds. Upstairs, there’s 1 bedroom with double bed
(left) and balcony, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds and 1 bedroom with 2 bunk
beds. Linen and towels are provided.
Then you walk out on this deck – it’s probably
the same size as the house – maybe even more.
It’s HUGE! And half of the deck
is covered with this amazing lapa with a braai and a long table and benches.
Plastic chairs are stacked for those in need of
some back support.
Wood is provided in a half barrel and for some extra
bucks, they give you more. We had 2
half barrels and could only manage to finish the one half. And we tried our best!
SO – are
you drooling yet? Please don’t – you
have not seen the best part yet. Oh,
there’s more? YOU BET YOU!
Can you see this amazing view of
the Vaal River?
Depending on the season, tariffs are
R200/person/night – minimum of 8 people.
We unpacked quickly and settled down with a
cold one – and felt the blanket of peace and tranquility wrapped around
us. We sent up a few thank-you’s to Him.
GP came around, had a quick chat and then we
braaied some chicken and sausages with salad.
Ate it outside under the lapa and then read for a bit.
Saturday 4 November 2008
We woke up, had coffee on the deck and
heard all these loud splashes in the water.
Fish! You can see them jump out
of the water catching little insects.
Schoemanshof is well known for
superb yellow fish. To catch this indigenous fish on a fly, is an
experience. Hein tried very hard, but
will have to come back to try some more.
There are also hiking routes and routes for jogging and mountain bikes. Close to the farm you can go for game viewing, river rafting as well as bow hunting. Quite the latest hunting trend – a lot more skill involved.
There are also hiking routes and routes for jogging and mountain bikes. Close to the farm you can go for game viewing, river rafting as well as bow hunting. Quite the latest hunting trend – a lot more skill involved.
For breakfast, we braaied some sausages and relaxed.
We were also visited by some
moo’s.
Peacefully munching away and when
they were finished, they splashed through the river to the other side.
Saturday afternoon, we had this refreshing
thunderstorm.
It truly is an experience to sit cosily under
the lapa, watching the rain splash on the deck a metre away. The fresh rain smell intoxicates you and
places you under a heavenly spell.
This is my chance – I thought. I quickly ran to the bathroom, filled the
bathtub with bubbles and when I was safely covered with them, raised the blinds
and opened the windows – I looked out onto shrubs, trees and once again, smelt
the wet earth and the rain. Oh yeah, I
didn’t have a cold one, but a cuppa.
What else?
For dinner, we braaied some chops and sausages
and Hein took this photo of the Vaal.
Sunday 5 November 2008
We braaied sausages again for breakfast
(we really, really tried to use all the wood) and then packed up.
We took a different route back home, through a
‘blink-and-it’s-gone’ little town, Viljoenskroon.
Although only a weekend – we felt quite
refreshed and ‘recharged’.
And are already planning the next weekend…
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