S1 - Ep 357 - Bultfontein - We Marvelled at the Well-Preserved Historic Jail Cell!

The journey to the town was a delight, as the road was exceptionally well-maintained, allowing us to appreciate the stunning landscape of the Free State with its vast, flat farmlands stretching as far as the eye could see. Upon reaching the outskirts of Bultfontein, we were immediately struck by the town's agricultural heritage, evident from the imposing silo's. As we ventured further into the town, the bustling activity on a Saturday morning showcased the vibrancy of the community. Passing by the old station, we couldn't help but be nostalgic, since it was evident that it was no longer in use. The sight of the Police Station with its well-preserved historic jail cell, dating back over a century, provided us with a fascinating glimpse into the town's past. Bultfontein's beauty was not limited to its history and agriculture; the churches stood as magnificent architectural landmarks, the school exuded an aura of excellence and the cemetery offered a poignant journey back in time. Our visit to Pipa's, a charming local guesthouse and restaurant, was the perfect ending to our visit. Its unique character and warmth left us with lasting memories. Overall, our time in Bultfontein was truly enriching, and we departed with a deep appreciation for the town's heritage and its welcoming community. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #freestate #bultfontein
Instagram
/ dustbugstravel
Facebook
/ dustbugstravel
Freedom by Alex-Productions | onsound.eu/
Music promoted by www.free-stock...
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
creativecommon...

[@desh7120]

Curtis, your comment, “ I don’t understand it!” is echoed by me - over and over again! I find it completely bewildering. Thank goodness that you continue to seek out the positives in each place to restore one’s perspective. The old jail and churches in this town did that for me. Getting away from the main road and into the quiet neighbourhoods, with the uplifting sounds of birds was so good for the soul - as was the visit to Pippa’s beautiful oasis! That was the highlight for me. I always enjoy your cemetery visits. This one was maintained quite well. Thank you for taking us to Bultfontein and showing us a bird’s eye perspective with your trusty drone - simply beautiful looking down on the dam!

[@DustBugsTravel]

I won't lie and say that it's easy to remain positive when we see destruction and decay, but we simply have no option and there is no point in dwelling on the negative. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Bultfontein can be proud to have an establishment like Pipa's. It was a very interesting walkaround, I loved the old typewriters and cash registers, they were super cool to see! Glad you enjoyed the drone shots, I also thought they were mighty finel! 🚙😁

[@Gohan1989ification]

My original home town

[@DustBugsTravel]

What a great town Bultfontein is, it was a pleasure to visit! 🚙😍

[@ratlalemokone6698]

Born and raised in Bultfontein and now watching from St. Louis.Thank you for taking us through the ride.

[@annawitter5161]

Wonderful to be touring the flat Free State! Nice to have the room to breathe. Well probably 45 years since I was last in Bultfontein! Ooops! On entering...why did the Kiewiet cross the road? Perhaps he was not chicken! Hmmm! That road has seen better days. Silo bag...amazing...looks more like a giant silo sausage to me. I know how you feel about maize, I am same. Krummelpap is my fave, with tomato and onion on top, or snoeksmoor! Yummmm! I think the condition of the sign does the talking. But oooh! What beautiful trees! And thank you for discovering the old station. This is making me a bit homesick...for South Africa that was....so I think I shall pour a glass of red wine and relax and watch Fiela se Kind for the umpteenth time. Lovely peaceful graveyard. Love Pippas, so beautiful and so creative. I would happily go stay there for a while and paint. Very special!

