Zuurberg Pass

In today's modern day people traveling between Port Elizabeth and Cradock crosses over the Zuurberg Mountains at speed via the Olifants Kop Pass (R32). In olden days travellers had to cross over the old Zuurberg Pass which was quite a treacherous journey. The Zuurberg Pass is still accessible today although its mostly a very bumpy … Continue reading Zuurberg Pass →

White spider lilies

Another of the flowers I got from my mother when she moved house decided to surprise me the other day by flowering. I called her and asked what it is called and she replied that it is a spider lily. I have done some searches on the internet and have found many different types of … Continue reading White spider lilies →

Carrion Flower

I have a specific liking for succulents and cacti and have various different types planted in pots and in the garden. One of the most interesting ones is the Carrion Flower. There are different types of carrion flowers and this one comes from the genus Stapelia. This specific species are small, spineless, cactus-like succulent plants. … Continue reading Carrion Flower →

Falling stars

A clump of Falling Stars growing in the Tsitsikamma forest

Mountain pass protea

Proteas growing on the Robertson Pass between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn in the Southern Cape.

St Johns Anglican Church

In the little village of Bathurst is the St John's Anglican Church. It is the oldest unaltered Anglican church in South Africa and was built in 1834 during the frontier wars. It is surrounded by the most interesting grave stones, some of them dating back and belonging to original British Settlers and their decedents. Because … Continue reading St Johns Anglican Church →

Gone on holiday, see you next year

Tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn we are heading away on holiday for two weeks. This is the first year since I met the Damselfly 11 years ago that we have been able to both get off during the summer holidays and are able to go away. We are going to be camping at … Continue reading Gone on holiday, see you next year →

Protea farming

In the area to the west of Port Elizabeth there are several protea farms, especially in the eastern part of the Tsitsikamma. Proteas (more here and here) form part of the Cape Floral Kingdom or Fynbos biome. There are 8500 different plan species in the Fynbos biome, more than all the plant types in the … Continue reading Protea farming →

Blood Lily

About eight or so months ago my mom sold her house and moved in with my sister and brother-in-law. She gave me some of her potted plants which I put around my house. This plant I stuck next to the front door in the corner and just kept on watering once a week or so. … Continue reading Blood Lily →

Aloe Ferox

The Aloe is a succulent plant that is native to Africa and very common in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. There are about 400 different species of Aloe plants.The Aloe Ferox is found specifically in South Africa and is one of only a few that were used traditionally as a herbal medicine. Although … Continue reading Aloe Ferox →