October November A Weekend To Remember

My job is opening farm gates; there were 18. This time I didn't have to open any. That pleased me. It delighted me to know our swallows had returned earlier this week. Catching up takes time; unfolding and laying out the tales needs time and space.  It's best to do so somewhere quiet, without interruptions.  

The recommendation to visit Snyderskloof was a brilliant idea.   Getting there is a part of the fun. Lunch was a recommendation, too.  Just drop in at the farm stall after De Doorns, right on the N1 before the pass.   Our lunch under the vines was delicious.   The menu was spot on; a fresh garden salad topped with salmon and avocado for me, but the winning plate was the naked hamburger Precious had.  Served on a large wooden board, the salad looked crisp, light, and fresh; the patty was homemade, thick, juicy, and perfectly grilled.  It ticked all the right boxes.  The friendly server was eager to please, and everything we asked for was possible.   Even fresh cream for our coffee and 100ml of vinegar in a take-away cup for a mint sauce to complement our leg of lamb later.

Situated just off a dirt road between Sutherland and Matjiesfontein, the farm Snyderskloof offers a scenic drive through the Karoo. As we meandered through the landscape, spring flowers and lush green plains under a crisp blue sky with cotton-wool clouds made the journey feel special, sparking a sense of adventure.

Driving up to the farm takes time; each gate must be opened and sealed.  Here and there, we spotted the black faces of the Dorper sheep, eyeing us lazily as we rolled up to the stone cottage.   The signature windmill was clanking away in the breeze, filling the cement dam with slow drips of fresh water. The small yard had just been raked, and it felt almost sacrilegious to drive over the scraped markings.

Utter delight was how I felt when I stepped into the cottage.  Just two bedrooms, a farm kitchen, a voorkamer (sitting area), a stoep (patio), and a bathroom.  Cheerfully decorated in a haphazard, South African, shabby chic way.   Old iron bedsteads were given a lick of fresh white paint, crisp white linen and Grandma's crochet blankets in cream and turquoise cover the single beds.  The main bedroom echoes the red and white theme throughout the house, and here rabbits and hares reign supreme!   Old cast-offs are upcycled, cleaned, and displayed amongst newer treasures, charmingly.

Clever use of natural stone and slate was used in the construction of the cottage.  The zinc roof is typical in the Karoo, and we hoped we might hear the promise of rain on it; a few drops fell during the night, but not enough to make a sound!  Gas, paraffin, candles and solar power are what drive the energy here, no electricity, Wi-Fi or microwaving.  Bliss!  

We hiked up the mountain, went for walks to scout our surroundings, and napped in a hammock under the Karoo pepper trees.  Evenings were spent around the fire, protected from the wind by the traditional circular walls of the lapa.  We stargazed and spotted a shooting star amongst the billions of stars twinkling above us in the night sky.  Suppers were in the kitchen on a scrubbed ancient yellowwood table laden with scrumptious dishes while we chatted and laughed on rickety benches.  Lunch was served on the veranda after our long walks in the veld.  Our desire to dip into the cement plunge pool soon waned as the temperatures were just short of hot.

Lazy afternoons were spent browsing the pile of magazines on display, reading our books in the voorkamer or playing Rummikub before we had cups of strong coffee and lemon drizzle cake.    Like lazy tabby cats, we mooched around waiting for supper. When the sun set, we donned our headlamps and looked like miners as we prepared for bed.  

While packing for the weekend, I asked about essentials like Blitz and dishwasher liquid, and was reassured: 'Don't worry, there's so much there, you almost need only take food!' Emmarie and Jaco, the owners, clearly pour their love into this place. Their thoughtful touches, from the red-and-white roller towel to the cute bunny soetkoekies, made us feel genuinely cared for and welcomed.

Sadly, all good things end, but we'll certainly return if we're fortunate enough to find a booking!  

With batteries charged and raring to tackle the last weeks of 2015, we made our way to Matjiesfontein for breakfast and then home.

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Snyders Kloof Matjiesfontein Karoo Cottage GPS Co-ordinates south 33˚ 04’ 44,6” East 020˚ 25’ 16.3”

NOTE: Our smartphones and other electronic devices worked perfectly; we charged them in the vehicle.