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FINALLY!!!! Inside Fort Frederick

We have whinged in the past about the ridiculous situation in which one of the city's major tourist attractions is almost impossible to see because it remains locked most of the time. Those tasked with opening it somehow never get round to doing so, and complaints to the powers that be elicit a nonchalant "we'll look into it" response. However, on Friday we decided to try again and EUREKA it was open. So here is a view from inside Fort…

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14/09/2008
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height restriction

In a city characterised by short sighted and often environmentally disastrous town planning policies for much of its history, it is almost a surprise to acknowledge one really good decision that was made in our past, and has largely been adhered to. A height restriction was imposed on all buildings at the bottom of the hill in front of the Donkin Reserve, so that from up there one can still enjoy views of the sea and harbour. As this is…

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13/09/2008
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donkin sunrise

The flagpole in front of the Donkin Lighthouse and Pyramid, at sunrise. To the left in the distance is the Brick Campanile, erected in honour of the 1820 settlers.

18 Comments
12/09/2008
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Baakens Valley – the power of protest

We recently carried a series of photos taken at the upper end of the Baakens River Valley. This picture was taken near where the Valley enters the harbour.I am not sure that many people in the city know why this part of the Settlers Freeway has been left hanging over the Baakens Street, just before the old PE Tramways Building. It was to be the on ramp for a freeway that was to be built through the Baakens Valley but…

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11/09/2008
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Heritage

Last week the National Heritage Symposium was held in Port Elizabeth, in the old Drill Hall. The room was full of people who are passionate about preserving the heritage of the country, and the discussions were really interesting. Although, to be honest, I left with the uncomfortable feeling that much the same gets said year after year, and that the absent key players and grey areas mean that the same thing will be said again next year, with few tangible…

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08/09/2008
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Ellie Interaction

I am leaving today for an exhibit in South America called South Africa Explore. On 9 September we will be in Sao Paulo, Brazil and on 11 September in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The exhibit is aimed specifically to promote South Africa as a tourist destination and in our case to try and get visitors to come to Port Elizabeth (actually the whole metropolitan area of Nelson Mandela Bay) and the Eastern Cape. I may not have the opportunity to do…

7 Comments
05/09/2008
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Good ol’ Church Fate

Tonight we had our annual kerk basaar (church fate). It normally is a big occation with everybody streaming. Most popular are the pancakes. People stand in long lines to get what I call church pancakes. Not like the one's I make at home. No, each one is perfect. The men have been braaiing (barbecueing) since early afternoon and hamburger patties, sosaties (kibabs) and boerewors (farm style sausage) are sizzling over the coals. The cakes have been baked, the pudding made…

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05/09/2008
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aftermath

The sea wall between Sidon Street and Mount Road was badly damaged by this weeks huge waves, large chunks of concrete were tossed onto the railway lines.As you can see these Municipal workers have a massive task ahead of them!

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05/09/2008