S1 - Ep 462 - Clocolan, Free State!

[@terrimeyer3815]

Lovely old town....free state has many gems like this🎉🎉

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Clocolan with the two of us! 🚙😁 I agree with you and I'm so happy that we discovered quite a few of these Free State gems. I look forward to sharing the others with you. I haven't said in a while how we appreciate your support and that you're still on the long roads with us and exploring all the places we get to. Your company and positive attitude mean so much to both of us. Thank you! 🤩

[@terrimeyer3815]

@@DustBugsTravel Aaaah such a lovely message. I was inbetween homes and wifi....But I'm back now. I've loved every video you have made and enjoy the banter between you two love birds.....which only comes with many years together. Love you guys💜🧡💜

[@colinstone1406]

Hi Sonia and Curtis. Sorry, but it's me again with the first of two comments. The first re Modderpoort, you are right it used to be a BUSY railway spot. Modderpoort was part way along the spectacular Bloemfontein to Bethlehem line, spectacular for both the scenery and the fantastic Class 25NC steam locomotives which latterly worked (Thundered) along the line. In the 1970's and 1980's two through passenger trains, one daytime, one night time (12-13 coaches) worked between the two towns. There were also 4 or 5 through freight trains per day along the line, as well as short distance freights . Modderpoort was also the junction for the short branch line to Ladybrand, two trains down the line per day starting from Modderpoort, plus a daily through Bloemfontein to Ladybrand passenger train (12 coaches, not a tiddler!) Also some trains were re marshalled in the sidings you saw, some to run to and from Lesotho (2 or 3 per day) via a junction at Marseilles, just along the line. To shunt and work the two branches 4 or 5 locomotives were out stationed there from Bloemfontein. I visited Modderpoort in 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980 and lastly in October 1982 when I spent the whole morning filming and photographing the passing trains and a Class 19D loco' on non stop shunting. So sad to see it now totally disused, once again thank you so much for the filming and reviving old memories. Keep up the good work. Best Wishes.

[@Predikant]

No need for any apologies Colin, I find myself endeared to your insightful story, fascinating.

[@stellankoba]

I just saw Modderport station ,I'm smiling in tears as well,we grow up visit our grand parents It was big because of Kgallong la Mantsopa

[@deaddog3500]

Yah, modderpoort was indeed big back then, lot of people and farming, schools and churches. It was just that special place.❤

[@lindymbuya5259]

Thank you for showing us our country, many places we never knew… Kindly show us the houses as you pass on them… wry interesting places we would like to see. Thank you once again for showing us the beautiful country which has since experienced a lot of ruin…🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@susannaemmerich1166]

I love mountains. These little towns make me think of Laurika Rauch's song (n man stap). Take care.🙃🙏💕

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys South African rural towns never fail to impress me again the Jewish community was present with the old synagogue. I'd say at one time the town was a bustling place with all the shops and to fill the huge NGK there must have been a big population. Right up my alley the show ground with the old farm equipment and bakkies plus the old carriage. Only in SA a sable antelope in town!!! . In the UK there are lots of nail bars I bet the false nails come from CLOCOLAN unbelievable !!! Thanks for taking me along cheerio till the next one

[@raycoco4938]

Hi Dustbugs. My wife is a certified Biosculpure technician. I've just got to tell her where it all started. Who would have thought. It's great to see you two still going strong.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We also thought that it was a fantastic story! I bet she'll be just as surprised as we were to hear that the company was born in a small Free State town! 💅🏻😃

[@teresagillmer9464]

Roads in a bad state such a pity

[@rozanncoppin6467]

This was so incredibly interesting... Some real history... Would love to have come along too. Thank you. Awesome place 😊

[@mariusroos]

Thank you it was a very nice visit. What you showed us were stunnung. Well done. See you at the next trip

[@troymayers6547]

Loved this episode. Welcome back

[@deaddog3500]

and my eyes were filled with tears when i saw Modderpoort, i still remember everything. good old days. thank you guys, God bless your hearts❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@umanyano]

Clocolan I just love it

[@ArthurWright-x6x]

Great job and ignore the comment about visiting less churches, and again we love it.

