Hi Willie, Aaaahhh you have brought back so many memories for me today - thank you so much. My father was born and bred in McGregor and my parents got married in the Methodist church in the 1980's. Sadly our family moved closer to Cape Town to be near to my mother's family but McGregor has always been home to my siblings and I. Our grandmother lived just a few doors away from the cottage as you enter the town, it was a lovely place and i wished it was still in the family. Very excited to be heading that way again this festive season
Hi there! Thanks for sharing those lovely memories you have of McGregor. Those cottages have a lot of character, that is for sure. Cheers for watching and engaging!
Thanks willie for visiting and showing this nice area in South Africa looks very peaceful in its nice climate and information about the place especially with homes and settlements are plus for outback in rural country or community even some are limited and manly in cities its worthwhile place to visit!
I realise this was a quick over view of a fascinating village which is caught in a time warp: trying to swim upstream (no criticism implied) and hold onto its heritage and quirkiness, whilst simultaneously remaining economically and socially viable. My ideal would be find an older local of long residence, and let them show you the fascinating “plekkies” which outsiders will never find on a fleeting visit. The gardens at Temenos. The tiny private theatre. If it still exists, the house where two lions guard the stoep - a local artist lives (lived?) there. A “hob house” built of hay bales and plastered. And many more, I am certain. A village bursting with talent: two bakers; home remedies (which work!), and the animal rescue group which raises funds via its bookshop. Do visit the donkey sanctuary - extensive bookshop and snacks. Local wineries. Dry stone walling - an art.
Thanks Elizabeth. As you point out, it was my first time there and a first impressions video. Maybe you could make a video with a "local" showcasing those things you're interested in? I'd be the first one to watch it. Cheers!
Aah you are in our neighborhood Willie! McGregor is a stunning town and Ilse Schutte is a "one of a kind" winemaker with her BEMIND range of wines! Wonderful Sunday travelling with you all over. Baie wyd "getravel" vandag!!
This was my first visit ever to McGregor and honestly did not know what to expect! I found a very charming village with interesting sights and people. Dankie vir al julle ondersteuning, dit word opreg waardeer!
A very pretty place, Willie and great to see another Scottish connection too. I love all the shops and merchandise, especially for the animal sanctuaries😊
Hi Sheila, yes the Scots have done well in this part of the world :) Certainly animal care and the wider environment are high on the agenda in McGregor. Hope you'll have a great weekend!
Oh, Willie, Willie ... now I've got to hunt down McGregor (Lady Gray, Bemind) wine, too, ja??!! Hard enough just to find South African wine here, but ... I love a challenge!! McGregor looks like a really nice town! As always, another nice walk-around with Willie!!
Very interesting to see a side of South Africa that is probably a mystery to many, Willie. I have to say though that when I first started watching this series, I wondered why you were going around telling everyone to "buy a donkey"...! 😆
Cheers Andy, very nice to hear from you! Many of these South African towns and villages will be a mystery to some South Africans too. There are so much to see and experience in this country. Your last sentence made me spit out my tea, so funny!
These videos where you are exploring different places of South Africa is so interesting Sir! This is where the average tourist would never get to visit! Apparently this area has 82% coloured people and 12% white, 3% black. Did they have Load Shedding aswell as water? It will be interesting when you will visit more of the black communities! Please eat Pap and Mogodu and such things in future videos and explain all about local foods! Great Video as always Willie! Ja! Thank You!
Glad you enjoy these South Africa videos Bip! I've not experienced load shedding since I've been back to SA, certainly not in the Western Cape. Not sure what the situation is in other parts or provinces. I will try and indulge in as much local delicacies as possible, that much I can promise you! Cheers as always for your support and encouragement.
