SKOORSTEENBERG FARM & COTTAGES
August 2021
We were longing for a hike in the mountains … to catch our breaths from this craziness in the world and what better place than in nature!
The closest mountains to our town, is the well-known Cederberg mountains … but we were thinking of taking a few back roads to get there … which brought to mind the vast Tankwa Karoo.
But before we got to the Tankwa Karoo, we drove through areas that thrive on our winter rain. And going towards the end of our winter, the fields were green and luscious. The canola fields with their bright yellow flowers were really spectacular.
Before getting to the Tankwa Karoo, we had to made a stop in the quaint little town of Ceres. Here we’ve bought food and drinks for the next couple of days (and filled up our petrol tank and extra jerry can), because we are going off the grid … which mean there will be no shops, no mobile phone coverage and only the odd car here and there (and few people).
What (and where) is the Tankwa Karoo?
The Tankwa Karoo is about four hours from Cape Town – a vast and arid area. The closest towns are Ceres, Calvinia, Middelpos and Sutherland. Here you will also find the Tankwa Karoo National Park which is home to almost 30 mammals and more than 100 species of birds.
Tankwa Padstal:
But before we’ve arrived at our accommodation for the next few days, we’ve stopped at the popular farm stall, Tankwa Padstal. This is an oasis in the dry Karoo and very popular under 4×4 enthusiasts and bikers.
We’ve last visited this unique place in 2019 when we’ve walked the South African Tankwa Camino. It was great to be back here again.
Since it was now less than an hour’s drive to our accommodation, we’ve ordered a light meal to enjoy while relaxing in this amazing place.
We love the décor inside the bar – so many things reminding us of bygone days.
As the sun was setting, we’ve decided it’s better to get back on the road again. And then, as we’ve left the Tankwa Padstal, we saw … well, it can only be described as a UFO 😳.
We’ve found out that the art installation is a community initiative launched by Hein Lange, the owner of the Tankwa Padstal. According to him the farming industry has been hit hard by the lack of rain in recent years in the region and that he thought the “sight of an UFO” might be more appealing to tourists, as a way of earning money.
Back on the road, we’ve followed the instruction closely which was sent by Nana, owner of Skoorsteenberg Farm & Cottages. Just a few kilometers from the Tankwa Padstal we’ve turned right, drove for another 18km before turning right again.
Skoorsteenberg Farm & Cottages:
We’ve booked accommodation at Skoorsteenberg Farm & Cottages (“skoorsteenberg” meaning chimney mountain) – like their brochure states: “This is Africa with a difference”.
I’ve found the signs next to the road quite funny – Nana reminding her guests that this road will eventually take them to a place where they can stay.
After opening (and closing) a few farm gates, we’ve arrived at Skoorsteenberg Farm & Cottages.
I’m not sure what we’ve expected to find after driving a long and hard gravel road … but oh boy, we were truly surprised with our amazing cottage at Skoorsteenberg.
There are only 2 cottages for guests on the farm (with a little hill between the two cottages). It is a working farm with some animals and we’ve also spotted a couple of olive and date groves.
We were very happy with the front porch – an amazing place to relax while looking over the plains of the Tankwa Karoo.
The sun was just setting when we’ve arrived and we were looking forward to enjoy the spectacular sunset tomorrow.
It was an amazing day of driving through luscious green fields and then to enter the dry Tankwa Karoo. I’ve got myself a gin and tonic and a brandy and coke for Berto … it was time to sit next to the fire and enjoy the silence while watching bright shining stars.
In our next post, we will show more of the beauty of Skoorsteenberg Farm, its animals and breathtaking views. See you then …
Talk about getting away from it all! That looks like heaven and I can feel the silence especially at night. How wonderful.
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It was quite amazing … the perfect place to forget about everything and just enjoy the absolute silence and tranquility!
