We got up in the middle of the night for this excursion … ok, ok I am being a drama queen, but only a bit. Being ready to leave at 6:40 on a Sunday morning feels like the middle of the night. Anyway, we set off, picked up Nic and Alta on the way and arrived at the Hermanstad station well on time and were soon settled into our compartment with our two cooler boxes.
The excursion is a steam train which runs between Pretoria and Cullinan (mainly at weekends) and is maintained and staffed by volunteers – Friends of the Rail. The train started moving at 8:00 as advertised, but after only a 100m or so we ground to a halt. Apparently the train does not have the same standing as the commuter trains and we had to (patiently) wait our turn. At about 8:45 we started moving to everyone’s delight and the next stop didn’t occur until we’d passed at least one other station. In a very stop-start fashion we made our way to Cullinan and arrived there at 11:15. Fortunately, the ham and cheese croissants, Uncle Nic’s lovely homemade lamb sausage rolls, eggs, mango, watermelon and a bit of bubbly with OJ (if you so wished) saw us through the long trek. Wessel offered two Americans in our compartment some watermelon and they also seemed to enjoy it very much.
Earlier in the week, Wessel and Nic decided to scout possible places for lunch and drove to Cullinan to make a reservation for us. Just as well, because in addition to the locals, bikers and other visitors, about 300 odd people disembarked from the train. Apart from the few people who elected to have their own picnic, everyone else needed to be fed before 15:00 when the return journey started. Our reservation was at an Italian place called Piacere, where we spent a leisurely 2 hour lunch sitting outside and enjoying the food and company. After lunch we took a gentle stroll (no fast walks with a full tummy) back to the station. Our only detour was to go to the lookout point at the quarry – apparently it is the largest of its kind in the world. Unfortunately, the vantage point did not offer a view that gives a proper understanding of the magnitude. Anyway, at least we can say we have been there.
The return trip was a bit faster and we were back at the station by 17:30. A good trip with good friends and ... another item ticked on the bucket list.
Now the customary photographic evidence ... and a big thanks to Danae for some of the photos she took - check the captions for acknowledgement of hers.
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| Nic and Alta and some of the refreshments... |
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| Family and the rest of the refreshments :-) |
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| Danae, Marni and Roelie ready for the adventure |
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| Thanks for the photo Danae! |
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| Some were awake ... |
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| And some not ... |
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| A view of the 'steam part' of the train. |
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| A very interesting motorcycle - apparently also used as a hearse. (Source: Danae) |
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| Lunch time! (Source: Danae) |
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| The two most beautiful girls... |
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| Leisurely walking. (Source: Danae) |
