S1 - Ep 169 - Klipplaat - The Town the Queen of England Came to Visit!

On our way to the town of Klipplaat from the Kalkkop Crater we stopped at the old abandoned Aberdeen Road Station. This was so incredible to see, yet sad at the same time to see something that used to mean so much to a district at some point in time just falling apart now. Then we arrived in Klipplaat and at the Hotel Charles. What a fantastic stay we had there! Our hosts were very welcoming, warm and friendly. We enjoyed amazing food, company and drinks. The next morning we left the hotel and started exploring the town. What can I say! The totally cute churches, stunning police station and magistrate court buildings. The highlight for us was the old rusted steam engine and the old Klipplaat Station with an amazing history. The Queen of England even made a stop at this station when she visited South Africa in 1947. We were looking forward to this visit for a long time and it certainly did not disappoint. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #klipplaat #station #queen #england #hotelcharles
Instagram
/ dustbugs
Facebook
/ dustbugs
Twitter
/ dustbugs
Pinterest
/ dustbugs

[@teresagillmer9464]

We could do with rail service now that petrol price is so high.Sad all these abandoned places

[@DustBugsTravel]

You're so right! Wouldn't it have been amazing if we could still travel by rail to get to all these fantastic places! It's super sad to see that those days seem to be gone forever. 😢🚂

[@dorothyparker8328]

We moved to Klipplaat in May 1956, my son was six weeks old! My husband was the telephone technician, we were very happy here, the community was one big happy family. I am in tears, I have never seen anything of this place since we moved away in 1959 and went to Alicedale, near Grahamstown. Thank you so much, I am so happy to find you on KZbin.

[@dorothyparker8328]

We lived in one of that row of Railway houses, opposite those ruins of the old railway station.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Your comment warmed our hearts. 🤗 What an interesting association you have with Klipplaat, wow! I would like to tell you that we still got that sense of family wherever we went there. Everyone was extremely kind and warm. 😍 Welcome to our channel, we're so happy that you joined us. 😁🚗

[@DustBugsTravel]

So one of those chimneys was yours! 🏠😁

[@aquahollow]

@Dorothy I spent the first 5 years of life in Klipplaat, (May 1954 - 1959). No doubt you knew Liz Taylor, the Meirings, etc.

[@munesumangava9751]

I can just imagine how you are feeling, seeing a place that was once home🥰

[@lizstapelberg1862]

Shame it is so sad to see what's happening in these beautiful old villages😳

[@DustBugsTravel]

The people of Klipplaat are trying very hard to build their town up again though, it was so heartwarming to see and experience. Thank you for watching! 😊

[@mythos5809]

Had no idea where this was, until Aberdeen Road; now that I know. My folks had friends with a farm relatively near there. Fab video, thanks.

[@johannels9598]

Wonderful footage! I grew up on a farm outside Klipplaat on the way to Aberdeen. Still visit the area quite regularly, and also stay at the Hotel Charles.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, we're glad you enjoyed our video! 😊 Your history with Klipplaat goes way back then and you must know the area very well. 🤩 We've only been there once and could tell from spending just a few hours there that it was a truly special place with special people. We think back to Klipplaat with only fond memories. 😁🚗 The Hotel Charles is a great place! We appreciate you watching!

[@johannels9598]

@@DustBugsTravel yes, my great grandfather on my fathers side started farming in the area in 1922, and he was also actively involved with the NG Kerk in town getting its independence in the 1940,s, because it used to be part of the Jansenville congregation . Interesting thing is that you mentioned the visit of the Royal family in 1947. My grandfather on my mothers side was from Graaff Reinet, and he was the driver of the special white train for the Royal family from Graaff Reinet to Klipplaat, and at Mount Stewart another driver took over for the rest of the trip to PE. He received a special medal for that. Thanks for all your videos, especially the surrounding Karoo towns like Steytlerville, Jansenville as well.

[@DustBugsTravel]

@johann els Wow, what an incredible story! 👑 Thank you so much for sharing that. 🚆 It's great that you enjoy our videos.

