07/09/2026
Another story from one of our wonderful guests, shared as we look back on 85 years of Cavern memories. 🤍
“My dad, Al van Bastelaar, took me to The Cavern for the first time when I was about 10. Our room didn’t even have a bathroom.”
She remembers The Cavern when it was still very much a guest farm — Peter ran the dairy, vegetables were grown below the pool, and every holiday began by finding Mrs Ruth Carte to say hello and ended by finding her again to say goodbye. On one visit, she even stayed in the girls’ dormitory alongside Rhona, who would later become Peter’s wife.
Over the years, The Cavern became part of the van Bastelaar family story. Al later met Margaret, and their twin boys, James and Andy, spent many happy holidays here too. Even after the family moved across the world, they continued to return. Today, Al and Margaret’s ashes rest together on Surprise Ridge.
In 2024, when she turned 70 and was asked where she wanted to celebrate, there was only one answer. Friends and family travelled from New York, Malaga, Maastricht, London and Cape Town to celebrate together at The Cavern.
“We are very happy to see that even though a lot has changed, it still has the same magic.”
Thank you to the van Bastelaar family for sharing such a special piece of your family history with us.
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