The Cockscomb Mountain – second higest in the Eastern Cape

The Cockscomb mountain is situated north of the Gamtoos Valley and visible from not just in the valley but also from the Baviaanskloof, Uitenhage and Addo areas. The reason its visible from all over is that it's the second highest mountain in the Eastern Cape. It gets its name from its resemblance to a rooster's comb. The Cockscomb is part … Continue reading The Cockscomb Mountain – second higest in the Eastern Cape →

Weekend Sho’t Left in Hankey

I have a very special spot in my heart for the Gamtoos Valley west of Port Elizabeth, having visited there quite often while I was working as a tourist guide. Since then we try to get out there every now and then for things like the Gamtoos Citrus Festival, Patensie Boere Basaar and the Gamtoos Adventure … Continue reading Weekend Sho’t Left in Hankey →

Fold Mountains

Somewhere in primary school all South African kids learn about the Cape Fold Mountains but one never really understands it until actually seeing it in person. The Cape Fold Mountains are found along South Africa's south coast from Cape Town to the Port Elizabeth area. The actual folds are seen in many places where you find valley and … Continue reading Fold Mountains →

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 →

Going nowhere slowly

Just west of Patensie, travellers through the Gamtoos Valley will find the Padlangs farm stall. It's a favourite with both visitors and the locals and I really have to do a post on it one day, but that day is not today. Outside the farm stall visitors would find the remnants of transport methods used … Continue reading Going nowhere slowly →

Foggy hills

We are slap bang in the middle of a warm hot sweltering summer spell. Days are hot and the crows are yawning, every bit of shade gets used by big and small and people, specially the farmers, are keeping their eyes skyward in the hope of a shower to cool things down a bit. When the … Continue reading Foggy hills →

Gamtoos Valley mountain silhouettes

Just after sunset the mountains of the Baviaanskloof west of Patensie turn into silhouettes against the colour changing sky. Shortly after they turn transparent in the fading light before disappearing into the night.

Phillip’s Tunnel in Hankey

Every little town has its interesting sites to visit, being it historic, natural or man-made. Often visitors pass through without ever knowing about these places and in most cases they slowly become forgotten to all but a few. One such site in my opinion is the Phillip's Tunnel in Hankey in the Gamtoos Valley. There is … Continue reading Phillip’s Tunnel in Hankey →

Biggest sundial in the Africa

The biggest sundial in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere can be found somewhere in South Africa. "Where in South Africa?" I hear you ask. Cape Town? You're cold. Johannesburg? Very cold. Durban? Still cold. Port Elizabeth? Getting warmer. Where then? Its located in the humble Gamtoos Valley town of Hankey. The Hankey Sundial was completed by local farmer Mr … Continue reading Biggest sundial in the Africa →

Dusk in the Gamtoos Valley

Dusk in the beautiful Gamtoos Valley with the Cockscomb Mountains on the horizon.