Fig Tree roots

In and around St Georges Park there are several old Wild Fig Trees that has bees been around for more than 100 years.  This specific one in the park has a spectacular root system. I, for one, am glad that it doesn't stand next to my house.

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St Georges walkway

Walking down one of the paved walkways in St Georges Park towards the St Georges Park Cricket Stadium.  The part of the stadium visible is the Duckpond Pavilion which is named after the old duckpond situated under the palm tree on the left.  Unfortunately there are no ducks still living there today.

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Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum

As today is National Heritage Day here in South Africa, I want to feature the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum which is situated at the entrance to St Georges Park. The museum was opened in 1956 and was formerly known as the King George VI Art Gallery. The collections are housed in two buildings flanking the entrance to the park and consist of South African art (particularly that of the Eastern Cape), British art, international printmaking and Oriental art (including…

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Mannville open air theatre

In 1971 the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival requested that a open air theatre be developed in St Georges Park and this request was approved by the city's Parks and Recreation Committee. The driving force behind this was Bruce and Helen Mann, doyens of the theatre in PE. The theatre comprises a stage and grassed area with grassed tiers where seats are placed. It is utilised by the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival which stage their annual Shakespear play there, but is…

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St Georges Park Fig Tree

One of the old Wild Fig Trees in St Georges Park. The Wild Figs around St Georges are over 100 years old and with their wide branches and big trunks you just want to look around and search for fantasy characters lurking in its shadows. I was very interested to read this week that the municipality has plans to develop St Georges Park along with Settlers Park and Victoria Park into botanical gardens. It is something that is long overdue…

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Wagon Jungle Gym

*mumble mumble* years ago when I was still in primary school, my mom used to have a stall at Art in the Park at St Georges Park every first Sunday of the month. I remember us playing all over the park, exploring the gardens, running down the paths and climbing on the jungle gyms. The ox wagon play structure has been there forever. When we went to Art in the Park the other day I was glad to see that…

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Hospital peacocks

The peacocks at the St Georges Hospital is become an institution over the years. I'm not sure where they originally came from, but they are always found in the hospital's gardens. Sometimes they venture down towards Settlers Park, but the safe bet for them is sticking around the hospital with its security guards. Its a common sight seeing the males show off their tail feathers during breeding season, but on the day I was there nobody wanted to oblige.Footnote: Traci…

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Stalls outside St Georges

Outside the boundary of the St Georges FIFA Fan Fest but within St Georges Park, the municipality has registered and allowed quite a number of food and craft vendors to set up shop for the duration of the World Cup. For those inside the Fan Fest its a cheaper option to have lunch or dinner than to buy from the vendors with their regulated prices within. I feel a bit sorry for these vendors cause the last couple of days…

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Choppered umpires

Wendy Isaacs-Martin e-mailed me over the weekend with some pics she had taken at Friday night's Pro20 final at St Georges. Seeing that my camera is in for repairs and I couldn't take any pics at the match, I decided to post one Wendy's pics from the night. The on field umpires were flown into St Georges Park by helicopter and dropped off right on the field. I must say that it was quite a spectacle and very different from…

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St Georges Brass Band

Today is a big cricket day here in Port Elizabeth. Our local team, the Chevrolet Warriors, are playing in the Pro20 final against the Highveld Lions. The Warriors already won the 40 over competition this year, their first trophy since the mid 1990's, and start as favorites. This is the first domestic final played in Port Elizabeth in many years and the stadium has been sold out since early in the week. As I am posting this I am getting…

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