This area of the Northern Free State is not known as Big Sky country for nothing.
The aerial landscape that stretches across the Free State and Karoo gives visitors a feeling of space and vastness that cannot be replicated in an urban setting.
This self-catering cottage on the 3rd Rock Guest House property greets you as you drive in.
Caught in the late afternoon light, it could be the poster picture for small-town South Africa.
Keith, the guest house owner, has filled the garden with many interesting motivational sayings, all painted on indigenous stone found in the area.
How can this NOT put a smile on a face?
Or make you stop and contemplate the intricate and convoluted lives we foist on ourselves?
The main building, seen from the far side of the labyrinth, which I walked many times during our stay here.
Constructed of rocks and succulents, it pays homage to the local plants and geological history of the area.
There is a special energy that is exuded, and those who wish to take advantage will find that they have a different outlook once they exit this feature.
And so we should! But do we? We invest in so much that we believe benefits us, yet in reality, it does not.
Material possessions are not an investment in yourself.
Knowledge is. And that should be encouraged.
Keith is busy populating the walkway around the outside of the labyrinth with these sins that will include all the indigenous people of South Africa.
All done by a local artist who has his work cut out.
The word “labyrinth” originated from the Greek myth of the Minotaur, a creature confined to a maze-like structure designed by Daedalus for King Minos on the island of Crete. This famous labyrinth and the story surrounding it, became the basis for the word’s meaning, which evolved from a specific location to describe any intricate or confusing maze.
Did you know? The key difference between a maze and a labyrinth lies in the number and structure of their paths.
The former has a single, continuous path that leads to the centre and back out, while the latter has multiple branching paths that might, or might not, lead to a centre, and it may also have several dead ends.
In essence, a maze is a puzzle to be solved, while a labyrinth is a path to be followed.
Not your usual above-ground farm dam. This swimming pool is surrounded by a hand-built rock wall and would be a great spot to cool off during the warm (read HOT) summer days.
This beautiful succulent has the rather inglorious name of Pig’s Ear or, even worse, the Round-leafed navel-wort!
FYI: Traditionally, navelwort was used as a remedy for inflammations, cuts, chilblains, skin infections and kidney stones.
The plant’s sap has also been used to relieve bee stings.
This is the view that greets arriving visitors. Whether you are staying overnight to break your trip to destinations further down the N1, or you can use your time here as a short withdrawal from the chaos of modern society, enjoy the moment and savour the vista.
The building has an old-fashioned red-painted concrete floor verandah that can be utilised by the guests.
This is the interior of the accommodation that was ‘home’ for me and my wife for the weekend.
There is an en suite shower room that has a toilet and basin…and plenty of hot water.
A bridge too far?
Not really. This wooden bridge gave me access to the garden and the labyrinth. This was just one of the entry points available.
Looking back at the accommodation from the far side of the property.
Do you remember the line from the Superman comics… “Is it a bird? Is it a plane”?, when the Caped Crusader was spotted in the sky?
Well, this bird was as confusing for me. “Is it a sparrow or is it a weaver”? I was to discover, it is BOTH
This is a White-browed sparrow-weaver, and the trees on the property were filled with their nests and their sound filled the air. Much more melodic than the Hadedas that we get back in our suburb in Johannesburg.
“Nature is the source of all true knowledge”. Leonardo da Vinci.
This is just one of the many butterfly species that were flitting around the garden.
This is a Painted Lady and is a testament to resilience and growth, mirroring the human spirit’s unyielding quest for ascension. It symbolises a burgeoning affection, its Greek-derived name translating to ‘tree lover’—a fitting emblem for the bonds we cultivate with nature and each other.
After dark… The vastness of the clear night sky made me realise just how small we are in the greater scheme of things.
It’s time to start the braai. This was a wonderful way to meet some of the locals and interact with them.
Sharing their stories opened my eyes to what life in small-town South Africa is all about.
It can be tough, but the locals are resilient if nothing else. They are most certainly the backbone of our country, because without them, all these towns would be derelict and deserted.
An evening of stories and memories that make staying in small towns so special.
To find out more about this quirky guest house, have a look at their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/derdeklip/
Highly recommended as a stopover or even a destination. It is only 2.5 hours from Johannesburg, just off the N1, and the tolls are reasonable.
Time to hit the N1 and head back to the chaos that is Johannesburg…
Travel & Things is the proud winner of these prestigious awards from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife.
The awards are in the categories:
Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa
Best African Game Reserves & Lodges Travel Review Site 2025.
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