Picture this. The R60 between Robertson and Worcester in the Western Cape. Kinda in the middle of nowhere. Nothing in sight other than the remains of an old railway station Two guys park next to the road and dash across, climb through an old fence, hop over the railway line and run of into the bushes and fynbos. Moments later they emerge and start walking back to the car. What do you make of this? For most regular folk it would probably…
The town of Ashton is situated on the Robertson Valley close to the start of Route 62. As one drives along this road between Worcester and the Klein Karoo there is a steam locomotive on the left about halfway through town. Heading down to Cape Town I made a quick stop to have a look and with the sun heading to the horizon I snapped this picture. The locomotive is a No 2010 class 14 CRB and was designed and built by the…
Most small towns around South Africa's histories are very closely woven into that of the church and often these towns got started because of a church. In this case the town of Robertson in the Western Cape is no different. In 1728 a large piece of land which fell within the very large boundaries of Swellendam district, was let to a Mr. P Joubert. Soon farmers requiring grazing for their sheep started moving into the area, many purchasing land from…
Usually you would see a chicken, and in particular one who doesn't lay eggs, on top of a church spire. Every now and then you do encounter a different one and that was the case with this angel weather vane on top of the Dutch Reformed Church in Robertson in the Western Cape. Visit Skywatch for some more neck cranking pictures of the sky from all over the world
I haven't done a Random ... post for ages and these two church towers have cropped up, ideal for a Random Church Towers post. Roberston Dutch Reformed Church tower Montagu Dutch Reformed Church tower
Driving along the wine farms between Robertson and Bonnievale recently there were a lot of orchards with Kanna flowers growing between it and the road. I know in some areas they plant roses next to the orchards to warn the farmer of deceases but I'm not sure if the Kannas are for the same purpose or just to look beautiful. Because they did look beautiful if nothing else.
Most international visitors to South Africa know and get to visit the wine routes around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, yet there are others as well. One such wine route, which the locals indeed know of, is situated around the towns of Robertson and Bonnievale with some super wine estates along the Breede River. The picture was taken on the R317 between the two towns.
Anybody who has driven along the R60 between Swellendam and Worcester cannot in good faith claim that they haven't seen the family of straw people next to the road just outside Robertson. I put it like that cause there is just no way that you can miss the 3 meter high Mr and Mrs Straw with their kids next to the road. So what are they doing there? They're a gimmick to draw attention to the Affie Plaas farm stall.Affie…
There is probably no better way to enjoy the Viljoensdrift wines than leisurely cruising along the Breede River on a sunny day. The Viljoensdrift wine estate offers one hour cruises up and down the river from their shop and tasting area on the farm and although we're not wine lovers (and you don't have to actually drink wine to go on the cruise), we decided to go for the outing.The boat seats about 40 people and most of our fellow passengers bought wine…
While visiting the town of Montagu we didn't really venture through Cogmanskloof into the Robertson Valley area and rather explored our immediate surroundings. One morning we did decided to venture through the kloof with our camping neighbours and ended up at Viljoensdrift Wine Estate near Bonneyvale for a river cruise on the Breede River. We had about an hour or so to wait (or waste, which ever word rocks your boat) before the cruise departed so while the women and children sat out on…