Maitland River Mouth, Port Elizabeth

I'm sweating after my long run.   I need to get into that water.

Come on, I've had my swim already and it's really cool.

Hey, I've been in already, but I'll go in again if you want some company.

There now, didn't I tell you it was cool?

Uh-oh, we've got company.

Is that who I think it is?

Oh, well, I suppose we could go and say hello.

Ooo, I'm getting my feet wet.

No, no, no, I don't want to go in.

Oh, okay, I'll go in if you absolutely insist.

I'm a dog, you're a horse.   Your legs are longer than mine,

so I just need to catch my breath a bit before we head home.

They've gone, thank goodness.   We've got the place to ourselves again.

Horses are often taken for a run at Maitland River.   I was lucky to catch these

two at just the right time.   The Border Collie running alongside was an

absolute bonus.

Sunrise in Port Elizabeth

These photographs were taken from our home in Ben Kamma and the year was 2008.   The strangest thing is, we haven't had any of these beautiful sunrises and sunsets for a long, long time, and we also haven't had any decent rains here in the Eastern Cape.   The weather looks promising at times, and we are fortunate to have a few centimetres of rain, but our dams still remain virtually empty.   I wonder ... is it a lesson in learning to survive?

Noordhoek, Port Elizabeth

When I was a child, many years ago, we used to go out on the Marine Drive on a Sunday and take one of the little in-roads into the bush at Noordhoek.   We would find ourselves an open spot under the Port Jackson willows, spread our blanket on the sand, and then my father would make us a lunchtime braai (barbeque) with the pieces of wood he found lying around.   Those days your “braai” was just your piece of meat, one or two slices of buttered bread, and something to drink.   It was always great fun and you’d forget for a while that you’re living in a city.   Now the bush is no longer there.   It has been chopped out or flattened.   Whatever it is they’ve done, the place is no longer recognisable as the Noordhoek I used to know as a child.   The sea, however, is still there, ever changing and ever beautiful.

Cape Town

"Mostert's Mill" 

"Rhodes Memorial" 

"Just Nuisance - Simonstown" 

"Kirstenbosch Gardens" 

"Table Mountain"

I love going to Cape Town, there are so many interesting places to visit and so many lovely scenic views to photograph.   The photograph of Table Mountain was taken from Signal Hill.   The view of the city and the harbour is fantastic from up there and at night it is quite spectacular.

Franschhoek

"The Huguenot Memorial"

"The Huguenot Museum"

"Commemorating Freedom of Religion"

"A Place to Rest"

"Pleasing on the Eye"

I enjoy going to Franschhoek and spending time at the Huguenot Memorial.   I love the design; the arches, the curves and the pillars, and in the garden setting against the backdrop of the majestic Franschhoek mountains I find a peace that restores the soul.   I wonder too, if that's what my ancestors felt when they settled there so many years ago.

Swellendam

"The Drostdy"

"Side entrance to Drostdy"

"View from the Drostdy"

The old "Drostdy" in Swellendam will always be one of my favourite places to visit.   It's so beautiful and so peaceful there, and always well worth the stop over.

Klein Brakrivier

The Restaurant

The Annex

The Klein Brakrivier station buildings have been revamped and are now being used as a restaurant.   It is quaint and attractive and on the platform itself there are relics from days gone by for those who are interest in the past and things such as old milk cans and old-fashioned suitcases.