Olievenhoutsrus (Vaalwater) weekend trip
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 9:20 am
Quick trip report from our weekend away at [link=http://www.vaalwateraccommodation.co.za/]Olievenhoutsrus[/link]
Left Friday at 12:55pm from Douglasdale Fourways, Headed Rorth on William Nicol to the N14/N1 to PTA, Stopped just after the Tollgate for a quick Bite to eat and fill up on fuel (Didn't fill before I left) :roll:
Trip was boring all along the N1, even made several attempts at radio contact on the VHF, Various chans, No Luck. So left it in "Scan Mode" - Was quiet the ENTIRE Trip...
Just Note: DO NOT SPEED on the N1, Many photographers trying to take pic of your car...
Took the Modimole Offramp just after the tollgate at S24° 46.985' E28° 28.169' - Went through Nuilstroom (Modimole), did not stop there. Just leaving Modimole, More photographers... :roll: :cyclops:
Arrived in Vaalwater around 16:20, went to see what the German Butcher (S24° 17.537' E28° 06.440') - Bought a couple of venison rump steaks for the Braai., then off to the Spar for some other food for the weekend (S24° 17.185' E28° 06.079'). A couple of Curios shops and one outdoor clothing store should you need anything. We did not venture in. Bottle Store in the same centre. :drunken:
The road to Olivenhoutsrus has vastly improved since I was last there 2 years ago or so! Very few potholes now. :-D
Olivenhoutsrus is an amazing retreat if you want to get out of the city, be surrounded by bush and not be bothered by anyone. There is a great pool that is nice to cool off in, have a beer and relax. The dogs are always nice to see running around and you can see the Giraffe, various Buck and warthog at the area just beyond the fence!
That evening uncle eskom decided to show us the stars, and I must say, with the fire going, the jackals going at it, the frogs chirping each other, and the nigh's sky truly painted as nature intended. What a great evening and we were actually annoyed when the power came back on
Next day we set off for Elisrus to see swambo's brother and to see where she used to live. She had very surprising knowledge of the area!!! Just note while driving to Elisrus, the bridge at S24° 08.924' E28° 03.222' has washed away and there is a temporary one way bridge, beware at night, the speed some people :roll: travel on that road may not see it at night. Very dangerous. :guy:
At S23° 59.598' E27° 59.529' there is a fantastic Droe Wors place that sells Game biltong etc at very reasonable prices. Just note to take cash with as their signal for their card machine depends on the direction of the wind!
at S24° 07.937' E28° 02.157' is the turnoff to Visgat, Keep the GPS pointed at Elirus and you will be routed.
In Elisrus itself, we had breakfast and drinks (It's what the locals do... ) at a Pub and Grill (The name escapes me) but is at S23° 41.359' E27° 42.016' and a (from what i've been told) the best car wash in town! Be there early or be prepared to wait... :roll:
Made a trip out to Medupi Power station to see on of Swambo's friends that works there. Interesting to see Medupi in real life. Its a big project!!! And boiler 2 apparently keeps tripping? I'm no power fundi so Smile and wave... :roll:
Then headed back to camp for more chill time in the pool, and later, sundowners at the dam!
Swambo made some pap and sous and we ate that with leftover braai! Big storm came over but thankfully didn't hit us.
The trip home was more exciting! Instead of heading straight to the highway from Nuilstroom (Modimole) - Turned right at S24° 42.001' E28° 24.348' : This is a much better road as it's windey, beautiful and has a couple of nice Padstalle along the way. Do not speed as heading into Warmbad! More photographers! Also, if you are planning to stop and eat along the way, Somewhere heading out of Warmbad (back towards Joburg Side) is a very nice little centre with a few pubs/restaurants. In hind sight, we should have planned to stop, but since we'd already eaten, did not stop but just waved as we went past! 8-) Co-Ord is S24° 53.525' E28° 17.711' This will be my new route from now on!
Stopped in Cullinan to buy Swambo an early birthday present. The Greek Place (Stavros - S25° 40.218' E28° 30.961') is nice to eat there, also, nice atmosphere at the pub at the end of the street (S25° 40.201' E28° 30.927')
Best Parking is S25° 40.202' E28° 31.012' and not on the big field...
