S1 - Ep 170 - Mount Stewart - Ghost Town is the Correct Term!

[@munesumangava9751]

Oh my, beautiful little church!!! What a find!

[@annawitter5161]

So interesting to find out the history of such places. Sad, though. To see the buildings in ruins. Makes one want to buy them and restore them as museum pieces.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I agree with you, I would restore that entire church if I could. I can only imagine what it would look like afterwards. 💒

[@rorysullivan4913]

As kids we used to travel to Mount Stewart from Jansenville on an annual basis in late fifties and sixties - and made some many good friends. My folks were very good friends with the Cawoods and I had the privilege of being a a teacher to the last two generations of Cawoods at Union High School, Graaff Reinet. Loved the Cawood sense of humour. So pleased discovered this as it just floods one with all these wonderful memories. Thank you

[@DustBugsTravel]

Happy to hear that Mount Stewart brought back good memories for you. 😊 It's very interesting that you actually taught some of the Cawoods, who were obviously deeply-rooted in this village. Thank you for sharing, as always. 👌🏻

[@DavidNWalker]

My late dad was the Methodist Minister in Jansenville in the early 1960's and conducted services at that very same church. The Cawoods were members there.

[@vaughangarrick]

The sight of this church at 8:30 made me so emotional. It reminds me of that song Heimwee

[@jakobusstoffels5975]

Lot of people doesn't know how beautiful Is South Africa I thank you guys to shoulder That's where I'm from Now I am in Australia I'm more a what's your show I wanna To go back home👌👌👌😪

[@DustBugsTravel]

Greetings! So happy to hear you're watching our videos from afar. South Africa is indeed a spectacularly beautiful country. Hopefully you get an opportunity to visit again one of these fine days. Until then, our videos will keep you going. 😁🇿🇦

[@flodillon991]

Wow so desolate makes one very heartsore to see everything just going to dust. There was once a thriving and loving family there and now just nothing. Interesting the magistrates rooms and place for stock thives. Thank you.

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was rather sad to see all those abandoned buildings in the village, especially the church. 💒😢 And, in contrast, how well-preserved the buildings on the farm were, they were so interesting! 🛖

[@stuff0music]

Slowly working my way through your videos I’ve come to realize you are recording a special time in South Africa’s history. Thank you for that. Keep it up and it could turn into a great documentary.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you very much, your comment means a lot. 😊 We're just too happy when people like yourself enjoy watching our videos. There are still so many places we haven't been to yet and you're always welcome to join us. 😁🚗

[@richardbrunt7180]

Hi Guys........In my humble opinion, this destination is the very BEST on youtube . Just love the visitations to " die klein dorpies " please, please give us more. My best wishes to the two DustBugs. Richard.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Hello to you! Thank you for your very kind compliment. 🤩 We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed our video of Mount Stewart. That visit to the little village, and especially the church, had such a profound impact on the two of us and we still often think back to that day. 💒 I hope you've seen all our other videos as well and you can rest assured we will take you along to many more small towns and other lesser-known places. 🚗😁

[@franspistorius1886]

Could not agree more, well done you two are amazing

[@jasonsmuts3022]

My Dad is so happy that you showed the video of Aberdeen Road.He worked there in 1975 as a Grade 1 clerk

[@DustBugsTravel]

How amazing! Please tell your Dad that it was our pleasure and pass on our very best regards. 😊 I could tell for sure that it must've been quite a major station at some point. We hope it brought back fond memories of the start of his career. 🚆

[@hanspisa]

Lovely little church and the very thing you mentioned struck me as well. Why is everything still there? Incredible! Loved this video and you are inspiring me to do the same.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this video. This is one visit which will stay with me forever. 💒 I can't even explain to you the feeling when I walked through that little church. Happy travels! 🚗😁

[@jcr_jcr]

It could be that the Cawood family are respected in the area.

[@hilberryable]

Love the big skies in the Karoo. A place one can breathe. Loving your fascinating journey.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, a place one can breathe! That is so true. 😊 We love having you along for the ride, thank you so much for watching. 😎🚗

[@deonzar]

Thanx for this...I have never heard of Mount Stewart. It just amazes me that such a lot is intact.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Anytime, we're happy to be able to give you a glimpse into this village which obviously must've been a very special place at one point in time. 👌🏻

[@noizey34]

Great video, took me down memory lane. I grew up at Hardwood. The farm was owned by my family for over 100 years. I can tell you that who ever told you the story about that one rondavel being a magistrate is incorrect. That was build by my grandfather in the 60’ or 70’s 😂

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, so happy to hear you enjoyed our video. 😊 We loved our visit to Hardwood too, the entire area is fascinating! 😁🚗 We got our info about the magistracy at www.jansenville.co.za/listing/klipplaat_near_jansenville.

