Relax & Savour the View
Die Blou Huis, Stilbaai Holiday Home
Front row seats to paradise…
Some historical background
Since the late 1800s and early 1900s people of the area started coming to Stilbaai for the December holidays. They came on wagons pulled by oxen loaded with food and drink and camping stuff. It took days to cover the distance from places such as Riversdale. Gradually simple holiday houses were built on both sides of the Goukou River mouth. Of course in those days Stilbaai looked very different what with all the unspoiled vegetation, snakes and other wildlife. Even the flow of the river and appearance of the mouth were altered by a few major floods.
Many of the houses along the western beach, of which Die Blou Huis is one, date from the early twentieth century. Consequently they are regarded as an intrinsic part of the history of Stilbaai. As historical buildings they fall under the protection of the National Heritage Resources Act.
This means that one needs approval from Heritage Western Cape before one can make any changes or renovations. Such changes or renovations include destroying, damaging, defacing and excavating, altering its original position, subdividing as well as changing the plan. Therefore, although these houses have been restored and refreshed, they kept their original layout, building material and look.
Die Blou Huis is built for making memories. It provides ample opportunities for whatever the stuff is your memories are made of. It has done so for more than a century and will keep on doing so for many years to come.
The Story of the Blue House
The Blue House has its own story. It was one of the first houses to be built on the Western Beach in Stilbaai in September 1913. It was built on stilts right on the sea sand. The walls and floors are made of red Swedish Oak. The cupboards for clothes were installed in 1955 and are still the same. Before then, curtains were used to cover the fronts of the cupboards. Two of the chairs on the front veranda are just as old as the house and were made from Laurel paraffin boxes. Some of the bedside tables were made in the same way. The mesh cupboard in the kitchen also dates back to the original house. Except for the front veranda, the bottom storey of the house is the authentic part of the house with the original floors which have never been replaced. The door which leads to the front veranda was the front door and the windows on the old veranda had shutters instead of windows.
Many of the poles underneath the house are still the original ones. The house has survived a number of severe storms over the years. In 1953 when two of the houses on West Beach were washed away, the Blue House remained standing. The house has always been painted blue. In 1953 the house was bought by Danie Joubert, our father and grandfather, who was a famous athlete and the world record holder for the 100 yards for 16 years. He also took part in the Olympic Games for South Africa in 1932 in Los Angeles.
We hope you will enjoy the Blue House. There is no doubt that you will need to adjust to the shape and character of this 100 year old building. It is, however, a place to enjoy and relax. If you listen carefully you will hear the house breathing with the sounds of the waves and calling out with the gulls, and when the South East starts blowing, her wailing and moaning begins. Then it is time for a good book and a duvet. When the sun starts to set over the sea and the clouds reflect in a pink colour on the water, true peace will overcome you in this special place.
Summertime in Stilbaai
In South Africa summer is roughly from October to February. In Still Bay during the months of high summer, the days are long. Dawn starts breaking well before 05:00 and nightfall comes well after 20:00. Ample time to enjoy the water, sun and sand and feel wonderfully exhausted when darkness at last envelops the town. This is when night life kicks in for those with enough energy left to pursue what Stilbaai has to offer.
At the close of day when twilight starts dimming the daylight, it is time to light that fire for the evening’s braai on the deck. And to pour your favourite drink to sip on while marvelling at the wideness of the sky, the vastness of the sea and the brightness of the stars. Quietly meditating on the adventures of the day and anticipating the taste of the steak roasting on the fire. Breathing in deeply the fresh clean sea air and reloading those expired batteries.
The weather will not be clear and perfect every day, but for those occasional overcast, windy and unpleasant days Stilbaai has a solution. These days are best spent in one of the many restaurants or interesting shops or driving around doing a little sightseeing. There never needs to be a dull moment while holidaying in Stilbaai.
Wintertime in Stilbaai
The South African winter roughly spans the months from May to August. Winter is also the rainy season in the Western Cape Province. During mid-winter the sun rises round 07:30 and round 17:30 darkness gradually begins creeping over the town. While the sun is out the days are mild, provided there is not much wind making it the perfect time to stroll along one of the four blue flag beaches. Or hiking along one of the many hiking trails around Stilbaai and Jongensfontein.
Winter rain in Still Bay often lasts for days on end making it perfect for huddling around a heater with a book or watching a movie from DStv Explora. Or visit one of the restaurants for a wholesome meal or enjoy browsing around the interesting little gift shops. At night you fall asleep with the soft sound of rain sifting down on the roof while cuddling deep under the warm covers. Some days the rain will come in the form of high winds and deafening waves hitting the beach with a fury.
From June to October the southern right whales can be spotted playing in the Bay. They migrate to South African waters annually to mate and give birth to their calves. If you are one of those brave souls out surfing no matter the weather, you can be out in the breakers enjoying some exhilarating surfing.
"A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in"
– Robert Orben