A go-slow tour to the Cape and back

Our “go-slow tour” had been months in the planning. We were heading for the beautiful Cape. While browsing through my collection of Platteland magazines, I had read about the towns of Merweville and Nieu-Bethesda. We decided we had to visit these two places.

After an overnight stay in Bloemfontein we tackled the long road to Merweville. The road was not without its challenges, of course. Huge transport lorries and roadworks will test any driver to the limit. When the N1 got too tedious, we stopped at Chargo Farm Stall in Colesberg for breakfast.

We drove on, and finally we took the Merweville exit at Prince Albert Road and followed the winding road through gorgeous Karoo landscapes. When we arrived in the town, we saw the large church etched against the late-afternoon sky. Even though it was early May, there was a nip in the evening air. After a delicious braai under a star-studded Karoo sky, we sought out the cosy bed in our typical Karoo selfcatering house.

The next morning at the Boekklub coffee shop we enjoyed “Tom’s omelette”, after which we explored the town and did some shopping at the Merweville Mall. A mall with only one shop – fortunately one full of surprises.

When we departed, we left behind a sleeping Merweville. We were back on the N1, and it wasn’t long before we were enveloped by the mountains and vineyards of the Boland.

It was Friday afternoon and the Cape was beautiful, bathed in a golden glow from the last rays of the sun. Table

Mountain in all its glory appeared on the horizon.

Too soon we had to leave a wet Bloubergstrand and say goodbye to the mountain.

After turning off the N9, we followed the road to the fairy-tale village of NieuBethesda. But before we got there, we were surprised by the sight of De Toren, a landmark in the area. We looked down on a patchwork of cultivated fields.

We eagerly explored the village, and the highlight for us was visiting Helen Martins’ Owl House.

The go-slow tour was coming to an end. Back home, I relived our journey with my green-glass-eyed owl. Together, we looked to the east and became silent and filled with gratitude.

Above lies Merweville in the arid Karoo. These days even more people know about it thanks to the TV series Die Boekklub, which was set in the town. (And the nougat that is produced there! – Eds) On the right is De Toren, just before you get to Nieu-Bethesda, and above right is the owl that Denese took home and now faces east.