Chichat

Winning letter

Right where we want to be

Where is the platteland? For every reader of this magazine, the answer to this question is a different place.

To me, the platteland is that place where nothing is nearby. You’re not near a city or a big town.

You’re not around the corner from a large shop or a Woolworths Food or a deli. You’re not near restaurants that have been reviewed, or fast-food places. You’re not near a theatre or other entertainment venues.

Nothing is nearby, so you need to plan and budget and

be prepared to drive long distances.

Nieuwoudtville is such a place.

We are not too far from Vredendal (70km), and Cape Town is only 350km away. We have shops that meet all your basic needs: a garage, a co-op, a butchery and a grocery shop. We know every possible delivery service and are past masters at getting a lift. We have perfected the art of asking, begging, manipulating and organising to have items from afar delivered to us. Family, friends, and friends of friends help where they can – much to the appreciation of the receivers.

Here, we bake and cook and prepare our own meals. We