In the thirty years that we have lived in Port Elizabeth, we could probably count the number of times we have been to Kings Beach on one hand. The reason being that we have always gone to other beaches. Today I felt the need to go for a walk and while Sue was busy preparing for an exhibition, I took a stroll on Kings Beach and had such a good time, it could become one of my favourite places.
Time to take a break from climbing bell towers and checking out the view and have some dinner. Tonights choice is Aviators Pub and Grub, which is located in Allister Miller Drive alongside the Airport. It has a distinct aviation feel and atmosphere and serves a great steak.The aircraft is an Impala MkI. It was used as a trainer in the SA Airforce but has long since pensioned off.
This is a multi-tasking tower. It is a bell tower, a monument, and a clock tower. This latter function was not working too well until recently, as the clocks had stopped. Because watchmakers are becoming a very rare breed, and maintaining large clocks like this is an expensive business, the City Council battled to sort out the problem. Luckily the funds and expertise finally came together and the clocks are now running like.... well.... clockwork! Here is the mechanism that…
Back at the Campanile, no longer looking outwards, but upwards. We were very lucky to be allowed into the bell tower, so we can share with you views which few people have seen.The Campanile boasts 23 bells, the most in any tower in South Africa (the next one in Gauteng has 10). It is an extremely tight fit up there, even trying to stitch pictures together is impossible, so we can't really show them all, but they are lovely. I…
Another picture taken at Homeleigh farm (see yesterday) as the sun went down. The little wooden tower is part of the kid's play area.
We still want to show you a few pix in the Campanile series, but my laptop is caput, so until it is fixed they will have to wait. So let's go for a stroll in the country instead.On the outskirts of town are several areas of small holdings and small farms. One enterprising owner along the KraggaKamma Road has turned his farm into a popular place incorporating a Touch farm, where kids can come and interact with a wide assortment…
In showing you so many images of the historic areas and beachfront on this blog, there is a danger that we could give the impression that this is a quaint holiday resort. The truth is that, despite being a delightful place to visit and live, PE is primarily an industrial city, and at the heart of the industries which drive the City's economy is the motor industry. Here, while catching our breath at the top of the Campanile, and looking…
We are still at the top of the Campanile, but looking south today towards Humewood. This freeway is a "monument" to bad town planning and there has been talk of decommisioning it, in favour of renewing the CBD. (Parts of it just hang in space, ending abruptly, because the planners took it for granted that the mosques that were in its path would be demolished, along with the rest of the South End area, in an Apartheid blitz. But spirited…
After climbing the 204 steps to the top of the Campanile, aside from being out of breath, you get a great 360 degree view of the city.This is the Westerly view, looking towards the Donkin Reserve. Prominent Port Elizabeth landmarks, from the left are: the Edward Hotel; the lighthouse, which is no longer in use; the memorial to Elizabeth Donkin (after whom Port Elizabeth is named), wife of Sir Rufane Donkin, who administered the then colony from 1820 to 1821;…
Another PE landmark, this roadhouse has been around as long as I can remember. It is one of the few old fashioned drive-in restaurants still around (the new breed of franchise drive thrus is somehow not quite the same.) This is the good old "flick lights for service" type, and as a bonus, it is situated on the beach with a spectacular view across the bay. Softserve anyone?