S1 - Ep 208 - Van Stadensrus - This Little Free State Town Stole our Hearts!
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- čas přidán 18. 11. 2022
- It wasn’t a long drive from Zastron to Van Stadensrus and before long we were greeted by the beautiful Van Stadensrus Dam to our right as we turned left off the R26. The first thing we saw was the town name which confirmed it was established in 1924. Then we took a slow drive down the main road and saw a beautiful abandoned building which looked like an old general dealer or similar store. We then happened upon the old Van Staden Hotel and we were totally smitten with this grand old building which was built in 1928. The weird thing is how beautiful this old building still is even though it is falling apart. It has so much character and shouts out to everyone driving by, telling us “I was once magnificent!” Well, that’s what I felt when driving past. We had to say our goodbyes and then it was off to the Egmont Dam. What an adventure that was! #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #vanstadensrus #freestate #egmontdam #zastron #vanstadenhotel
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It is so lovely to see all these little gems in our beloved South Africa. Thankyou for taking us with you.
Anytime! 🇿🇦 We're so happy to hear that you enjoy exploring the little places with us, you're always welcome! 😁🚗
Hi guys amazing video love the hotel architecture these small towns have a certain magic the drive through the willows would be a film directors dream the location scouts have missed this one then the dam at the end of your dust road journey so enjoyable thanks again cheerio till next time
I know you love architecture too! We absolutely loved the building style of the hotel, I can only imagine how beautiful it was back in the day! That road framed by the willow trees made for such a scenic drive, it was fantastic! 🌳 We're happy that you came along to Van Stadensrus, thank you for your company! 😁🚗
Van Stadensrus ...a town of many contrasts, more fitting to be a find in the Cape than the Free State. The hotel, a remnant of days gone by, missing the treatment of the product famous for the "dam wall" advertisement, speaking of which...what an engineering splendor from 1937 and the views, absolutely incredible, as if painted on canvas,a masterpiece, inviting all of us to join you as you take us through roads less travelled, cows munching sweet grass, and the silence is broken by real human interaction 😀...a wife needing her husband's reassurance that everything is going to be sharp sharp...Sonia should know Free State people are friendly, afterall exhibit "A" is seated next to her 😀 The NG Church, standing bold, yet inviting and soothing...
I've certainly been called many things, but 'Exhibit A' is a first for me! 😆 Van Stadensrus speaks our language. The one about forgotten times and people for whom the remains of buildings speak today. And they did that loud and clear in this little place. That hotel had us speechless for a minute or two and that, as you very well know, doesn't happen very often when we travel. I'm so glad you enjoyed the trek to the dam. My darling wife was hopeful at the outset because Google Maps made it look so easy, which it didn't turn out to be as you saw. 🙃 It was worth it though and the Kwid was super clean and shiny underneath from the long grass brushing it from below. 😁🚗 The Egmont Dam is for sure an engineering marvel dating back to the 30's, I've never even heard of the dam before that day.
By my late friend, Dr Jan van der Merwe in his book "Vrystaatse Dorpe" The Provincial Government approved the establishment of a town on 20 April 1920, the village was officially proclaimed on 27 February 1925. Just north of the town is the grave of Commandant C W A. Durand a ABW2 veteran, cought by the Brits at Jammersdrift and send to Ceylon. Also one of a few Boers who suceed to reach the summit of Thaba Bosigo in the Basotho War, in 1855. Boere hero General Louw Wepener died there in his arms ...
Yes, our quick research that day also showed 1925, not sure why the date on the wall clearly indicated 1924. 🤷🏼♂️ Thank you once again for the background info! 👌🏻
Ek kan maar baie nostalgies raak en toe ek lees dat my Oupa Grootjie Louw Wepener in sy arm gesterf het, was ek sommer vol heimwee. Baie dankie vir die inligting. Ek geniet elke kilometer saam met julle.
Nikkie Vivier, ek het die insident van jou grootoupa Wepener toevallig raak gelees in Jan van der Merwe se boek
You guys are really Dustbugs. Man you travel - I love it! Thanks for the great content.
