Who would make a coffee shop in ruins?
Someone had left a bicycle leaning against the roadside post to go for a ‘quick stop’. Except – the coat of rust had started to claim the bike; wheelrims grow into the soil – it wasn’t a quick stop. Eco travel Africa springs up quite the myriad of surprises! The signpost indicates Die Murasie to my left. I look at the crumbled stonewall of what once was a farmhouse, and getting curious – who would make a coffee shop in ruins?
The section of the farmhouse (what is left from the building) did not have a sign ‘Enter at your own risk’, but daily specials written with chalk on the ‘blueboard’ next to a pot of blooming flowers in shades of purple and yellow. We weren’t quite sure if we should knock on the door – it really felt like entering someone’s home. But stepping inside, it looked like we had entered back in time – sunshine through the windows framed in thick stonewalls, cast light into the cosy room with mix and match of tables and chairs, rosy wall decors, tea sets, antiques and rag-dolls and console table with home bakes.
Lottie, the owner was busy in the kitchen preparing fresh lamb pies and bobotie, which Johan ordered for lunch. But I was eyeing the Lemon Meringue pie on the console table that looked too tempting and opted to swop my lunch for it. Glad I did, as I can not remember when I last had a Lemon Meringue like that – tangy, not too sweet and meringue layer generously equal size to the filling.
We could not leave without buying a few bottles of home-made preserves from the shop and a knitted cutest green toy-bunny that was yearning to come with us.
I thought that the coffee shop interior had surprised me enough until I visited ‘The Ladies’ – the visit was like an excursion and I just had to go back there with my camera (Don’t laugh, check it out yourself 🙂
Hmm … change of subject from eco travel Africa. We got to chat with the farm owners Jannie and Lottie Van Wyk whos actual farm home Wolwepoort is before Skilpad Wildflower Nature Reserve entrance. This old ‘Die Murasie’ farmhouse had been transformed into coffee shop five years ago by Lottie and her friend, but it is welcoming guests only during the flower season. I just love the idea – giving life back to the forgotten and warned; the initiative and welcoming friendliness in this cosy old farmhouse ruins.
On your next trip to Namaqualand for flowers, you will find ‘Die Murasie’ on the way to Skilpad Wildflower Nature Reserve, Kamieskroon, Northern Cape, South Africa. Eco travel Africa
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