[@annawitter5161]

The old station, and then the steam locomotive. That got me quite emotional. My dad was a train enthusiast and we went all over the Karoo and Free State chasing trains, particularly steam. My Oupa on moms side was a stasiemeester. I get images of the past. Pity the railway no longer runs! Love the churches. So beautiful. The Charles Hotel is kind of creepy! I am sure there are ghosts, but the bar looks very friendly and vibey

[@DustBugsTravel]

The old Aberdeen Road Station was phenomenal! Put in a few desks and officials and it'll almost be fully-operational again. The old steam engine and remnants of the station was a fantastic experience and it took me way back in the past! 🚂 The three churches were so tiny compared to some of the ones we've seen in the Karoo, we loved them! 🥰⛪ The Hotel Charles is a warm and inviting place and we had a wonderful time. Our hosts were some of the most hospitable people we've met on our travels. 🏨

[@MrsMax2009]

My home town..my HOME

[@DustBugsTravel]

And what a fantastic hometown you have! 😍

[@justinafrika7860]

About 12 or more years ago I had a brief girlfriend originally from Klipplaat named Nomonde, also known as Salomé. Tall and beautiful and she was studying in Port Elizabeth.

[@jasonsmuts3022]

My Dad says thank you very much for showing these three stations. He worked at them as follows, 1972 Middleburg 1973 - 1975 Rosmead 1975 -1976 Aberdeen road He thoroughly enjoys your posts, Please keep it up.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Your comment just means the world to us. 😊 Please tell your dad it's the greatest of pleasure and we're thrilled that he enjoys our videos. So we've visited all three of 'his' stations and hopefully they brought back some special memories for him. Also make sure he knows we'll be visiting many more which he hopefully will also find interesting. 🚂🚗

[@jasonsmuts3022]

@@DustBugsTravel there is only one Station left.. Port Alfred, where he started on the Railways in 1970. Hoping you guys will get to that one sometime.

[@jorgedemendonca3563]

very cool keep up the good work...love it

[@nonibbs]

Klipplaat was a major train junction in days gone by having the main CT, PE and Graaf Reinet lines going through it. With a healthy farming industry at that time in the locality, the Karoo hides a lot of surprisingly good things - it probably still does, though sadly the Railways were allowed to die and those who needed to move on elsewhere for jobs, did too! Its not clear whether the first church, an Anglican Church is still being used but it has been restored( it was beginning to deconstruct). This was a lovely video and I am grateful you visited the place and posted about it.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Judging by the number of train lines, it was clearly a main station and very sad to see that it is no longer operational in any way, shape or form. 😢 The two ladies who were cleaning the Methodist Church nextdoor, did mention that services were still held in the Anglican Church, but we were not successful in obtaining additional information. We weren't able to get inside this church on the Friday morning we were there. ⛪

[@rorysullivan4913]

We, the Sullivan's, lived in Jansenville and would travel through to Klipplaat on Friday evenings for the weekly movie. I remember Doris Day singing Que Sera Sera in "The man who new to much". Memories, memories!!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Wow, how interesting! I must say I'm surprised that you went from Jansenville to Klipplaat for a movie, I would've thought it would be the other way around. That's fascinating stuff! 📽️

[@JacquesA1000]

Dankie vir hierdie wat julle gedoen het! Dit beteken meer vir die dorpie as wat julle ooit sal besef

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was honestly our pleasure. 👌🏻It was a fantastic experience to be received in Klipplaat with such openness and warmth. Good vibes only! Our short time in Klipplaat will stay with us forever and we're happy to share that with everyone. 🤩 Thank you so much for watching.

[@kevindevilliers3572]

That station at Aberdeen road. My great grandfather(Franz Maske), from Aberdeen, who owned that big house called Carmen Villa(in your other video). Well his children and grandchildren(including my Mom), would come up from P.E. by train, and alight at this station. He(Franz Maske), would pick them up there by horse and carriage, and take them to Aberdeen. Quite a distance.

