Mzanzitravel Local Travel Inspiration Issue 11

HOLIDAY TRAVEL
Diesel & Creme, Barrydale - Grobler du Preez, iStock
Milly’s Restaurant &
Accommodation, N4 between
Belfast & Entokozweni
(Machadodorp)
It started with the Milly’s Country Stall way back in 1974 when Milly and Wimcar
started selling freshly-caught rainbow trout out of a cooler box at a local fuel station
when the town was still called Machadodorp. It took off and the business grew into
the Milly’s Caltex complex which now boasts a restaurant, accommodation, filling
station and farm stall. The family-owned business is a true tribute to Milly’s legacy. If
you are travelling along the N4 between Gauteng and the southern Kruger National
Park this summer and feel like a bite to eat or a break from driving, this is the place to
stop. From Milly’s menu and the farm stall you can choose from a wide selection of
their flagship trout pie, sweets, other trout products, freshly baked bread and rusks
from their own bakery, jams, jellies, Mediterranean chutney, fresh produce from their
vegetable garden, a selection of premium coffees or tea, branded products including
handbags and scarves, as well as a variety of gifts. Milly’s is a popular stopover
for tourists and other travellers, and if you are too tired to drive you can book a
comfortable room.
Boerqi Bistro & Ruiterbos
Farm Stall, R328 near Mossel
Bay
On the R328 between Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay, high up in the fresh mountain
air of the Outeniqua range foothills, you’ll come upon the Boerqi Bistro & Ruiterbos
Farm Stall…something of a legend among locals and travellers alike. You cannot
miss it, sitting beside the road in the middle of farm country with its brightly painted
zebra stripes, pink and yellow plant pots and old petrol and diesel pumps proclaiming
“fokkol petrol” (no petrol). It’s exterior all dolled-up kitsch; it’s interior a cavern of
delight…comfortable lounge areas, fine and rustic dining thrown together, jars of
everything homemade, woodfire oven pizzas, koeksisters, hertzoggies, dry wors
and biltong, farm-style bread, creamy butternut soup, strong coffee, jars filled with
sweets you didn’t think still existed, fudge, roosterkoek, bric-a-brac, hats, shoes,
clothes, pottery, glassware, pots, pans and kettles, and plenty more. It’s the epitome
of that old-worldly plaaswinkel (farm shop) of a bygone era, mixed in with a bit of
Paris bistro and a family restaurant. There’s plenty of safe space and things to do
outside on the werf (farm yard) for the kids while mom gets lost in the browsing in
the katoeterwinkel (goodies shop) and dad samples the biltong and sweets. You will
be leaving with bags and boxes full of katoeter stuff and delicious delights. I know,
because I could hardly drag my sister, visiting from China, out of the place when we
stopped there recently!
Potluck Boskombuis, Graskop
Most people know that one of the most beautiful parts of our country is in Mpumalanga
near the Blyde River Canyon and Kruger National Park. It is home to wonderful little
towns and attractions like Pilgrimsrest, Graskop, Hazyview, the Blyde River Canyon,
God’s Window, the Mac Mac Falls and much more. But perhaps one of its bestkept
secrets however, is the Potluck Boskombuis (Bush Kitchen) near Graskop, just
the place to take a break from driving and enjoy a magnificent meal. You’ll find this
unique gem just off the R533 from Graskop to Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Look for a
sign that says ‘Real South African Food’ about 26km out of town. Apart from the
restaurant you will also find the spectacular Farm Falls here, with a wonderful deep
pool at the bottom in which you can take a swim. There’s plenty else to do on the
surrounding land. At the restaurant you’ll find some rustic outside wooden tables
and tree stumps to sit on. You’ll be served some really good traditional food cooked
on open fires and brought to your table in tin plates and mugs. Just the way they did
back when this corner of the world was South Africa’s own Wild West (except it’s in
the east). They keep the menu simple and traditional, with boerewors, T-bone steak,
Boerqi Bistro
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 11| 13