Looks like a lovely clean and well kept place

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

Certainly is! Thanks for watching and supporting my channel

So mooi en baie skoon het dit baie geniet🤗🙏

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

Bly jy geniet die videos! En dankie dat jy my kanaal ondersteun!

Hi Willie, well, my fellow Scot James Logan certainly did well for himself! What a beautiful place with so much history and I loved the pink church, of course. Anywhere that is reported to have ghosts is intriguing too isn't it? 😂. This will be an interesting series, learning about the lesser known parts of South Africa.

@willieexplore

11 ай бұрын

Hi Sheila, nice to hear from you as always! Yep, he certainly made an impact in this part of the world. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I didn't run into Kate the Nurse but did enjoy the town and all its attractions. As a cricket fan, I also find the area quite fascinating. New vlogs coming shortly!

One of the Stations, on the Route to JHB with one of the Luxury Holiday Trains...Can remember when travelled those days of the Trans Karoo Train ❤

@willieexplore

3 ай бұрын

Must have been a great experience, Christo! Thanks for watching and supporting my channel :)

As always, Willie, a really interesting walk-about! Seeing new parts of the world is always fun, but you make it funner!! Thanks again for sharing ... has to be nice for you to be back home, too. [More greetings from Tucson!]

@willieexplore

11 ай бұрын

Cheers Jim! Always great to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed this video, it is great to be back home and exploring some places I've never been myself! Hope all is well in Arizona

@AZqyc

11 ай бұрын

@@willieexplore Lived in AZ for 30+ years, and still some "touristy" areas I haven't seen either ... but not many! I get around here. Stay safe and well.

We have a very interesting Country with lots of lovely Towns like this one

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

Absolutely, Annette! Lots of gems off the beaten track (or, in this case, the N1!)

I grew up on a farm between Matjies and Sutherland. Have many fond memories of the place as a child having picnics by the duck pond. Rest in peace Johnny. Nice to see him on the piano in this video.

@willieexplore

Ай бұрын

He will certainly be remembered in this part of the world. Thanks for watching and engaging!

Thank you Willie for bringing back memories of our visit years ago. I would like to add that 10km on the N1 back to Cape Town is the cemetery of where Doug Logan and some of the English cricketers are buried. The grave yard is well preserved and looked after. Regards Russell Gordon

@willieexplore

9 күн бұрын

Cheers for watching and the additional information, Russell! That is very useful to know :)

Willie i certainly enjoyed this video from your own country. Especially when showing place that not been shown or explained before! Historical information features and of course researching is essentially to give the viewers what can expect to be there if even they want to go themselves. Would you be doing more south Africa videos on places that you have experienced in and set the records straight about the historical information about the country as people looked from outside not inside on how what accounts they happened during their times? Thanks again for your wonderful time making these videos useful and happening during your journey and own time of travelling im looking forward for watching the next videos in this series thanks!

@willieexplore

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and commenting Simon, as always! I will showcase some more towns / villages off the beaten track in the next upcoming vlogs, so you will definitely learn more about some places in South Africa. Every place has its own particular story that is fascinating in its own right.

Great video, Willie! Thanks for sharing! Hope you had a great time back home. Keep 'em coming!

@willieexplore

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Jasper, was a wonderful visit! Hope you get a chance to have a coffee or something stronger in this part of the world soon :)

Happy memories of a couple of honeymoon nights in the Lord Milner....love your videos :)

@willieexplore

4 ай бұрын

Hi Cecily! Thanks for the support and for your kind words! Really pleased that you enjoy my videos. Willie :)

Very well narrated and researched. I thoroughly enjoyed the video!

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

Appreciate your kind words, Johan! Thanks for watching my videos and supporting my channel!

Happy new year Willie, all the best in 2024! Time to catch up on all the vids I've missed the past few months. Very cool to see some more of your home country and learn some of the history. No Tim Hortons though, hmm. lol Kidding

@willieexplore

7 ай бұрын

Hi Landshark! Lovely to hear from you, and wishing you a wonderful 2024 as well! Haha no Tim Hortons here my friend, but some very interesting history :) Hope these videos bring you lots of joy!

Pretty little town- so peaceful. Thank you for the interesting history. Interesting fellow old Logan.

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

Hi Hannelie, thank you for watching and commenting! Mr. Logan certainly had an impact in this part of the world. Groete!

