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Centrestage

Over the weekend we went to see the very talented and awesome Centrestage band doing their Afrikaans show called "Rock Befonk".  The Centrestage entertainment company has been in existence for 14 years doing mostly rock related shows, but this was the first time they tried their hand at an Afrikaans production.  And I have to say: "It was good".  Here the show's female lead, Elsabe Rademeyer and Centrestage musical director, Wayne Kallis are doing Liani Mey and Jay (from Eden)'s "Toe stop my hart".

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09/11/2010
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Karoobos and Hofmeyr Museum

On the corner that the main road makes through the little town of Hofmeyr stands a big green "lady" that beckons you to a building that serves a welcoming ginger beer and koeksister to travellers through the Karoo.  Karoobos is what we would call in Afrikaans a real "plattelandse padstal" (country road stall).  They don't just serve the most delicious meals but also sell jams, homemade products and antiques.In the back of the building visitors would find the Hofmeyr Museum.  The…

7 Comments
09/11/2010
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Wholesome Market

On the first Saturday of every month the Wholesome Market takes place at Holmeleigh Farm out on Kragga Kamma Road.  The market started out with a bang towards the latter part of last year and seem to have now settled down into its own rhythm.  Not as big as it was in the beginning, the market still has a very nice blend of hand made items and food products catering for both young and old.  There is also activities for…

5 Comments
08/11/2010
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Hofmeyr

A side view of the Hofmeyr Post OfficeHofmeyr is a typical little Karoo town.  Imposing old Dutch Reformed Church keeping an eye over mostly dusty streets and a proud but struggling farming community.  Situated roughly halfway between Cradock and Steynsburg, the town with its less than 2000 people lies at an altitude of 1252 meters and in the heart of a once flourishing sheep farming district.  The town was founded in 1873 and, initially named Maraisburg, renamed Hofmeyr in 1911.  It was named in…

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08/11/2010
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Protea bug

When I was doing a bit of research for the post on Pin Cushion Proteas, I found the following information: "Proteas aren't self-pollinating and depend on the small scarab beetles and the birds for pollination."  Now I don't think this little dude sitting on the King Protea is a scarab beetle, but if he does the job who am I to question what he's doing there.

4 Comments
07/11/2010
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Bonsai Show

If you know the hilarious yet irritating Annoying Orange on YouTube then you may know that he refers to his friend Little Apple as Midget Apple.  Well, if that is the case then I visited a very interesting exhibit of midget trees on Saturday.  The Eastern Province Bonsai Society hosted their annual Bonsai Show in the Walmer Town Hall here in Port Elizabeth this weekend.  I find bonsai trees very interesting and for years now I've had all the good…

11 Comments
07/11/2010
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Grave Search #4

This is the last of the Grave Search posts that I have at the moment. I have one more grave that I'm struggling to find, but will post that as soon as I find it. The request read as follows:"One of my wife's distant ancestors is buried in that cemetery, and I wondered how easy it would be to get a photograph of his grave. James Hancock was born on 1 May 1776 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England. He married Ann…

2 Comments
06/11/2010
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Bay FM

Every now and then I get the opportunity to participate in the regular tourism slot on Bay FM every Friday morning between 11 and 12.  I wanted to be a radio presenter when I was in school so I have to say that I'm really enjoying it when I get the chance to go on air.  Bay FM is a community radio station that broadcasts on 107.9 FM in and around Port Elizabeth.  Folks outside the broadcast area can listen to Bay…

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05/11/2010
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Pin Cushion Proteas

We headed out to the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve west of Port Elizabeth the other day and found lots of Pin Cushion Proteas (Leucospermum cordifolium) in flower.  Caroline has pointed me to the PlantZAfrica website which has great information on South African plants and flowers. Pin Cushion Proteas are part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, better known as the Fynbos biome.  The Cape Floral Kingdom is indemic to South Africa and found mainly between the Cape West Coast area and Port Elizabeth.  The…

8 Comments
05/11/2010
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Morning reflection

A couple of early morning Port Elizabeth beachfront strollers taking a break while enjoying the morning sun reflecting off the sea next to Shark Rock Pier at Hobie Beach.Visit Skywatch for more picture of the sky (or in this case the sky reflecting somewhere)

8 Comments
04/11/2010