[@nickyhandcock1454]

I started school at a little farm school in Mount Stewart in 1961. During the week I stayed in the boarding house next to Cawoods General Dealer, also owned by the Cawood family. I am still friends and in contact with the daughter of the then owner of the boarding house and boarding house.

[@shadowyt8572]

Sorry meant the owner of the boarding house and also of the Cawoods general dealer

[@DustBugsTravel]

Wow, you have a history with Mount Stewart that goes way back! Thank you so much for sharing that with us. 😊 We absolutely loved visiting the remnants of the village, it certainly told a story of times that were. It's fantastic that you're still in contact with a friend of so long ago, those friendships are special. 👌🏻

[@DustBugsTravel]

No worries, we knew what you meant. 😁

[@aislingbooks]

Oh, that beautiful church in Mount Stewart 😭

[@munesumangava9751]

Just looks like a beautiful day !!!

[@Kookwater]

Wow! Mount Stewart! We too, my wife and I, like to travel the road less well know, and so it was that we happened upon Mount Stewart on our way to Wheatlands Guest Farm, in the district, twenty three years ago! I so wanted to get out of the car to explore a little, but alas, I am a quadriplegic confined to a motorised wheelchair, so you can well imagine that it is quite a task to get me out of the car, into my chair and then only to be partly able to explore because of the terrain which has to be pretty firm, not rocky etc. Anyway, enough of that. Mount Stewart had a profound effect, I remembered the Church perched up on top of the hill and I soo wanted to find out what it looked like inside! Thank you for taking us with you, in spirit, with this excellent footage which you have presented in this episode. My expression on entering the Church was, to gasp and to stammer out an amazed, 'Oh, my word!' You certainly found a gem there! I remember that Cawood's shop had the ubiquitous tin advertising boards! One of them, probably on that patch to the left of the main door, proudly stated that 'NOTHING SUCKS LIKE ELECTROLUX'! The shop, back then, was boarded-up and there was not a soul to be seen anywhere! Nothing has changed, the dorp back then was also pretty desolate, but I have to contradict myself as it were, when I say that the old Mount has aged well, compared to so many of the other little places which have just, quite simply, disappeared!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for sharing your special story. We fully agree that Mount Stewart is a place that makes a deep impact on one's soul. It was the same for us. We're happy to have taken you inside the church with us. 💒 You're very welcome to accompany us everywhere else we go too! 😊🚗 Super interesting information you shared about Cawood's. In my mind's eye, I can imagine it being a functional general dealer.

[@jpkruger]

Great video. Enjoyed it.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you so much! 👍🏻

[@zharkleroux387]

Thanks

[@DustBugsTravel]

We appreciate your support, thank you so much. 😊

[@ExpressionsPhotoSA]

Wow guys! We’ve really enjoyed both Klipplaat & Mount Stewart! Love abandoned places!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thanks you guys! Both places were really eye-opening, we loved it. The visit to the first church in Mount Stewart was quite emotional though. 😢💒 You should make a plan one day to get there, I can only imagine what you would do there with your photographic talents! 🤩📸

[@seanchallenge]

Wow interesting to see an abandoned village. The Churches and store. I wonder if the Actress Elize Cawood would be related to this farm. And we look forward to watching the next video with Saturday Coffee 😊☕ thank you always for your time to find amazing hidden discoveries

[@DustBugsTravel]

We're glad that you find Mount Stewart interesting, it was an emotional, but fantastic experience for us. 😊 It would be interesting to know if Elize Cawood was related to the Cawoods of Mount Stewart. She was one of our favourite South African actresses, we loved that nasal tone in her voice. 🤩 We'll see you on Saturday, cuppa in hand! ☕😁

[@rorysullivan4913]

Looking through these clips again I can't help but think somebody has to restore the church building. Nice to see the plaque honouring Bill Cawood and the Cawood family. The grandchildren and great grandchildren were in my class as teacher at some time or another

[@DustBugsTravel]

I remember you telling us before about you teaching the Cawood young ones at some point, very interesting. Until today, my visit to that church was one of the most impactful on any of our trips. 💒

[@davidgoliath8398]

Im enjoying this im learning so much through your journey....

