S1 - Ep 191 - Paterson - A Town at the Foot of the Olifantskop Pass in the Eastern Cape!

[@air-drive]

Now I know I have been bugging you guys but hopefully this will be my last comment, My father was the Station Commander of the Police Station in Paterson for some time, I know almost every body there, I can drive from Paterson to PE with my eyes closed, it was on Olifantskop Pass that my Brothers friend had an accident with his car but he did not make it and it was the strangest thing I have ever seen. The town now look terrible, I am shocked to see it, Paterson had some very rich farmers. The silo's now obviously not in use anymore. I remember the trains coming and loading grain from those very same silos. Man that is SHOCKING!!!, what is happening to my beloved country, DESTOYED!, and for what?.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We love reading your comments and appreciate all of them, so please do continue! 👌🏻 You certainly have a deep association with Paterson. That Police Station is huge now, but it was probably not always that way. We heard that the Olifantskop Pass can be a very dangerous road, it certainly is extremely busy with lots of heavy-duty vehicles. We thought the livestock feed companies could be using the silo's now, I recall seeing a sign on one of the gates leading to them. Thank you for watching. 😁🚗

[@christinaribeiro6515]

My father Marius Botha used to work at the silos and ko-op, now BKB and my uncle Mike Scheepers at the Post office. We used to go to the white church... the NG kerk and the cute house with the beautiful veranda used to belong to an old lady with many cats. Unfortunately I can't remember her name... she used to be very kind and we always used to visit her. The school used to be the primary school and the building next to with the trees inside used to be the hostel. I have wonderful memories from school and the hostel. My uncle Anton Botha used to be one of the policemen there. The train used to transport grains etc from farming but I believe this is of the past as most of the farmers have left.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for the valuable info, we can now watch our video of the drive through the town with a much better understanding of what some of the buildings are, that is very meaningful. We can actually imagine the cats lazing in the sun on that verandah. 😻 We're so glad that you were reminded of some fond memories of the time you spent in Paterson. That hostel building must've been quite impressive while still functional and intact. It was great having you along for the ride. 😁🚗

[@annawitter5161]

This brings back so many happy memories. Olifantskop? I remember it as Olifantsnek, but maybe it changed. The church looks like a crouching cat. Actually the second church also does! My years in PE were the happiest of my life. Paterson looked much more prosperous back in the days though.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We love cats, so happy that you see cats in both church buildings. 😺⛪ We wouldn't call Paterson a prosperous town unfortunately, but glad it brought back some special memories for you. The only Olifantsnek we could find, is in the North West province, perhaps that's the one you remember. The Olifantskop Pass seems to have always been called that. Thank you for watching, as always! 😁🐘

[@annawitter5161]

@@DustBugsTravel Thank,s I think I got my elephants confused! LOL!! I love cats too. My ex husband has roots out therein Paterson, Uitenhage and Peddie.

[@henkmaritz007]

I grew up on a farm in Paterson. The abandoned buiding next to the school was a prosperous boarding school (which I attended). My Father was a farmer and I remember when the silo's were built for the wheat harvests that were huge in the 80's. The town was a bustling, beautiful town back then. I still have family there. It's sad to see everything looking like that now. Sandflats was the name of the town on the other side if the main road (as you travel to Addo), (where the rest of the town lies), and it eventually all became Paterson. It was a bustling community in the 70's and 80's, and then the train station was closed and the young people left for other areas/cities due to droughts. I have fond memories of the grand old days of Paterson. It was the main town for many km's around.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you so much for sharing this wealth of info! How interesting to hear that you attended the boarding school, it must be rather sad to see it in its current state, especially since it looks like it must've been quite an attractive building in its day. Now we also know why the station was initially called Sandflats, we had no idea there was another town too by the same name. We hope our video brought back some good memories and we so appreciate you watching. 👌🏻🚗

[@michaelpaterson8340]

So heart breaking

[@DustBugsTravel]

Can't help but notice your surname. 🤔 Thank you for watching. 👌🏻🚗

[@michaelpaterson8340]

@@DustBugsTravel absolutely love your KZbin channel Have you ever done Uitenhage

[@johnfarley4201]

Bless your hearts for sharing. The town is chugging along but suffering bless it. You arrival has brought some sunshine and kindness back which the town appreciated as did the train saying hello.

[@DustBugsTravel]

'Chugging along' is just the perfect description. We loved the train whistling as it sped away! 🚆😁 We so appreciate you exploring Paterson with us, thank you. 🚗

[@flodillon991]

Scenic routes is true a bit windy so high though. I loved the moving train so beautiful. Interesting where the town got its name Paterson great to have people remembered in that way. Imagine working for a company for 40years wonderful. Congratulations to that gentleman. Thank you for taking me with for this episode.!!!

