Poespasrivier Cottage

PLEASE NOTE: Our cottage will be CLOSED UNTIL 2017. Hoping to see you then.

PoespasRivier Cottage is one of the original 1865 missionary cottages in the village of Bereaville, just 9km from Greyton.

Berea is a peaceful, small, rural farming village. You will hear the cocks crowing, pigs getting excited at feeding time and farm animals wandering everywhere, while donkey and horse carts happily share the roads with modern transport and children playing in the streets.

Poespas means higgledy-piggeldy, herenthere, deurmekaarspul and was the original name of the village. The name originated because the little river running through the village has its source on top of the Riviersonderend Mountains and runs in a north and south direction.

The cottage has been lovingly restored to its former glory with some necessary modern conveniences added. It sleeps two in the bedroom with double bed and there are another two single loft bunks on top of the rafters, which may be accessed via a slatted ladder, and are possibly only exciting for the younger members of the family or agile adults. Towels and bedding are provided. The bathroom has a large shower with a view, basin and composting toilet. A flush toilet is in the outhouse behind the cottage.

The dining area has a large adobe bench with lots of cushions and comfortable seating around the fireplace. The kitchenette comprises a sink, three-plate gas hob and bar fridge with enough cupboard space for groceries. All basic crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils are provided. Guests are welcome to store excess frozen goods in the main house freezer or make use of the microwave there if needed.

The really cozy patio, covered with vines in the summer, has a large braai with ample seating and lovely views of the village and mountains.

Several plugs provide electricity for charging cell phones or using computers. We would like you to experience our country life the traditional way, thus there is no TV. Because the cottage has thick, insulating, adobe walls it is cool, even on the hottest days, and not cold in winter. The fireplace heats the cottage very quickly though, with two bags of firewood provided.

The property is fenced with a lockable gate and ample uncovered parking. Mountain bicycles may be stored in the main house garage for safety.

Children are most definitely welcomed. We would like them to experience the traditional way of living in a country village. Pony or horse cart rides can be arranged or riding at the Greyton Riding Club just down the road.

Berea is central to some beautiful drives along the back roads with rolling hills and farmlands. Birdlife is abundant along the main river and even in our own garden 40 species of birds have been recorded over the years. There are 13 hiking trails and several international-standard biking trails in close proximity. Your stay would not be complete without a visit to the Genadendal Museum with the oldest water mill in South Africa. By special request visits to some interesting and varied farms may be arranged.

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Reviews

  • "Poor service and treatment"

    21 July 2016

    "<p><span>There were several issues that made us leave this calm village after one night, they were : </span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span>- The fireplace did not work properly it created excessive indoor smoke that caused our eyes to water, sore throats and headaches.</span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span>- The chimney must have been dirty because on arrival the entire cottage stank of fire smoke as there were no doors between the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom (meaning the smoke infused the entire cottage)</span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span>- The fridge did not work properly it froze our meat and lettuce.</span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I</span></span><span> -The indoor composting toilet in reality was just a bucket (that needed daily changing)</span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span>- The neighbours smoked marijuana&nbsp; to the extent that we could smell it in the cottage</span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span>- Angora entered the cottage with two electricians without our consent or knowledge while we were in Greyton, which is an invasion of our privacy and further, she had the audacity to chastise us for being messy (even though the dishes were done and the bed made!) </span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span>- There was no cellphone reception in the area (this was not advertised on the website)</span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span>- But worst of all, the owner Angora, was verbally abusive and rude to us when we complained to her about the fireplace and fridge and asked for assistance (she even grabbed Nevenkas cellphone out of her hand when she attempted to film her violent behavior). It was her shocking behavior that ultimately led us to flee the cottage after only one night, even though we had in good faith paid up in full for a six night stay. We did not feel safe in this toxic and stressful environment. <br /></span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span>TH<br /></span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span><br /></span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span>Th<br /></span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span>Th<br /></span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span><br /></span></p><p style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span><br /></span></p><br /><br />"

  • "Bliss!"

    31 May 2016

    "We had an inklingof where Poespasriver cottage could be based on the maps supplied and awaited our destination with feelings of excitement and eager trepidation. What we arrived to was a historical cottage in the heart of real surroundingswith real people whose forefathers had carved their own history and hardship into the existence of this little village. What a hidden treasure - one which is usually passed over en-route to the 'poshness' of Greyton and its manicured lawns of well furnished holiday/weekend homes.This is a REAL experience of Greyton and it's surroundings.What a delight!I was awed by the character and authenticity of this historical little place and its owner. How peaceful and tranquil the surroundings. The cottage is perfect for 2. You wake up to the crow of cocks and the moo of cows. I fell in love with the place, the area and it's people. We will definitely be back. There is so much more to feel, experience and remember."

  • "What a find!"

    18 March 2015

    "We have just had the most fabulous weekend at Poespasrivier Cottage. The accommodation is beautifully rustic, very well equipped and absolutely charming. Bereaville is a proper, rural farming community with horses, cows, donkeys and chickens all chattering away and is only a 9km drive to 1st World, gentrifying Greyton if you just can't live without WiFi and a cappuccino."

  • "Worst experience ever."

    26 January 2015

    "The whole thing was a disaster from start to finish. It started with our hostess being rather rude to us because we had to phone for directions when we got lost on the way there. The cottage and patio was not properly cleaned for our arrival, there is no privacy for the shower and toilet, the bar fridge is really old, small and not working properly and the 'composting' toilet inside (in truth it is just a bucket with a toilet cover over, complete with a bucket of sawdust to cover the smell) not being cleaned first thing in the mornings, utterly unhygienic. When we decided to move to alternative accommodation more suitable the next day for the remainder of the weekend (having paid the deposit to cover our one night stay there and then some) Angora promptly told us she does not like customers like us, that we did her wrong and if we left anything behind (including the food we had stored in her freezer, conveniently locked in her house), it is not her problem. We have found the whole experience shocking and Angora utterly unaccommodating and hostile."

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