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PARIS OF THE VELD
Get out and about in Parys
See activities links at right
Parys is a delightful small town which has become a
tourism centre. It offers scenic walks and rides on easy roads which can be
selected to avoid traffic. With its quiet riverside lanes and old irrigation
community grid of roads, the town has historic appeal and contains many old
buildings.
Because of its restful atmosphere,
Parys attracts artists, designers and writers.
A visit to the water reservoir overlooking the town offers a good
view of both Parys and its adjoining township, Tumahole. (From Otters' Haunt we organise township visits too with a guide). Parys is genuinely the “Paris” of the
veld, named by its original surveyor after the French capital. Schilbach was a
German who had fought in the Franco-Russian war of-1870 – 1871. The Vaal river
somehow reminded him of the Seine! At “Petit Paris” (little Paris) on Carl
Preller avenue (F-G) the famous Crater Cruise mountain bike race ends where an
Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomf and Obelisk are to be seen.
Irrigation grid
The large grid of squared-off roads to the west side of the town (C-F-D) mark
what was formerly irrigation plots with vegetable gardens and cultivated fields.
Some of the old houses that stood on those plots have been renovated as suburban
houses today. A remnant of those years at the turn of the 19th century and later
is the tradition of the “Lyvoor” (free water that runs in the gutters, carefully
controlled by the municipality). Houseowners can tap off what they need for
their gardens.
River
It’s pleasant to ride along the riverside (B, J-K), admiring the properties that
look over the Vaal. Parys was, and remains, a retirement village with many old
age homes in the suburbs. Down at the river, properties are changing hands for
millions as Gautengers move in to invest or buy holiday homes.
First People
A few remaining Bushmen or Khoi have been seen living as tramps amongst the
scraggly bluegum forest near the town cemetery (near C). The Bushmen are the
tragic last remnants of the hunter bands who roamed the Bergland and plains in
centuries gone by and became a "problem" to later tribes and farmers because of
their habit of treating stock as fair game- and were hunted themselves.
Afrodome
At the top end of Allenby Street (C-D) is the vetinerary hospital and over the
road, the Afrodome, one of the largest indoor stadiums in the Southern
hemisphere. Over weekends there is usually activity, and at certain times of the
year, horse shows are held here. Ride in and ask around for what is happening.
Town sights
The suspension bridge at K was built in 1919, replacing the ferry, and is high
enough to avoid floodwaters. Interesting historical sites when you visit Parys include the main Ned Geref
church, built in 1899. Its tower was used by British forces to spy out Boer
guerillas and call down the artillery on them. Also see the tiny Anglican
Church, built of blue granite by the Brittish. There is a war memorial in front
of the town hall, and the Parys museum which is run by a group of residents but
lacks funding.
Art & antiques
Many elegant old pieces of furniture are finding their way onto the market,
restored or just as they were, as platteland families sell off the family
heirlooms and move to the cities. The main street of Parys is a dragstrip of
coffee bars, knick-knack and home industry outlets, estate agents, and museums
and art galleries.
Staying at Otters' Haunt
As our guests, at Otters’ Haunt, the Full Moon Bush Cabins and iLekwe
Cottage, we would like you to feel you have the run of the place. We are
situated in a secluded part of the Vaal, protected from noise and motorboats by
islands and rocky channels. The bridge to the islands is above water at most
times and you are welcome to cross to the island trails. The deck is always
available for birdwatching, dawn visits, and sundowners - you can even arrange
to sleep out there. Relaxed canoeing and whitewater rafting the river are
arranged through Reception. There is a wireless-enabled Internet connection at
the Heron’s Nest Conference Room. And we have a standing slide show all about
what to do and see in the Vredefort Dome.
 Eating out, culture and much more
Ask about restaurants in town, antique and art shops, township shebeens and
tours of the district. The annual Potchefstroom Aardklop Arts Festival, each
Spring, is the biggest cultural event of its kind in the country. Parys hosts
horse shows and the annual Crater Cruise mountain bike race – the biggest in SA.
Professionally led excursions
BLAST Talks & Trails offers a range of presentations, outing and route guides
to the Vredefort Dome area. Please contact us about your needs and interests,
and we will draw up a quote. We normally begin with a presentation and map
briefing in our conference room where videos and slides are shown, to orientate
you to the area. After that, you have the choice of driving, hiking,
mountainbiking, or paddling to see more – it all depends on you. Excursions can
be organised for groups as small as 1 or 2 or as large as 20, and can range from
3 hours to 2 days.
Also visit our websites:
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I'm
a writer of popular science and technology books and
articles, a former Professor of Communication whose
hobby is now "backyard astronomy" with history thrown
in! I'm a keen mountain-biker and kayaker, so the
Dome and Vaal River are my playground.
I'm
a former teacher who has worked with Graeme on many
aspects of science & local history research, and I have
got to know the Dome by preparing the maps and data used
in our various presentations. My passions are mountain
running and education. I manage Otters' Haunt.