The Buchans 2011: Worcester and Matjiesfontein

The first stop after Cape Town was Worcester on the R62, the longest wine route in the world. We were booked into, The Habit, self catering accommodation close to the centre of town. The Habit is so called because of the nuns living there prior to it being sold in the early 2000’s.
The town is well known for its specialist training and teaching facilities for both the deaf and blind. We noticed this around the town. The other noticeable feature is the number of churches. There are about 82 ‘known’ churches and about another 70 that are run on an ‘ad hoc’ basis.

Dutch Reform Church Worcester

BBQ at The Habit

South African stamps

Wild grapes at the Botanical Garden

Native hut at Worcester Museum

Candle wax ready for candle making

Relaxing at The Habit

And again!

A drink in town - the girl serving was deaf and many of the customers deaf or blind

The countryside en route to Worcester

Matjiesfontein a couple of hours drive to the east of Worcester, is a very different place. It was set up as a wayside station in the mid 1800’s in the wilds of the Karoo. In 1883 Jimmy Logan a young Scot moved to Matjiesfontein and had the refreshment concession for the railway. He then set up various enterprises over time and so Matjiesfontein became one of the fashionable places to visit.
Today the whole place is quaint, but very down at heel. It’s fascinating to be able to lounge around where Queen Victoria, Prince Albert , Cecil Rhodes and others have been. I don’t think the furniture has changed over all these years.
The major highlight of the week is the arrival of the Blue Train. This is South Africa’s equivalent of the Orient Express. It stops here for a while to allow the passengers to experience the grandeur of the place, but not long enough to get under its skin.