1. Saturday morning: Depart Durban 07h30, RV at Ultra City at 09h00 for departure 09h30. ETA Blood River at 11h30. DVD presentation in the Interpretation Centre on the Battlefield, followed by discussion at the Voortrekker laager site. Picnic lunch at Blood River, after which we proceed to the Ncome Museum across the river. Time permitting, we'll view the battlefield from the Zulu commanders' position on Intaba kaNdlela (Ndlela's Hill) across the Mathambo plain. Cost: R20 pp entry fee.
2. Saturday afternoon (+- 16h00) we stop on the right bank of the Mzinyathi (Buffalo) River for preliminary discussion on the next day's battlefield tour. ETA Lodge 17h30.
3. Sunday morning: Proceed to site of Maj Gen Sir William Penn Symons's camp for phase 1, followed by retracing of the route through the town of Dundee taken by the British troops en route to Talana. Phase 2: Stop overlooking the Steenkoolspruit for briefing on the British assembly point. Phase 3: Proceed to Talana Battlefield for final phases of the Battle. Climb Talana Hill to view the Battlefield from the Boer perspective, followed by lunch on the battlefield and tour of the museum. Cost: R15 pp entry fee.
More details from ken.gillings@mweb.co.za
Good day All,
1. SAMHSEC is to tour the Middelburg area from 8 to 10 Aug 2008.
2. Provisional itinerary:
Day 1
Friday 8 Aug
Meet in Cradock for 1230 departure. Visit the Fish River Station blockhouse, which was attacked by a Boer Commando on 23 February 1901. Visit Grass Ridge Farm for briefing by Mr Keith Collett on his experiences as a member of Die Middelandse Regiment in WW2. Visit a British officer's grave near Conway. Move to Middelburg for night stop.
Day 2
Saturday 9 Aug
Meet on the town square at 0900. View various monuments on the square. Visit the Stoel Monument where Commandant Lotter was executed. View from the outside various buildings of military historical interest in the town. Visit the military graves in the old town cemetery. Move to Scoombee, the location of the headquarters of the force guarding the Middelburg/Stormberg rail line. Picnic lunch in a restored Rice Pattern blockhouse. View the remains of various blockhouses between Schoombee and Rosmead. Discuss train ambush involving members of First City Regiment and Prince Alfred's Guard north of Rosmead on 30 December 1900 (note: the ambush site is accessible by 4x4 vehicles only, so will not be visited). Discuss the protection of the oil reserves at Rosmead by National Servicemen and commando members. Move to Middelburg for night stop.
Day 3
Sunday 10 Aug 08
Meet on the town square at 0900. Move to First City Regiment Company Headquarters for briefing on the Life and Death of the Hantam Commando. Tour sites of military historical interest on the Grootfontein Agricultural College campus, which was the base for the British Army of Occupation from 1903 to 1906. Tour ends at 1230.
3. Those unable to join the tour on Friday are welcome to do so later.
4. In the absence of a suitable venue, catering for 3 course dinners, including wine, has been arranged with a local caterer at R140 per person per meal. The same caterer can provide packed picnic lunches for Saturday at R50 per head. Dinners will be taken in the Middelburg Cultural History Museum and either the Museum or the old Officers' Mess on the Grootfontein Campus. The number of meals required needs to be confirmed with the caterer by 1 August.
5. Persons attending the tour are to arrange their own accommodation. The following establishments have been recommended:
| Name | Location | Contact | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karoo Country Inn Hotel | Town Centre | 049 842 1126 | R250 pppn B&B |
| Karroo Ouberg Lodge | 85 Coetzee St | 049 842 1567 | R380 pppn B&B |
| MyHome YourHome | 75 Meintjies Str | 049 842 2072 | R120 pppn sharing R140 pppn single B&B |
| The Stable | c/o Loop & Stockenstrom | 049 842 1108 | R350 pppn B&B |
| Celtis Garden Centre | 21 Joubert St | 049 8421051 | R175 pppn sharing R220 pppn single B&B |
6. Transport is self drive. Roads, which include dirt roads, are accessible to sedan cars.
7. Tour costs, which include fuel for the tour reconnaissance, guide fees and handouts and exclude meals, transport and accommodation, are to be shared by tour participants. Should 15 persons attend, costs should be approximately R100 each>
8. Those intending to join the tour are to advise me by 29 July 2008 on 071 366 6933 or by e-mail to pringlefamily@telkomsa.net of:
10. There are many publications which cover operations in the area, including some on the SAMHS website www.samilitaryhistory.org. Members who are able to suggest pre-tour reading/material for handouts are invited to do so.
11. Legalities: The ideal world would not be a risky place, including the risk of litigation. We don't live in such a world, so please know that participation in the tour entirely at own risk. Everyone on the tour will be required to sign standard SAMHSEC document to this effect before joining the tour. The bottom line is "if you attend our tour, accept the fact that you will never have us in Court, not even for our own gross negligence or intent. The decision whether to risk us in fact causing you damage, even by gross negligence or intent on our part, is yours to take and if you have a concern that this is a real risk, then you are free to choose not to attend."
Regards,
Ian
SAMHSEC TOUR CO-ORDINATOR