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Crossing the Kei River by pont

Most South African travelers and road trippers have probably heard of the car pontoon at Malgas in the Overberg, but I wonder how many actually know that there is one across the Kei River in the Eastern Cape as well.  In years gone by the Great Kei River was the border between South Africa and the homeland of Transkei.  Today crossing over means leaving behind what you know and heading to a land of country side villages, friendly people, beautiful scenery, rugged…

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23/09/2014
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Varsity Cup Netball at NMMU

Last night we headed down to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Indoor Sport Centre for the last day of three days of Varsity Cup Netball.  Wow, it really is a spectacle to watch. Fast and furious.  Pity it was so badly promoted which lead to a bad turnout, but those who did come was treated to top notch netball.  Here NMMU Madibaz in blue is playing Tuks in white.

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23/09/2014
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Queen Vic

One of my absolute favorite historic buildings is the old Public Library across the road from the City Hall and Market Square.  The building was built in 1901 with the façade constructed in England and shipped to Port Elizabeth in numbered blocks to be reassembled in front of the building.  The statue of Queen Victoria was added in 1903 and completed the picture very nicely. 

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22/09/2014
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Pine Tree Emperor Moth larvae

A Geocaching outing last weekend yielded more than just a cache container.  It also resulted in an inspection and photo session of what turned out to be Pine Tree Emperor Moth larvae or commonly known as a Christmas Caterpillar.  This guy is probably the size of my index finger so I really wouldn''t want them getting into my garden.  In case you wondered where we saw it.  This one was somewhere along the Sardinia Bay road although I've also seen…

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21/09/2014
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Sunset over the Atlantic Ocean

 South Africa.  Places to go, things to do, people to meet, activities to do, food to eat and to top it off, memorable sunsets.  Like this one over the Atlantic Ocean seen from Signal Hill.  Makes you want to pour a sundowner and salute the day as well as what waits for you tomorrow.  Happy exploring.

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21/09/2014
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Citrus orchids in the Gamtoos Valley

The Gamtoos Valley in the Eastern Cape is prime citrus growing country and for city folk the rows and rows of citrus trees are always a sight to behold.  This picture was taken outside of Hankey in the valley.The citrus range from different types of oranges and easy peelers to naartjies and, in this case, lemons

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20/09/2014
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Campanile clockwork

The Campanile's carillon of 23 bells is the biggest collection of bells in one tower in South Africa.  As one climbs the 203 steps to get to the top you pass the room where the clock's mechanism is in and you can see the clockwork that allows the clocks to play its tune.

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20/09/2014
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Karoo Heartland Churches

Looking through everything I have that still needs to be posted I decided to take three Karoo churches and make up one Random... Karoo churches post.  Just about every small town in the Karoo Heartland of the Eastern Cape has a remarkable church of some sort.  Cradock must have one of the most memorable Karoo Heartland churches there are.  It stands at the top of Church Street and is known as the ``Mother" Church.  The church was completed in 1868 on the same site as the…

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19/09/2014
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Happiness – Penguin video

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/FbSs1B58Mis&source=udsLibby Sharwood of SAMREC once asked me if I have ever seen anybody look sad while watching a penguin.  One just can't help smiling around them and I though this video by Mauricio Oliveira that I discovered on YouTube is very appropriate to that and ideal for this week's Friday video. 

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19/09/2014
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Zuurkop viewsite in Addo

One of the best view sites in the Addo Elephant National Park is from the top of Zuurkop.  Its one of the spots in the park where one is allowed to get out of your car although you still need to be vigilant as its no a fenced area.

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18/09/2014