Hi Willie your videos just get better and better. Love the reference to an ex’s cold shoulder that made me laugh. Must check out your other videos. Another great place with history. Yeah stay off the spices for a purely selfish reason as I love sitting in my armchair watching your latest excursions. Sorry if I’ve added two comments my iPad seems to be doing its own thing and possibly deleting my comments as soon as I post them… 😅 have a great forthcoming weekend
Hi Chris, really pleased to hear you say that! Haha I thought the ex was a great way to describe the weather in these parts. The summers can get really hot, so I'm glad that I visited McGregor before the high season. I only got this comment from you, so sounds like your iPad is playing tricks on you :) Trust me, no more hot food for me for a while! Have a great weekend
McGregor: whacky, wonderful and very individualistic. Properties are expensive, which is a two edged sword. There is a beautiful small private theatre tucked away on the edge of town heading for the recently developed area, which utilised (I understand) an Australian architect’s housing designs. Innovative double storey white washed homes. Worth a visit.
Ag nee Willie, jy het so baie tyd spandeer op die ingang in detail dat jy skoon uitgenis het op mooi dele: The old mill, Green Gables, Lords, Tebaldi's gardens, 51, etc, etc.
Ai man ou Derick, daar sal altyd plekke wees wat 'n mens mis. Terloops, ek was by een van daai plekke wat jy noem, maar het nie 'n aangename ondervinding gehad nie. Groete!
Hi Willie interesting little town and I wonder if Pastor McGregor was ever planning on going back to Scotland or if he fell in love with South Africa. I spotted a Van Reenen in the museum, will look that up as family name on Great Grand Parents side maybe ther e is some more to learn there about the history of the people and will try and read that book in the museum if it is the library or book stores. Enjoy the hospitality of South Africa's,local is lekker 😊
Hi Mary, always great to hear from you! Pastor McGregor spent circa 40 years at the McGregor congregation, which is a very long time. Like you I wonder if he ever contemplated going back to Scotland. He did marry Pastor Robertson's daughter though, so it sounds like he was pretty settled in the area. Hope you find something in your search about Van Reenen :) Cheers and have a great weekend!
Baie interessant v.d. kanaal water wat deur die dorpie vloei en die inlingting sentrum wat sommer 'n museum ook is! As ek na daai pragtige kerk gebou kyk, is jy seker nie ernstig dat hulle dink daar is goed van miljoene oud nie! Die Bybel leer ons mos mooi dat die aarde 6 duisend jaar terug geskape was! Ons kyk uit v.d. volgende video en hoop om die miljoene jare daarvoor te wag nie😉
Lost my SUV to last year's unprecedented flood. We also lost about 50% of our riverside farmland (a small scale permaculture farm) including our access road. A year later we only feel like we are starting to claw our way back to normality. Moved here 2 years ago and wouldn't go back if you paid me! Our village has its challenges and is not perfect but it is a very special little dorpie.
Thank you so much for your comment. Profoundly sorry to hear about your loss. But at the same time I am delighted to hear that you find McGregor a special place. May the future hold many blessings for you.
@willieexplore thanks, Willie! It's always a pleasure to watch your videos. You should visit the USA. It's something to see. Like the song says, from New York to Hollywood It's a beautiful place. It cracks me up when the locals complain about the infrastructures but those that have traveled the world know that it is still excellent compared to most other countries. The rural areas of Europe and perhaps even more so Eastern Europe, as long as their roads are paved, aren't much different from the US.
I had the privilege to visit most of these little towns and country sides in western cape ❤in South Africa 🇿🇦 they are absolutely amazing ❤
They are pretty special, right? Cheers for your support!
Hi Willie, Aaaahhh you have brought back so many memories for me today - thank you so much. My father was born and bred in McGregor and my parents got married in the Methodist church in the 1980's. Sadly our family moved closer to Cape Town to be near to my mother's family but McGregor has always been home to my siblings and I. Our grandmother lived just a few doors away from the cottage as you enter the town, it was a lovely place and i wished it was still in the family. Very excited to be heading that way again this festive season
Hi there! Thanks for sharing those lovely memories you have of McGregor. Those cottages have a lot of character, that is for sure. Cheers for watching and engaging!
Thanks willie for visiting and showing this nice area in South Africa looks very peaceful in its nice climate and information about the place especially with homes and settlements are plus for outback in rural country or community even some are limited and manly in cities its worthwhile place to visit!
Cheers mon ami, there are many pockets of magic in this beautiful country. Appreciate your support!
