SUTHERLAND 2021 TOUR REPORT

3rd – 5th September 2021

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This tour was meant to happen in mid-July – and then along came a Stricter Lockdown which closed restaurants and other activities and it was decided to postpone the tour until September, “to be ‘on-the-safe-side’ of lockdown.

A few booked passengers were disappointed, as visiting Sutherland in July almost certainly meant snow!  However, a week before our “new” departure date, Sutherland had a heavy snow fall.  This however didn’t last until our reset dates of 03-05 September, where the temperatures were more than ‘winter like’ especially at night when they fell below zero.

We left the Cape Town International Airport at just after 09:00 on Friday 3^rd September.  Why the Airport, when you are driving to Sutherland?  It is just easy access to the N2 and an easy place for our transport providers to work around.

We decided to take the alternate route instead of using the ‘well-known’ Du Toits Kloof tunnel!  Memories of previous years in winter were of mountain ‘streams’ gushing down the mountainside! However, on this trip our coach driver, Chris, remarked – “You may feel as if you’re going to heaven” – we drove in thick mist the whole way up the pass and didn’t see very much – interestingly we spotted a car ahead of us with the number plate “1^st Lady – WP” on an oldish Toyota – quite a lot of interesting chirps followed from the people in our coach!

On entering De Doorns we came to a grinding halt – and sat for almost ¾ of an hour and when traffic did start moving again, we saw emergency personnel close to a damaged barrier!  Just shortly after, Brian read on a social network post that sadly 2 people had been killed and the collision was between a light vehicle and a truck which went through the barrier, and down the mountainside!  This stretch we learnt after from people in Sutherland, is known as Death Bend! ☹

We had a lunch stop at the Laird Arms Pub in the Matjiesfontein Hotel – Johnny was in his usual place playing the piano but somehow this lacked the atmosphere that we’ve previously had. Johnny took a few people on his ‘Ghost walk’ – also seemed a bit rushed compared to previous tours!  Oh, dear life changes for sure – as we all know with what the pandemic has done to us all.

We then travelled the last 110km to Sutherland, arriving at Kambro Kind guest house just before 16:00.  The sky was extremely cloudy prompting us to change our two star gazing evenings – we opted for the Sutherland Planetarium show at 20:00.  This was preceded by dinner at Boorgat – a ‘new-kid-on-the-block’ in Sutherland!  Fabulous talking point; with a collection of engineering items from yesteryear!  The dinner was delicious and served by friendly staff.

Star gazing, albeit very cold was smoothly operated and we were told and shown the mystery of the universe – well done to the Sutherland Planetarium (there were only 20 people maximum which meant that you moved quickly through the two available telescopes.

Breakfast dawned and we were booked at the Blue Moon (formerly Cluster d’hote restaurant) which was sadly a slow story with plates not being heated (and you can only guess the result of this in Sutherland) – and another problem is that the room was icy, with the owner blaming his woes on the previous owner – in that the gas heater did not work at all. Dah, get portable heaters to make the area more comfortable! The meal was also 2nd grade.

After breakfast the ladies browsed The Sutherland Mall – we were booked for the 10:30 show at the new Planetarium which, once again, did not disappoint – as we were shown many photos in 3D of the inside of the SALT telescope which helped the many who were disappointed about not being able to visit SALT because of the pandemic.  The authorities say that tours will only resume when SA is on level 1 and that they can’t risk the Covid 19 germ getting into this ‘sensitive’ area!! ☹

The closure of SALT is SO sad, as tis always the highlight of a tour to Sutherland. A few of the people we spoke to in town also spoke about the the damage this is doing to Sutherland tourism.

However, we did manage to drive as far as the first barrier (where the visitors centre is) and from there we could all at least say “We’ve been to SALT” – not the same experience but at least we had photos to prove our point.

A delightful lunch was enjoyed at the Whitehouse Inn – so efficiently served by Cathy and Ian’s staff – well done to them all.

Then we motored back on the road to Matjiesfontein, 26km in fact, to Tjol se Gat – Tjol Herbst is a character of note and we spent nearly an hour there.  Of course, part of the ‘fun’ of going to Tjol is his serving of Sherry (R30 for a HUGE glass) which we enjoyed outside in the sun whilst Tjol told us of the reasoning behind his move from Paarl 14 years ago.  He is busy opening a property opposite, where one can camp, and enjoy the solitude, Tjol and his wife have claimed this to be their own.

On our return to Sutherland 6 of the ladies went to church – Darius gave us a fabulous insight into the background of the landmark NG Kerk in the main road.  Stimulating; informative and personal are the best way to describe this tour – (I have done this tour more than a few times and found this to be the best-by-far)

Some time was spent around the fire at Kambro Kind chatting and then a dinner with Chrisna and Kobus at Ou Meule Restaurant – we never saw Chrisna as her task is preparing the food in the kitchen, but Kobus is a charming host making sure everyone was comfortable in the dining room.

Star gazing tonight was with Jurg of Sterland.  We arrived at 19:45 and we were amongst the probably 60 people attending.  Jurg is a master at his game, and he had 7 telescopes tuned into the heavens and quickly moved between them pointing out the various planets / stars that were visible that night – enjoyable but our group felt that by just before 22:00 when Jurg showed us the last planet, we were more than ready, for the electric blankets at our guest house!

Breakfast was great at the Whitehouse Inn and put everyone in a good mood for the rest of our Sunday.  A short stop to refill the pantry at home was made at Hokaai farm stall followed by a short stop under a massive Escom high voltage line (765kV) where Brian provided an insight into the installation of equipment his company supplied for the construction. (Spacer Dampers that secure the bundle of conductors on the pilons. Imported from Brazil!

Chris and Brian enjoyed taking photos of the Wind Turbines – this project is gaining momentum in the Sutherland area – very encouraging to see.

Lunch was at the Veldskoen padstal, where Jacques and his staff have become well known, not only in the excellent quality of food served but in outstanding service.  A place to return to time-and-again.

Summary: A relaxed tour with a small group of interesting people and friends.

“WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STARS AND THE GALAXY,
YOU FEEL  THAT YOU ARE NOT JUST FROM ANY PARTICULAR PIECE OF LAND,
BUT FROM THE SOLAR SYSTEM”

Kalpana Chawla

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