[@thewanderer58]

Interesting stop as usual. Kudos to the founder of Bio Sculpture ! Thank you.

[@mcdeanpietersen7239]

❤❤❤❤ Love it... Just watch out for those potholes... Stay safe Let me guess... Next destination Is Ficksburg or Excelsior

[@teresagillmer9464]

I enjoy every minute of your travels .Thank you so much for showing us our beautiful country that we have never had a chance to see.

[@maryleluma799]

Thanks for bringing back memories of clocolan

[@deonzar]

Thanx for showing us Clocolan...wow that big church...all very interesting...as always...

[@beryl9538]

Wow, that Church was absolutely stunning. You took me back 30 years ago visiting those places in the Free State. I also love gravel roads. Thanks once again for taking us along on your journey.❤

[@annawitter5161]

This was another of our train hunting venues. And we saw quite a few chookapuffers back in those days as the line was quite active. Love the hills at Modderpoort, the one looks just like a crouching lion from a certain angle. My dad hated gravel roads, he was scared of getting a flying stone through the windscreen or a papwiel. So i look at those tar roads with the potholes with a wry smile and hollow laugh.

[@ChristaGodley]

Dit was baie mooi daai kerk pragtig verby. Ook bly om te sien hulle werk aan die pad. Dankie wees veilig

[@khumbulanikhoarai9472]

Guys, thanks, for taking me down memory lane. I grew up in Hlohloloane Diamong section. The place is rich in history. we used to eat wild berries and fried corn. Today i am called a skilled swimmer because i grew up swiming at caravan park amongst many other dams or lakes.

[@mk-xq1tt]

Beautiful scenery with that mountain in the background. All the unused trainlines are a sign of ANC Govt neglect. So sad.

[@mzoxolomdiza2649]

As much as we hate the useless and but disappearance of trains started in the early eighties when SAR auditors decided to close down nonprofitable lines

[@Helgardt6189]

‘n Baie hartseer gesig om te sien hoe alles verval.

[@williamvandervalk2102]

Thank you for this very interesting episode . As kids , living in Humansdorp in the 1960's and part way through the 1970's , we did two train trips from Port Elizabeth with our mom and came through these railway stations , one of which was this one at Clocolan . We saw the nameboards and wrote them down , there usually were children holding out their hands in an Oliver Twist way , begging as the train rolled past them . To see this properly with you, has been a treat .

[@cynthiakwela3080]

Thanks to show us that's lovely

[@DavidDeBeerrobinop]

Hi Curtis and sonija binge watched over the easter weekend love it that u give time date and month I am 393 as we speak keep up the terrific work at work I imagine where u driving keeps me going

[@lee-anneadams9222]

Hi Curtis Sonia and Dusty, thanks for an amazing roadtrip, I enjoy your visit to the Free State, places I've never been, some never even heard of, loving it all ❤. Safe travels 🥾🥾

[@Lekker_man_offical]

I have been living in clocolan for 3 years now and it is sad to see the park is not being taken care of. I like the videos keep it up guys.

[@susannaemmerich1166]

Bricks were cheap in those days, there are a few in that church.🙃🎶🎶

[@colinstone1406]

Hi again. This time to comment on Clocolan, I did wonder if you would ever visit Clocolan, as I have a very specific memory of my first visit to the town, which was very nearly my last ! ! In 1976 on my second South African visit, myself and two (also steam loco' fanatics) colleagues Trevor and Brian were touring South Africa in a camper van, we stopped in Clocolan to overnight 26th/27th May, at the caravan park which I think used to be located by the show ground. As you can see it was your winter time, at that altitude it got cold at night, very cold. To keep warm we closed all roof and side vents completing forgetting the on board refrigerator was gas worked, via a mini naked flame.... What does burning gas produce, the silent killer carbon monoxide! ...... I woke at about 2am convulsing so badly I fell out of my bunk, I managed to slide open the side door and throw up, this allowed freezing cold air into the van, both Brian and Trevor took some waking, but luckily they did. Brian went off to get water from the ablution block and promptly passed out again. However to cut a long story short we survived, next day nursing thumping headaches we visited Modderpoort. Forever after, Clocolan held a special place in our memories, as we reminisced it was forever fondly referred by us as ... CLOCKO LOCKO LOCKO LAN. In 1978 and 1979 I stayed in the hotel you mentioned, now demolished I think you said, 1979 price for dinner, bed and breakfast 9 rand plus 36 cents tax. In 1982 I stayed there again, but don't have a record of the price that time, a quick visit to the railway station 20-10-1982 and two steam locomotives were there and photographed, before moving on to ... Modderpoort. At the time of my visits that magnificent church wasn't there, another reminder of how time has flown. Once again thank you for those fantastic scenes of that lovely little town, a place I'll never forget... Best Wishes.

