river/stream

Uncategorized

Crossing the Kei River by pont

Most South African travelers and road trippers have probably heard of the car pontoon at Malgas in the Overberg, but I wonder how many actually know that there is one across the Kei River in the Eastern Cape as well.  In years gone by the Great Kei River was the border between South Africa and the homeland of Transkei.  Today crossing over means leaving behind what you know and heading to a land of country side villages, friendly people, beautiful scenery, rugged…

1 Comment
23/09/2014
Uncategorized

Umzimvubu River mouth in Port St Johns

I finally got to visit Port St Johns on the northern Wild Coast.  It wasn't a case of not wanting to do it before but rather one of never being in the area.  My visit was very brief though as we were on our way to Durban and still had a few stops to make so my Port St Johns experience consisted of stops at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River and Second Beach.  It was impossible to get the whole…

1 Comment
07/07/2014
Uncategorized

The old Gamtoos River Bridge

When the first Dutch farmers arrived in the Kouga and Gamtoos region they had to travel upstream some distance to cross over the Gamtoos River. In the mid 1800's a pontoon was used to convey traffic across the Gamtoos River.  The ferry was close to the Gamtoos River Hotel, and was owned by the late Mr. G. D. Smith, of Nocton Farm.  The problem was that this very primitive method of crossing a broad tidal river was frequently a source of much annoyance and delay, owing…

1 Comment
03/07/2014
Uncategorized

The Goukamma River

On my way to Cape Town recently I decided to grab a couple of Geocaches, one of them a cache called Back Stab Bridge just west of Knysna.  The cache was situated close to the turnoff to Buffels Bay next to the old road and took me to this beautiful spot. And that is where the caching reference to this post stop.  While cars were flying by on the N2, I could stand on the old bridge and enjoy the beauty…

1 Comment
10/06/2014
Uncategorized

The Map of Africa at Wilderness

One of the most extraordinary scenic view points on the Garden Route must be the one above Wilderness of the Kaaimans River flowing below.  As the river makes it's way through the valley towards the sea it forms the outline of the map of Africa.  In the photo part of the Kaaimans Pass can be seen on the left hand side.  Getting to the lookout is fairly easy.  Just follow the road through the town and up the steep hill…

1 Comment
05/06/2014
Uncategorized

Paddling on the Groot River Lagoon

We would rather do weekends away and expose the KidZ to nature, the outdoors and as many other things as possible rather than spending all that money on Dstv every month.  Seeing Chaos Boy paddling on the Groot River Lagoon at Natures Valley in his blow-up boat really put a smile on my face.  Mission accomplished for today.  What's next?

Comments Off on Paddling on the Groot River Lagoon
02/06/2014
Uncategorized

Discovering secret spots in the Tsitsikamma

Geocaching is the ideal activity for people who love to travel and discover new places.  Yes I know I've said it before and I will say so again many times in the future.  On a visit to the Tsitsikamma I went in search of a cache called Elands Delight (GCX2QF) and even though it was raining (yes we geocache come rain or shine) I was very keen to find it.  The coordinates took me onto the old road a couple of…

1 Comment
21/04/2014
Uncategorized

Swartvlei

The area between Sedgefield and Wilderness on the Garden Route is known as the lakes district with five lakes found here.  The biggest of these lakes is Swartvlei just to the west of Sedgefield.  Swartvlei is the only one of these lakes that embraces a lake, lagoon and estuary and is clearly divided into a fresh water section in its upper region and a salt water section in the estuarine area where the tides have an influence.  The main Swartvlei lake visible on…

2 Comments
08/04/2014
Uncategorized

The Lourensford River at Morgenster

The search for a Geocache while visiting Somerset West took me to a beautiful spot I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise.  Travelling down a narrow road I came up to a closed gate and parked the car.  Walking through a side gate this was the scene waiting for me.  Turned out to be the old entrance into Morgenster Wine and Olive Estate.  Although the property on the other side of the river was private property, this side of the river had trails running…

3 Comments
03/04/2014
Uncategorized

The chocolate water of the Great Fish

The Karoo is generally thought to be a very dry area with no water and in most cases this is true. But... And there is almost always a but.  This isn't quite true everywhere in the Karoo.  If you go and look at some places in the Karoo Heartland you will find that some parts of it is often very green.  A guy like Alan Hobson of Somerset East can even find enough dams and rivers to do Wild Fly Fishing in…

Comments Off on The chocolate water of the Great Fish
19/03/2014