Thank you! 😁🚗 We just love getting off the tar roads and going where not that many vehicles go. That's where we find the real magic, as the Egmont Dam just proved again! We so appreciate you travelling with us. 👌🏻
Loved those trees lining the street as you entered the town. A very old town with beautiful buildings as you can see from the places falling apart. Willow so green on the way to the dam walk. What a experience that dam was so beauriful well worth all that unused road. I really envy you and Sonia well done.🌳🌳
The Free State trees drove us wild, they were everywhere we went! 🌳 The town was a sad, but beautiful sight and we couldn't help but be transported back into history by just looking at some of those buildings. It was a fantastic visit and we're so happy that we took the time to explore Van Stadensrus. The dam and wall were awesome too and we were amazed to learn that it was built in 1937 already. That was really impressive! 👌🏻🚗
Vriends, I LOVE your videos of these little towns in the Karoo, especially those with beautiful Cape Dutch architecture. I would love to live in some of these towns, but they could never understand my Southern American dialect. I think I have watched almost all. Go to Rosendal in the OFS, where my buddy in Henley-on-klip has a place. You must go to the Zebra Pub in Orania and tell them the American, AKA The Legend of Orania says hello.. This old American has never been treated so well and had a big braai the last night I was there. I nearly cried when I had to leave. I wish I could buy some Boorvoors (Sp) at my local grocery store. You guys so happy together and I love to see people in love and together!!! Totsiens, Baie Dankie Dankie,Greg, Springfield, Louisiana in the good old United States of America!!!!
Don't you worry about your dialect, South Africans are generally accepting of other dialects since we have so many of our own. 😊 Friendliness would be the one essential requirement in a small town and judging by your comments and your past experiences in South Africa, you have more than a sufficient amount of that! 😁 We're working our way across the country and will eventually reach Gauteng and will certainly look at including Henley in our route. We've yet to return to the Free State and visit the towns in the rest of the province and hope to get to see Rosendal on one of those trips. I'm not sure when we'll visit Orania again, but I'll keep the greetings from The Legend of Orania in my back pocket until such time. That is if you don't get to visit again before we do! ✈🚗 When we lived in the US, we thought the Great Value Bratwurst from Walmart was the closest thing we could find to boerewors and we ate that on a weekly basis to remind us of SA. We so appreciate you watching our videos and commenting, it means a lot to both of us, thank you. 🇿🇦🇺🇸
Another great adventure in an amaising little town and surrounds, travel safely
Thank you for joining us, it really was a fun visit to Van Stadensrus, the area was so wonderfully green and just too beautiful. 🌳💚
The dam and dam wall are indeed stunning. Thank you for taking us there
Glad you thought so too, it was well worth the drive out there. It still blows my mind that the dam was built in 1937 already. 🤩🌊
My parents lived in "Mook" as we call it, for 8 years. The town is also named after one of my distant relatives.. There are also tons of abandoned farmsteads in the area.
We saw another name for the town was Mook, it's interesting that you actually called it by that name instead of Van Stadensrus. Those abandoned farmsteads must be interesting to explore, but I bet they all have sad stories to tell. 😏
Absolutely fascinating.
Yup, indeed. We found this town and surrounding area rather fascinating too. 😊🚗
Wow! That dam wall was a gem of a find... Well done! Perseverance paid off for sure 😉😆
Oh yes, it was really worth the trek! 😁🚗 Amazing that the dam was built in 1937 already, I found that particularly fascinating. I'll happily open and close some more gates if we could find something this special again. Appreciate you watching, as always! 👌🏻
Good work guys,pls be safe, south Africa is no longer safe,stay blessed
Thank you, we're glad you enjoyed our visit to Van Stadensrus. We're always vigilant and careful, no matter where we travel. We appreciate your concern. 😊🚗
Wow you two I’m amazed at how determined you were to get to that dam wall🙈🙈🙈👏👏👏stunning I was so nervous for you driving on That road. Well done. Travel safely thank you so much for sharing that with us
Beautiful dam, hidden way away👌👍👍👍
We just had to go and check it out and it was awesome! We couldn't believe it was built in 1937 already! 🤩🌊
Thanks
Many thanks for supporting our channel! 😊🚗
Gosh, those potholes are real axelbreakers!
They were indeed some of the worst we've seen on our trips thus far! 😨 But they didn't pose a real threat to these two slowcoaches! 😁🚗
@@DustBugsTravel I saw worse ones in Eastern cape
My home town😄
This episode starts out with a swarm of potholes. A very real travel channel, with warts and all.
