Author: fitravel

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The Noordhoek dune field

Standing at the view point on Marine Drive close to Noordhoek looking back at Cape Recife you can see a section of sand dunes in the middle of the coastline.  These dunes form part of the Noordhoek dune field, one of three driftsand bypass systems that used to take sand into Algoa Bay.  The other two are the Drifsands and Cape Recife dune systems.The main sand bypass, known as Dritsands, covered the whole area between Schoenmakerskop and Summerstrand.  In the…

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06/03/2016
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Wildside’s rocky coastline

Port Elizabeth's southern coastline is generally referred to as the Wildside.  The coastline is stunning on the best of days, but if the prevailing south-westerly really pumps and the rollers break white water on the mostly rocky coastline, then it's no surprise why it's called the Wildside.

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05/03/2016
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You better not come any closer

My yard seems to be a bit of a magnet for paper wasps (South African Paper Wasp - Polistes marginalis) with about three or four nests all around the house.  I know a couple of Geocachers who would be able to tell you all about the fact that unlike honey bees that only sting once, the paper wasp can inflict multiple stings.  The nest is built by a queen who lays the first eggs.  As these hatch and grow up…

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05/03/2016
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Snorkeling at Humewood Slipway

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCzHbEcB_U4&w=500&h=400]Check out this awesome video Keith Hamilton shot while snorkeling around the six pillars of the old Humewood slipway.  Just shows that we have some stunning snorkeling spots along our coastline with this one being right here on the main beachfront.

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04/03/2016
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Off the beaten track

Everybody should head off the beaten track at some stage or another. Stop in the middle of a Karoo dirt road and switch off the engine. Get out and stand in the middle of the road.  Feel the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair.  Listen to the cecadas with no car noise in ear shot. Smell the Karoo vegetation.  Watch the clouds move across the blue sky.  Can you taste it? What can it be?  Freedom.…

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03/03/2016
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Then and Now: St Peters Church (ruins)

When the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship was in the PE Harbour a few weeks ago I took a drive to the St Peters Church ruins in South End as it has a great view of the harbour.  It's been a year or two since I've last been there so I took a walk around the ruins and snapped a few pictures.  I found this old picture of St Peters with the Fishermen's Cross in front of it and decided to…

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02/03/2016
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Then and Now – Top of Whites Road

The Port Elizabeth tramway network was opened on 14 May 1881 and was initially operated horse-cars.  On 16 June 1897 the network was converted to electrical power and the system operated until it was closed on 17 December 1948.  One of the most challenging parts of the tramway network was going up Whites Road past the Opera House.  Apparently at one stage boys with buckets of sand used to throw sand on the line to give the trams more grip going up the hill.Looking down Whites Road today it's all…

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01/03/2016
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Trinder Square development

Trinder Square is the latest addition to the Route 67 public art pieces.  All around the central grassy area mosaic covered benches have been erected.  The benches have been inspired by the exposed roots of the wild fig trees growing in the park and can be used to watch the locals play soccer in the park or kids playing on the newly installed play equipment.

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29/02/2016