[@koosodendaal4091]

Ai tog,ek volg julle nou al vir baie episodes en julle gee ons n regte iedee hoe ons land nou is,met n seer hart en ongeloof kan dit duidelik gesien word by omtrent al die dorpe hoe dit agteruit gegaan het..( beyond understanding)

[@DustBugsTravel]

@annawitter5161 The Free State which still makes my heart beat faster! 🐆🧡 I chuckle at your whatever crossing the road jokes, we do seem to have a lot of birdies cross the road when we come along! 🐦😍 I think I may even be inspired to paint at Pipa's, albeit my 'paintings' might just be of old typewriters and cash registers. I found those fascinating! Oh, and the garden was a fantastic oasis in the town of Bultfontein! I hope you once more enjoyed Fiela se Kind and that the red wine made the longing for your home country a little easier to bear. 🍷🎬

[@annawitter5161]

@@DustBugsTravel an old typewriter or cash machine can be a most creative and fascinating subject for a painting. Thank you! You have given me an idea

[@kilmore44]

Again , A wonderful visit. Pipa's was phenomenal, with a seriously impressive collection of eye catching stuff so beautifully arranged . An absolute oasis. An interesting anecdote : apparently the population is just over 21,000 at the last count, of which 5.5% are whites. ,ie just over 1000 souls, averaging out 330/church (DRC,NGK,Hereformerde) . The upkeep must be rather tricky cost wise . I therefore assume that there must be many more farmers in the area to boost the numbers, most of whom prefer playing bowls to swimming . Thanks again . Most enlightening .

[@DustBugsTravel]

Pipa's is for sure an asset to Bultfontein and interesting items were on display everywhere I looked. Swimming is clearly not big in Bultfontein, like in so many other towns! 🤷🏻‍♂️🏊‍♀️ I like your calculation. Wikipedia says there were just over 23k people in town in 2011, so I would imagine this number would've grown substantially since then. I do believe the congregants of the three churches you mentioned, are so passionate about preserving their buildings and heritage that they would dig deep into their own pockets when necessary to help accomplish this goal. 🚙💒

[@ronnykenny3965]

Watching here from Soutpan where I disembarked, thank you for showing us Bultfontein. Many interesting things but it's sometimes so difficult to look beyond the ruins of the public facilities, to think of what was & what it is now, anyway we'll always find something good by watching Dustbugs. Safe travels 🚗🚗🚗

[@DustBugsTravel]

So you made it virtually to Bultfontein, I'm happy to see that! 🚙😁 I agree with you that it's sometimes very, very hard to look beyond the neglect and the destruction, but we simply have no option but to. I'm glad to hear you are too, that is what will keep all of us going. 👌🏻

[@johanheyns6936]

Nice trip to Bulfontein !!!!!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed! 🚙😁

[@johanheyns6936]

@@DustBugsTravel can I make a suggestion, can you may be notice which of the churches clocks are still in a working order.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We can certainly try, but there are so many things that viewers would like us to mention and look for and we simply can't keep up with them all. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Sonia does sometimes mention that the time on the church clocks are inaccurate and that is the case at I'd say 19 out of 20 we visit or drive past. 🙂💒 It is seriously the exception nowadays.

[@ElaineMaritz-gn9cy]

Stayed there from 1980 to 1989. Matriculated there. Real people still caring for each other

[@KelvinNaidoo-h4t]

Lovely Town really appreciate you guys for the travels 🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠

[@DustBugsTravel]

You're so welcome! We're just too happy you enjoy travelling with us! 🚙😁

[@mk-xq1tt]

Very neat town.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad you came with us to explore Bultfontein! 🚙😁

[@mavistaq-man4503]

Thank you guys 😢

[@deonzar]

Ok..I imagined Bultfontein a lot smaller. ..We cannot expect these towns far from the hustle and the bustle to be a major town at this stage of the game, many years ago I suppose it looks a lot different. I wont talk again about the terrible state our railways are is I am just so glad that as a child I had the opportunity to travel on the trains as my father worked for the SA Railways and June holidays he had his "vrypass" I think it was called....we traveled via steam to Durban most of the time as well to family on the Westcoast. I know he took many photos with his Brownie box camera...so sad they are nowhere to be found. It was an era we will never have again. .

