Such lovely people!

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Aan De Doorns Guesthouse  

One of the great things about running a guesthouse, almost a “perk” that comes with the job, is the great people that one meets. At our guesthouse Hotel Pension Moni in Windhoek, Namibia we have made friends for life with some of the people that stayed with us. Most of the time they are impressed by our country and the people of the South and often I hear them say they wish they could contribute or assist in making a difference…  Life carries on and as they return home the best of their intensions fade with the memories of their holiday, heaven knows I’ve experienced it myself.

But and this is a ‘good” but there are a few people that make good on their intentions and make things happen with simple ideas that grow into making a big impact! Staying with us early November where four “volunteers” that travel the country in the name of BEN (Bicycling Empowerment Network), helping kids to know more about road safety and bicycle maintenance.  “The main mission of BEN is to address poverty and mobility through the promotion of the bicycle in all its forms. BEN imports used bicycles from Europe, and distribute them to low income areas, trains recipients of the bikes in safety and maintenance, establishes Bicycle Empowerment Centre's (BEC's) and encourages cities to implement bicycle planning and infrastructure.” ( quoted from the BEN website )

This organization and the people that work toward accomplishing their goal have had a major impact in local rural communities especially mobilizing kids to get to schools. I was humbled by Lynn  (Lynn Streit  - from Chicago), Mr Bean (Vivan Bean ); Fago  ( Fagodien Campher ) and Louis ( Louis de Waal -  “Oom” or “ Uncle” Louis ) and their enthusiasm and honest concern for the kids. This charitable idea has grown throughout Southern Africa and thousands of bikes have been distributed and people have been trained to be safe and use their new found mobility toward building themselves a better future. There are a few farm schools in our area and all of them have benefitted from BEN.

In the evening I would cook dinner and they would sit and discuss their day and the kids and teachers they interacted with and the mixed reactions they received. It seems that even charity is at the mercy of people’s perception and on the” turf terms”, interesting? I want to take the opportunity to thank the BEN volunteers for coming from afar to make a difference in my community what lovely people they are and what a great example to make good on intentions!

Prehistoric Gone Tactile

Contribution By: 

Aan De Doorns Guesthouse  

Since we’ve arrived in the valley not much time could be spend on establishing new friendships and linking into social groups. We have been busy settling in at Aan de Doorns Guesthouse with maintenance and gardening being the order of the day. 

Imagine my excitement when I was finally given the chance to join “Vroue sonder grense” (Woman without Boundaries), it sounded just like my cup of tea! These ladies are a social group that explore the goings on in Worcester and surrounding areas by meeting at different venues each time. 

This time we met at the Blind Spot; a theatre, conference venue and coffee shop. After a brief introduction to the venue and activities of the blind in Worcester we were taken on a tour….

A little known fact in Worcester is a unique fossil trail.What makes it different is that the fossils can be explorer with touch, opening the world of fossils to the blind and deaf blind people.

The late George van Heerden was the creator of this tactile fossil trail. With his love and passion for nature and history, he approached a team of experts with a project plan and facilitated the project till his passing in 2008. His wife, Anlo however, continued to manage and coordinate the project. 

The open air exhibition makes it an exceptional experience and the concrete exhibits serve as an excellent source of tactile information to blind and deaf blind people who have no other access to this unique resource. The fossil trail is situated in a safe environment wherein blind and deaf blind people as well as pupils and tourists can experience the exhibits at their own pace with trained guides. The fossil trail is an important concrete learning environment. Most of the fossils in this exhibition were donated by Dr Eddie van Dijk.

After the tour there was a little debate about theories of mankind’s origin and I was intrigued by the different opinions old school and “new age”. The experience had me wonder, just how short a time we as Homo erectus in prehistoric terms have lived on this planet and the incredibly devastating impact we’ve had. I will strongly advise any visitors to make an effort to go see this incredible exhibition and learn more about our prehistoric and geological heritage in a tactile environment. 

Worcester Farm and Fresh Produce Mekka!

Contribution By:
Aan De Doorns Guesthouse

Since arriving in the valley I have learned that not only is the Worcester area the wine producing mother-load of the Western Cape, but the locals have a knack for producing hard to resist fresh produce and homemade delicacies to write home about! Just this past month I attended two such showcases the Worcester wine and Olive route’s “Best of Both” market at Klein Plasie and the “Pret and Plaas ” in the Nuy valley. What a delicious platform to meet and mingle with the locals, and as you go sample what is undeniably mouth-watering, homemade excellence! In the tasting mix is always wine and “Gemudligkeid” as my native German homies would say.

So I discovered that Kwaggaskloof members have a few culinary secrets up their sleeves: Ronel from Scherpenheuwel (her catering skills assure success to each function on the Breede Otter, Danelle and her family from Rivierplaas (“vat-saam-vir-jou-familie” preserves and baked goods); Sarah from Oryx house and the famous Olyfberg (with anything Olive including beauty products)to mention a few.

