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 … Continue reading Discovering secret spots in the Tsitsikamma →

The pretty girl and the dung beetle

Looks can be deceiving. You tend to think young pretty girls would only be interested in fashion, nightlife, tanning on the beach, spending time in the shops and hanging out with their friends. Yes, yes, I know I'm generalizing but I'm trying to get to a point so bare with me. Late last year I … Continue reading The pretty girl and the dung beetle →

27 miles to Cradock

Back in the old days distance stones were used to indicate to travellers how far they had to go to the next town. These days there aren't a lot of them around and often they are found on old and back roads. But trust Geocaching to take me to one of them on the N10 on a trip to … Continue reading 27 miles to Cradock →

Sunny day by the Pier

Today is National Human Rights Day in South Africa and the start of silly season as far as public holidays go over the next two months. Lots of long weekends to come which means lots of opportunities for break aways and #shotleft weekend. From the looks of it we are in for a beautiful weekend this … Continue reading Sunny day by the Pier →

Cradock grave yard track – no Harry Potter unfortunately

On my last visit to Cradock I went in search of the grave of Harry Potter. Harry Potter, you ask? Well, Cradock's cemetery holds the grave of one Harry Potter who was a ‘beloved husband’ and died on July 27, 1910 at the age of 46. Was he magical? Who knows? I unfortunately didn't find him. I … Continue reading Cradock grave yard track – no Harry Potter unfortunately →

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 … Continue reading The chocolate water of the Great Fish →

Karoo storm moving in

The Karoo is known as blue sky country. That means when the thunder clouds start to pack together after a hot day there is lots of sky to watch the approaching storm in. Like this one I witnessed just after leaving Cradock on my way back to Port Elizabeth. I can just smell the drops splashing down on … Continue reading Karoo storm moving in →

Cradock Tuishuise

I often wonder how many people who have visited Cradock would never have stayed over in the town if it wasn't for the Tuishuise. The Tuishuise on Market Square was built between 1840 and 1870 and housed artisans like harness makers, wheelwrights, smithies and carpenters who made a living from the horses, oxen and wagons passing through on … Continue reading Cradock Tuishuise →

Cradock’s Mother Church

The Dutch Reformed Church at the top of Church Street in Cradock is probably this Karoo town's most imposing landmark. The first Dutch Reformed congregation in the town was established in 1824 and the church was the town's first. Paul Kruger, who went on to become the President of the Transvaal Republic, who was born on a farm … Continue reading Cradock’s Mother Church →

Cradock celebrates 200 years

Cradock is one of the main towns in the Karoo Heartland and this year celebrates 200 years since being founded. By the late 1700's Graaff-Reinet had been established as a magistrate district and Dutch farmers has settled in the area. In 1814 Sir John Cradock decided to build a series of forts along the lower Fish River … Continue reading Cradock celebrates 200 years →