[@DustBugsTravel]

Those sound like incredible memories and I can hear you think back fondly to those days. 🚂😍 Sadly those days are gone forever, but your memories will last a lifetime. I sometimes miss the days of 'kiekies' like Sonia's folks used to call them and photo albums, it was just a different feeling when one looked through them as opposed to scrolling through them on a digital device. I hope you manage to trace those Brownie box ones somehow someday. 🤞🏻📸

[@terrimeyer3815]

Both my comments on last 2 videos just disappeared 😢...lol Loving this trip

[@DustBugsTravel]

Oh no! I have no idea how that could've happened. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I've heard two other viewers mention that too in the past, but I have no explanation for it.

[@annawitter5161]

It's happened to me too.

[@1812nico]

Hi you two! Thank you for taking me along to this intriguing mielie center on the Free State flats. The silos are really breathtaking. Trust you to find the old railway station! The town was really bustling with queues at the ATMs. Pipa's seems to be both restaurant and museum. I noticed some old typewriters, which in the 50's were regarded as what we now call "portable". I wish I could share your biltong from the butchery. I am still drooling! The "agriculture is our way of life" logo of the school seems to say it all for Bultfontein. What I loved most was the spaciousness of the wide, wide streets and the large erven for the houses. (You don't have to share your neighbour's midnight partying!). The churches are impressive in size and style. All in all a really beautiful and peaceful town. Your great drone view and music again put it all in perspective. I'll be at the roadside wherever you start your next trip! Keep safe!

[@DustBugsTravel]

The silos were fascinating and their size super impressive, we felt quite miniscule next to them! 😁 I can't even begin to fathom how much maize / grain must be stored there. It was quite humbling to see where so much of our food comes from. I'm glad the typewriters also caught your eye at Pipa's. They, and the old cash registers, really fascinated me! I'm always happy to share our droëwors with you, we seem to lean towards that when we travel and return to biltong when back home for some odd reason. 🤷🏻‍♂️ See you again bright and early tomorrow morning! 🚙👌🏻

[@mariusroos]

Interesting that most of these small towns always has something special. The old prison cell is an example of this statement! I am sure nobody ever escaped out of there - like Sonja commented! The silos are huge hey. Sure they can store quote a lot inside. The station is also no more - so sad. Nice to see there is some form of activity in the "CBD". The ATM must have been super hot at the end of the day! I was quite surprised to see the dam and how nice it is there. Back in the days the small town's showgrounds were so nice to attend the annual show. So much to see and do and eat. Thanks for this trip. Well done, as usual, and I will wait for you when you enter Strand for a piece of biltong! Till the next one usual seat booked.

[@DustBugsTravel]

True that. Every single town, no exception, has positives and we will always make sure to mention those too! While we can't shy away from the decline and the neglect, it serves us as travellers no purpose to dwell on the negatives. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I loved the jail cell too and was so glad to see it in such good shape still. We were dwarfed by those silos, they were quite impressive and it was good to get a peek into the size of the agricultural industry in this area! 👌🏻🌽 Speaking of biltong, there are some pretty good biltong places in Strand. When on the road, we automatically opt for droëwors though. I'm not quite sure how that happened. Make sure you stock up before you take your seat again tomorrow! 🚙😁

[@ingeborgvanderveer789]

‘Landbou is ons leefwyse!’, dat is een mooi motto van de hogere landbouwschool in deze verrassende stad. Het bedrijf met de naam Boertjie, aan het einde van deze episode, is dan wel toepasselijk. Lentehof, een heerlijke naam voor een gebouw. En zo kwamen jullie langs meerdere parels, zoals die gevangenis, de kleinste die ik ooit zag. Echt jammer dat je niet even kunt terugflitsen naar de tijd van toen. Hoeveel mensen zaten er in 1 cel, hoe werden ze gelucht, en waar bleef eigenlijk de opzichter? Of deed die aan het einde van de dag alle deuren op slot en ging naar huis? Jammer van de vergane glorie van het treinstation en openbaar zwembad, beide inderdaad kennelijk niet hoog op het lijstje der bestuurders sinds 1994. Toch leuk dat bij de school wel een prima zwembad is. De oude graven, het blijft boeiend, en ineens circa 110 jaar na je overlijden verschijn je als echtpaar ineens uit de vergetelheid op DustBugsTravel 😁. Zelfs 3 grote kerken uit de jaren 50, God had er toen goed de vaart in qua aanhangers. Geweldig die brede wegen in de woonwijken met amper verkeer, dat blijft zwijmelen voor een Nederlander … Hopelijk voor die vele mensen in de rij voor de ATM machines dat het geld niet op is als je aan de beurt bent 😅💰. want met mijn loon op zak zou ik best een afzakkertje willen proberen in dat Pippa’s, ziet er heel leuk uit! Een soort ‘Geheime (Logeer) Tip’ voor onderweg dankzij jullie. Die voetbal langs de weg kan geen toeval zijn. Sorry dat onze Oranje dames jullie Springbokkies uitschakelden op het WK Vrouwen voetbal 😊🧡

