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days gone by

This colourful bit of playground equipment in St George's Park is designed to commemorate the "Voortrekkers" or pioneers who opened up the interior of South Africa in the early years. It all looks entertaining and romantic from this perspective, but imagine what it must have been like for a whole family to live in this cramped space, being jolted along for months on end, heading into unknown territory, with danger on all sides. They were exceptional people.

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26/02/2009
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Hector Peterson Memorial

The Hector Peterson Memorial is situated in the heart of Soweto. Soweto is South Africa's biggest township and is part of the city of Johannesburg. Hector Peterson became the iconic image of the 1976 Soweto uprising in apartheid South Africa when a news photograph by Sam Nzima of the dying Hector being carried by a fellow student, was published around the world. The young man carrying Hector went to ground immediately after the photo was published, fled to Mozambique and…

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25/02/2009
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The Spotted Cow

I was in the upgraded Parliament Street last week, for a political meeting, (COPE, in case you are curious :) )which was held at the Spotted Cow. This is a really interesting place, a cocktail bar, with a sports bar attached, in what used to be a church hall. It still has the wooden vaulted ceiling and arched windows, but the interior has been modernised with a stainless steel mezzanine and a massive screen on the opposite wall for projecting…

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25/02/2009
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Karoo churches

For today's "Random ..." theme I decided on Karoo Churches. Most of the small Karoo towns have magnificent old churches that are well know landmarks in these towns. The Dutch Reformed Church (Moederkerk) in Cradock. Built in 1868, the design is a near replica of St. Martins-in-the-Field in Londen. The Dutch Reformed Church (Grotekerk) in Graaff-Reinet. It was built in 1885 and the design was based on the Salisbury Cathedral in England. The Reformed Church in Venterstad, built in 1876.

8 Comments
24/02/2009
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Constitution Hill

Looking up Constitution Hill, in Port Elizabeth Central. The steeple sticking up in the background is from the Hill Presbytarian Church, which we have featured before.

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24/02/2009
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Fun in the park

Take two young boys, throw some friendship, a sunny day and a jungle gym. Then mix it up with boundless energy and you get a whole lot of fun. E and C having a ball at St Georges Park.

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23/02/2009
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Angels

I am having one of those days where I don't have anything new to show and going through all my stock I can't really find something that tickles my fancy tonight. "Not good enough, boring, too plain, not artistic enough..." I'm sure you all know the feeling. So as I'm looking through all my pics and remember past travels, I encountered a couple of heavenly beings that are ideal for my "Random ..." theme. The Angel Statue (Boer War Memorial)…

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22/02/2009
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Duckpond Pavilion

If you are a cricket fan and have followed any matches played in Port Elizabeth, you will be familiar with the famous Duckpond Pavilion. It got its name from the fact that it was build next to the duckpond, in St Georges Park. Though the pond is still there the ducks have long since disappeared.

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22/02/2009
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Teddy Bear’s Picnic

Drama Princess turned 4 yesterday (Friday 20 Feb) and I am starting to shop around for a really big gun. You know the kind of gun that won't just scare would be suitors off, but will keep them away as well. Birthday parties have very much become tradition with our family. We let the kids choose what kind of party they want. This year she chose a Teddy Bear Picnic party. The kids arrived and played, jumped on the trampoline…

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21/02/2009
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Gracious old home

This gracious old home, on the corner of Newington and Dickens Streets, is now used by financial brokers. The house and all the architectural detail is beautifully maintained and it remains one of the iconic land marks of Richmond Hill.

3 Comments
21/02/2009