[@Predikant]

Fascinating, it is these little anecdotes like the one that you have described that add more insight into the history of these forgotten little places.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I don't even have to close my eyes to see the horse-and-cart coming down that very road we drove down! 🐎 We always wonder what walls would say if they could talk and this is especially true of this place. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. 😍

[@debbiekruger9414]

The stations are really such a loss. They meant so much to this country

[@DustBugsTravel]

Absolutely! It's unbelievable how many people we come across who either had an association with rail themselves or had close family who did. And the loss of income to these tiny towns is huge. 😢🚆

[@seanchallenge]

Awesome wow definitely a pretty Police station and Church.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Absolutely! It was a fascinating place to explore with all those old buildings. We loved every moment. 🤩

[@ernagrobler2323]

In the old days the left-side of the building "Mark vir die Huisvrou" was a general store and on the right was a butchery. The dilapidated house on the left was used as a boarding house for single men.

[@clayauslewis4236]

Another great video!

[@alanm1514]

My wifes father was born in kliplaat in 1897 to Scottish parents who had sold up their business in Scotland and emigrated to South Africa. This was the result of a previous holiday vist in which they saw South Afrca as a new home. It would have been interesting to have seen houses or other buildings of that earlier period as the churches were built years after his birth. Never the less it was good to see its current state and one hopes it will not become a ' ghost town '. THANK YOU for posting an answer to a place which has been in my thoughts for years.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Wow, how interesting! Thank you for sharing that history with us. 👌🏻 We tried to show as much of Klipplaat as possible and included some houses, but probably not the really old ones, we wouldn't have known which ones those were. 🏠 Glad that our video could show you a little of the Klipplaat of today and we hope right alongside you that the town undergoes some kind of revival. It's indeed a special place. 😍

[@marieatkinson3155]

I lived in Klipplaat from birth 1955 to 1958. My dad was the Doctor, Johannes Joubert.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Wow, so you spent your first three years there, how awesome! We loved Klipplaat and its people. 🥰

[@TheKlopper3]

My late father was a station forman roundabout 1976 at a small railway station called Tron (not sure about spelling) in the Freestate. Hope you guys come across that little dwelling. Remember it for sure. I was four years old back then.

[@TheKlopper3]

Just found it on Google earth, spelling is, Theron. It is completely delepotated.

[@DustBugsTravel]

How interesting that you still remember the station and you were only four at the time! We'll certainly look for it when we're in the area. We're fascinated by old station buildings, as you probably know by now. No matter how dilapidated they are. 🚗🚆

[@anniehyams2848]

There was nothing here but beautiful green bushes on each side of the railway line looked like going through a forest of small green bushes on each side of the railway line it was beautiful no houses here Thank You So Much for Sharing Your Beautiful Video @ Dustbugs Travel 👍👍❤️❤️

[@anniehyams2848]

Thank you so much for the Beautiful Red Heart and Thank You So Much for Enjoying my messages and Comments @ Dustbugs Travel 👍👍❤️❤️

[@munesumangava9751]

Hello Dustbugs!!! Work interfered with my watching 😂

[@cincliffremmelien1032]

You guys are my favourite

[@deonzar]

Aag no man...no you made me so hungry with that lovely braai and all the bykosse....but that is the Karoo for you. Thanx for bringing us to Klipplaat...and that lekker bar...

[@DustBugsTravel]

Next-level hospitality in Klipplaat, I'm telling you. 😁 The food (and beverages 🍻) were fantastic and the company even better! It was a fantastic visit to a little town trying to remain on its feet. We have all the faith in the people there to make it happen! 👌🏻

[@munesumangava9751]

Wow 🎉 The red roofed church just beautiful inside and outside👌

[@DavidNWalker]

I spent many happy holidays at the farm Hardwood, 8km outside Klipplaat on the way to Mount Stewart, with the Hobson family. The church with the tower is the Anglican Church.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Wow, that sounds amazing! You must've had some good times there. We spent all of ten minutes on Hardwood, looking at the magistracy and the lockup. We found the two buildings super interesting. 🛖 Thankfully we weren't locked up there! 😁

