Witnessing the impossible on the Ironman running leg

After spending 5 hours next to the road supporting the Ironman competitors on the cycle leg and popping home to do a couple of things like mow the lawn, we headed down to the beachfront after sunset to cheer on the runners. My mouth just hangs open year after year watching people who have already … Continue reading Witnessing the impossible on the Ironman running leg →

Supporting the Ironman cyclists

Today is Ironman Sunday, one of the biggest sporting days in Port Elizabeth. We decided to spend most of the day supporting these inspirational sportsmen and women and headed out early to cheer on the guys and girls on the cycle leg on the intersection of Buffelsfontein and Walter Road in Charlo. This is the … Continue reading Supporting the Ironman cyclists →

Drama Princess, you’re an Ironkid

It's Ironman weekend in Port Elizabeth and the vibe in town around this iconic event is absolutely mind blowing. In addition to the main event on Sunday, there are also two events taking place on Saturday. First off was the Corporate Challenge followed by Ironkids in the afternoon. Drama Princess entered Ironkids after missing last … Continue reading Drama Princess, you’re an Ironkid →

The Valley of Desolation at sunset

A visit to Graaff-Reinet isn't complete without a trip up to the Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park. It's hard to say when the best time would be for such a visit though. That depends if you would like to enjoy all the views in bright sunlight, want to take photos in the … Continue reading The Valley of Desolation at sunset →

Ironman weekend in Port Elizabeth

It is Ironman weekend in Port Elizabeth and the buzz outside my office at the Boardwalk has been awesome over the last two days. Tomorrow the day kicks off with the Corporate Challenge (or Corporate Ironman as everybody but the organisers like to call it) followed by Ironkids. With Drama Princess taking part in the … Continue reading Ironman weekend in Port Elizabeth →

Graaff-Reinet town hall and the Victory Peace Angel war memorial

Statues is a bit of a sore point in South Africa at the moment (referring to the Cecil John Rhodes statue at UCT and and and...) but there are some truly special ones out there. One of these is the War Memorial or "Victory Peace Angel" outside the town hall in the Karoo Heartland town of Graaff-Reinet.About … Continue reading Graaff-Reinet town hall and the Victory Peace Angel war memorial →

Cooling down in the Maitland River pools

This is how you cool off on a hot day. Floating in one of the Maitland River pools on at Sleepy Hollow.

Die Groot Kerk and the fireplace

Spending a night in Graaff-Reinet recently I made sure I popped by the Dutch Reformed Church (Groot Kerk) on the Monday morning to see if I could actually get into the church. The cornerstone of the church was laid on 12 April 1886 and it cost what was then a staggering 7,500 pounds. The inaugural service took place on … Continue reading Die Groot Kerk and the fireplace →

Otter droppings at Sleepy Hollow

I've visited Sleepy Hollow a couple of times now and the one thing I would still love to see is an otter. How do I know there are some? Because last time I found otter droppings on the rocks around one of the river pools right up in the valley.

Maitland River at Sleepy Hollow

One of the pools in the Maitland River as it flows through Sleepy Hollow farm. Yes, this is right on our doorstep