[@DustBugsTravel]

We knew it was windy, but we actually only realised how windy when we saw the video! 😁 We also loved the story about how the town got its name, well-deserved to the Patersons! 👌🏻🚆

[@rudolfputter2217]

Paterson was a town i loved being there for 30 yrs loved the people in town unfortunately due to unforseen events i had to move but i loved that town and its people

[@DustBugsTravel]

I can completely understand why you were sad to leave. In the short time we were there, we met some very warm and friendly folks who also love the town. Perhaps you'll get to visit again soon. Thank you so much for watching. 🚗😁

[@christinaribeiro6515]

Hi Rudie, hoe gaan dit? I think everyone is watching this.... hope we see more comments from people we know. I'm a bit sad to see the neglect. I visited Denise in 2014 and I don't remember it being in such a bad state. It wasn't the as when we lived there, but I was a bit shocked. I really appreciate this video though!

[@planetearth9055]

Thank you so very very much for your lovely videos! I enjoy every minute of it.

[@DustBugsTravel]

That is fantastic to hear, thank you so much! 😊 We're happy to have you along.

[@avrilfish7140]

Such a sad dirty town, could do with a good spring clean. Love your videos

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you so much. 😊 It was rather sad to see, but then again we haven't come across the perfect town just yet. Thank you for joining us on our travels. 😁🚗

[@stanleyrobson4622]

Another lovely drive. Safe travels.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for joining us! 🚗😁

[@fwdadventuresza254]

Love traveling along with you two 😁 thanks for taking us along 😉

[@DustBugsTravel]

Of course! You're always welcome. 🚗😁

[@deonzar]

What a sorry sight to behold...Thanx for bringing us the good and the bad. I am waiting for when you will be going the more places in the Karoo as well as Northern Cape.

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was rather sad to see much of the town in disrepair and now even more so because we hear of so many viewers who remember it being a prosperous town in its heyday. 😢 We're off on our next trip soon and we hope you'll enjoy the places we discover and explore. It's fantastic having you on board as we drive to and through these places. 😁🚗

[@munesumangava9751]

Indeed a scenic route👌👌👌

[@aginn9506]

Hi guys great video, driven through many times, but really enjoyed seeing what we,ve missed by sticking to the main road. You are the ones doing a great job of promoting SA tourism by showing our country's wonderful heritage and beautiful places along the way. Keep it up and safe travels in the future 🙂

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, we're having a great time exploring these small towns, some of which we've never been to before. It's amazing how each one has a charm and character all its own, because of the people who once called it home and those who still live there. Most can do with some upliftment and cleanup in one way or another, but it's great to see them all the same. 🇿🇦 Next time you're in the area, take a drive through town! 😁

[@aginn9506]

@@DustBugsTravel We will thankyou, I believe you are of the first that will inspire in us all to start paying more attention to our little towns and villages. Yes improved and repaired infrustructure would go a long way to encouraging people to consider leaving the large metros to live in the smaller towns again, especially those who moved away I,m a small townie at heart. Thanks again

[@rudolfputter2217]

The hostel with the trees in it was my hostel it was disbanded more then 20 yrs ago 😭

[@DustBugsTravel]

Oh no! How sad that must be for you to see it again. 😥 You must have some very happy memories from there.

[@indrankistensamy3084]

S. A. has beautiful places, local tourism must be promoted.😊🇿🇦

[@DustBugsTravel]

Absolutely! Agree with you 100%. 👌🏻🇿🇦

[@Predikant]

Sadly South Africans murder their tourists

[@waswe4204]

The many stone broken houses you see on either side of river bridges/crossings and at the bottom and tops of passes are guard houses from the various wars - mostly from the Boer War where six or seven British and a similar number of African soldiers would guard the route north, this would also be the case for the railway and road tunnels. These "block houses" as they were called guarded the railway line/route north. A good example is between Joburg and Meyerton - on the left hand side.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, we've seen quite a number of blockhouses, some in very good shape like the one in Episode 103 when we travelled in the Wolseley area. Thank you for sharing the interesting info! 😁🚗 We haven't visited Gauteng just yet on our travels, but will eventually get to it as we work our way across the country! 🇿🇦

[@1812nico]

Hi you two. That pass was truly amazing with the wind blowing and beautiful clouds part of the view. Pity that the town is so neglected - if they don't even have a welcoming town name put up, maybe they don't have a town council and/or municipality? I nevertheless enjoyed the trip with your excellent photography, thanks again and keep safe!

[@DustBugsTravel]

The wind was howling on the pass, but it didn't detract from the beautiful scenery one bit! 😁 The gentleman at the filling station said there was a nameboard at the entrance to the town, but we obviously missed it somehow. The town lies within the limits of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, clearly a lot of work is to be done here to get the town back on its feet again. Thank you for exploring Paterson with the two of us! 😎🚗

[@charlietreston4035]

Thanks for another great video I am really getting an education about South Africa in the 21st century sad little town but I hope someone will help it get better 🙏 keep up the good work 👏

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, it was rather sad to see the general condition of the village. Very encouraging though to meet people who say they'll always live there, that's how much they love the place. So one can only hope there will be some kind of upliftment there at some point. 😏 Thank you for driving through Paterson with us. 🚗

[@munesumangava9751]

Pretty Apostolic Church 👏👏👏🙏

[@sandragrobler2957]

Hi you two! Have you traveled to Colesberg yet? Just wondering because I don't see a video on it. Can't wait to watch the Paterson video tonight - our Saturday night treat😊

[@DustBugsTravel]

Hello there! We haven't been to Colesberg just yet, but plans are in the works. That's all we'll say for now. 😁🚗 We hope you enjoyed exploring Paterson with us.

