Course Accomodation, Catering and Transport

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AT HEAVIN FORGE

The Heavin Forge Estate.

On-site accommodation: the "Golden Mole Conservancy Guest House" - We offer basic, shared, accommodation on the property in our extra house at R180 per person per night, self-catering for our students. Six people can be accommodated, sharing 3 rooms. All bedding, towels, cutlery, crockery etc. is provided. There is a fully equipped kitchen with a large fridge/freezer, microwave oven, stove/oven, and all the cutlery and crockery you will need. There are braai facilities as well as a wood burning oven, a Weber braai, and a smoker - bring your own wood and charcoal.  Own entrance. There is a carport for two vehicles with ample open parking within the secure garden. Evenings in the house can be spent watching our library of knifemaking DVD's.

We believe that we have the largest knife-related book and video library in the country with over 260 books and more than 60 videos.

The house has Wi-Fi.  The kitchen features a water filter.  The house also has its own generator in case Eskom lets us down!  We have beams around the perimeter of the property linked to an armed response company. We have a water pressure pump for when the town's pressure is low.

https://www.travelground.com/accommodation/golden-mole-conservancy-guest-house 

We let out our guesthouse in between our scheduled courses, but it is always reserved for our students first and will not be shared with any other guests while you are on course.  We do however have a part-time intern and house caretaker who might be here when you stay over.

Please keep in mind that Belfast is one of the highest and COLDEST towns in South Africa, so come prepared.  Not all the beds have electric blankets but there are enough hotwater bottles for everyone and plenty of blankets.

We have built on an entertainment area with a large braai and wood-fired oven, a fire pit, and a poitjie stand.  We have ample seating around the large table and you are secluded, away from the view of the road.  High walls around the courtyard also protect you from the elements. Part of the area is undercover.  We have a dartboard (and darts!)

The Golden Mole Conservancy.

Heavin Forge property. Top paddock.

We have a few acres which gives our "little piece of heaven" a country feel although we are in town, on a main road.  We are lucky enough to have a lot of special animals living with us, most of them rescues.  Horses, a donkey, dogs, geese, and chickens share our heaven with us.  It is wonderful to have some space around us.

A rare Robust Golden Mole from our garden. (Amblysomus robustus)

We are privileged enough to have one of the largest concentrations, in South Africa (and the world!) of the extremely rare variety of Golden Mole, "Amblysomus robustus", the Robust Golden Mole, on our property.  Scientists have studied our population and we protect these precious little guys and try to educate the locals as to their importance in the eco-system.  They are insect eaters, so are very valuable to have in your garden.  The mining in our area is detrimental to this vulnerable species.

The "Ladysmith" Suite.

We have separate private, self-catering accommodation with ablution facilities on site for our female students, at the same rate as the house, R180 per person per night.  A single room with a 3/4 bed, with electric blanket,  shower, toilet, basin, small fridge, microwave, and kettle.  Separate entrance but joining our main house.

Nearby alternatives - If you don't wish to stay on the property, we recommend that you contact one of the guest houses in the area. There are several options for self-catering accommodation in Belfast:

• Woody's offers self-catering accommodation in town 013 253 0952, woodysplace@mweb.co.za.
• Blue Crane Farm, 083 443 4350
• Cozy Moon Overnight Accommodation is just 1.5 kms away from us, self-catering accommodation 082 300 9090 or 082 498 2715, cozymoonbooking@gmail.com.

Should you wish to bring your family with you and would like a larger place, consider Lakenvlei 013 253 0550, 10 kms outside Belfast. There are many accommodation places in Dullstroom which is 30 kms away, please look at the two websites, www.dullstroom.co.za and www.dullstroom.biz for further information.  Due to the long hours working each day, there will not be much time to spend with your family though if they come with you.

Heavin Forge Bladesmithing Studio and School.

Food - Please bring your own food as there will be very little time for you to do shopping. If you are a vegan or have any special dietary needs, please bring your own supplies as our town has only very basic shops. If you are flying into Johannesburg and coming up by bus, we will help you with your shopping needs. Our Spar supermarket closes at 6 pm during the week and 1 pm on weekends.
Belfast has a few takeaway places in town, one of which delivers.  Kentucky Fried Chicken and Steers are at the Shell garage in town as well as a Wimpy on the N4.  Dullstroom is only 30 kms away with a variety of excellent restaurants.

Clothing - As far as the workshop goes, all you need to bring with you are clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, preferably cotton clothes for forging and closed comfortable shoes. Jeans or cotton long pants are needed for forging.  Bring warm clothes as it can get very chilly, even in summer!

Transport options - If you would like to catch a bus from the O.R Tambo airport or Lanseria airport, please phone Lime Time Shuttle, www.limetimeshuttle.co.za , 086 999 0978 or City Bug, www.citybug.co.za on 013 753 3392. They stop at the Engen/Wimpy on the N4. and we can collect you from there. We can collect you and help you with transport for your shopping.