[@DustBugsTravel]

Congratulations on a well-deserved victory over Banyana Banyana!⚽🇿🇦🇱🇺 I can't even begin to imagine being locked up in one of those cells, that's a seriously scary thought! I would think there must've been some guardhouse close by and the guards must've taken turns to keep watch over the prisoners. Those cells probably housed one or at the most two prisoners at the time, but I really have no idea. I prefer not going back in time to find out. 😨 Pipa's is waiting for you to stop by when you visit Bultfontein in the future. You'll have a grand old time! 🥃😁

[@annawitter5161]

Ik zou wel een afzakkertje tesame met je genieten

[@daniellewotherspoon6252]

Love your drone footage with the music - spoke to my heart and soul

[@DustBugsTravel]

And that makes me very happy, thank you! 🚙🤩

[@kosievandenberg2145]

The Bultfontein Silos are super impressive. What would we do without ou hardworking farmers. I also love my mieliepap. What would I do to have peace and harmony in this beautifull country.😔

[@DustBugsTravel]

We're on exactly the same page about the silos and mieliepap. I love them both! Hats off to all the farmers who produce the food on our tables! 👌🏻🌽 Those silos are enormous and they are indeed super impressive! 🤩 Don't despair just yet, we have to hang on to the hope that our country will see these difficult times through and triumph in the end. 😍🇿🇦

[@wendyhay1302]

I tried to join your club but managed to press the wrong button. I hope the chance comes again. I love this channel. I would really love o give monthly support.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, that is very kind of you. 😊 The 'Join' button is always under every video of ours. You can click or tap on that button and follow the prompts. There is only one level of membership in order to simplify the process. We appreciate you watching our videos. 🚙😁

[@The-truth-is-valuable.]

