Farmland island

I spotted this scene from the Sir Percy Fitzpatrick Lookout near Sunland between Addo and Kirkwood. While taking in the magnificent view I spotted a green patch in the middle of a couple of ploughed fields. On closer inspection I noticed that there was a farm worker's house and a couple of trees on it. … Continue reading Farmland island →

A dairy farm experience in the Crags

A holiday experience can be made up of anything and for our Easter long weekend Sho't Left to the Crags and Natures Valley we were expecting it to be made up of camping, swimming in the Natures valley lagoon, walks and Geocaching. Little did we expect a farm experience that got the KidZ a lot more excited … Continue reading A dairy farm experience in the Crags →

Natures Way Farm Stall

South Africa has some impressive farm stalls. Some sell nothing more than fresh produce while others are for all intensive purposes a restaurant or curio shop along a high way or back road somewhere. Its the ones in between that really interests me. Those who sell something fresh, some curios and also serve a killer meal, even … Continue reading Natures Way Farm Stall →

A calf was born – an unforgettable experience

I remember when I was about 8 or 9 I got to see a cow give birth on a farm I went to with my grand parents. Its something I never forgot and I always wondered if my KidZ, being city kids, would ever get the opportunity to see it happen. During our Sho't Left … Continue reading A calf was born – an unforgettable experience →

Sho’t Left to the Crags and Natures Valley

Tourism in South Africa isn't just for international visitors but also for locals. Yes there are places that most locals would never be able to afford to visit, but there are more places that are affordable to visit and even more things that you can do that actually doesn't cost you anything. South African Tourism encourages … Continue reading Sho’t Left to the Crags and Natures Valley →

Irrigating the Gamtoos Valley

How often do you wonder where exactly the water in your tap and fruit and vegetables in your kitchen comes from? We'll, if you live in Port Elizabeth its possible to answer both these questions for yourself by visiting the Gamtoos Valley. The Gamtoos Valley is often referred to as the food basket of the … Continue reading Irrigating the Gamtoos Valley →

Spinning mohair yarn

I think everybody should go on the Hinterveld Mohair Mill tour in Uitenhage at some stage. Believe me, its really worth it. Visitors get to see the whole process that mohair goes through from arriving in its raw form right through to where it goes out as yarn or, even better, beautiful mohair blankets. This is one … Continue reading Spinning mohair yarn →

Orchard rainbow

An afternoon shower washed off the dust of a day exploring the Gamtoos Valley along some dirt back roads. As the sun came out we went for a walk through the citrus orchard at Nikalandershoek where we were staying and a rainbow appeared over the trees. The perfect end to the day.

The view from Kirkwood Lookout

On Friday I took part in the Skäl Nelson Mandela Bay's annual Tourism Amazing Race. This year it took place in the beautiful Sundays River Valley north of Port Elizabeth. I purposely left my camera behind as the team I was in went all out to defend our title from last year. In the end we came in … Continue reading The view from Kirkwood Lookout →

Icons of the Karoo – Farm gate

After posting "Quintessential Karoo" of the people walking on the dirt road in the Karoo the other day I started thinking. What do people associate with the Karoo? I came up with the following. Big skies, dusty roads, wind mills (windpompe), flowering aloes, sheep and Angora goats, Karoo koppies, inspiring silence, beautiful sunsets, farm gates, Karoo bush and historic towns and … Continue reading Icons of the Karoo – Farm gate →