Van Stadens pincushions

Pincushion Proteas in full bloom next to a dam in the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve

Fynbos Ramble

The Fynbos Ramble is one of several trails through the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve. They're all easy, manageable trails and well worth doing, specially this time of the year with all the proteas in flower.

Van Stadens Proteas

Pin-Cushion Proteas growing on the slopes of the Van Stadens gorge

King Protea outside PE

Living in Port Elizabeth and wanting to see South Africa's national flower, the King Protea, growing somewhere in the wild? Then head out to Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve. These beauties are in full bloom and stunning.

Celebrating Heritage Day at Van Stadens

Today is Heritage Day in South Africa and all South Africans celebrate the day differently. Some like to dress up in their traditional clothing while others come together for a braai. Political parties have gatherings, clubs use the day to organise events and some people just stay home and do a few chores or watch … Continue reading Celebrating Heritage Day at Van Stadens →

Flashback to the Apple Express

I received this breathtaking picture of the Apple Express crossing over the Van Stadens Railway Bridge, the highest narrow gauge railway bridge in the world, from fellow Geocacher Graham Chrich yesterday. Graham was in the Van Stadens area for the Rhino Run last weekend and decided to do a couple of Geocaches located in the … Continue reading Flashback to the Apple Express →

Looking down the Van Stadens Railway Bridge

Have you ever wondered what it looks like standing on the Van Stadens Railway Bridge and looking down from it? Probably not but it's something I did when I took a walk across it a little while back.

Van Stadens Railway Bridge

The Port Elizabeth to Avontuur narrow gauge railway line was authorised in 1899 and construction commenced in 1902, reaching the town of Avontuur in the Langkloof late in 1906. The line was built to connect the scenic Langkloof with its fruit growing industry to the port of Port Elizabeth. The official opening of the line was in 1907, … Continue reading Van Stadens Railway Bridge →

Pincushion Protea at Van Stadens

The Pincushion Protea (Leucospermum) is a genus of about 50 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae - part of the Cape Floral Kingdom also known as Fynbos. They occupy a variety of habitats, including scrub, forest, and mountain slopes. In the case of this one, I photographed it in the Van Stadens Wildflower … Continue reading Pincushion Protea at Van Stadens →

Looking down the railway bridge

Standing in the middle of the Van Stadens Narrow Gauge Railway Bridge I snapped this picture looking down through a gap in the bridge