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THE JAIL
BIRD
HISTORY/GESKIEDENIS:
Chrissiesmeer has been described
as the undiscovered jewel of Mpumalanga and those who have discovered it’s true beauty, can’t help but returning
again and again. Perhaps it’s the sight of the duikers at dusk, visiting the gardens of the locals, or the scream
calls of Mahem’s flocking together. Or the graceful Flamingos filtering through the salty waters at the Lake’s
edge. Or perhaps the unexpected sight of meadows of veldflowers in the waving grasslands.
In 1989 het Prof Ton Sanders die ou Tronk gekoop met die idée om dit te gebruik vir ‘n naweek huisie en
later as ‘n aftree plekkie. Hy het sy hart onherroeplik in hierdie pragtige dorpie verloor. Met die totstandkoming
van ons Matotoland Eko-toerisme Vereniging in 1997 het Gastehuise broodnodig geword. Roelf en Ettie (Bierman) van
Rensburg, bekende skrywers, wou die ou Tronk koop, maar prof Sanders wou niks weet nie. Hy het egter toegegee dat
die ou Tronkie in ‘n blyplek omskep kan word vir gaste, hy en Ané Steinberg het koppe bymekaar gesit en
dit omskep in ‘n baie oulike blyplek.
Die gebou behoort nog steeds aan die Sanders Familie wat oorwegend in Nederland woon. Met sy aftrede in 2000 het
Prof Ton Sanders die ou Barclays Bank Gebou gekoop en dit omskep in ‘n knus woningkie. Volgens hom is Chrissiesmeer
hemel op aarde en ons as inwoners glo dit ook.
ACCOMMODATION:
This unique self catering
place in the village of Lake Chrissie once constituted the village Jail. Today it offers an escape from city life
and a prison record to be proud of.
The sandstone jail consists
of two adjoining cells, the first cell was build in the previous century and cell 2 was added later. The accompanying
police station, was destroyed in a fire, but it’s Charge office, a brick construction with traditional corrugated
plate finishing still stands firmly, and offers a superb view of Lake Chrissie.
Indeed, the Jail of old has changed in character. Its two cells have been turned into comfortable and cosy bedrooms,
without changing the original architecture of the Jail.
Cell 1 contains a double
and single bed. Cell 2 has a build-in loft with two mattresses, and beneath the loft, two single beds, both cells
have a basin with cold water. Each cell is appropriately decorated with a touch of Jail humour.
A max of seven persons can sleep in the Jail Bird. Bedding is provided for 4 beds. Provide your own bedding for
the rest.
The Charge office has been turned into a place of comfort. It contains a bathroom with shower, basin and separate
toilet. A well equipped kitchen cum-dining room with a fridge, two plate stove, microwave and other electric cooking
facilities. It has a coal stove for the magic cold winter nights.
LOCATION:
At the lower end of the
village in Percy Street, you will find the Jail Bird.
CONTACT US: Marietjie Blighnaut
Cell: 082 929 1219
Tel / fax: 017 847 0078
e-mail: sandsteenkothuise@telkomsa.net
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