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Dolphin’s Leap complex

Last weekend with Ironman we headed down to the beachfront to support the runners and set up our spot in front of McDonald's.  I don't think I've ever posted a picture of the Dolphin's Leap complex next to Bayworld and decided to snap a pic.  Dolphin's Leap is made up of mostly restaurants and pubs with places like Cool Bru Beach Bar, Beer Shack, Gondwana, Raasoie, Nando's and Rocomamas as well as Surf Centre surf shop.  A brand new conference…

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17/04/2016
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Opera House contemplation

While on a tour of the Opera House a week or two (jeez, it could be three already) ago, I caught my friend - and fellow tourism peep - Seekoei taking in the view of the main auditorium from the stage while in deep contemplation.  Wonder if there was a bit of a "wouldn't it be great to be on stage in front of a packed house" moment going though his head. Probably not, but still made a great picture.

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16/04/2016
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Vrystaatse Vlaktes

I have come to love the wide open spaces of the Karoo Heartland in the Eastern Cape but just haven't been able to get used to the, what we call in Afrikaans, Vrystaatse vlaktes.  Vrystaat is the Afrikaans name for the Free State, South Africa's central province while vlaktes is an very descriptive Afrikaans work for wide open spaces stretching for miles.  The wide open spaces, or vlaktes, of the Free State is very different from that of the Karoo Heartland.…

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15/04/2016
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Nelson Mandela Bay – The place I call home.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOjV06tAIak&w=500&h=400]Earlier in the week I came across this awesome YouTube video on Facebook posted by Renaldo Gouws.  Renaldo is well known for his political related comments but this time he sent his drone up to show off this beautiful place he (and I) call home.  This particular video shows off a bit of the Kings Beach area and it would be great to see similar videos from him in future.

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15/04/2016
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Remembering the Slagtersnek hangings

If you are flying along in a northerly direction through the Karoo Heartland on the N10, the main drag between Port Elizabeth and Cradock, do slow down a bit after you pass the first turnoff to Somerset East and keep a look out on the right hand side of the road for a cenotaph like monument.  Once spotted, do pull over and have a look as this is a very significant spot in the early history of the area.I'm not…

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14/04/2016
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Sparkling and blue at McArthur’s pool

No doesn't that just look inviting?  And before somebody comments about the fact that the water is probably cold because there are all those people on the side and nobody in the pool.  This was taken at the Ironkids event last weekend. The people are parents and supporters watching the kids in the water in the other pool.

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14/04/2016
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The Windpomp

The windpomp is one of the icons of the Karoo Heartland and as part of the landscape as Karoo koppies, sheep and Angora goats and a good ol' farm gate.  But have you ever wondered where the windpomp came from and how long they've been around?The first windpumps were used to pump water since at least the 9th century in what is now Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.  They later became widespread across the Muslim world and also spread to China…

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13/04/2016
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Run dad, keep up

This is a scene that played itself off over and over at Saturday's Ironkids event.  Fathers doing the run leg along with their kids (often with mothers a few steps behind).  But if it only was as easy as it sounds.  Most of us huffed and puffed along carrying bags and cameras, taking photos, encouraging the kids to keep going and sidestepping other parents and the general public along the way.  Not quite as easy (or dignified) as it sounds.…

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13/04/2016
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Supporting the Ironman runners till late

One of the main reasons we wanted to go down and support the runners along Beach Road during Ironman was to cheer on four of our friends taking part.  We parked our camp chairs in front of the McArthur pool complex and settled in for the evening. Our friend B had a tough time on the second loop of the bike so she was slightly behind the others but we decided to stick it out till she passed us the last…

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12/04/2016
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Moenie omkyk nie – the Ironman run

After we spent most of the day on Sunday supporting the Ironman cyclists we headed down to the beachfront after dinner to spent some time supporting those same Ironmen and women on their running leg.  Loved Die Burger's poster that said "Moenie omkyk nie" (Don't look back).  I don't think I saw anybody look back.  I think they are just too tired to care what is happening behind them.

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11/04/2016