There are three kinds of men
The ones that learn by reading
The few who learn by observation
And the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence to find out for themselves.
Will Rogers

Urban and Rural Exploration

What is this all about? The list below is the result of my rural exploration activities. A fuller explanation of how and why you will find further down. Select any of the places or towns you want to check out from the list below. Or use the map.

I am continuously working on this website; correcting, updating & entering new places. If you like to be informed about any major changes to the website, please press the Subscribe button. Your e-mail address is safe with me, I will not send out group mail.

Free State
Allanridge   Arlington   Bethlehem   Bothaville   Brandfort   Clarens   Coalbrook   Cornelia   Doornkloof   Dealesville   Deneysville   Edenville   Fauresmith   Ficksburg   Florisbad   Fouriesburg   Frankfort   Groenvlei   Heilbron   Harrismith   Hertzogville   Holly Country   Hoopstad   Jagersfontein   Kestell   Koppies   Koffiefontein   Kroonstad   Leeupoort farm   Lindley   Luckhoff   Marquard   Memel   Oranjeville   Parys   Petrus-Steyn   Phuthaditjhaba   Reitz   Reitzburg   Rosendal   Rouxville   Reddersburg   Senekal   Soutpan   Steynsrus   Tweeling   Vegkop   Vierfontein   Ventersburg   Verkykerskop   Viljoensdrift   Viljoenskroon   Villiers   Vrede   Vredefort   Weilbach farm   Wesselsbron   Winburg   Witsieshoek   Wolwehoek  

North West
Frederikstad   Gerhard-Minnebron   Klerksdorp   Kroondal   Leeudoringstad   Piet Plessis   Pomfret   Potchefstroom   Stella   Venterskroon   Vergelegen   Vryburg

Gauteng
Fochville   Heidelberg   Jachtfontein   Modderfontein   Sharpeville   Sammy-Marks-museum   Willem-Prinsloo-museum Vaal Marina

Limpopo
Bela-Bela   Modimole   Nylstroom   Warmbath

Mpumalanga
Amersfoort   Augsburg   Bergen   Dullstroom   Greylingstad   Kaapsehoop   Val   Wakkerstroom   Waterval Onder   Wittenberg

Kwazulu Natal
Braunschweig   Greytown   Harburg   Hermannsburg   KwaSizabantu   Lilienthal   Lüneburg   Muden   New Hannover   Umhlanga Rocks   Weenen   Wartburg

Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth

Northern Cape
Kakamas   Orania   Pella   Pofadder   Steinkopf

And here is something different, redundant rails
Dover to Vredefort   Wolvehoek to Heilbron   Redan to Grootvlei

The above is the result of many visits to all the listed places plus a lot of research. With some friends, seldom alone, I visit these places, mostly small towns or just places of interest.
How do I go about this 'exploration' activity? First I select a place to be explored and do background check with most of the information coming from books and the Internet. On entering the town there are certain places I would seek out routinely: the railway station, the biggest church (usually the NG church), other significant churches, civic buildings and the cemetery. Plus anything else that has drawn attention. And then, of course, I talk to people. It is very pleasing to see how easy it is to talk with the inhabitants of these small towns. I have made many friends. The real work starts after the visit when I do the research needed to put the story together. Very often this leads to a second and even third visit.
Why am I doing this? Well, it is to make retired life interesting and in the process to pass on what I have found to others. I think its also a bit of collectors mentality, I like to collect things, in this case towns and places.
Regarding copy right, feel free to use any text or picture, just acknowledge the source.
You may also want to look at the numerous articles I have written for the heritage portal. Under 'articles' search for my name and the list of articles will come up..
There is also a parallel website, this one is for my hiking activities. If you like to see what I have been up to in this regard, push this hyper link:Müllers Gazette
Any comments, suggestions can be directed to the web master: Horst Müller And not to forget, I must thank my companions for all the useful tips and input to develop these pages.