I realise this was a quick over view of a fascinating village which is caught in a time warp: trying to swim upstream (no criticism implied) and hold onto its heritage and quirkiness, whilst simultaneously remaining economically and socially viable.
My ideal would be find an older local of long residence, and let them show you the fascinating “plekkies” which outsiders will never find on a fleeting visit.
The gardens at Temenos.
The tiny private theatre.
If it still exists, the house where two lions guard the stoep - a local artist lives (lived?) there.
A “hob house” built of hay bales and plastered.
And many more, I am certain.
A village bursting
with talent: two bakers; home remedies (which work!), and the animal rescue group which raises funds via its bookshop.
Do visit the donkey sanctuary - extensive bookshop and snacks.
Local wineries.
Dry stone walling - an art.
Thanks Elizabeth. As you point out, it was my first time there and a first impressions video. Maybe you could make a video with a "local" showcasing those things you're interested in? I'd be the first one to watch it. Cheers!
Aah you are in our neighborhood Willie! McGregor is a stunning town and Ilse Schutte is a "one of a kind" winemaker with her BEMIND range of wines!
Wonderful Sunday travelling with you all over.
Baie wyd "getravel" vandag!!
This was my first visit ever to McGregor and honestly did not know what to expect! I found a very charming village with interesting sights and people. Dankie vir al julle ondersteuning, dit word opreg waardeer!
A very pretty place, Willie and great to see another Scottish connection too. I love all the shops and merchandise, especially for the animal sanctuaries😊
Hi Sheila, yes the Scots have done well in this part of the world :) Certainly animal care and the wider environment are high on the agenda in McGregor. Hope you'll have a great weekend!
Baie dankie. Dit is beslis 'n unieke dorpie. Weereens mooi aangebied. 👍👍👍
Bly jy het dit geniet Errol! Groete
Oh, Willie, Willie ... now I've got to hunt down McGregor (Lady Gray, Bemind) wine, too, ja??!! Hard enough just to find South African wine here, but ... I love a challenge!! McGregor looks like a really nice town! As always, another nice walk-around with Willie!!
Hi Jim! Haha glad to hear that I inspire you to grow your collection ;) Always a pleasure! Have a good one!
Life in South Africa 🇿🇦 in the country side is amazing ❤
You can say that again! Thanks for the support!
Willie Jy vat my rerig op n nostalgiese trip! McGregor is ek mal oor! Was baie keer daar! Groete
Hallo Tosca, dit was my eerste keer daar maar ek het dit baie geniet! Mooi loop
Very interesting to see a side of South Africa that is probably a mystery to many, Willie.
I have to say though that when I first started watching this series, I wondered why you were going around telling everyone to "buy a donkey"...! 😆
Cheers Andy, very nice to hear from you! Many of these South African towns and villages will be a mystery to some South Africans too. There are so much to see and experience in this country. Your last sentence made me spit out my tea, so funny!
These videos where you are exploring different places of South Africa is so interesting Sir!
This is where the average tourist would never get to visit!
Apparently this area has 82% coloured people and 12% white, 3% black.
Did they have Load Shedding aswell as water?
It will be interesting when you will visit more of the black communities!
Please eat Pap and Mogodu and such things in future videos and explain all about local foods!
Great Video as always Willie! Ja! Thank You!
Glad you enjoy these South Africa videos Bip! I've not experienced load shedding since I've been back to SA, certainly not in the Western Cape. Not sure what the situation is in other parts or provinces. I will try and indulge in as much local delicacies as possible, that much I can promise you! Cheers as always for your support and encouragement.
Hi Willie your videos just get better and better. Love the reference to an ex’s cold shoulder that made me laugh. Must check out your other videos. Another great place with history. Yeah stay off the spices for a purely selfish reason as I love sitting in my armchair watching your latest excursions. Sorry if I’ve added two comments my iPad seems to be doing its own thing and possibly deleting my comments as soon as I post them… 😅 have a great forthcoming weekend
Hi Chris, really pleased to hear you say that! Haha I thought the ex was a great way to describe the weather in these parts. The summers can get really hot, so I'm glad that I visited McGregor before the high season. I only got this comment from you, so sounds like your iPad is playing tricks on you :) Trust me, no more hot food for me for a while! Have a great weekend
McGregor: whacky, wonderful and very individualistic.