[@gregorydavids5304]

Awesome! Yes, Princess Elizabeth visited South Africa in 1947 and with (I think) the backdrop of Lionshead she made that famous commitment that, should she be called, she would most willingly serve the Crown and Empire as sovereign her whole life long be it short or long. No one then could even remotely have fathomed just how long that was really going to be. Some time back someone told me that the origin of the name "Spain" was uncertain though he believed the most likely explanation was that the Phoenicians, when they sailed pass Spain, saw animals on the rocks in the distance. Thinking they were dassies which they knew from their home, they named the land "Rock Hyrax" or Spain. Actually what they really spotted were rabbits. Dassies are not native to Spain. So, it appears that Spain is named after an animal that does not occur there. I checked Wikipedia: "Roman coins struck in the region from the reign of Hadrian show a female figure with a rabbit at her feet,[25] and Strabo called it the "land of the rabbits".[26] The word in question (compare modern Hebrew Shafan) actually means "Hyrax", possibly due to Phoenicians confusing the two animals" Yet, in Klipplaat, rabbits and dassies live together cheek-by-jowl. Wow!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for your most interesting comment. 👌🏻 So true that, while Elizabeth II wasn't born to be Queen, she was on the throne long enough to become the longest-reigning monarch in history. Quite unbelievable actually. 👑 And how interesting that we saw both dassies (or rock hyrax) and rabbits in this area. Love that. 🐇🦫

[@flodillon991]

Ver nice but a pity railways so neglected is very much missed nowadays with petrol the price it is. Lovely welcome at hotel the people are so friendly. So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Our hosts at the Hotel Charles were absolutely awesome and the hospitality and the warmth were so much appreciated. It actually felt as if we checked in after a long train journey from someplace far away. 😊👌🏻 How times have changed!

[@munesumangava9751]

Little rabbit! Good eyes mate, driving and seeing nature🥰

[@daniellewotherspoon6252]

You are introducing us to the most wonderful little places. You are wetting my appetite to travel our beloved country.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We are so happy to hear that! And Klipplaat should definitely be on your list. You'll struggle to find warmer and friendlier people on your travels. The town is wildly interesting and the food absolutely next level. You'll be able to satisfy your appetite for both travel and delicious food! 😁🚗

[@wilhelm3458]

I live in a developed country where the people are nearly fighting for a parkingspot. Don't forget the Aberdeen station beautiful spot for a workshop and office. Here you have to come with a wheel borrow filled with gold for such a place.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I hear you! That Aberdeen Road Station is an absolute gem and it's sad that it is in such a decayed state and in complete disuse! 👌🏻

[@munesumangava9751]

Yummy steak and chips!!!! My favourite 😍

[@hafizawilliams7599]

This is amazing.....born in South Africa but don't know of the history of such small towns .....that's if it is small thank you for this channel

[@DustBugsTravel]

You're very welcome, thanks for joining us on our travels. 😁🚗 Klipplaat is indeed a small town, we love visiting the smaller places. We have many videos for you to enjoy, so many other small towns for you to discover! 🤩

[@hafizawilliams7599]

@@DustBugsTravel I trust many South Africans would subscribe ...it's really worth watching the videos with a history

[@munesumangava9751]

Yes, this channel is a big favour and blessing for South Africans as they get to know of these little gems hidden away in the provinces👏👏👏

[@anniehyams2848]

R2 may sound crazy but how about a three course meal that costs R35 for Soup Main Meal and Dessert Pudding that costs R35 in 1970's and 1980's then you will enjoy Charles Hotel it is an Old Hotel Thank You So Much for Sharing Your Beautiful Video for@ Dustbugs Travel 👍👍❤️❤️

[@DustBugsTravel]

I wish we could still get a three-course meal for 35, gone are those days! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Charles Hotel, the folks there were super warm and welcoming. 😍🚗

[@anniehyams2848]

