I borrowed this image from the De Ark website, as it speaks to the origins of this wonderful Guesthouse that is the epitome of small-town South African hospitality. My wife and I had planned a trip that I wanted to split to cut down the driving time and I found this establishment via the internet. Neither of us had any expectations of what might await us on our arrival, but when we drove through the gate we were beyond pleased that I had discovered this gem.
This is what Lydenburg is currently well known for. It is not a case of are there potholes in all the major streets, but more a case of is there any street left surrounding the potholes! Large trucks use the town as a thoroughfare, and with the streets not designed to carry either the weight or the constant flow of these behemoths, the roads have fallen into a state of disrepair that only a major overhaul (and the banning of trucks from using any of the town’s roads) will resolve. And, of course, a LARGE budget which the town does not seem to have available. Having travelled through Lydenburg extensively in 2019, I know that a major intersection was repaired last year/ early this year and already that is showing signs of wear.
Situated at 37 Kantoor St, this quirky guest house is in a quiet leafy street that does not seem to attract many trucks. It is secluded and surrounded by residential accommodation rather than shops or restaurants. That being said, the main part of town in only a couple of km’s away, should you need a meal, or wish to do some sight-seeing.
Situated about 2km from the R36 that would take us to Orighstad (48km), Hoedspruit (90km) and onto our final destination Balule Private Nature Reserve.
First impressions count and both my wife and I were most surprised by what we saw when we pulled up outside De Ark. There is secure inside parking that is covered by CCTV so that guests do not have to be concerned about their vehicles. The front facade actually belies the magic and ‘small town’ comfort that we found at the rear of the property. We arrived as a funeral was being concluded and we waiting, respectfully, to be shown to our room.
If we were impressed by the front of the house, we were certainly not expecting what we discovered at the rear of the property…more room to entertain AND a sparkling clean pool.
If there had been room in our car, this couch and the chairs would be on their way back to Johannesburg! Luckily for the owner, Francis le Roux and her fiancee Barney we had to leave the furniture behind… But we did spend a lot of time sitting here and enjoying a lekker cup of coffee and a social distanced chat. It turns out that Francis likes to shop for her furnishings in second-hand stores, which makes the decor eclectic and interesting. An area that I seem to have neglected is the character-filled bar that is situated to the left of this outdoor seating area. Given the current COVID-19 protocols that were in place when we visited, it was easier to social distance outside that in the confines of the intimate bar.
If our first impressions of the exterior had impressed, nothing had prepared us for what we discovered once we had opened the door to our room. The stained glass panel is from the door and the picture to the left of that is one of the two highly detailed panels in the headboard.
Our accommodation for the night. The Victorian Room. The walls on either side of the short passage from the lounge to the bedroom/bathroom at over 1.2m thick and are the original outside walls of the house. They certainly do not build walls like that any more.
It has been a while since I last found a Bible in a hotel room. I have to admit that I have yet to open any version of the Good Book…perhaps next time?
Stunning tiles and a bath big enough to lie down in. There are also 2 basins as well as a shower and a toilet.
Yet another ‘feature’…the curtains on the main window of our room. If the devil is in the details, then our accommodation was positively satanic, but in the nicest way possible.
There are two rooms that share this floor and I imaging that both have access to this balcony, should they wish to.
Who knew? There is a working theatre at De Ark and Francis tells me that they used to have concerts here when many of the big names in South African music performed. Seeing that I worked on an Afrikaans music chat show for 11 years, I asked her about the singers that had played at this venue…Radio Kalahari Orkes was mentioned and as I know some of the members I enquired about them and when last they had performed here. SURPRISE…
It turns out that friend and founder member of RKO, Ian Roberts lives on the property with his partner and their twins. (The partner is the daughter of the owner). So guess how the afternoon was spent? Give yourself a pat on the back if “Catching up” was your answer. It turned out during the course of our long afternoon chat on the stoep, that our paths might have crossed back in the ’70s. Ian and I completed our National Service in 1971( we were at camps across the road from each other) and we both studied at the PE Technikon from 1973-1975, Ian was doing photography while I was failing Electrical Engineering. (image supplied)
In the style of Dutch artist Ver Meer. While the dining room has some stunning reproductions on the walls, the tables, and most of the flat surfaces, have beautiful silverware and candlesticks on them. A feast for the eyes and as it turned out, for our palates as well.
Although the garden was in darkness, the gazebo was subtly lit and it would make a perfect spot for a romantic dinner that celebrates any special occasion. The subtle lighting did not photograph THAT well, so I had to light it with my rather powerful torch.
We enjoyed a delicious braai for dinner with Francis, Barney and Ian. Homemade spinach and ricotta bread was the highlight of the meal for me…aside from the rest of the perfectly cooked meal, which was delicious.
And the following morning we tucked into breakfast before we said goodbye to those who were awake and headed off to Balule which was the second of the 3 stops on this trip.
This Dutch Reformed Church was opened in 1890 and the pulpit is an exact copy of one in Stellenbosch.
Did you know?
The name means “Place of Suffering” and was named due to the deaths that the Voortrekkers had suffered from malaria in Origstad. (which is about 48km away)
In 1856 Lydenburg became the capital of De Republiek Lydenburg in Zuid Africa which then joined the ZAR in 1857.
It was an important town as it linked a wagon route to Delagoa Bay that was not controlled by the British. Construction of the road began in 1871 and the first wagons arrived in the port city in 1874.
Gold was discovered here in 1873 and when, in 1880, the First Boer War broke out, the garrison stationed in Lydenburg tried to try and take control of the goldfields.
To find out more about this wonderful establishment, visit their website, or click on the logo above.
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