paternoster views
Bus Stop Reunion
Friends traveling back to Paternoster, a year after their last visit, were so exited to see the changes that have been made to the town.
The best is represented in the photo of all of them sitting in the bus stop at the entrance to Hopland. The first showing the bus stop in it's previous state and then taken this week, September 2024, the completely transformed bus stop.
Nigel, Craig and Blondie (the beautiful 4 legged blonde) had the privilege of meeting Cindy, who coordinated the facelift and got to share this image with her.
The true spirit of Paternoster residents is fast becoming "BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE"
Paternoster West Coast
7 Days in Kliprug
The 7 days in my life with Kliprug, Paternoster's people and the absolute crown artist Lizbie Lourens who believed in my ability to paint on walls.
What a wonderful experience and privilege to be part of this fantastic project, to make Paternoster beautiful and everyone to be part of a peace-loving town on the beautiful West Coast.
Adrian Venter, your photos that inspired all these paintings on the cold cement speak volumes of your love for everything here, thank you very much.
Cindy Krischker Saville, such a special person who runs a big project like this. Thank you too for being the person I got to know as "she is worth gold for this village of ours"
It was freezing cold with children holding concerts all day and playing in the sand around us, but it's nice here❣️
And all the other painters too, you are awesome!
Grateful does not adequately describe how I feel here today.
Paternoster West Coast
Own backyard, South African Break Aways
While my brother and his family from the UK are visiting us in sunny South Africa, it is almost mandatory that we drive to the beach every day.
Because the coastal towns on the West Coast are located so close to each other, we visited two of these seaside villages on one day. Paternoster is only a 30-minute drive from Langebaan, while Jacobsbaai is just around the corner from Langebaan with a 20-minute drive.
Paternoster is one of the oldest fishing villages on the West Coast of South Africa. Paternoster means ‘Our Father’, the first two words of the Lord’s Prayer in Latin and taking its name from the heartfelt prayers of shipwrecked Portuguese sailors.
While the family lay on the beach (and every now and then went for a quick swim to cool off), Berto and I went for a walk on the white 8km long beach.
It’s a beautiful pristine beach and one we don’t visit too often when we’re in Langebaan. The reason for this is probably because we are spoiled for choices when visiting the West Coast.
As we walked, we saw a man (Robert) approaching with two large animals (Irish Wolf Hounds). Because there are horse rides on the beach, we thought it might be two ponies. Great was our surprise, however, when they approached and two very large dogs calmly walked past us.
After about an hour in the sun we decided it was time for a light lunch and something cool to drink. Mondvol Koffiewinkel (translated to ‘Mouthful Coffee shop’) is perfectly located on the outskirts of Paternoster. The food was top notch, the coffee the best we’ve ever had and the service excellent – what a great way to end our day in Paternoster.
Paternoster
The seaside village harbouring grit and glamour
For us modern-day landlubbers, it's difficult to imagine the treacherous voyages sailors once took. But their relief must have been immense when they saw the coastal village of Paternoster. Enshrined in maritime lore, its name comes from the prayers of Portuguese sailors. In Latin, Paternoster means “Our Father” – and these words were on the lips of seamen crossing the ocean, facing shipwreck or fortune.
Today, you can embark on a trip here with much less risk of scurvy. Escape to this West Coast fishing village two hours from Cape Town, and immerse yourself in an oasis from the city.
Paternoster is world-famous for its lobster, and at one point fishermen canned and exported them to Paris. Colourful boats bring in the day’s catch, and their bounty is distributed to local families, restaurants, and fisheries.
The Paternoster Hotel houses a unique history. Its pub once served as a prison, but these days the Panty Bar is known for its unusual decor. Pairs of underwear stream from the ceiling in what began as the hotelier’s collection of ‘honeymoon panties’.
A five-kilometre drive from the village leads to the Cape Columbine Lighthouse, one of the last to be manually operated. Climb your way to the top and marvel at the unparalleled view. This lighthouse is usually the first to be seen by ships coming in from Europe, a landmark signalling that their journey is nearing its end.
Stay in rustic accommodation with Sea Shack or Die Opstal Cottages along the coastline. These pristine beaches are made for long strolls, bird-watching, and spotting whales and dolphins.
Learn to make quirky ceramic art at Stone Fish Studio, where weekend sculpture courses are run with out-of-town visitors in mind.
Indulge in fresh seafood and fine dining at Wolfgat, the 2019 Restaurant of the Year award winner. This 20-seater eatery comprises local staff with no formal training, and the head chef forages from the surrounding area to plate up truly homegrown meals. For a more casual meal, head to The Noisy Oyster.
In this sleepy haven layered with history and authenticity, sit back, relax, and unwind
Paternoster West Coast
The Weskus is the Beskus
The Cape West Coast (Weskus) is a place awe-inspiring, jaw-droppingly beautiful, and so magical, you would need weeks to take it all in. Stretching from Malmesbury to the border of the Northern Cape at Touws River. The Cape West Coast is best known for its beautiful beaches and the quaint, towns that populate the region and the beautiful sight of the wild flowers in spring.
The West Coast coastline is nothing short of picturesque. You won’t know if you’re really in South Africa or actually on a Greek island. Definitely enjoy the white beaches and turquoise waters, but be sure to also venture inland.
Towns such as Langebaan, Lambert’s Bay, Paternoster, Jocobsbaai, Saldanha have all become a home-away-from-home for many Western Cape locals and are havens for those looking to escape the city.
The area offers diverse scenery from calm turquoise ocean, magnificent sand dunes to incredible sandstone rock formations. The Cederberg is known for its harsh rocky outcrops, and the Rocklands Climbing area is a tick-box for any active climber – rookie or veteran – looking to test his skills.
