In Nieu-bethesda this festive season
Gerrit Baart at the Kitching Fossil centre with a festive Gorgonopsian! The creative vendors in New Street. The hard working team at ‘Tot Hier Toe’ padstal. NIEU-BETHESDA — The sleepy village of Nieu-bethesda undergoes a radical transformation during the festive season.
Usually quiet streets are filled with tourists and a bustling vibe is evident in the dusty streets and restaurants.
Nieu-bethesda is famous for the Kitching Fossil Centre and the Owl House, which are both open every day except for Christmas day.
There are many restaurants where tasty treats can be purchased for breakfast, tea, lunch or dinner. It is recommended that you book for dinner as the village fills up quickly at night.
The village is well known for its handmade crafts which make a welcome change from mass produced gifts from chain stores. The vendors outside the Owl House create exquisite sculptures which are really reasonably priced - a giant Karoo rabbit for your garden will only set you back R600. Remember to bring cash if you wish to purchase these lovely artworks. Beautiful books from Dustcovers, classy ceramics from Ware on Earth, sculptures from Frans Boekkooi, handmade clothing from Stuff to Buy, and top quality SA craft from the Owl House shop, the Melting Pot, the Village Inn, the Bethesda Art Centre and the Karoo Lamb are all available in this creative valley.
‘Tot Hier Toe’ padstal is another new business venture at the start of the pear avenue just outside the village. Open from 07:30 until late afternoon, 7 days a week, this is a perfect stop-off for breakfast or lunch, and the range of bottled produce is really something to behold!
Row upon row of preserved figs, jams, pickles, farm meat and comestibles line the shelves and fridges of this wellstocked padstal. For those sleeping over, ‘Die Winkel’ is a well-stocked grocery store in
BELOW: “Die Winkel” - well stocked with friendly service. Hudson street. You can buy anything from speakers to spaghetti in this colourful store! Hardware, food and drink are also available at the Nieu-bethesda Country Store just over the road.
“Die Ramstal” is often host to a myriad of musicians who pass through the village. On Friday, December 22, ‘Irish Volunteer Blues’ will be performing at the pub from 20:00.
On Thursday, December 21, an exhibition ‘Skyshadows’ opens at 18:00.
There are a couple of parties in the pipeline for New Year’s eve - one at the Ramstal, and the Festival of Lights at the Bethesda Art Centre which is world famous.
Be sure to visit Nieu-bethesda for a little holiday close to home - you won’t be disappointed! ABOVE: Another gig at ‘Die Ramstal’.