Every time I attend these markets I make new friends and get that warm fuzzy feeling when I experience old fashioned hospitality in the truest sense of the word. I cannot wait for the “Pure Boland” market every first Saturday of the month; I always take the car with lots of space, because for a little you get a whole load full!

Dassiesfontein Farm Stall

Contribution By:

Aan De Doorns Guesthouse

My husband takes off on his motorbike ever so often, to leave us behind and find “Mind Space”, which I endorse as he usually returns the better version of himself. A few weekends ago he came back laden with gifts and excited to share his newly discovered route. From what he shared I had to go see for myself and so we set off Sunday midmorning on the meander.

We took the R43 turnoff too Hermanus and just over the first hill we were greeted by a green and yellow sea of Canola flowers. The wind was waving through the fields and the sky was wash day blue. It was like driving into a postcard or tourism poster. We stopped almost every 3km as the landscape ebbed and flowed with picture after perfect picture.

Then came the surprise our brunch stop; where the R43 T’s with the N2 make a left turn toward Caledon and immediately on the right against a hill stop at the Dassiesfontein farm stall, no questions asked. This is the MOTHER of farm stalls and there is nothing that you could want in homemade, creative, garden, wine, deli products, antiques furniture, leather goods, home accessories, clothing, lighting, kitchen utensils, baked goods and, and, and STUFF that you will not find here guaranteed! It’s very popular so you have to add your name to the waiting list upon arrival and then spend your time getting lost in it seems 5 hectares of all named above. The food is traditional home cooking style and portions are “doggy bag” must.

After our meal we passed by the deli and collected his favourite chorizo sausage and I left with Habanero and ginger jam! Before we could slip out the door the fresh bread counter and home baked pies take away was too tempting to pass. At 15h00 we were getting ready for a Sunday siesta, another new route and rewarding experience; ticked. Aan de Doorns Guesthouse proved again the ultimate day trip epicentre and home base!

Botanical Gardens - Karoo Garden

Contribution By:
Aan De Doorns Guesthouse

It seems we fill our days with chasing agendas and chores that drives the rut. Recently my father; aged 74 with a bad hip, came to visit from Gauteng and our time together was short as my day to day activities kept me on the run. I decided we had to fit in at least one meaningful activity so that he could experience first- hand why I choose to come stay in Worcester. We went for a picnic lunch to the Karoo botanical gardens and what we witnessed there in an hour’s time was inspirational.

Even though my old man is not very mobile the footpath was easy to negotiate and our efforts were rewarded all along the way. Each corner we turned was another photo opportunity! As we sat next to an ancient (I did not know one get such a thing) Aloe tree to enjoy our lunch the discussion concluded that this garden alone is one of the best reasons to relocate to the valley.

This time of year the flowers are in bloom since early August and the diversity in colours and species that one can see in such close proximity and little time left me asking: Why did it take me so long to enjoy such boundless beauty. The Karoo botanical gardens are situated just North of Worcester when you turn off the N1 incoming. We are new to the area and have explored the Breede valley high and low just to find the absolute gem of the area is abound and blooming less than a fifteen minute drive away. Once again I learned that beauty is on your doorstep you just have to take the time to open your heart and eyes to invite it in.

A few facts and figures about the Karoo Botanical Gardens:

The Karoo Botanical Garden is unique, displaying a wide variety of desert and semi desert plants of South Africa, with about 400 species growing naturally in the garden and another 2500 species propagated in glass houses. Explore one of the 3 relative easy to walk hiking trails naturally surrounded by Roberson Karoo or Breede Shale Renosterveld, enjoy some of the mammals and more than 95 species of birds that frequent the garden and natural land scape. For the less active explore the 1 km Desert Birds Trail or the Quire Tree Forest, Spekboom Forest, the Richterveld with its rich succulent diversity, the Plant Maze or the Xhosa Medical Garden and Nama Kookskerm. Use the picnic area in the garden to relax and reflect on nature’s beauty.

Bird Identification Workshop

Contribution by:
Aan De Doorns Geusthouse

Over the weekend 30 July 2011 we attended a workshop on bird identification, presented by Dr Anton Odendal of Overberg Birdlife.

You may say birding, well as a first time novice I must admit what an experience.
It’s clear Anton has been around the block and know his birding. The practical tips were useful even to get a first time novice like me going.

Armed with an overload of information and most probably dangerous with this first time knowledge I started to follow Anton’s tips and advice, starting with a life list in our garden.

Suddenly the garden life changed, as one start to notice that it is not just birds in the garden, but now you can actually identify them, give them names, and start to appreciate one of the things that is so easy to take for granted, our birdlife.

Well to conclude spending time in the garden is now more than just doing the lawn.