S1 - Ep 418 - Jamestown!

During our visit to Jamestown, we initially missed the turnoff due to our distraction by distant smoke from a veld fire, but luckily, the detour wasn't too long. Once back on track, we soon found ourselves in Jamestown, greeted by a stunning church that caught our eye. Navigating through the town proved to be an intriguing experience, and I had hoped to purchase some beers for later, only to discover that all the liquor stores were closed by the Municipality. We spoke to a local and learned the reasons behind this decision. Jamestown, like many small places, seemed to be facing its own set of challenges, making our visit a mix of unexpected twists and a glimpse into the town's unique character. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #easterncape #jamestown
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[@ronnykenny3965]

Hi Dustbugs, so so sad to see a little town dying 😢, would take a miracle to save. Thank you for sharing. 🚗.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yup, unfortunately I have to agree with you. It was sad to see so much decay. 😥 We can only hope that things look up for Jamestown in the near future. 🤞🏻

[@1812nico]

Hi you two! Thanks for an interesting trip in a beautiful landscape of rocky hills and a platkop, under smoky blue skies. Jamestown looks like a genuine farming town. I love those quiet streets with their old trees. The church buildings are a beautiful part of the town's history. The municipality's booze policy is interesting. I hope it will save lives and expenses. The town could definitely do with a boost in revenue. One can only hope that it will happen sooner rather than later. Thanks again to Sonia for researching the historical facts! I'll be waiting on the roadside for the next trip! Keep safe!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Their booze policy made me worry that I'll go to bed thirsty that night! 😱 The churches in town were all old and in desperate need of maintenance and repairs. I can only hope the funds somehow are provided for that purpose. 🤞🏻💒 Jamestown is definitely on the list of towns to be revived and I agree with you, time is of the essence. The town is struggling, that much is clear. 🚙😥

[@mandisireehkavyahrulashe4893]

I have travelled this route many times since I left the Eastern Cape at a young age. I really enjoy your videos #Dustbugs

[@DustBugsTravel]

This was our first time and we're glad that we visited this part of the Eastern Cape. Thank you for watching our video of an area you must know very well. I'm so happy to hear you enjoy our videos! 🚙😁

[@cornawiese1061]

Love the windows of the Kidwell Memorial Church! I agree, if only given a little TLC, maybe Jamestown could be restored to its former glory (but indeed, for that you need money). Such a pity about the lack of funds to maintain the church.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, they say money is the root of all evil, but a town like Jamestown can't do much without it either. 🤷🏻‍♂️ The town is in desperate need of TLC and it'll no doubt be a very costly exercise to rebuild what I believe was once a fairly prosperous town. That Kidwell Memorial Church was absolutely stunning, I loved the windows too! 🚙💒

[@terrimeyer3815]

I only ever stayed on the N6....dodging drunk people walking in the road. Im glad to see the beautiful church and it looks like it was a lovely town once. I hope people go revive it. I just know it's very cold in the winter. And again you get into a church. You are amazing Curtis 🎉🎉❤❤😂😂

[@DustBugsTravel]

We're totally happy admiring churches from the outside because it's actually all about the architecture for us, but if I get offered the opportunity for a peek inside, I say yes please! 😁💒 Hopefully with the no liquor in town situation, there'll be less incidents on the N6. 🤞🏻😨 Luckily we visited in the warmer time of year, I'm not sure I can handle their frigid temperatures in winter. 🥶

[@terrimeyer3815]

@@DustBugsTravel no I love that you manage to get inside the churches. It's facinating to see the different setups and the windows. Love the windows. Also you just arrive and somehow you have an opportunity. Universe is working with you on this one is my thoughts 👆😍🤩😍👆

[@xray6667]

Vertical Termites very busy across South Africa.Sad situation

[@DustBugsTravel]

Interesting. I'm not aware of vertical termites. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@khanyisofusa980]

Thanks! I loved this video! This is my home town.

[@mariusroos]

Thank you for this trip. You can see it is going down. Unfortunately. I loved this trip and looking forward to the next one. Seat booked

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, there was a lot of decay evident in Jamestown and it's clearly a struggling town. We feel it's important to share places like Jamestown too though. We weren't aware of its existence until recently and it's good to have seen the place. Appreciate you exploring Jamestown with us! 🚙🤩 Let's hope a better future is around the corner for the townsfolk.