Sometimes - I wish to "experience" the places of your past, in a more positive note: Much of Bultfontein was well kept. As much as a small town could do. I "partially" grew up there, but also in other towns in the Free State. I went back to Bultfontein a couple of times over the years, but nostalgia makes you remember it in a different way. I remember, how we had to run from the school to the swimming pool, (back then - it was perfectly safe) for our L.O exercises, (Sports education) in summer: 5 minutes to the swimming pool, change clothes, swimming exercise, back into school clothes, and onto the next period... - The elderly lady who worked at the swimming pool during the day, used to keep envelopes with money in it for us: - Your "piggy-bank". She knew all of us by name and deducted money as you used / "paid" for your entrance to the swimming pool outside of school usage. I went to school there, Church, (Ds Oosthuizen), and normal "small-town" life. As you are driving through the town, memories come flooding back: So many places that bring back memories: the show grounds, the swimming pool, etc. I remember one time, going to that rugby stadium with my Dad. Can also remember how I sold sports entrance tickets at that gate, for the school, with "Meneer Tom" (Pens) in charge of such events.. Also, the precise rugby field where I decided Rugby was not for me, after a teacher and his "rottang" decided to persuade the kids to apply more discipline and effort in a game. . Seeing the school, another bunch of names comes up: Who can forget so many teachers that had so much influence on your life? Just to mention a few: Mr. Vorster (Grandson of a previous State President)... Juf "Cherry" - whose TransAm got partially destroyed at the Hangers (fire damage) Mr. Du Plooy, with his red Golf GTi... Mr. Rheeder, (with his Blue 4.1 Chev) Mr. Vermeulen, Mr. Gresse, Mr. Harry Eddie, (With his massive gold Tooth...) Mr. Bornman, (with his Chev Nomad) the Science Teacher - Mr. Marais, (with his Morris Minor) and ja: Old Borselbek and his "Squeeze"... whom became his wife later on. I saw the Barber shop, (Owned by Mr Olivier - if I remember correctly) where we used to cut our hair, shopped at "Essies" (Owned back then, by a Portuguese family, with the son in law - who committed suicide. Other places like the banks: Many, many years ago, it was "newsworthy" when someone paid another person with a pumpkin, stamped and signed with all applicable letters, etc. I remember when the school was upgraded around 1983, and also when the Silos were upgraded and extended. When the telephone exchange was upgraded and modernized... The "new" SW complex was built after we left. Another person that I can remember very well, who also took his own life, was the Librarian, Mr. Marx. I used to play frequent games of chess against him. That Library was a magical place back then. If I remember correctly, the Breytenbach Stadium was named after a previous school Principal? The development of the AC van Wyk-Gamepark was supposed to be so much more, but it never happened. The dam around the 48 minute mark: Man, we used to go and play there as kids, in the mud.. went home looking like something out of a mud-wrestling match, tired, but "life-happy"... again: perfectly safe back then... There were so many new developments over the last 40 / 45 years in Bultfontein, but also, so many things that stayed the same. All taken into consideration? An absolute disgrace what the ANC did to the country: Take this swimming pool as just one example....

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for taking us on a walk down your memory lane. It certainly sounds like you have very fond memories of Bultfontein and its people. 😊 I completely understand what a big impact especially teachers can have on one's life. I don't know the town well at all, but it was a pleasure to visit it again after many years. It was great that you came along! 🚙😁

[@The-truth-is-valuable.]

@DustBugsTravel Thank you. I have watched various of your videos, today. From Upington, to Koffiefontein, Fauresmith, Bloubergstrand, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth, etc. All places where I have been, went to millitary training, went on holiday, visited, had family, worked, etc. You bring back so many memories. Thank you for your travels that you share with us.

[@gregorydavids5304]

Danke!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for watching our videos. We appreciate your generous support of our channel. 😊

[@solliedeklerk5873]

Good day you 2 people I like your videos very much. The roads in this part of the Free stade is not good watch out for pot holes that will cost you a lot of money or your life.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for your concern. We always travel very slowly and take great care out on the roads. Potholes and poor road conditions are in no way endemic to the Free State, we literally see them everywhere we go! 🛣️😨

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys farming on an industrial scale. Main street busy with a chequers shop police cells great it's kept intact refuge for women of domestic violence good idea soccer ball is cute. ATM busy love the old style shops .DRF 50s style similar to Soutpan big modern hall .sad about the swimming pool I bet so many people had great fun there .suburb was neat and tidy. Craftsmanship of bricks steeple stunning and the sun as a halo. School buildings stone love plus pool it .cemetery war graves great. Well paved and preserved babies grave sad .pipas so quirky shady seating area love the room definitely my vibe bowling club survived brilliant. Drone footage of dam amazing. Cold drinks and droewors must stock up on more biltong! Show ground still in use must be positive. More education of rural SA. Thanks for taking me along cheerio till the next one

[@DustBugsTravel]

Big farming in this area, I'm sure we've also had some of the food that comes from this region, it's actually quite humbling in a way. It's no good to hear that your biltong stash is dwindling, best you get going to stock up on that. I expect you to nibble on some every time you take a trip with us! 😁🥓 Bultfontein had such a variety of places to visit and it kept us engaged the whole time. The old jail cell and the dam must be two of the highlights for me, but I loved it all. I can see you checking in at Pipa's next time you're in Bultfontein, you'd love it! 🏡🚙

