Van Stadens Bridge barriers

Visiting the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve I noticed that the work on the pedestrian barrier is going well. A 2.7m high barrier is being put up on the Van Stadens Bridge west of Port Elizabeth by the Friends of Van Stadens Bridge Trust in an attempt to deter suicides from the bridge. The barrier is being … Continue reading Van Stadens Bridge barriers →

Two bridges and a drift

On the way back from spending a day in the Gamtoos Valley, I decided to take a drive through the Van Stadens Pass and stop at the bottom to snap a couple of pics (and log the geocache hidden there). Doing some rock hopping I got to a point from where I could see both the new … Continue reading Two bridges and a drift →

Van Stadens Gorge

Travelling along the N2 towards the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth, most people cross over the Van Stadens River Bridge in seconds as they hurry along. I often wonder how many of those have ever taken the time to take a leisurely drive along the pass on the old road. At the bottom of the … Continue reading Van Stadens Gorge →

Sunnyside Station

Geocaching is taking me to all kinds of places I haven't been to before. And here I was thinking I've been everywhere. This specific Grannynasty cache took me a bit off the beaten track along a dirt road just west of the Van Stadens Bridge to the old Sunnyside Station, 29 1/2 miles from Port Elizabeth. The … Continue reading Sunnyside Station →

Van Stadens Bridge

If you want to see different fynbos species and beautiful proteas in flower the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve is probably one of the best places close to Port Elizabeth to do so. But the reserve isn't just about flowers, its also about other vegetation, birds, insects plus you get a great view of the Van … Continue reading Van Stadens Bridge →

Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve

Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve is situated just off the N2 about 35km west of Port Elizabeth. This 450 hectare reserve is probably the best place close to Port Elizabeth to go and marvel at the wonders of fynbos and to see flowering proteas. The reserve covers both a large plateau area covered mostly in Fynbos as … Continue reading Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve →

Pincushion Protea

Pincushion Proteas in full bloom at the Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve west of Port Elizabeth

Fynbos display

The display hut at the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve west of Port Elizabeth has fresh cuttings on display of all the fynbos species and flowers that can be found in the reserve. The display is situated very close to the gate, so a quick stop there is recommended to have a look for what is currently … Continue reading Fynbos display →

No Fires

Today's post is a follow up on yesterday's post on the Veld Fire in the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve. A week or so after the fire I got to go past that way again and popped into the reserve to check out the damage. I found this scene very ironic (and funny).

Veld fire

I was going through some older pictures I took some time ago and found this one which I haven't posted before. The veld fire was burning in the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve and the picture was taken as we were driving over the Van Stadens River Bridge going towards Port Elizabeth.