'Top 20 Places to Stay' - House & Leisure (February 2005) & 6 Page Article, Huisgenoot/You, 7 July 2005
In Philippolis in the southern Free State you can switch off completely and forget about rush-hour traffic and deadlines. The tree-lined dirt roads, simple Karoo-style cottages and pomegranate and quince trees heavy with fruit take you back to childhood pleasures, grandma's roast lamb and thick soup served in enamel bowls.
Former school principal Jens Friis and wife Naómi, a domestic science teacher, taught at the local school for years. They owned a few properties on the edge o...
'Top 20 Places to Stay' - House & Leisure (February 2005) & 6 Page Article, Huisgenoot/You, 7 July 2005
In Philippolis in the southern Free State you can switch off completely and forget about rush-hour traffic and deadlines. The tree-lined dirt roads, simple Karoo-style cottages and pomegranate and quince trees heavy with fruit take you back to childhood pleasures, grandma's roast lamb and thick soup served in enamel bowls.
Former school principal Jens Friis and wife Naómi, a domestic science teacher, taught at the local school for years. They owned a few properties on the edge of town which stood empty for years. But after retiring they called in the help of their sons Jens and Nico and renovated the cottages, converting them into guest-houses.
``We wanted to retain the stripped, bare look that's in keeping with the simplicity of the Karoo and took great care not to introduce Victorian influences for instance,'' Jens says. ``The look works well with old-fashioned as well as modern pieces.
''The wooden ceilings and fl oors exude a cosy warmth and in her home restaurant Naómi lovingly prepares authentic, old-fashioned farm food.
Nestled on the edge of the town, it reminds one often of a farm. On surrounding erven are the springbokkies of Mr. George de Vos, the horses of Mr. Johan Lamprechts, the succulent garden of the Funcks, and Café Khooa – where one can take a horse-and-carriage tour. Diverse birdlife with owls in the cypress-trees. This is all besides some peacocks, the cows of Tiekie Pienaar and a footpath that leads to an old ammunitions storage house.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast or take a picnic and explore local scenic spots. Return for sundowners on the stoep. Delicious dinners served by arrangement.
Worth knowing:
- Private entrances
- Self-catering facilities
- Restaurant nearby (licensed)
- Pets allowed by arrangement
- Children welcome
- Enjoy a game of tennis at nearby courts
- English, Dutch and Afrikaans spoken.