Thank you. 😊 There was no denying that they were really bad on this stretch. 😨🚗
Hi you two, thank you for this trip. No need for gravel road to start off if there's a nice potholed paved road ne?
The town is both delipidating and being repaired - confused me a bit. But seeing the cattle on the neighbouring farms makes me think it might be kept going by auctions. The farmers might keep it going, but are they going to renovate the hotel? !
Your scenes around the dam were beautiful, giving a true reflection of what Van Staden's 'Mook' farm, on which the town was laid, out, must have looked like.
Keep going and keep safe!
😂 laughing at your potholed comment
@Nic Grobler, the potholes on this stretch were next level! 😨 The hotel is very close to our hearts, but my thought is that it's really too far gone and renovating it in isolation won't attract many tourists anyway. Not everyone likes to explore forgotten towns and villages like we do. 😏 The hotel currently houses several families as far as we could tell. I suspect you may be right and that it's most probably auctions coming to town that also provide casual employment to a lot of these folks. It was interesting to note that some houses are being fixed up, which is always encouraging to see, no matter where we are. The dam and wall were a sight to behold and I'm so glad we pushed on, regardless of there not even being tracks at some points. 😁 I never even thought that that must've been part of the original farm, what a great point! It was fantastic to have you along once again! 🚗🌊
@Des H Yeah, me too! I'd still prefer gravel a hundred times over though! 😁🚗
I loved this episode as well. You having a ball you two. Im a shade green.....😋😋😋😍🤩😘💕
I too am a “shade green”
@terri meyer I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, it was a really fun experience for us to explore this area. It's great that you always join us, we're so happy to have you along. Although I grew up in the Free State, it was still unbelievable to me to see the diverse landscapes and natural beauty of the province, we loved every moment of this trip. 😍🚗
@ Des H No need, you're both always on the backseat as we go! 😁🚗
How long am I following you guys now? from like 80 subscribers. You grew quickly hey. You doing what I've always wanted to do but cant now. No money and dragging a wheelchair with. Ill leave it you two 💕💕💕💕😂🤣😍😍😍
@@terrimeyer3815 You certainly have been around since the very beginning. I'll never forget how you 'complained' about the short episodes in the beginning. 🤣 You were the initial inspiration for these loooong episodes you now see. 😁🚗
As jy so paaitjie ry en jou vrou raak stil..
😆Then you know! It was worth the trek though, the view of the dam and the dam wall was quite spectacular. But not easy to get to. 🚗😁
😂
Baie jare terug daar vis gevang, terwyl ek op wepener gestasioneer was, julle moes Boesmanskop ook besoek het,, net aan die anderkant van die berg, dankie vir julle, geniet julle baie
Thank you for tagging along, glad to hear that you're enjoying our videos. 😁 It was already late in the day and we still had to get to Wepener where we spent the evening, so we had to push on. We didn't even know about Boesmanskop, but have made a note for a possible future visit back to the area. We learnt a long time ago that there is simply too much to see in every place and impossible for us to visit them all in one go. 😏🤷🏼♂️ You can look forward to our video of Wepener next, you probably know the area well since you worked there at one time. We hope you enjoy that one too. 👌🏻🚗
What a wonderful visit. So interesting and friendly and warming. I always hear the birds signing on your journey with you.
Thank you so much, that's very kind of you! 😊 We're always so happy when you hear the birdsong in our videos. Fortunately they're our constant companions wherever we travel and they just always succeed in making us smile. We appreciate you taking the drive to and through Van Stadensrus with us! 🦜🚗
So gaan elke klein dorpie lyk in 10jaar dit maak my baie hartseer die verval is skokend
It was indeed sad to see the decay of such beautiful buildings, especially in a little town that we could just tell must've been very pretty in its heyday. 😏 Some of those buildings are still painfully beautiful, even in their current state.
Another dead, depressing little town.
Superb! Wonderful way to have started my day 😁🙏🏻
It was such a wonderful area to explore, glad you enjoyed it with us! 👌🏻🚗 I hope the rest of your day is fantastic!
