Maiden voyage - train to Cullinan

Sunday 26 February 2012 saw the first ‘Rediscover Pretoria’ event take place. 14 of us ventured out into the early morning to see what the Steam train to Cullinan had to offer a local Pretorian. Buzzing with excitement, we arrived at the Friends of the Rail station in Hermanstad, cooler boxes and skottel braais in hand and armed with our funky sunglasses. We collected out tickets and embarked onto coach 1 to claim our seats. To everyone’s surprise, the train was almost full, and we soon learned that it is filled on most trips it takes.

The train is old-school, spacious and seats are comfortable. The people are all friendly and ready for adventure. A complete stranger shared his box of croissants with us after Jason identified and carefully stalked his victim. The chap simply could not refuse once Jason turned on his charm. The trained was filled with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. It is a trip suited for anyone and everyone.

After handing out and stamping the official “event passports”, designed by the talented Kate Ghyoot Jollye, we had a few alcoholic fines at 8:30 in the morning for rule breakage. Then we were off!

Our steam locomotive, Johanna, slowly pulled us out of the station and sounded its’ steam whistle
(originally a steam trumpet) to indicate our departure. Johanna made its way along the North of Pretoria, passing many parts of the city and outer city which most of us had not seen before. We passed beautiful scenery and colourful townships, and eventually arrived at Cullinan Station at around 11am.

The Cullinan Station was buzzing with festive music and excited people, some having breakfast served in a spade at the station restaurant, some enjoying a cold beverage in the station bar.

We started making our way to the general picnic area on the outskirts of town, and lost a few of our partners in crime on the way there - we had to pull Brad, Sean and Jason out of the Station pub where they were enjoying cold, refreshing beers. We rustled up a champagne breakfast, while some of the guys entertained the kids (and the rest of the group) playing footie and cricket.

A short walk down the colourful road brought us to our next stop, the Cockpit Brewhouse. This is the only local microbrewery in Cullinan. Some of us tested out the variety of beer that they had to offer (mostly the guys), while others explored the rest of the towns’ arts and crafts (mostly the girls).

The streets are filled with restaurants, quaint shops and a few street vendors. The ideal spot to spend a lazy Sunday close to home.

At around 3pm we made our way back onto the train and moved into the lounge coach to sip on some cold ones in the pub while Johanna took us back home.

The day out proved to be a great success with everyone wanting to know when and what the next event would be. We cannot yet tell you when and what, but we can tell you Brad and Letitia has been tasked to plan it. This decision was made based on who finished their microbrewery beer last…

Watch this space for details of what they have in store for us.

 

  

Our designed Rediscover Pretoria passports

  

Our champagne breakfast

Some of the beautiful sights in town

The lounge/bar area on the train

and so it begins

Sunday sees the the maiden voyage of Rediscover Pretoria.  We won't accept gripes of 'there is nothing to do in this city' as we now have concrete evidence that if you look a little further than your front doormat there is a world of activities within the boundaries of Gauteng.

Founder Matt (what a guy!) explains where it all began: "Rediscover Pretoria was born out of the curiosity within all of us to discover new things. It’s the unknown of the world around us that challenges us to learn more. It was French novelist, Marcel Proust,  who said, “The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” There is so much right in front of our eyes, in our own backyard that is waiting to be rediscovered. We have lived and grown up right here in the capital city, but how much of it do we go out and experience? Rediscover Pretoria dares us to go out and find the parts of our own city that are waiting for us to come and experience.

Rediscover Pretoria is a group of mates living in Pretoria who want to see, explore, experience and find what our city and the surrounding area has to offer. Each month a member of the group is tasked with finding a new event somewhere in Gauteng that we will venture out to “rediscover”. While traditions will be added along the way, we already have a few that have started. For each event, those attending have to wear a pair of funky sunglasses, just like those worn by the hip Oom Paul and Oom Tshwane below. The other is the strict rule of carrying a Rediscover Pretoria passport to all events.

So if you feel the urge to Rediscover Pretoria, join the group and come and join us on our next event. "

All aboard! Matt has arranged a knock-out tour that will see us leaving on a steam train to Cullinan, and visits to the Cockpit brewhouse, the diamond mine and a festive lunch in town.  And to commemorate this auspicious day of travel,  limited edition passports will be stamped on departure.  So what are you doing this weekend, and if the answer isn't that you'll be on the train, why not, you are missing out!  Below is a sneak peek of the designs for the passports of Oom Paul and Oom Tshwane.  Designed by the awesome KA+AD.

Check back here next week to see photos from the event..