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Reflections at Amsterdamhoek

In 16 December 1817 the Dutch troop carrier Amsterdam was on its way to the Netherlands on a return journey from the Dutch East Indies when it hit a fierce storm off Algoa Bay.  The wind snapped the masts and ripped the sails apart and after an eleven hour fight the captain decided to run the ship aground close to the mouth of the Zwartkops River to try and save the lives of his crew.  Only three of the 223 men…

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30/07/2013
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Art (and bric and brac) in the Park

I wonder if anybody in Port Elizabeth knows when the first Art in the Park took place?  Art in the Park has been happening in St Georges Park on the last Sunday of the month for just about forever.  Started about 33 years ago the market was initially for hand made good only but after a decline in numbers several years ago they started allowing bric and brac stalls as well.  Although its nowhere as big as it used to be, the…

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29/07/2013
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Moyo at Spier – The ultimate buffet lunch

I remember the first time I went to Spier Wine Estate after Moyo opened thinking that it so doesn't fit in with Spier and it surroundings at all.  But just walking past the outside and going inside to experience it are two totally different things and after having lunch at Moyo's the other day I have so changed my opinion.  Its the difference between Spier's Cape Dutch and colonial look and the free spirit African feel under the ancient oak trees that make the two ideal…

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29/07/2013
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Port Elizabeth – a century of being a city

Exactly one hundred years ago, on 28 July 1913, Port Elizabeth was declared a city.  It doesn't mean that Port Elizabeth is 100 years old, because its not.  Its much older than that.  The first settlement in Port Elizabeth started to develop around Fort Frederick after its completion in 1799 and it was officially named by Sir Rufane Donkin after his wife Lady Elizabeth in 1820 when he came to Algoa Bay to oversee the landing of the British Settlers.  A couple of events have been…

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28/07/2013
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Bunny hugger

Drama Princess being a real bunny hugger, literally, at Holmeleigh Farm on a recent promotional visit with Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism and Bay FM.  She absolutely adore animals, doesn't matter if it's her dogs at home, farm animals like these, the donkeys at the East Cape Horse Care Centre or wild animals on game drives at game reserves.

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27/07/2013
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Feeding sheep at Holmeleigh Farmyard

A think a lot of city kids would have benefited from growing up on a farm, being able to play outside all the time, help with the animals, ride on the tractor or the back of the bakkie and eat a lot more health rather than sit inside, watch television, play Playstation and eat junk food.  Ok, so its not that bad, but I for one think that my KidZ, and in particular Drama Princess, would have thrived on a…

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26/07/2013
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Robertson Dutch Reformed Church

 Most small towns around South Africa's histories are very closely woven into that of the church and often these towns got started because of a church.  In this case the town of Robertson in the Western Cape is no different.  In 1728 a large piece of land which fell within the very large boundaries of Swellendam district, was let to a Mr. P Joubert.  Soon farmers requiring grazing for their sheep started moving into the area, many purchasing land from…

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26/07/2013
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Rock pools

Port Elizabeth has some great rock pools to discover between Cape Recife and Sardinia Bay and then again out at Seaview.  Some are ideal for kids to explore while others are deeper gullies and pools and great for snorkeling.  Pity my wetsuit has shrunk so badly over the last couple of years...

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25/07/2013
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Installing a passion for the outdoors

When we are out and about I much rather prefer to take pictures of my KidZ doing things naturally than let them pose.  After posting yesterday's picture of Chaos Boy walking on the railway line I found another picture, this time of the KidZ during a recent walk on the Lower Guinea Fowl Trail.  I wish my folks could afford to take us to travel and explore as much when I was small.  Unfortunately that wasn't the case and I only…

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24/07/2013