Trip to Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route, 
Little Karoo and Sutherland

The concept of travelling all the way to Sutherland and back by bus did not appeal to the originators of the excursion; there was a preference for doing the long legs of the trip by train.   There also was support for visiting a few other places of interest in the region while there – the Cango Caves came to mind.   A bus would then collect us at Matjiesfontein and drop us off at Beaufort West station a few days later.   Unable to source a bus in the southern Cape and finding the quotations from Cape Town prohibitive, we ended up with a bus from Port Elizabeth.   Paying for a bus to run empty along the Garden Route (twice!) just did not make sense, so that’s how the friendly city became part of the itinerary.   Logistics dictated that  it would be more practicable to reverse the trip, going to Port Elizabeth first and ending at Sutherland.

Here is the itinerary:                                                ..........and here is the entry form

Sun 5 Sep 2004:  Depart from Johannesburg station at 13h15.   A first class block reservation of four coupés and five compartments has been made.   We put only three people per compartment, leaving one bunk free for telescopes.   Catering on the train is limited to fast foods, and those of us who are not satisfied with it can of course bring our own padkos.

Mon 6 Sep:   Arrive at Port Elizabeth at 09h15.   The bus collects us at the station and is at our disposal until 21h00.    A number of the bus seats will have been removed to make space for telescopes.   Various options for accommodation are still under consideration, but it will be self-catering.   Details of how we will spend the day will be developed in consultation with the tour group.   In the evening we meet up with members of the Port Elizabeth Peoples’ Observatory Society.

Tues 7 Sep:   We travel the Garden Route, making a few detours and stops at scenic places.   From George we turn inland over Outeniqua Pass and overnight at the Cango Mountain Resort.   An impromptu star party is more than likely.

Wed 8 Sep:   The caves are first on the schedule, followed by a visit to an ostrich farm.   There are many other tourist attractions around Oudtshoorn that we may consider, depending on the time at our disposal.   In the afternoon we travel through Meiringspoort to Prince Albert, where Alta Rousseau has houses ready for us.   In the evening we visit Albert Jansen’s  Prince Albert Observatory, which boasts a 10cm solar telescope, a 25cm Meade LX200 and a 40cm Meade on an equatorial mount.

Thu 9 Sep:   Just a short trek, and we are at Sutherland.   Our accommodation is at the guest farm Blesfontein, which has been widely recommended.   It offers six chalets, sleeping four people each, and this has determined the size of our tour group – 23 star gazers and a bus driver.   There are a 15cm and a 20cm refractor available.   In the afternoon/evening we visit the Sutherland Observatory.   Up to now tour groups have not been accommodated on evening visits, but we are working on it.

Fri 10 Sep:   We spend the day at leisure on Blesfontein, possibly making a short trip into the village.   In the evening we have our final star party.

Sat 11 Sep:   In the morning we visit the volcano site, Salpeterkop, near the observatory.   Our train departs from Matjiesfontein in the afternoon, but we will go a bit earlier to allow time for visiting this historical village.

Son 12 Sep:   Arrival at Johannesburg is scheduled for 12h16.

Arrangements:   The cost of the tour, including all accommodation, travel and VAT, comes to R 2 600.   Excluded from this amount are meals, refreshments and entrance fees.    A deposit of R 1 000 per person is payable to secure your place on the tour.   Persons who pay first will have preference in the allocation of accommodation.   Please attach your crossed cheque or postal order, payable to “ASSA Johannesburg Centre” to the entry form.   Direct deposits can be made into this account, number 1921013761 at Nedbank.   The branch is Park Plaza, code 192142.   Should you opt for a direct deposit, please identify it with “SUTOUR” followed by you initials and surname.   Fax a copy of your deposit slip to Constant at fax 011 339 2626, and phone me to advise me of the deposit.   Entries can be given to me at the monthly meetings, or posted to me.   The balance of R 1 600 will be payable by no later than 31 July.   Initially, places on the tour will be reserved for members of the ASSA Johannesburg Centre, the telescope class, and their partners only, but if we are not fully subscribed after the May meeting, it will be made available to others.

What to bring:   Since all the accommodation will be self-catering, it is advisable to bring a small cooler box.   We will stop at the local shopping centres to stock up.   Warm clothes are essential for Sutherland – it can get bitterly cold there.   If you bring a telescope, tie-downs to secure it on the trains and bus will be necessary.

Contact details:
Etienne van Zyl:
Tel. 011-622-4564
Cell. 083-770-7560
P O Box 75251,
Gardenview,
2047.