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EasternCape
MountainViewManor
Grahamstown
‘Thisis thevoiceofGrahamstown...’
Echoesofa bygonebroadcastingstationfill
thisfour-starbedandbreakfastandself-catering
accommodation,nowrevampedto hosta very
differenttypeofshow.WhenVictorand
MargaretBanksfirstsawthederelictold
GrahamstownRadiobroadcastingstation,they
immediatelyrecogniseditspotential.Wewind
upthegravelroadto MountainViewManor,
positionedonthehillaboveGrahamstown.
It hasmagnificentviewsoverthetownand,
ona clearday,a 360-degreeviewalsoletsyou
seeallthewayto thecoast.Thebuildingwas
originallybuiltfortheSABC(circa1932),but
broadcastsstartedherearound1982.It hasbeen
beautifullyrestored.Picturesoftheoriginalbuildingdecoratethedining
room,andtheold,metaldoorbellinscribedwith‘GrahamstownRadio- WatchUsGrow’stillremains,alongwiththeconcreteremnantsof
theoldbroadcastingtower.MountainViewManoris a family-runguest
house that caters for couples and families. You can either stay in one
ofthe two cottages or in the old, broadcasting building itself. Meals
can be arranged. A swimming pool offers great relaxation after a busy
day sightseeing. – Ann Gadd
083 495 8731, [email protected], mountainvmanor.co.za9
NorthernCape
NewRushGuesthouse
Kimberley
NotmanypeopleknowthatthehistoricalminingtownofKimberley,
withitscorrugated-ironbuildings,offersluxuryaccommodationto
guestslookingto travelbackin time.It is somethingcompletely
different,soI didnotmindswappingmyusualnatureescapefor
a nightin thecity.Mostofthebuildingsdatebackto the1880sand
I stayedin TheHut,a structurethatservedasa policestationandholding
cellin thedaysofthegoldrush.Stayingheregavemethechanceto wander the streets of the old town long after the day trippers had
left. There is no self-catering allowed in this beautiful, refurbished
guest house, but you won’t go hungry. Nearby, the old pub, the
Occidental Bar, serves wholsome food and refreshments. Make time
to take the tour of the Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum, which
feels like the set of a western movie with all the historic buildings,
old car dealerships and little shops. The tour is not complete without
a photo of the Big Hole and a ride on the tram, Kimberley’s oldest
form of transport. – René de Klerk
053 839 4455, [email protected]052Country Escapes