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What an amazing find Corna, the cottage was certainly worth the lengthy drive. I liked the reassuring signs indicating that you were on the right track and nearly there. I’d just be like you, sitting with my G & T on the porch or curled up beside the fire. Looking forward to discovering what you got up to the next day. Marion. PS – Hope you have a good weekend.
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Thank you Marion. Yes, we were really impressed with this cottage … we did not expect to find such a beautiful place in the middle of nowhere 😉. Ah, and I did enjoy a few more G & T’s the rest of the weekend (on that porch)! May you have a great weekend too. Corna 🌸.
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Looks like the perfect hideout in the middle of nowhere. Stargazing must be a whole different experience without all the light pollution of the city. The story behind the ‘UFO’ made me chuckle.
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Absolutely Leighton … stargazing is one of main reasons why people (like us) travel to the Tankwa Karoo. It’s a magical experience to see all the stars – almost as if the sky is covered with them and you can just reach out and touch a star if you wish! The ‘UFO’ landed (or was planted 😉) literally a day or two before we’ve arrived there … I must admit, we were quite puzzled for a moment … and I certainly believe it will make tourists stop right in their tracks 😁.
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Yay! We are off on another adventure! And it’s in the middle of bloody nowhere! Love it!
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😅 … Mel, you must know us by now … the further from civilisation, the better! This was another great trip – which ended on a high note (literally and figuratively speaking) …
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You are lucky ducks! Can’t wait to hear more…
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Die huis waar julle gebly het lyk ongelooflik gemaklik! Die pad lyk amper soos die waarop ons ook gery het!
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Ja, ek dink die Karoo paaie lyk baie dieselfde … lank en reguit 😊. En ons was inderdaad verras om so ‘n oulike plekkie raak te loop in die dorre Karoo!
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Ek is bly julle het lekker gebly!
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Thank you for sharing, it’s beautiful 🌸💕 I can’t wait to read more! Knowing it’s right here and closer to home, visiting seems possible in the very near future 😄
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Indeed … I think we tend to forget about all the beautiful (and unique) places around us! Hope you get to visit the Tankwa Karoo soon 💌.
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Wow, this is amazing, Corna! I love the idea of no internet or cell signal, but my significant other would not be able to join me. 😁 The signs to the cottages are so fun. And the general/grocery/hardware store looks like a place I’d love to visit! Looking forward to your next post! 🌞
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It was quite satisfying to be without any internet/reception for a couple of days – your mind literally switches off (and I think that’s sometimes necessary 😊). And yes, the farm stall is definitely a unique place to visit. Thanks Lisa for popping in … see you between the spring flowers and farm animals in our next post.
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I love your idea to take a few back roads to get to your destination. Sometimes it’s all about taking the road less travelled. The canola fields are stunning. I got a good laugh from the UFO art installation.
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Absolutely … it’s not always about the destination! Yes, this time of year the canola fields are really lovely and as for the UFO … that was quite an appearance in the middle of nowhere 😁.
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Those wide open spaces are amazing, and Olive cottage looks perfect. What a way to escape 🙂
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Perfect place to just relax and unwind, that’s for sure! It was amazing to see these open spaces for a couple of days and then to take a long hike in the magnificent Cederberg mountains 😊.
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Love everything about this post! The signs to the cottage, the actual cottage. The idea behind the UFO art installation is actually quite clever!
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We were so impressed with this cottage (such a surprise to find in the middle of nowhere 😉). Yes, I think the Tankwa Karoo will get a lot of traffic with that UFO … not something you see every day!
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How fun and that cottage is wonderful! Loved the UFO. Lol
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That was another great road trip and yes, that cottage was a wonderful place to spent a weekend. And as for the UFO … an unexpected sight, I would say 😄.
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It seems you are totally off the grid, arriving at a lovely destination truly in the middle of nowhere. The signs are wonderful and fun! I imagine many feel they have taken a wrong turn but the signs coax you along.
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And we love being off the grid ☺️. Absolutely, if it wasn’t for those signs, we would have been a bit hesitant … clever idea to keep you “going straight” 😄.
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