Sand driving at Brakkeduine

When the South African government banned driving on beaches both the angling and 4x4 fraternities took a big knock. The anglers couldn't go as far along the beaches as they used to or had to find overland shortcuts while the 4x4 okes had to stick to mountain trails and off road paths. There is one place I know … Continue reading Sand driving at Brakkeduine →

Gamtoos Series 7 – Sundial

This is the last post in the Gamtoos Valley series before returning to PE pics again. 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 … Continue reading Gamtoos Series 7 – Sundial →

Gamtoos Series 5 – Queen Victoria Profile

This is post #5 in a series of 7 posts featuring the Gamtoos Valley west of Port Elizabeth. One of the well known landmarks in the Gamtoos River Valley in the Eastern Cape is the Queen Victoria Profile on the road between Patensie and the Baviaanskloof. The profile is the result of erosion of the sheer cliff … Continue reading Gamtoos Series 5 – Queen Victoria Profile →

Gamtoos Series 4 – Phillips Tunnel

This is post #4 in the Gamtoos Valley series. The town of Hankey was started as a mission station on behalf of the London Missionary Society by Dr John Phillip. The main purpose was to grow corn and mielies for the mission station at Bethelsdorp as well as to carry out evangelistic work in the valley. Dr Philip's son, … Continue reading Gamtoos Series 4 – Phillips Tunnel →

Gamtoos Series 3 – Dusk in the Gamtoos Valley

Dusk in the Gamtoos Valley with the Cockscomb Mountains in the background photographed from the stoep at Nikalandershoek Guest Cottage just outside Patensie. PURE BLISS

Gamtoos Series 2 – water canals

This is post #2 in the Gamtoos series featuring the Gamtoos River Valley west of Port Elizabeth. The valley is referred to as the food basket of the Eastern Cape due to the amount of fruit and vegetables being grown here. These farms all get their water from the Kouga Dam. Water is taken from the … Continue reading Gamtoos Series 2 – water canals →

Gamtoos Series 1 – Kouga Dam

I'm going through a very busy period at work having just come back from World Travel Market Africa in Cape Town and off to Durban for Indaba in a couple of days. Because of it I'm running low on photos and rather than skipping days I decided to keep the daily photo concept going and recycle some … Continue reading Gamtoos Series 1 – Kouga Dam →

The road is long

Port Elizabeth has some beautiful rural areas all around it with many dirt road crossing through. Dirt road are so synonymous with rural areas in the country and I know of some people who plan their travels in such a way that they drive as many dirt roads as possible.

Citrus farms

The Eastern Cape is South Africa’s second-largest producer of citrus fruit. Oranges make up the vast majority (80%) of citrus products, but the province is also well regarded for its production of ‘easy-peelers’ such as clementine and Satsuma tangerines, as well as navel oranges. Lemons, grape fruit and naartjies make up the balance of the … Continue reading Citrus farms →

31 miles to PE

31 miles from Port Elizabeth just off the Addo road (R335) is Addo Drift. The drift was the first convenient natural crossing point on the Sundays River when travelling inland from the sea, and was used by wild animals and earlier human inhabitants as a ford. When the Europeans arrived, they followed the same route, outspaning their oxen … Continue reading 31 miles to PE →