The road to Noodhulp

The road to Noodhulp (Afrikaans for First Aid) is not what you call the route somebody takes when they are cruising for a bruising and looking for trouble with a big oke. Not that kind of thing at all. I found the road to Noodhulp while en route to Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve … Continue reading The road to Noodhulp →

Sunset and scenic views at the Valley of Desolation

What is the first thing you think of if I had to ask you to name one thing to see or do if you visited the Karoo Heartland town of Graaff-Reinet? I don't know about you, but my answer would be the Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park. For some reason every time … Continue reading Sunset and scenic views at the Valley of Desolation →

Valley of Desolation sunset

One of my absolute favorite places to enjoy an Eastern Cape sunset is from the Valley of Desolation outside Graaff-Renet. Other than that, I will let the picture do the talking. #ExperienceEastCape

The Valley of Desolation at sunset

A visit to Graaff-Reinet isn't complete without a trip up to the Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park. It's hard to say when the best time would be for such a visit though. That depends if you would like to enjoy all the views in bright sunlight, want to take photos in the … Continue reading The Valley of Desolation at sunset →

Graaff-Reinet town hall and the Victory Peace Angel war memorial

Statues is a bit of a sore point in South Africa at the moment (referring to the Cecil John Rhodes statue at UCT and and and...) but there are some truly special ones out there. One of these is the War Memorial or "Victory Peace Angel" outside the town hall in the Karoo Heartland town of Graaff-Reinet.About … Continue reading Graaff-Reinet town hall and the Victory Peace Angel war memorial →

Die Groot Kerk and the fireplace

Spending a night in Graaff-Reinet recently I made sure I popped by the Dutch Reformed Church (Groot Kerk) on the Monday morning to see if I could actually get into the church. The cornerstone of the church was laid on 12 April 1886 and it cost what was then a staggering 7,500 pounds. The inaugural service took place on … Continue reading Die Groot Kerk and the fireplace →

Graaff-Reinet’s Groot Kerk – a sight to behold

The view of the Groot Kerk at the top of Graaff-Reinet's main drag is something you don't sommer forget that easily if you've ever visited this Karoo Heartland town. As you enter the town from the south the church slowly becomes visible at the top of the main road. It looms out above the surrounding buildings … Continue reading Graaff-Reinet’s Groot Kerk – a sight to behold →

Warning: Buffalo Crossing

South Africa's roads have many different road signs. Some you see everywhere and sometimes you get those who crop up and make you do a double take. When it comes to people and animals on the road there are quite a few. Pedestrian crossing signs. Warning signs for cattle, tortoises, children, poth-o-les (I'm not sure what a … Continue reading Warning: Buffalo Crossing →

Reinet House and the oldest grape vine in South Africa

I really enjoy visiting small town museums. There is always something interesting to discover in them and no better way to learn more about the history of a place. Graaff-Reinet has a number of very good small museums but if I had to choose only one to go to I would choose Reinet House. The Graaff-Reinet … Continue reading Reinet House and the oldest grape vine in South Africa →

Morning view of Graaff-Reinet

Graaff-Reinet is one of my favorite towns to visit for so many reasons. I spent a night in this beautiful Karoo Heartland town a week or so ago arriving on a Sunday afternoon for a Monday morning meeting. Getting up early the morning I headed out to one of the view points looking out over … Continue reading Morning view of Graaff-Reinet →