[@hannesvanniekerk499]

Another delightful visit to a place well-worth taking time to visit. Thank you so much. Hope the 'wheels' and wors were up to the stated standard.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We must get better at reporting back on our food. We mean to, but then quickly forget when something else distracts us, which happens all the time! 🤷🏻‍♂️😁 The wheels and the sticks were fantastic. Sonia just loves the wheels, so she munched on them for the rest of that day. You're right, Bultfontein is really a town worth visiting, I'm so glad we did. 🚙👍🏻

[@susannaemmerich1166]

If you look carefully, you'll see your breakfast coming.!!!🙃👍💚

[@DustBugsTravel]

Indeed! It was fantastic to get a glimpse into the goings-on of where our food comes from! 🚙🍛

[@corinedelange9663]

Het sover al julle videos gekyk. Wow so ry ek saam met julle rond en ontdek plekke. Lekker gelag toe altwee my raai skote vir die inkopie lys in die kol was 😅😊❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

That's funny! 🤣 When we're at home, Sonia has a rather long list of regulars on her shopping list, but when we travel, the list shortens dramatically and mainly consists of those two items. I can't believe I couldn't guess the second item. I was going over the long list of her favourites in my mind and couldn't decide on one. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I won't make that mistake again! 🚙🥓 Good on you for guessing correctly! 👌🏻

[@mariannaskontorp5545]

The sign gave up!!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yup. I'm not sure I blame it for doing so! 🤷🏻‍♂️🛣️ The Roads Department certainly has some work to do in Bultfontein, as in countless other places.

[@alangardner1746]

Since this is somewhat of a historic channel can anyone tell me why a Church has a steeple with a cockerel on the top?

[@DustBugsTravel]

We're by no means a history channel, our knowledge is way too limited for that. History just happens to be one of the multitude of things we're interested in as we travel. 😁 I honestly don't know the answer, but found this online at www.farmersalmanac.com: 'In the 9th century, Pope Nicholas made the rooster official. His decree was that all churches must display the rooster on their steeples or domes as a symbol of Peter's betrayal of Jesus. In accordance with the decree, churches started using weathervanes with the rooster.' 💒🐓

[@danielprinsloo2917]

You were at Bultfontein more than 30 years ago - So that means you were 5 or 6 when you were last there - 😂😂😂 That old jail should be cleaned out and put back to use...... I know a few people who should be the new residents

[@DustBugsTravel]

😁 Your calculations sound just about perfect to me, give or take a year or two! 🤪 I was so happy to see the old jail cell so well-preserved. I think we can all think of a few names to put forward for immediate occupation of those quarters. 😨

[@pohsospohsos6541]

Until UNTOINS GOT THEIR CLOELWS IN . .SORRY TO SPORILN and Mouths I in 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@DustBugsTravel]

I have absolutely no idea what you're saying. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@benbrits6638]

whats the worst things in the free state all the road back to trasvaal haha

[@DustBugsTravel]

Luckily we were headed back to the Western Cape! 🚙🛣️

[@basedsigma5634]

Anywhere where you can hide from the ANC is welcome

[@DustBugsTravel]

We don't take politics along on our travels, so I won't engage in any political discussions. 😶

[@benbrits6638]

be glad you didnt turn to bloem the whole 40km bad left shoulder bad both size

[@DustBugsTravel]

After 20 trips and 50k kilos, we've seen some pretty bad roads. 😨🛣️ I love Bloem and would've loved to turn in that direction, but it was almost hometime. Another time hopefully, I'll even cope with bad roads to be in the Free State. 🚙😁

[@phillipvanniekerk4727]

Pools are gone because blacks cannot swim. How Ironic....

[@DustBugsTravel]

I don't know about that. That certainly doesn't explain why sport complexes are gone too. 🤷🏻‍♂️⚽

[@HenryGates-vr7fn]

It looks so quiet dry and very hot. Saw two white person walk in the street.😖😣😞😓

[@ronnykenny3965]

😂😂

[@DustBugsTravel]

😁