Blue head lizard

Spending the weekend at Ann's Villa just north of the Zuurberg Mountains in the southern Karoo, I discovered this little dude enjoying the afternoon sun. He allowed me to take out my camera and snap a couple of pictures of him, even lifting up his head for a better pose. Now I'm not a lizard expert but … Continue reading Blue head lizard →

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 →

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 →

I flew in a helicopter

I'm not a regular flyer. The first time I got to fly was in a Jac (similar to a Harvard), a flight I would never forget as the pilot did two rolls with this very nervous and acrophobic passenger in the back. Since then I have become a lot better and over the last seven years … Continue reading I flew in a helicopter →

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 →

Karoo scene at the foothills of the Zuurberg

The Karoo is a hauntingly beautiful place. A lot of people may find it boring but most see a beauty that is often described differently by every person. Wide open spaces with blue skies above, a couple of sheep grazing on the sparse green grass around a wind pump filled cement dam, late winter aloes … Continue reading Karoo scene at the foothills of the Zuurberg →

Red sky sunset in the Karoo

Aaaahhhh, a sunset. But not just any sunset. A Karoo sunset. A proper African sunset.