@@DustBugsTravel
It’s been peaceful, pottering in my garden, thank you ☺️
I’m so often left speechless after travelling along with you both. I take it ALL in and go into a sort of reverie. Your happy chatter is very comforting for those of us sitting on the backseat 😉
That’s a pothollie road yhoooooo🙆♀️
Some of the tar roads in the Free State were pretty bad as far as potholes were concerned! 😨🛣️
Thanks for the travels guys and that little car is impressive also.
We appreciate you joining us on this trip! The little Kwid is absolutely amazing, it really takes us places! 😍🚗
Welcome to Free State...the pothole capital of South Africa...lol...you'll be amazed by the road conditions when you travel between Ficksburg and Fouriesburg
Yup, they were pretty bad, but we had to get from Zastron to Van Stadensrus, so we just had to make do! 🚗😁 We didn't visit Ficksburg or Fouriesburg during this trip, so we'll check those roads out some other time. We're used to major corrugation on gravel, so potholes don't bother us that much. We're also not into speed by any stretch of the imagination, so don't mind tiptoeing past the holes. We spotted some pretty crazy driving from drivers trying to avoid potholes. LIke avoid a pothole and cause an accident type of vibe! 😨
@@DustBugsTravel we encountered a really nasty pothole when travelling to Philppolis from Colesberg, it crossed the entire road, I managed to slow down to 20km/h just in time. The road was perfect till we drove over a bridge that crosses the Orange River...lol...right at the border of the Free State, the toll fee is your tyres 🤣
Hi there, we've subscribed to your channel and we love traveling with you guys. Where do you find all the farm stays? Is there a specific website you use? Travel safe guys and carry on taking us places, we love it. God bless you guys
Hello there and welcome! It's fantastic to have you on board and we're so happy to hear that you enjoy our videos! 😁🚗 We're essentially budget travellers and mainly used to book through lekkeslaap and airbnb, but we have struggled to find accommodation in our price range lately, so we mainly use Google now as our resource, which has proved fruitful. We have to search a little bit longer than before though. We wish you happy and safe travels too!
The cornerstone seems to read: Ds. J. R. Marais.
Thanks, glad you could make it out! Perhaps the two of us need new spectacles! 🤓🚗
Ek is seker daarvan dat meeste van die mense wat hier gebly het bly nou in Orania
It would be interesting to know where everyone relocated to, I always wonder where people settle when they leave a place. 🤔
I can't share this on the Kampforum ☹
Thank you for letting me know! 👌🏻 I seemed to have inadvertently changed a setting and am in the process of correcting. You should be able to share again in a few minutes. 😁🚗
@@DustBugsTravel thanks, it's fine now. 👍🏻
shame on you making me crave one or two, at the start of the show.....i bet it hit the spot lol
#fatkaces
😁 You better believe they did! They were sone of the best I've ever had actually! 🤩🍔
I would love to go and check out those awesome old abandoned buildings. But not before the Free State provincial government sorts out those disgusting roads. I would rather ride on a Northern Cape gravel road than a so-called tarred road in the Free State any day.
Those buildings are indeed awesome and still very beautiful, even in their current neglected state. We found the gravel roads in the southern part of the Free State much better than some of the tarred ones too. Nothing was going to keep us away from exploring Van Stadensrus though! 😁🚗
Dit lyk nou na n lekker dorpie. 👍
It is indeed a quaint little town. 😍🚗
Safer to drive on the pavements.
Yup, like we saw them do in Paterson. 😏
Never get your information from Wikipedia. :)
Sometimes Wikipedia is the only option we have available on our travels, if we have signal that is. You're most welcome to post any corrections you wish to, we don't profess to be experts in any field whatsoever! 😁
should it not be ; van Stad en rust
According to our information, the town was named after its founder, M H van Staden. 🙂
I have subscribed to your channel and love the small towns that you visited. However, why don't you do your commentary in Afrikaans with English subtitles it will be so much better. Not to offend you but your grammar and pronunciation os the English language is terrible.
Welcome to our channel! I found your comment rather amusing if I'm honest. 😁 As an English-speaking person originally from the Free State, my grammar and pronunciation may not be as perfect as yours, but we will continue in English just as we are now so that my elderly mother, the rest of my family and our friends abroad can also follow along. It remains entirely your choice to watch. 🤷🏼♂️🚗
Grammar like "os"?
And pronunciation 😢
Really🙆♀️