[@nerinemartin5901]

N6 ...Oh i love the vlaktes ❤😊😊!!!

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys another step on my education of rural SA it seems that in the past was a nice place ut a bit down at heels the N6 is definitely what's keeping the town going. The drive in was interesting with the veld fires table head mountain catle and pot holes what new pushy cat lol .New one on me no liquor stores but I suppose it better then people getting run over !!! .a positive is that the school is being fixed up and nice parks for the kids the Road Rangers seems a great idea loved seeing the kids playing cricket with tennis racket .it's interesting the John Vorter information. The Reform church was a plain design but the brickwork is definitely keeping it in a reasonable condition condition lovely Methodists church the stamped tin ceiling again in this area also the 1820s settlers mentioned aswell.lots of bees in this Area but nature always wins the big DRF church was imposing!!!beautiful organ and stamped tin ceiling shame they are having problems funding it one can only hope its saved the complicated corner stone dates I think k you got it spot on a quiet little place let's pray that it can improve. I had to chuckle about being a Priest I think the people who you ask to see inside the churches must think that aswell as you never seem to fail to get in lol I believe someone is looking down on you !!!!!! Great video thanks for taking me along cheerio till the next one

[@DustBugsTravel]

Sonia and I often chuckle at how we say things at exactly the same time, it's uncanny! 🤣 The N6 is the lifeblood of this community, but methinks they'll need a lot more to improve the lives of the townsfolk. The town is in serious need of help. 😥 I'm always amazed at how much detail you pick up in our videos, it's always such fun to read your comments. We so appreciate your company. 🚙🤩

[@missbongantwasa8268]

Ooooh my Goood Curtis and Sonja, you're making me homesick😭😭I MISS EC SO MUCH, I can't wait for the 21 of December.... I love your channel so MUCH KEEP IT UP❤️❤️❤️

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for watching our video of Jamestown! I can hear how much you love the Eastern Cape, you must be counting the days until you can return. Less than a month now! 🚙😁

[@pietbezuidenhout6735]

I really enjoy your videos seeing places I've never ever visited. Currently you're in a part of the world in which I grew up, which is at Witkop, a farming community between Jamestown - brings back fantastic childhood memories - and Burgersdorp. I was hoping that from Molteno (the home of OUMA rusks) you'll be travelling to Burgersdorp as it's a very historical town with some great stories, also a beautiful NG Church. Of course there's also the towns of Aliwal North and Dordrecht which have great stories to tell! Thanks again for sharing all the great travel videos 👏👏

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you so much, it's great to hear that you enjoy our videos! 🚙😁 You must have many good memories of the areas you mentioned in your comment. This trip was about a month ago and we visited a few more places, which we'll share in the remaining episodes of this series. I hope you enjoy those too!

[@SangMarocain]

What a beautiful country ❤ greeting from Morocco

[@DustBugsTravel]

We do live in a very beautiful country. Thank you for watching our videos! 🇿🇦🚙

[@zinimountglobal]

I've always wondered why South Africa has two towns named Jamestown. But not gonna lie, but to me the Jamestown Reformed Church looks similar to the Sterkstroom Reformed Church.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I didn't even know about the Jamestown in the Eastern Cape until recently and always thought there was only the one near Stellenbosch. 🤷🏻‍♂️ All three churches we saw in town are in desperate need of attention. 💒😥

[@4WheelingSA]

Cool video! Enjoy your show and travels. Also so valuable if you want to visit a place just to watch your videos to know what to expect. How do you record yourself talking together with the videos? It is really well done!

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad you enjoy our videos, thank you! Both of us have mics which are plugged into the camera and it works pretty well for us overall. Gravel roads (and wind noise) do interfere with the sound sometimes, but that's a small price to pay for the joy they give us. 🚙😁

[@4WheelingSA]

@@DustBugsTravel Ok, like the wireless Rode? Love the way you put the episodes together, as if we are there with you. Keep it up!

[@DustBugsTravel]

We still use a wired mic system, but I'm hoping to upgrade to a Rode one day. 🎤

[@4WheelingSA]

@@DustBugsTravel you are using it well! Got me puzzled how you were able to do it.

