While out on a paddle boat on the dam during our return visit to the Montagu Caravan Park in December, I heard a couple of birds calling in the reeds. On closer inspection it turned out to be a mother Red Knobbed Coot and two chicks. The Red-knobbed Coot or Crested Coot, (Fulica cristata), is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is a resident breeder across much of Africa and in southernmost Spain and normally…
Everybody (well I hope everybody) in Port Elizabeth knows that if you are into filter coffee, THE place to buy your coffee is Masterton's in Russell Road. In actual fact, Masterton's coffee is available just about all over South Africa and is served in a lot of hotels and restaurants. There is nothing like going to the Masterton's shop to buy your coffee directly and smell the coffee being roasted, a smell you get even when you just drive by in your car. Masterton's…
The Maitland Nature Reserve's 9km trail is one of Port Elizabeth's lesser known trails. I got to do it for the first time a little while ago and although it was very overgrown (not sure if its been cleared yet) I really enjoyed it. Most of the trail goes through indigenous bush and coastal forest with great views of the Maitland dune and coastline at the turning point.
I was part of a very delightful and well supported art walk which visited a number of art galleries around Central. The Eye on Art television crew accompanied us on the walk to film it as an insert. Eye on Art is a weekly interactive, lifestyle magazine show on Bay TV, specialising on the art scene through the artist's eye. It broadcasts on Saturdays at 17:30 with repeats on Sundays at 12.30pm, Tuesdays at 7pm & Wednesdays at 11am. Bay TV can be seen free to air…
The Dutch Reformed Church in Montagu is one of the towns most prominent buildings and was built in 1862. A very interesting fact that few people in the town probably know is that the church was originally painted white but after various complaints that the sun reflecting off it was blinding people too much it was painted creamy yellow. I wanted to try something else with the picture and applied a HDR effect to it. What do you think?
Route 67 has some very interesting art pieces with each one representing something specific. The Fishbone sculpture on Market Square reconnects the city's Central Business District with the Port Elizabeth Harbour's fishing industry which has been a very important aspect of the city in the past and still presently. The group in the background of the picture was a tour of Route 67 that I was part of. One of the participants was Kathy of Dempsey's Guesthouse in Walmer who did…
The Leidam in Montagu in the Western Cape must be one of the best places in the area to do bird watching. From the bird hide next to the road one can get great views and photographs of particularly sacred ibis and egrets with herons and weavers also around. Due to the big amount of birds around the dam there is a bit of an ... odor in the air, but the quality of the sightings makes more than up…
The view down onto Govan Mbeki Road (Main Street) from the third floor of the historic Fisher's Building in downtown Port Elizabeth. The St Mary's Cathedral is in the centre of the picture and the City Hall on the left.
Imagine my surprise when I heard a tune from my childhood coming down the road the other day. Not 80's pop music or anything from a kiddies tv show but the hi-pitched, slightly more than monotone tune of a ice cream truck combi. I have seen one around town but it was the first time it drove around my neck of the woods. Looking out the window more memories came flooding back as all the neighbourhood kids came running to…
Tourists visiting the Port Elizabeth townships are always amazed at the ladies selling traditional medicines and remedies in Njoli Square. They items they sell covers everything from cures for common ailments to little bundles of what is commonly known as Bushman's bedding which is burned to chase evil spirits away. There is even a drink to strengthen your ... Lets just call it a natural Viagra drink.