|
Visit our Preferred Suppliers |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
Blommetjie B&B - Bitterfontein - 30 October 2008
Contact:
Maretha Coetzee
084 508 0856
41 Granite Street
Bitterfontein
With the West Coast trip starting on the Friday morning, I decided I wanted to drive up
on Thursday and spend the night in a guesthouse. That way I did not have to rush in the
morning, and could enjoy a leisurely breakfast. The Blommetjie B&B was recommended, so I gave
them a call.
Maretha Coetzee is the owner and she was very friendly on the phone. I said there would be
2 vehicles with 2 guys arriving late afternoon, with another vehicle arriving about 10pm with
3 adults (a couple and a friend). The plan was for the 3 single guys to sleep in the "Dorm room"
and the couple could have the "Honeymoon Room".
When making the booking, Maretha asked if we wanted a braai for supper, or boerekos.
As we were going to be braai-ing for the next few days, I took the liberty of ordering
boerekos for all 5 of us.
Unfortunately, not all plans work out, and I arrived in Bitterfontein on my own. Andy did
not get his vehicle sorted in time, so he could not join us. George & Susan were also going to
be on their own as their friend was nursing a back injury and could not travel. Suddenly there
were only 3 of us instead of 5! When I let Maretha know, she said it would not be a problem and
was waiting for us.
I arrived there in the late afternoon and was given a tour of the house.
The cottage is a 100 year old Cob cottage. Maretha is making changes to the cottage all
the time. She has extended the kitchen, doing most of the work herself - even working the clay
into a state that can be used. This lady is not scared of work! The electricity has only recently
been installed in the cottage, and there are still no lights in the kitchen, it is lit up by
candle light.
The rooms are beautiful, and there is a lot of arty stuff around. Maretha also has a small
craft shop in the town that Susan visited before we left.
I met Maretha's neighbour, Matek Pool. He has worked on lighthouses from Cape Town to Terrace
Bay! What an interesting character. I would have liked to spend more time chatting with him, but it was almost dinnertime.
Suppertime! Well, my diet was blown out the window! The food was truly delicious. Roast leg
of Lamb, Roast Potatoes, Rice, Soet-Patats, Carrots & Peas, Broccoli & Cauliflower with White
sauce, Butternut chips and a Venison pie (Eland). As I was now on my own, Maretha joined me for
dinner and we had a fine time. When George & Susan arrived, there was still plenty for them.
Actually, I think we could have fed the entire town! (I almost slipped the rest of the
venison pie into my fridge, but thought that would be rude.)
I had a great night's sleep and a nice hot bath in the morning. When George & Susan were up
and about, we had breakfast and started to get ready for our trip.
Then we met Oom Gert. He does some work for Maretha, at the time he was treating a hide
so that he could do some "Riempie" work for her.
Although this guesthouse is not well known, you will be hard pressed to find a more
relaxing place to stay. For anyone that is travelling on the N7 and needs a place to stay
when in the vicinity of Bitterfontein, I would really recommend Blommetjie.
Maretha is a great hostess. She is also a registered Tour Guide and can show you around
the West Coast, Hardeveldt, Knersvlakte, Copper Route and much more in the area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