And a random - The two Love's of my life, Swambo THEN my truck... :guns:
This is not a pic heavy thread, because I went there to relax. Not take photo's of everything... ;)
Left Friday at 12:55pm from Douglasdale Fourways, Headed Rorth on William Nicol to the N14/N1 to PTA, Stopped just after the Tollgate for a quick Bite to eat and fill up on fuel (Didn't fill before I left) :roll:
Trip was boring all along the N1, even made several attempts at radio contact on the VHF, Various chans, No Luck. So left it in "Scan Mode" - Was quiet the ENTIRE Trip...
Just Note: DO NOT SPEED on the N1, Many photographers trying to take pic of your car...
Took the Modimole Offramp just after the tollgate at S24° 46.985' E28° 28.169' - Went through Nuilstroom (Modimole), did not stop there. Just leaving Modimole, More photographers... :roll: :cyclops:
Arrived in Vaalwater around 16:20, went to see what the German Butcher (S24° 17.537' E28° 06.440') - Bought a couple of venison rump steaks for the Braai., then off to the Spar for some other food for the weekend (S24° 17.185' E28° 06.079'). A couple of Curios shops and one outdoor clothing store should you need anything. We did not venture in. Bottle Store in the same centre. :drunken:
The road to Olivenhoutsrus has vastly improved since I was last there 2 years ago or so! Very few potholes now. :-D
Olivenhoutsrus is an amazing retreat if you want to get out of the city, be surrounded by bush and not be bothered by anyone. There is a great pool that is nice to cool off in, have a beer and relax. The dogs are always nice to see running around and you can see the Giraffe, various Buck and warthog at the area just beyond the fence!
That evening uncle eskom decided to show us the stars, and I must say, with the fire going, the jackals going at it, the frogs chirping each other, and the nigh's sky truly painted as nature intended. What a great evening and we were actually annoyed when the power came back on
Next day we set off for Elisrus to see swambo's brother and to see where she used to live. She had very surprising knowledge of the area!!! Just note while driving to Elisrus, the bridge at S24° 08.924' E28° 03.222' has washed away and there is a temporary one way bridge, beware at night, the speed some people :roll: travel on that road may not see it at night. Very dangerous. :guy:
At S23° 59.598' E27° 59.529' there is a fantastic Droe Wors place that sells Game biltong etc at very reasonable prices. Just note to take cash with as their signal for their card machine depends on the direction of the wind!
at S24° 07.937' E28° 02.157' is the turnoff to Visgat, Keep the GPS pointed at Elirus and you will be routed.
In Elisrus itself, we had breakfast and drinks (It's what the locals do...
) at a Pub and Grill (The name escapes me) but is at S23° 41.359' E27° 42.016' and a (from what i've been told) the best car wash in town! Be there early or be prepared to wait... :roll: Made a trip out to Medupi Power station to see on of Swambo's friends that works there. Interesting to see Medupi in real life. Its a big project!!! And boiler 2 apparently keeps tripping? I'm no power fundi so Smile and wave... :roll:
Then headed back to camp for more chill time in the pool, and later, sundowners at the dam!
Swambo made some pap and sous and we ate that with leftover braai! Big storm came over but thankfully didn't hit us.
The trip home was more exciting! Instead of heading straight to the highway from Nuilstroom (Modimole) - Turned right at S24° 42.001' E28° 24.348' : This is a much better road as it's windey, beautiful and has a couple of nice Padstalle along the way. Do not speed as heading into Warmbad! More photographers! Also, if you are planning to stop and eat along the way, Somewhere heading out of Warmbad (back towards Joburg Side) is a very nice little centre with a few pubs/restaurants. In hind sight, we should have planned to stop, but since we'd already eaten, did not stop but just waved as we went past!
8-) Co-Ord is S24° 53.525' E28° 17.711' This will be my new route from now on! Stopped in Cullinan to buy Swambo an early birthday present. The Greek Place (Stavros - S25° 40.218' E28° 30.961') is nice to eat there, also, nice atmosphere at the pub at the end of the street (S25° 40.201' E28° 30.927')
Best Parking is S25° 40.202' E28° 31.012' and not on the big field...
And a random - The two Love's of my life, Swambo THEN my truck...
:guns:This is not a pic heavy thread, because I went there to relax. Not take photo's of everything... ;)
