Baakens River mouth

When the first Europeans arrived in Algoa Bay, the Baakens River flowed into a fresh water lagoon where early ships replenished their water stocks from. For some reason somewhere in the past it was decided to lay the lagoon dry and reclaim the land at the bottom of the Baakens Valley. This led to the … Continue reading Baakens River mouth →

Baakens River reflection

The Baakens River is still flowing nice and strong after all the recent rains. This is the view upstream from the 3rd Avenue dip.

Damage on the Dip

During the recent flooding Port Elizabeth endured the road at the 3rd Avenue Dip was damaged which led to its closure. This in turn led to major traffic disruptions on the William Moffet Expressway, specially during morning traffic. The Damselfly uses the Dip to get to both her work and the Kidz's school and her regular 20 minute drive took her … Continue reading Damage on the Dip →

Lower Baakens River

Over the last couple of weeks Port Elizabeth has had a lot of rain and the Baakens River is running nice and strong. I had to meet somebody at the Bridge Street Brewmasters and snapped this pic of the river which is normally nothing more than a narrow stream over here.

Lower Baakens Valley

When Fort Frederick (top left) was built overlooking the Baakens River Mouth and coastline in 1799 things looked a little bit different than today. The river flowed into a fresh water lagoon and the beach was a lot closer than it is today. These days there is no more lagoon and the river flows along a narrow … Continue reading Lower Baakens Valley →

Misty Baakens Valley

Riding to work the other morning the weather was a bit on the foggy side and this was the view of the Baakens Valley at Settlers Park when I passed there.

Aloe along the Lower Guinea Fowl Trail

This time of the year most people head down to the beach during the holidays, but what if you're not into crowds, screaming kids, girls in bikini's who will never go in the water and are just there to catch the boys' eyes or just sand between your toes? Why not do one of the many short … Continue reading Aloe along the Lower Guinea Fowl Trail →

The Baakens River at Dodd’s Farm

As the Baakens River slowly flows down towards the Bay it passes through Dodd's Farm in Walmer where it widens into a pool with some cliffs behind and lots of vegetation around it. A beautiful spot which could easily have been in a wilderness area somewhere but in reality right in the heart of Port Elizabeth. … Continue reading The Baakens River at Dodd’s Farm →

Wild flowers in the Baakens Valley

A bunch of us walked the lower Guinea Fowl Trail from the 3rd Avenue Dip down to Settlers Park the other day. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of wild flowers in bloom along the trail. Although I have been on sections of the trail before and have done the mountain bike trail years … Continue reading Wild flowers in the Baakens Valley →

Guinea Fowl Steps

Hiking along the Guinea Fowl Trail down the Baakens Valley one drops down towards Dodds Farm along these steps. From here you head towards Target Kloof and eventually Settlers Park.