Baie dankie Willie, we are pensioners who love to visit small old towns in South Africa, and do exactly what you are doing in each quaint little place. We live in Cape Town, so our travel range is mostly in the Western and Eastern Cape. We have visited many towns up the West Coast, (our favourite), Garden Route, and Karoo. So your vlogs are such fun, to see what we have missed, and plan to go back to "discover" thanks to you. Your knowledge of SA history is very wide, which adds so much to the experience. We would be fascinated to hear your personal story of your time in SA and how you landed up in London.

@willieexplore

13 күн бұрын

My absolute pleasure, John! So nice to hear from and engage with people like yourselves. That is the beauty and power of KZread, to connect people. Glad to show you some places off the beaten track in a virtual manner. There are some absolute gems in our beautiful country with a rich history. Long story short, I left South Africa 18 years ago to study abroad (first in Germany then in England) and ended up working in England. Economics and economic history are passions of mine, and reading up more about particular places adds to my travel experiences. I'm taking a "gap year" or sabbatical from work in October, where I'll do a lot more travel vlogging, including in South Africa next year. So I will be back soon :)

@johnraven4436

7 күн бұрын

@@willieexplore Thanks for the reply Willie - much appreciated. My son had to leave SA about 7 years ago, in order to find work, SA being difficult for young white guys. He has settled in Berlin, and done a lot better there. He has also been able to see many places across the world - travel from there is so much easier and cheaper. Are you working in the financial world in England? Let me know when you get to SA next time - we have KOFFIE EN BISKUIT here, ready for you in Brackenfell.

@willieexplore

7 күн бұрын

@@johnraven4436 that's a very kind offer John, thank you! I can't say no to koffie & beskuit so will definitely take you up on it. It is very easy and affordable to travel from places like Berlin - lots of budget airlines to choose from and you are practically two hours away from anywhere in Europe. Yes I'm working in the financial industry (pensions); maybe one day I'll return to SA for good, who knows!

Hi willie, jong ,ek geniet jou videos vreelik! Baie interresant, plekke wat ons nooit by uitkom nie! Dankie!!

@amandaleroux6224

2 ай бұрын

Sorry vir die spelling, vreeslik

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

Hallo Amanda! Dis nou 'n lekker boodskap om te ontvang, baie dankie! Ek is bly dat die videos vir jou vreugde bring. Ons het so 'n mooi land met wonderlike plekke. Groete!

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

@@amandaleroux6224 geen probleem! :)

What a fascinating place . Wonderful way to to explore historical places. Especially when one is over seventy.

@willieexplore

3 ай бұрын

Thank you Susan, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Appreciate you checking out my content and supporting my channel :)

Definitely putting this on my bucket list. Next time my husband goes to Cape Town for business, I'm going to go with and we'll spend the weekend here.

@willieexplore

Ай бұрын

Hi Alison, thanks for watching and commenting! There are a lot of nice places to explore just off the N1, and Matjiesfontein is no exception. Hope you enjoy when you get the chance!

Hey Willie good to see you back in South Africa this town is awesome it packs so much history it's like going back in time to the 1800's it's so fascinating how people used to live in the good old days I really want to visit South Africa and I'm sure one day i will Keep up the good work brother 🙂👍👍

@willieexplore

11 ай бұрын

Cheers my friend! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Definitely a lot of history and interesting facts in this part of the world :) Hope you get a chance to visit the Rainbow Nation one day!

Willie nou is jy rerig in my Hartland ek is mal oor Matjiesfontein het gebly in die Hotel! Ek is heeltemal oor Matjiesfontein ! Groete

@willieexplore

9 ай бұрын

Daarsy Tosca! Dit was my eerste keer daar en dit was 'n hoogtepunt op die trip. Daai hotel is iets besonders, jy moes lekker gebly het daar! Groete

Been there many times. Stayed at the Lord Milner (spooky late at night) Great Toasted Sandwiches at the coffee shop. The Museum under the Station is very cool Thanks for sharing 🤘😎

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

Definitely an interesting place full of stories! Thank you so much for watching my videos of the Karoo, looks like you enjoy them :)

Hello Willie, you have given us great insight in Matjiesfontein’s history. We once in a while visit this beautiful place. Sadly, Johnny recently passed away, R.I.P. He certainly knew how to entertain people tickling away at the ivory. He use to meet thousands of visitors. On the last occasion we visited there, we walked up to him and introduced ourselves. I said to him, this is Liane, my wife. He looked at her, stood back, looked her up and down and said… my word, but you have lost a lot of weight! This of course, is what every woman wants to hear 😂😂 My wife has never been fat.

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching and sharing this wonderful story! Really sad news about Johnny, he will never be forgotten in that part of the world. Appreciate your support for my channel!