[@johangouws8855]

If the Dutch Reformed church only has 40 members left, I doubt the other two churches are still operational. I recall years ago there was an organisation called ROEP (Red ons eensame platteland) …. sad to see towns dying.

[@DustBugsTravel]

The country towns are even more lonely now. That I can still handle, the decay is incredibly sad to see. 😥

[@ingeborgvanderveer789]

Naast voetbal kun je kennelijk ook overal tennis spelen, leuk die sport variatie waarmee de kids alhier zichzelf bezig houden. Grappig dat ik bij de stadsnaam van James niet direct een Nederlandse achternaam verwachtte, en die door Sonia weer in prachtig Afrikaans uitgesproken werd. Evenals jouw Afrikaanse opmerking over de lage camera batterij 😅🎥. Dit is echt zo’n plaats waarvan je eigenlijk heel even zou willen terug flitsen naar 100 jaar geleden. Hoe bedrijvig was het hier toen, hoe vol de kerken, en waar vond men toch die kennelijk onuitputtelijke hoeveelheid architecten?? Zou er een boek zijn over de architectuur van onnoemelijk veel NG kerken in Zuid-Afrika? Het is dat jij vast veeeeel te druk bent met deze video’s, en werken moet ook nog, anders was het vast een mooi project voor jullie in de bekende innige samenwerking. Die auto met caravan op de trailer, dat doet mij denken aan de zomer van 1986 😬 Voorin de Saab gezeten naast mijn vader en de mooie Lander Graziella erachter waren we in Zwitserland via de bergpas bijna op de camping in La Fouly toen er een Brit om de hoek kwam rijden …. die reed links. Nou dat was een grote knal en einde vakantie, auto en onderstel caravan totall loss. Die Lander ‘leeft’ gelukkig nog steeds en kwam retour naar Nederland ook op zo’n grote trailer. Wie weet levert jullie episode sympathie op voor dit dorp op en alsnog wat inkomsten om ooit wat kerken en andere gebouwen in ere te herstellen 🙏💒

[@DustBugsTravel]

I also wish I could see the Jamestown of yesteryear, I have no doubt that it was a completely different place. I'm not sure if there is a book only about the architecture of DR churches. It would be interesting to know if any such book exists. 💒 That would definitely not be a project for me, the architecture of churches remains just one of the many things we're interested in. 🚙😁

[@annawitter5161]

Tafelkop...then from the other angle is stil a tafel but with a lot of clutter. The story of the ruined farm is so sad. Eastern cape department of health? A A! No, not good. Sorry but I was married to someone who was a doctor in PE. Love the church. The stained glass is beautiful. But why are there fences on the roof? So many beautiful trees. Really enjoyed the churches. You dont have to be religious to be spiritually aware. And enjoy that integral part of all of us whether we acknowlege it or not.

[@DustBugsTravel]

When I started our channel, I made a conscious decision not to feature religion and I'll stick to that. That is each individual person's business. The architecture is stunning and we have to admire. Not everyone who watches our videos get that, so we thought we'd clarify. 🤷🏻‍♂️💒 And the churches were awesome. There are plants growing in the gutters, you may have mistaken those for fences on the roof.

[@annawitter5161]

@@DustBugsTravel my old eyes don't see so well anymore😥

[@clayauslewis4236]

Love all your videos and follow your progress almost daily. But being so busy, our major problem is watching an entire video. Just don't have the time! Is there any chance you can produce "Shorts" of each episode?

[@DustBugsTravel]

Nope, no chance! Editing four long-term videos per week is a mammoth task and I just don't have any extra time to spend on editing. I have to sleep too sometimes! 😁

[@clayauslewis4236]

@@DustBugsTravel Totally understood. I realise just how much you put into every episode. The quality of your productions is outstanding. Keep up the great work.

[@beverlyjansen4313]

You should've gone to the library and asked about access to the church. Librarians are knowledgeable.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Should've doesn't feature in our vocab when we look back on our travels. It's not our intention to visit or get into every single place, that's impossible anyway. We're totally happy with what we get to see the way we travel. I guess you travel differently. Different strokes for different folks! 🚙😁

[@doraduplessis2727]

This is a sad place.

[@DustBugsTravel]

And its story deserves to be told. 😇 We'll always show a place exactly the way we found it on the day of our visit, warts and all.