We joined a couple of friends for breakfast at the Wimpy in the Summerstrand Village Shopping Centre. Standing outside on the deck you can see the Piet Retief Monument in the foreground and the old Something Good roadhouse in the back. The roadhouse has stood empty for a couple of years now and extensive renovations have started on the building in the week after I took this picture. I think most people in town are very excited to see what…
Een van die mooiste kunsstukke wat deel uitmaak van die nuwe Roete 67 kuns- en kultuurroete in Port Elizabeth is die reuse mosaïek op die Donkin Reservaat. Die moasïek wat deur studente aan die Nelson Mandela Metropolitaanse Universiteit gedoen is verteenwoordig aspekte van die Ooskaap. Die sluit in diere, voëls, plante, mense en vele ander dinge. Route 67 bestaan uit 67 kunswerke wat die 67 jaar wat Nelson Mandela in die publieke oog deurgebring het verteenwoordig. Dit begin by die…
Drumming sessions is a great part of any corporate team building. At the end of last year we had a drumming session with African Drumbeat during our end of year function at Thunzi Bush Lodge. I don't want to say I was sceptical, just not sure what to expect. In the end though I was pleasantly surprised. Such an awesome activity to do with one's colleagues and once you get started you kinda wonder where you can get your hands on…
For the last couple of years we've been away from home on a camping trip over Christmas and every year tried to make something special for Christmas lunch. This year we were camping in Montagu in the Western Cape and decided to go out for Christmas lunch, but alas, by the time we were looking the few places open that day were fully booked already. "Whatever!" *imagine me saying that with my finger waving in the air* We decided rather to…
The Baakens River cuts through the middle of Port Elizabeth from its origin to the west of the city and on its way to Algoa Bay where it mouths out into the Port Elizabeth harbour. Most of the Baakens River Valley can be explored via the Guinea Fowl Trail, the trails through Settlers Park and a couple of mountain bike trails. The Baakens River has a number of tributaries, one of which originates around Overbaakens and flows part Upper Walmer before…
The Mackay Bridge in Colchester outside Port Elizabeth silhouetted against the afternoon sun, ideal for a Skywatch Friday post.
Perhaps the title of the post is a little bit misleading, but "The site of the first tree in St Georges Park which was blown over and isn't there anymore" would be a little too long. The first tree to be planted in the park was done so during the official establishment of the park in 1861. The tree blew over in 2001 with the original inscription then being moved to the municipality's park division offices in the park. We went after…
Most international visitors to South Africa know and get to visit the wine routes around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, yet there are others as well. One such wine route, which the locals indeed know of, is situated around the towns of Robertson and Bonnievale with some super wine estates along the Breede River. The picture was taken on the R317 between the two towns.
The new look Donkin Reserve is drawing a lot of people back to the area thanks to Route 67, many who haven't been there since they were kids. More tour buses are also stopping there which shows that the Donkin Reserve / Route 67 combination is truly becoming an Port Elizabeth icon and a must see when visiting the city.
Port Elizabeth has some wonderful art galleries and some outstanding coffee shops, so what would be better than to find a combination between the two. Dessie's at the Tin House on Cuyler Street in Central is one such a place. Its a delightful little coffee shop which allows local artists to exhibit (and hopefully sell) their work there. The shop is situated in an old corrugated iron house which came to South Africa from England in kit form during the 1800's.