FROM the top of Buffelskop in the Cradock district you can see the Cookhouse windfarm, more than 80km away. You also get a panoramic view of the Fish River Valley and layers upon layers of ancient Karoo mountains. Yet numbers of local people have never experienced the adventure of the trip up the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now a rare chance is offered to make the trip via 4\u00d74 from Buffelshoek farm on Sunday 21 July. (Buffelskop has an estimated elevation of 1 518 metres as opposed to Cradock itself which is estimated at 902 metres).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Famous as a literary tourism destination, the simple dome-shaped stone sarcophagus atop the peak is the last resting place of Olive Schreiner, her husband (Cronwright), their baby and pet dog. Cronwright called the spot \u201can open temple of nature\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But apart from the historical significance of the site, a trip up this mountain makes a great Sunday outing and escape from day-to-day chores. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our photographer, Amy Coetzer, said, \u201cThis is a great opportunity for Cradock locals to discover the wonders of our own area, and a reminder of how lucky we are to live here.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of the ascent is on a rocky road in a 4\u00d74 vehicle with a river. \u201cYou have to walk the last 100 metres or so \u2013 walking shoes and a stick recommended.\u201d Amy told us she went up with a 70-year-old who had had a knee replacement and he managed fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe views are extraordinary,\u201d said Prof. Paul Walters from Rhodes. He has made the ascent 14 times (often with groups of students) but would never miss an opportunity to go again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He quotes these words from Cronwright Schreiner, \u201cCape Town, for all the phenomenal beauty of its surroundings, knows no such space, so such vastness, no such air, no such wonder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To book on the trip to Buffelskop ring Pieter on 060 433 4797. The cost is R150 per person and a snackpack is included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This outing is part of the Karoo Writers\u2019 Festival. Brunch (with a full bar service) will be served at Buffelshoek from 10h00, followed by the launch of three new books (including a collection of anecdotes by popular farming personality EK Moorcroft). The mountain trip will depart at noon. Get the full Karoo Writers\u2019 Festival programme on www.karoowritersfestival.weebly.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FROM the top of Buffelskop in the Cradock district you can see the Cookhouse windfarm, more than 80km away. You also get a panoramic view of the Fish River Valley and layers upon layers of ancient Karoo mountains. 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