@@DustBugsTravel I wish too we could a get a three course meal as food all over the world is so expensive That Steam Engine the major line at the big station on your beautiful video was a major station that went from Port Elizabeth to Cake Town and went therough and stopped at all the stations There is a write up in all Klippkaat and the Queens visit @ Google Search and it is very interesting to read all the General Knowledge on the Queens Visit Klippkaat Itself and the Stations Thank You So Much for Your Beautiful message and comment @ Dustbugs Travel 👍👍❤️❤️

[@anniehyams2848]

Hi Everyone @ KZbin Thank You So Much for the Beautiful Red Hearts and Thank You So Much for the Beautiful Thumbs Up and Thank You So Much for Enjoying my messages and Comments @ Dustbugs Travel 👍👍❤️❤️

[@swartrivierwildlife7547]

What you neglected to mention, was that the hotel proprietor, Ker van Loggerenberg, played SA Schools rugby in his day. He was front rank partner to none other than Os du Randt, if my memory serves...

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for that info! 👌🏻🏉 Had we known it, we would've most certainly shared it, but after having spent a whole evening with Ker and him even showing me a photo of himself with Os du Randt taken just a few weeks before, he never shared with me that he played rugby at such a high level. What an amazing example of humility. I miss Klipplaat even more now! 😊

[@kevinwhistler6154]

Lekker hey 👋

[@DustBugsTravel]

Very much so! 🚂😁

[@tillievantonder]

Lyk my Ker mag maar braai!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Indeed! 🥩 And his hosting skills do Klipplaat proud! 😁

[@munesumangava9751]

Cute little church? Is it still in operation???

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm happy to report that both churches are still operational. 💒

[@munesumangava9751]

@@DustBugsTravel Hallelujah 🙏

[@mixi2090]

Who noticed the 3 security cameras on the pole on the left hand in the screen from 5:03 to 5:22 ?

[@DustBugsTravel]

We did notice them too. They've become fairly common on the roads in these smaller towns we love visiting. 👁️

[@mixi2090]

@@DustBugsTravel Yes. I also see them more regularly on country roads. Probably belong to the local farm watch

[@conorgraafpietermaritzburg3720]

Luckily the destructive forces are also not going to last forever

[@DustBugsTravel]

There are clearly people trying to regenerate Klipplaat and we hope with all our hearts they're successful. It's a special place. 😍

[@murrayhean2538]

Thank you for showing us these absolute gems!! Fortunately, the African National Communists haven't destroyed everything! These towns deserve all the help they can get!!

[@sidneyoreilly1135]

The gravy train left long ago

[@DustBugsTravel]

I think sadly every possible kind of train left Klipplaat long ago! 🤷🏼‍♂️🚆

[@bryanhurd9955]

How did the damaged stain glass get damaged?

[@DustBugsTravel]

Not sure. 🤔 Most probably stones.

[@mariebotha8893]

Ag nee man jy is Afrikaans hoekom moet alles Engels wees? Dankie vir die video

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for watching. 👌🏻 I'm an English-speaking person from the Free State, therefore my accent. 😁

[@magdalaas]

@@DustBugsTravel and English speaking people from all over the world can watch and appreciate it!

[@nonibbs]

I am grateful the video is in English, to post it all in Afrikaans would put it virtually out of my understanding and I would miss a lot of the details.

[@Predikant]

Ek dink Marie het 'n goeie punt, kan ons nie so elke nou en dan 'n bietjie Boeretaal lusiter, ek is selfs Englesprekend maar ek het 'n Boerehart!

[@DustBugsTravel]

We love Afrikaans and speak our own combo at home, but we have family and friends abroad who will not be able to follow along if we have extensive discussions in Afrikaans. The odd word or sentence do slip out from time-to-time though. 😁

[@boerplaas388]

Pragtig plekkie daai klipplaat. Dankie vir die video’s. Ek is op my plaas in Arizona in Amerika en ek Kyk graag na die video’s van die ou plekke. Oulik . N ou moet so klein plek weer lewe gee. 😂

[@DustBugsTravel]

The locals are really trying, but without any major source of income, the town is sadly a struggling one. 🥺 Thank you for watching from so far away, we're so glad you enjoy our video's. 😁🚗