[@sandragrobler2957]

@@DustBugsTravel We enjoy every episode !!!!! You and Sonia's humour and laughter adds even more flavour to it. Thank thank thank!!!!!

[@andrewwilson3054]

I unfortunately live here, I had absolutely no idea people visit here. Im shocked !

[@DustBugsTravel]

We met some lovely people who happened to be out-and-about that Friday afternoon. They all expressed their deep affection for the town, I'm sure you feel the same way, despite it not being perfect. No place is. We so appreciate you watching our video. 🚗😊

[@Neil1952100]

Good morning. We have just watched your journey through Olifantskop Pass. Brought back many memories. Have you been over the Lootsberg Pass between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg? If so, is that trip on one of your videos? The view from the top of Lootsberg is beautiful. Thanks for all your videos - we LOVE them.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Hello to you! Thank you, it's always wonderful to hear when our video's remind viewers of happy times in their past. We visited Graaff-Reinett and Middelburg on separate trips, so didn't travel between these two towns. It certainly sounds like a great drive and one to remember for a possible return trip to the area in the future. We absolutely love having you on board with us! 😁🚗

[@geraldinemethven8112]

Love your videos & visiting these little towns with you.Just interested what are the huge trucks transporting ? I’m in Vancouver Canada & always stunned at how many huge trucks they have on the roads here 24/7 - and why they don’t used rail to transport goods. But I can see in SA these days the rail transport has deteriorated so much, what a shame. Keep on trekking !!! You have given me so many ideas of places I want to visit when I come home in 2023. Thank You 🥰 🇿🇦

[@DustBugsTravel]

Greetings to you in Canada! 😁🇨🇦 We're so glad to hear you're enjoying our videos, thank you! There were a lot of trucks on the roads leading to and from this particular area and, as far as we could establish, the side-tippers carry iron ore and manganese from the mines to the harbour in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). The 'normal' freight trucks transport a wide of variety of freight, including consumer goods. The number of trucks on South African roads has increased exponentially since the railway system has sadly for the most part not been used as in the past. We're excited for your trip to SA in 2023! You're going to have so much fun exploring places which you may not have been to before! Until then, we'll show you a good few more! 😁🚗

[@geraldinemethven8112]

Thanks for your reply & info. Oddly, lumber, coal, natural gas & oil are transported via rail, there have been ongoing protests about it here. “Trucking” a huge business here, roads are so congested (& dangerous) with these mega trucks. Don’t know if you saw or heard about the “Truckers Convoy Protest to Covid restrictions” here in Canada, they took over the country for a few months. guess it provides work opportunity, but ……. Dustbugging is such a great alternative to the main tar roads, what fun you have. Can’t wait to get home, have so missed SA in the last 2 years. Home is where your heart is ❤

[@CheGypsyWay]

Oh my word, it's looking very sad... I feel heartbroken over these little towns that used to be so pretty and well cared for .. it's devastating 🤦🏼‍♀️😢

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was rather sad to see, especially since the remnants of a once-prosperous town were still evident as we drove through the streets. 😥

[@kingdomcomfortword]

Great videos! What camera are you using?

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you! I use my normal everyday cellphone, Samsung S22 Ultra. No fancy equipment here! 😁📱

[@peterkoning21]

I could tell numerous stories about Olifantskop Pass ....but nothing about Paterson !

[@DustBugsTravel]

I note you didn't share any of your Olifantskop Pass stories, please feel free to do so. 😁 The scenery is stunningly beautiful, but we believe it's also a very dangerous road. It was our first time on this road and we can believe that from seeing how heavy the traffic was on the random Friday we drove through there. 😨🚗

[@bertrayner1000]

If----you----have--spare---time---have---a---male---at----Zuurberg---Mountain---Village-----They---have----the---best---buffet---meals----in ----our----area

[@DustBugsTravel]

Great! We'll certainly remember for a possible future trip back to the area. This trip was a few weeks ago already. 😁🚗

[@foxi-n2u]

Like... I'm no racist or anything but FFS..... And that's all I'm going to say. 😢

[@DustBugsTravel]

Paterson has sadly seen better days. 😏

[@victorjass3815]

Mr Author...not IN the road...ON the road. ..please

[@DustBugsTravel]

Okay. 😁

[@victorjass3815]

@@DustBugsTravel ...yes..and PATERSON...not Paddison

[@victorjass3815]

@@DustBugsTravel ...otherwise...nice video

[@victorjass3815]

@@DustBugsTravel ...you've just done smthing strange to me...I'm gonna take a drive soon to those small quiet towns to go look for a house and move there

[@brianvanniekerk3412]

@@victorjass3815 Great if you move to a small town, just remember to take your criticism attitude. with you