[@DustBugsTravel]

This was one of our most memorable visits to date, it had a profound impact on both of us. That little church was just wow in so many ways. 💒 We're so glad you're enjoying our travels. 🚗😁

[@debbiekruger9414]

I'm amazed that the properties have not been stripped. But not a sole in sight anymore. So so sad

[@DustBugsTravel]

I was blown away by the fact that the church was still completely intact. It was quite an emotional experience for me, I must admit. 💒 If those pews could talk.

[@vry3555]

Makes one realise that with the collapse of train services the little towns suffered the most. All it took was 20 years of mismanagement to destroy was was built up over 200 plus

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was indeed very sad to watch towns which once thrived mainly because of the railway line, now suffering such economic hardship. 😢

[@johannaslabbert7738]

Ja ken dit. Peter Cawood en famielie daar gebly. Ons in Klipplaat gebly my man slaghuis daar gehad

[@DustBugsTravel]

It must've been a fantastic little village at one time. We still felt the very special vibe there. 😊 We hope you've seen our video of our visit to Klipplaat and Hotel Charles in Episode 169. We loved visiting your old hometown just as much! 😁🚗

[@johannaslabbert7738]

38jaar in Klipplaat gebly. Ek boerdery gedoen my man slaghuis. Toe was dit nog klipplaat. Ons 2006 daar weg.

[@graemekruger5039]

Very sad to see it all gone

[@DustBugsTravel]

Indeed, we felt the same way. 😢

[@rorysullivan4913]

Used to travel there for annual tennis tournament

[@DustBugsTravel]

Tennis certainly took you to the most interesting places in the Karoo. 🎾 We hope to visit a few more of them in the area on a future trip.

[@pieterswarts2830]

If the right persons could buy the place and upgrade it to be even better than before completely with a Gautrain Idea it could become a real tourist attraction

[@DustBugsTravel]

This place had a major impact on us and it still sometimes bothers me when I think back to especially that church just being left that way. 😥💒

[@timmiebuchner9283]

This is a very interesting series. Not for the younger generation, but for a very special kind of person (onder generation). Is there any way that we can meet, I would like to discuss and see if I can't make the next trip with you. Please let me know.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, we're so happy to hear that you're enjoying our videos. 😊 We still work full-time and don't get to spend much quality time together when we're not on the road. When we do get away, we get to catch up on that. We also rent very small vehicles and literally don't have space for a third person. We hope you understand. 😏🚗

[@pepeugene]

All very interesting but why not try and find people in the district and engage them for the history of the community that lived there?

[@DustBugsTravel]

That's a fair question which we're happy to answer. 👌🏻 To do in-depth research of the history of every single place we visit, is not the goal of our travels. We enjoy planning a route and happening upon places we find interesting and sharing it with those who may find them interesting as well. As you will see from all the comments on this video, there are always those who watch our videos who know the particular area we visited very well and are happy to add the history and their own stories to fill in the missing pieces. We don't believe in too much research when visiting a place, we prefer enjoying it in the moment and through fresh and unjaded eyes. 🤩

[@MrsMax2009]

Sad to see the church in such a condition...

[@DustBugsTravel]

I know, I feel the same way! 💒 And with everything still inside, it had a profound impact on me. ✝️

[@dankscriptsyt2012]

Hey guys guess what my grandparents own that farm 🥹

[@DustBugsTravel]

Interesting! Our visit to Mount Stewart remains one of our most special visits to date. 🚗💒

[@tokkieandrews9988]

Since 1994 all the small towns went to wreck and ruin ,it was thriving when the railway still worked properly ,but what can you expect from greedy leaders .

[@DustBugsTravel]

It's amazing how the railway lines kept these communities prosperous. Sad to see them all defunct now. 🚂

[@Cape_Town_7655]

round building for theft no coner to hide can run in circles all the time but think dark

[@DustBugsTravel]

Hopefully they mended their ways after all that thinking in the dark. 😇🔒

[@louisavermeulen4309]

Ek reis nog saam met jul twee. Moontlik het die huise aan die vorige generasie behoort. Jonger generasie verkies die stede ipv die platteland.Deesdae gaan ons prt van mega cities.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Glad you're still on board! 😁 This was so very sad for us to see. We often think back fondly to Mount Stewart and of course that amazing church. 💒🚗