Die Berghuis @ Vadersberg

Heerlike naweekwegbreek in die hartjie van die natuur.

Ons het die naweek vreeslik geniet. Die ouers, kinders en selfs ons hond kon nie genoeg van die plaas kry nie. Ons het lekker die roetes verken en heerlik in die dam geswem en gespeel. Die huis is ruim en goed ingerig met alles wat mens nodig het. Die yskas en wifi was 'n welkome verrassing. Ons sal beslis terug wees, hopenlik met 'n 4x4.

A very nice setting, a lovely little house for two - but the lack of reliable power and hot water is a deal breaker for us.

First impressions: Lovely farm road to the house, the last km or so a bit rough, but really just badly eroded. Totally navigatable. Arrived at dusk, but the house was clean, tidy and ready. House is spacious enough for two people, with the two bedrooms upstairs: a large main bedroom with a king-size bed, and a smaller "open" room with two single beds. Both bedrooms have doors out onto a balcony, although there was no furniture on the balcony - so no sundowners or morning coffee staring into the yonder. The bathroom (shower, basin, toilet), kitchen and lounge/dining room are downstairs. The kitchen is well appointed with a gas stove, microwave (neither of which we used), and enough crockery and cutlery. We had been warned that the fridge/freezer was not working, but that ice would be available. All very lovely. The fireplace was well stocked with firewood, and we had a braai for dinner. Unfortunately, no ice as promised, but I had packed a cool box with our own ice, just in case. We had a hot shower and went to bed. The next morning we woke with no power, and cold water: The entire site runs on solar power and batteries, and it looks like the warm water comes from a "donkey" - a big drum with a fire under it. The batteries had obviously drained through the night (not sure how, as there were no lights on, and the fridge didn't work), and the fire had not been stoked under the donkey yet. Not nice. We went about our sightseeing for the day, and I contacted the host to make sure that they knew we had no power - just in case something actually needed fixing. I was assured that the system was performing as it should and that it was the "weak winter sun" that prevented the batteries from being fully charged. We returned after dark, to be met by one of the staff, who explained that he needed to start the generator, to charge the batteries. Bye-bye quiet solitude. At least the ice had been delivered, although it was in a pool of water in the empty (non-working) freezer. Next morning, same procedure: Cold shower in a dark house. We went for a quick stroll, but decided to pack up and leave. Overall, the setting is very quiet and serene, although it appears the house is part of a larger campsite - not sure it would have been as quiet had there been campers all around us. The house really is very neat and tidy, all very new. And I think that's where the problems come in: they are still finding their way. The website does mention that "the cabin uses solar power". To me, that meant "don't worry about loadshedding!" - but if it means that you don't have electricity in the dark winter morning, and there will not be a hot shower, count me out. If being off the grid is your thing, and you don't mind the darkness and cold water, then I would happily recommend it. Unfortunately, these are dealbreakers for us. Add the lack of a working fridge, and we would not have taken this option, had we known - which we didn't, because the website makes no mention of this. It's a pity - the place is lovely, and has real potential. But it's a firm "no" from me.

Pragtige natuurskoon. Perfekte plek om af te skakel en te ontspan.

Ons het heerlik tuisgegaan by die Berghuis. Die kinders het dit geniet om in 'n "woud" te bly. Ons het lekker gestap en fietsgery. Die huis was baie skoon en netjies. Gaste moet net in gedagte hou dat daar geen selfoonontvangs op die plaas is nie en dat die pad daarheen uitdagend sal wees vir gewone voertuig. Beveel bakkie aan vir laaste deel van die roete na die huis. Huis gebruik sonpanele vir krag wat baie spaarsamig gebruik moet word, anders hardloop mens vinnig uit krag. Sal weer tuisgaan hier.

'n Houthuisie omring deur die mooiste natuur.

Die Berghuis gee jou 'n kans om heeltemal te ontspan. Mens is omring deur die mooiste natuur en dit was baie lekker dat daar geen ander kampeerders was nie. Die kinders kon rond hardloop en vir 'n slag net speel.