[@ChrisStrydom-tx5tv]

Hi Curtis my wife + I so enjoy your journeys to interesting places. As we have seen u recently went to Marquard area Ian busy reading an excellent book called "Boer Boy" memoirs of an Anglo -Boer war youth written by Chris Schoeman it's all about the areas u were travelling in it's very interesting + easy reading am sure u will enjoy reading it. Kind regards Chris Strydom

[@StephenMakwale]

I have been to the place such a quiet place ❤Stephen Makwale soshanguve

[@neilarmitage6632]

20 km from my last farm

[@BonganiMusi]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰👏👍

[@samsonkjoseph6087]

Soos altyd, baie dankie vriende.

[@stellankoba]

Hi I'm you follower, please Midderport,we grew up going during holidays to visit relatives, we want to do re union but we nit sure of how does it look

[@BenBadenhorst-zh3pf]

Clocolan het my moerse beindruk, ek sal self daar by die skou volgende jaar gaan kyk, gee nie om om van Roodepoort af te ry soon toe nie.

[@elgingottowik3953]

Oh, my wereld, hoe lyk die straate

[@DustBugsTravel]

We've seen worse. We don't look at that when we travel, we focus on what else there is to see, otherwise we'll never leave home. 🚙🤷🏻

[@JerryTheVillageLifestyle-zb6yo]

Pls visit Fauresmith, one of the Cleanest Towns

[@DustBugsTravel]

We visited Fauresmith in Episode 215 already. You're welcome to check it out. 🚙😁

[@phillipliebenberg8150]

I,m so glad to see this video of Clocolan. My daughter, before she passed away used to supply Bio Sculpture all their raw products from her Gauteng office. She always used to tell us about her Clocolan client. 😊

[@kobiegerber3628]

I was born in Clicolan in 1951

[@hendraniekerk-brandmessagi9329]

Clocolan has an active community going. and growing. Good place but people can be nicer.

[@gerhardusolivier1157]

Julle mis Al die mooi interesante plekke doen navraag en besoek dit

[@DustBugsTravel]

Not sure why you're watching our videos then! 🤷🏻‍♂️ What may be interesting and beautiful to you, may not be that way to us. We're totally happy exploring on our own, thank you! I suggest you spend the time, money and effort and visit all the places you want to see yourself! 🚙😁

[@lindenhardy9021]

Good reply, it is such a pleasure watching your travels.

[@SeikonyiMasisi]

Ek sien iets soos die osewa

[@doraduplessis2727]

Sad that you missed The Cabin just outside Clocolan. You would have loved the place just as much.

[@DustBugsTravel]

As always, we're never concerned about anything we 'missed'. 🤷🏻‍♂️ We're totally happy with what we got to see and we just focus on those things.

[@christinelloyd8775]

I really like this forgotten town! I’m always interested in the fact that somehow the townspeople managed to plant exotic trees to give them shade, not knowing anything about the indigenous flora, but the exotics grew! and gave lovely shade to these amazing little dorpies, which are so very precious to our history. These exotics will not be replaced, but indigenous trees from the area will one day replace them, which makes sense. But these trees are still so beautiful.

[@christinelloyd8775]

The church is one of those hideous modern Dutch Reformed Churches which totally ruins the wonderful old town. This design for DRC happened all over South Africa during the 1960’s and 70’s. My uncle was an architect of this design. So un churchy or a place that people would want to worship in. Thank heavens this awful style has gone out of fashion, and maybe the solid stone style with gables and a bell tower will come back. Welcome back little churches with beauty and humility, especially in small towns. This is an eyesore.