We live in such a rush every day that most of us tend to forget what a beautiful world is out there. Add to that all the bad news around and I think it becomes a case of people spending more time indoors "hiding out" than getting out there and experiencing nature. Earth Day was celebrated … Continue reading A reminder that we live in a wonderful world
Tag: nature
Activities at Sleepy Hollow
We are busy organising Chaos Boy's 13th birthday party and decided to have a day out with his friends at Sleepy Hollow in the Maitland River Valley. I went to dig out a couple of photos I took at Sleepy Hollow in December when we last popped in there for a visit. I went for … Continue reading Activities at Sleepy Hollow
Old Man’s Beard
I'm sure most people have seen the lichen generally referred to as Old Man's Beard. One sees quite a lot of it in the Tsitsikamma forest, but in this case I found it on the Bushbuck Trail in The Island Nature Reserve. Usnea is the generic and scientific name for several species of fruticose lichen … Continue reading Old Man’s Beard
Hiking the Bushbuck Trail in The Island Nature Reserve
Port Elizabeth has some excellent short hiking trails that are perfect for a morning or day out in nature yet still within a stone's throw of the city. As an outdoor enthusiast and avid Geocacher I've had the opportunity to do most of the trails around the city with one of the exceptions being the Bushbuck … Continue reading Hiking the Bushbuck Trail in The Island Nature Reserve
Wild berries
Have you ever picked up how some people can go through life without noticing the little things? Often this is the same story when you take a group of people on a hiking trail. Some people would just do the walk to be out in the fresh air, some would enjoy beautiful views and scenic attractions and usually … Continue reading Wild berries
Van Stadens protea
The Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve just west of Port Elizabeth is probably the best spot around the city to see a wide range of protea species grow in the wild. The reserve offers visitors two different trail options with a couple of stunning view sights over the Van Stadens gorge. South Africa's national flower, the … Continue reading Van Stadens protea
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
A Saturday morning hike on the Flamingo Trail
I'm probably the most overweight, unfit active guy there is. There is no hesitation to go if I get the opportunity to get out and about and because of my love for the outdoors I make an effort to explore and do as much as possible. I've been fortunate that I've had the opportunity to … Continue reading A Saturday morning hike on the Flamingo Trail
Kings Protea in Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve
The Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve west of Port Elizabeth is one of the best and easiest accessible areas around to see proteas and other species in the Cape Floral Kingdom. Flowers like the King Protea, South Africa's national flower, and the Pin Cushion Protea is found in abundance and when in flower is a real … Continue reading Kings Protea in Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve
New shoots of life
Nature is a wonderful thing. It can be destroyed so easily through natural causes or human doing, but it is resilient and will always fight back. Sometimes immediately and sometimes only much later. We as humans don't always give nature the respect it deserves, destroying and polluting as far as we go. At least many are waking … Continue reading New shoots of life
Firefly the Travel Guy 