Travel Blog

Uncategorized

Motherwell storm water canal

The Swartkops River has huge pollution problems which emanates mainly from polluted water that flows into the system from storms water canals containing raw sewerage and many tons of litter and waste.  One of these are the Motherwell storm water canal which can be seen close to the start of the Flamingo Trail.  Its truly sad to see such an important wetlands area polluted in this way and although there are plans in place to counter it, there are a lot…

1 Comment
26/10/2013
Uncategorized

Wildflower Reserve trails

The Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve is looking stunning at the moment with loads of Pin Cushions and King Proteas in flower.  We went for a short walk through the reserve and eventually Drama Princess and I fell so far behind the Damselfly and Chaos Boy cause she kept on stopping to look at flowers and ask questions about them and other things we saw.  I didn't mind though because it gives me a good excuse to snap some pictures as well. …

2 Comments
25/10/2013
Uncategorized

Orchard rainbow

An afternoon shower washed off the dust of a day exploring the Gamtoos Valley along some dirt back roads.  As the sun came out we went for a walk through the citrus orchard at Nikalandershoek where we were staying and a rainbow appeared over the trees.  The perfect end to the day.

3 Comments
24/10/2013
Uncategorized

Taking the flag down

The Great Flag on the Donkin Reserve measures about 10 meters x 15 meters yet while its flying 65 meters up on the second tallest flag pole in Africa it doesn't quite look that size.  That is until it gets taken down in the evening by the Prince Alfred Guard and needs six soldiers to catch, control and return to its container.

1 Comment
24/10/2013
Uncategorized

Under the Van Stadens Bridge

I really can't reiterate how Geocaching is taking me to places where I've never been before and for somebody who has thought I've seen most places there is to see around Port Elizabeth I keep on being surprised.  Going after a couple of caches in the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve I had to follow the path linking the Forest Walk with the River Walk which took me underneath the magnificent arch bridge spanning the gorge.  I have driven over it…

5 Comments
23/10/2013
Uncategorized

Approaching with confidence

When this boytjie matures a bit more he will be a really impressive bull.  Not that he isn't already.  He's only problem is that he is an Addo bull so he will never have the huge tusks that the Kruger bulls have. 

3 Comments
22/10/2013
Uncategorized

Looking up on Route 67

The Tower Sculpture at the bottom of the Donkin Reserve is one of the more peculiar yet interesting art pieces forming part of Route 67.  The piece was designed by The Workplace Architects and acts as a beacon to announce the journey through the Donkin Reserve.  It can be found at the start of the winding path and responds to its surrounding elements using the sun and wind to bring it to life.  For this picture I stood underneath it…

5 Comments
21/10/2013
Uncategorized

Valley Thicket

South Africa boasts seven biomes or plant kingdoms and Port Elizabeth is fortunate that five of the seven occurs within the Nelson Mandela Bay metro boundary.  One of the biomes which is found largely in the Eastern Cape is the Valley Thicket Biome, previously called Valley Bushveld.  The biome is found mostly in river valleys and is characterised by dense evergreen shrub vegetation.  Closer to the coast the thicket is most dense with thorny shrubs and an undergrowth of creepers and succulent…

2 Comments
21/10/2013
Uncategorized

Hole in the wall

This is a hole in a wall and not THE Hole in the Wall as in the famous one on the Wild Coast.  But all holes have to start somewhere in some wall before becoming famous.  This one is making its debut in the old railway sheds in Uitenhage.

2 Comments
19/10/2013