Properties are expensive, which is a two edged sword.
There is a beautiful small private theatre tucked away on the edge of town heading for the recently developed area, which utilised (I understand) an Australian architect’s housing designs.
Innovative
double storey white washed homes.
Worth a visit.
Some interesting buildings for sure. With a surname like Grey you may be connected to it!
Ag nee Willie, jy het so baie tyd spandeer op die ingang in detail dat jy skoon uitgenis het op mooi dele:
The old mill, Green Gables, Lords, Tebaldi's gardens, 51, etc, etc.
Ai man ou Derick, daar sal altyd plekke wees wat 'n mens mis. Terloops, ek was by een van daai plekke wat jy noem, maar het nie 'n aangename ondervinding gehad nie. Groete!
Dankie Willie - pragtige historiese dorpie
Dankie Hannelie, ek het die plekkie baie geniet. Groete!
Hi Willie interesting little town and I wonder if Pastor McGregor was ever planning on going back to Scotland or if he fell in love with South Africa. I spotted a Van Reenen in the museum, will look that up as family name on Great Grand Parents side maybe ther e is some more to learn there about the history of the people and will try and read that book in the museum if it is the library or book stores. Enjoy the hospitality of South Africa's,local is lekker 😊
Hi Mary, always great to hear from you! Pastor McGregor spent circa 40 years at the McGregor congregation, which is a very long time. Like you I wonder if he ever contemplated going back to Scotland. He did marry Pastor Robertson's daughter though, so it sounds like he was pretty settled in the area. Hope you find something in your search about Van Reenen :) Cheers and have a great weekend!
Thanks Willie for your reply and enjoy your weekend too with your family 😄
Baie interessant v.d. kanaal water wat deur die dorpie vloei en die inlingting sentrum wat sommer 'n museum ook is! As ek na daai pragtige kerk gebou kyk, is jy seker nie ernstig dat hulle dink daar is goed van miljoene oud nie! Die Bybel leer ons mos mooi dat die aarde 6 duisend jaar terug geskape was! Ons kyk uit v.d. volgende video en hoop om die miljoene jare daarvoor te wag nie😉
Dankie vir die saamkyk! Ek is aan die reis op die oomblik, daar kom heelwat videos binnekort ;) Groete!
There's a 14 km hike between greytown and McGregor, take lots of water in summer
I'm sure it is a dehydrating but stunning walk! Thanks for watching!
H igend! Dit is bitter Mooi daar!!
Hier is mooi plekke in Suid-Afrika! Groete!
Lost my SUV to last year's unprecedented flood. We also lost about 50% of our riverside farmland (a small scale permaculture farm) including our access road. A year later we only feel like we are starting to claw our way back to normality. Moved here 2 years ago and wouldn't go back if you paid me! Our village has its challenges and is not perfect but it is a very special little dorpie.
Thank you so much for your comment. Profoundly sorry to hear about your loss. But at the same time I am delighted to hear that you find McGregor a special place. May the future hold many blessings for you.
Baie dankie Meneer.
My plesier! Dankie vir die ondersteuning!
So far, it kind of reminds me of rural USA.
I've never been to the USA, but I'd imagine there are similarities. Hope all is well!
@willieexplore thanks, Willie!
It's always a pleasure to watch your videos. You should visit the USA. It's something to see. Like the song says, from New York to Hollywood It's a beautiful place.
It cracks me up when the locals complain about the infrastructures but those that have traveled the world know that it is still excellent compared to most other countries.
The rural areas of Europe and perhaps even more so Eastern Europe, as long as their roads are paved, aren't much different from the US.
@@gibau1000 definitely on my list of places to visit. Such a big country with a lot to offer.
Beware of the dog😅
Haha yes for sure!
Van Sussex na McGregor... altyd n avontuur!
Net so, Melanie! Lekker tye!