Marico Memoirs

On the main street of Groot Marico having breakfast at the wonderful, atmospheric Marico Memoir's Bistro where Louise (from Gabarone), Jen (from Sandton) and Pauline (from Durban) have created an amazing restaurant oozing originality, ambience and I'm back here for the third time in one weekend to experience the authenticity of another of this country's hidden treasures.

Jen (see pic) tells us that she left Johannesburg about nine years ago where she was running three security companies! "The rats won," she says, before deciding this far and no further before heading out here with her young son, whom she has - wow - home schooled.

Breafast 'Benedict', which included plunger coffee, was two poached eggs and bacon on scones drowning in sumptious Hollandaise sauce (R45).

Sigh. It's almost time to begin the five hour journey back home, all along the N4. I will be back...the Groot Marico district has messed with my emotions and tugged on my sentimentality.

Marico Memoir's Bistro, Groot Marico: 014 503 0926 or memoirs@telkomsa.net

Heavy with atmosphere

There is no other place I know
that is so heavy with atmosphere,
so strangely and darkly impregnated with
that stuff of life
that bears the authentic stamp of South Africa.

- Herman Charles Bosman 'Marico Revisited', one of South Africa's best known shortstory writers, who wrote many wonderful stories about the Marico and its people.

Groot Marico is past Rustenberg, the other side of Swartruggens and on the N4 to Zeerust, then Botswana and Namibia.