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
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 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.