Always Homestay

Irene’s cosy home offers visitors a wonderful experience with exceptional hospitality.  There are three rooms, each with a single bed, and Irene is known to put fresh forest flowers next to the beds, and sprinkle oils on the pillow for a wonderful night’s sleep.  

Breakfast could be a range of cereals, pap, bread, fried eggs, bacon, tomato and coffee and tea.  There is no electricity, so dinner is by candlelight, gas or paraffin lamps.  The food is cooked over a wood and gas stove.  Dessert usually includes Irene’s delicious homemade canned fruit.  After dinner, guests can sit and chat a little, listen to the stories and history of the area, and learn about the lives of the people in Covie.  Aunt Irene has lived in Covie all her life. She resisted the government's attempts to squeeze the Covie community out by cutting services and reducing employment opportunities. Aunt Irene continued to live in Covie and brought her two children up there. She lived off small-scale agriculture. She was responsible for lodging the Covie claim and for fighting for restoration of the Covie rights.

An early morning bird-watching walk is an option for those interested, and so is a visit to the vegetable gardens that Aunty Irene gave to the community.  Irene is also a practising midwife.

There is no bath, but warm water is provided in basins for washing.  There is a long drop outside toilet that is kept immaculately clean.  Always offers visitors the opportunity to experience the true lifestyle of the local people.  

 This poem is about childhood memories, and cannot be translated without losing its meaning.

"Ek hoor die geklets"

"Ek hoor die geklets van voëls
Ek ruik vuur brande
Ek onthou my eerste verskalf
Wat so mooi was
Ek onthou toe ek my ma se looftwak
In my tand moes sit
Pas se eerste ryperd se naam, Kollet,
En buin perd
Geur van versgebakte rooster brood
Hoor my moeder se gebed
Ruik die dooie kalwers in die bos
Jy moet die moed he, om te voel,
Ek voel aanwesigheid van slange
Beesmis en varkmis
Hoor my moeder se gebed."