Welcome back. 🎉

@willieexplore

11 ай бұрын

Thank you very much! Always great back home :)

As always excellent Willie

@willieexplore

Ай бұрын

Thank you Peter! Always a pleasure!

You should add the bloopers at the end lol quite funny and something to look forward too😁

@willieexplore

Ай бұрын

I think that is definitely something I'll be doing more of! I did one in my Dwarskersbos vlog and think it went down well :)

@Wayne-w5v

Ай бұрын

@willieexplore Yes definitely lol something different 👌

What about the David Rawden story of Matjiesfontein who did a lot to ressurect and keep the place on the map. The flag was ceremoniously raised and lowered everyday and dinner was a formal affair. Some of thislook and feel is integral to the ROVOS rail brand. My homeymoon stated in Matjiesfontein - a long time back. .

@willieexplore

3 ай бұрын

HI Stewart, thanks for providing that additional information! Appreciate you checking out my content and supporting my channel

I love stopping at Matjiesfontein ❤

@willieexplore

3 ай бұрын

A great place to do that, Sheryl. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Love it ❤❤

@willieexplore

3 ай бұрын

Thank you! :)

Very Interesting

@willieexplore

3 ай бұрын

Thank you, Val! Appreciate your support!

We stayed in the Lord Milner hotel and my daughter and I both heard children running up and down the passage in the middle of the night.😮

@willieexplore

28 күн бұрын

Oh wow! Now that is some story! Cheers for watching :)

a fascinatig place‼️🔥 🪖

@willieexplore

3 ай бұрын

It certainly is, Kobus! Thanks for watching and supporting my channel. Ek waardeer dit :)

Awesome hope to c u in Kimberley sometime come say hi at Kim Pharmacy

@willieexplore

3 ай бұрын

Thank you Sheryl! I'll remember that and will definitely pop by if I'm ever there!

We went there years ago with my family. Did themcape trown train trip shosaloza trip. Stayed at the milmer hotel. It is haunted as my late mother in law saw a woman in her room early morning. Lovely place but too hot for me ❤

@willieexplore

Ай бұрын

Oh wow Mary that is an interesting story! Thanks for sharing!

It must be nice to be back on home ground again, Willie! I'm guessing it's just a visit and that you haven't moved back? Looks like an interesting town. It's funny how you can see old iconic London buses popping up all over the world! I remember once seeing one in Helsinki, Finland. Looking forward to the series. 😊

@willieexplore

11 ай бұрын

Cheers Andy, glad to be back home! Yes, this is just a quick family visit. In fact, this was part of a family road trip with my parents, my brother and his wife. This was also my first visit to Matjiesfontein and other destinations in the area, so it was a special experience. And yes, those red London buses are prominent in many parts of the world now!

@marekkowalski6767

11 ай бұрын

​@@willieexplore🇵🇱 Warsaw tnx.

@willieexplore

11 ай бұрын

@@marekkowalski6767 thanks for watching!

Matjiesfontein also has the most expensive marshmellows ive ever come across😅😅

@willieexplore

3 ай бұрын

Those tourist shops are not the cheapest :)

THE WORST COFFEE IN SA SOLD THERE .

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

That is some statement! Thanks for watching :)

Many well-established SA Historians have posed the Question: were there really no african/khoisan people living on these lands at all? no mention is made of this. If this place had no indigenous inhabitants, then how on earth did Mr Logan build this blooming town? with own hands? who actually laid the rail tracks? who build his water supply? Mr Logan? What's happened to the whites only signs? Are there any blacks living in this town today? if not, who makes the tea??

@lindajohnson7373

2 ай бұрын

I've just discovered these excellent videos and have watched about 4 - all showcasing beautiful Karoo towns. Wherever the presenter travelled, he encountered and interacted with the so- called coloured people in these towns. They were the ones who greeted him so enthusiastically and made his coffee if you paid any attention. Coloureds are usually mixed race people ( I myself am one although not of the Karoo) and usually they have Khoi and San blood running in their veins - the indigenous people of the Western Cape. They form, along with the Afrikaner farming community, a large part of the inhabitants of the Karoo. And as for the whites only signs - strange question since apartheid was abolished years ago.

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

CW Kronenberg, why don't you tell us more about the history then

@willieexplore

2 ай бұрын

@@lindajohnson7373 Glad you enjoyed the videos Linda! I'm grateful for your support!

@belindawilson1350

2 ай бұрын

Well in the coffee shop I saw South Africans working there. Who did you see?

@alison__16

Ай бұрын

We make our own tea, it's not the 1800s anymore