Coastal view

The view of the coastline from the road between Beachview and Maitlands

Maitlands from the air

Last week's Video Friday post was one by Renaldo Gouws showing off Shark Rock Pier and surrounds.  This week I'm sharing his video with drone footage of the Maitlands area.  We really are fortunate to have such beautiful coastal areas around Port Elizabeth and it's great seeing it from another angle in Renaldo's videos.

Sunset over Maitland time lapse

This week's Video Friday post is another of Duncan Noakes' time lapse videos.  This time a stunning sunset time lapse over Maitland.

Maitland view

If you had to start walking along the beach from Maitland you will pass Blue Horizon Bay, Van Stadens River Mouth, Gamtoos River Mouth and Kabeljous before getting to Jeffrey's Bay.  Miles and miles (literally) of sandy beach.  I've always wanted to do it.  Maybe... someday.

Foofy slide to a river pool

One of the kids at Chaos Boy's birthday party foofy sliding into one of the Maitland River pools at Sleepy Hollow.  They were slightly apprehensive at first as the water looks pitch black, as most deep river pools do, but once they got going they didn't want to stop.

Getting your feet wet

Drama Princess getting her feet wet at one of the drifts where the path crosses the Maitland River at Sleepy Hollow

Cooling down in the Maitland River pools

This is how you cool off on a hot day.

Floating in one of the Maitland River pools on at Sleepy Hollow.

Otter droppings at Sleepy Hollow

I've visited Sleepy Hollow a couple of times now and the one thing I would still love to see is an otter.  How do I know there are some? Because last time I found otter droppings on the rocks around one of the river pools right up in the valley.

Maitland River at Sleepy Hollow

One of the pools in the Maitland River as it flows through Sleepy Hollow farm. 

Yes, this is right on our doorstep

Sleepy Hollow mines

One of the main features at Sleepy Hollow outside PE is the old abandoned silver and lead mines dating back to the late 1700's.  When we go and camp at Sleepy Hollow we normally take our strong torches along to go for a walk down the old mine shaft.  Last time I was there I didn't venture too far in though as I forgot my torch and there were a couple of bats sweeping in and out in the late afternoon.  Without a torch one never knows what else you'll encounter so I rather stuck around the entrance taking photos.

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 a walk up the river with Drama Princess and she is always willing to play the model if I need one for a photo.  This is one of the main intersections on the trail into the valley from the campsite.

Sleepy Hollow offers both campsites and picnic sites for day visitors.  Activities include shorts hikes around the farm and up the Maitland River which runs through it, a walk up to Sleepy Hollow waterfall, exploring the old mines and swimming in the river pools.  There is also a very popular slippery slide where you just can't get the kids away from once they start going.  The place is absolutely stunning and you can really get close to nature while still being close to the city.  On our last visit I spotted Knysna Loerie, a Eagle owl, heard a fish eagle, spotted a young water monitor and found otter droppings.  We even had to duck for a bat that came flying out one of the mines when we were standing by the opening.  Oh yes and Geocachers can look for the three caches I put on the property.  I have a couple of other pics from my visit to share so I think I'll do a Sleepy Hollow series this week.

Fishing at Maitland

It is Sunday the first of March. Flip, can you believe we're two months into 2015 already?  Anyhow, I've spent my weekend at Welgelegen Camp on a Geocaching weekend away but not everybody is into caching.  Some people spent their time on the beach while others headed out of town or tackled one of the stunning hiking trails we have around the city.  Some decided to just chill at home.  This couple spent their Sunday afternoon fishing off the rocks at Maitland.

Fishing at Maitland

Fishing off the rocks at Maitland on a Sunday afternoon

Top of Maitland Dune

I often wonder how many Port Elizabeth folk have never climbed up the Maitland dune at least once in their life.  Can't be many but if you haven't, this is the view you would not have seen.

Maitland Beach

Maitland Beach to the west of Port Elizabeth.  Miles and miles of sandy beach, giant dunes and beautiful sunsets.  What more do you want?

Maitland view from Colleen Glen

I ventured into Colleen Glen west of Port Elizabeth the other day in search of a geocache and ended up at the top of a narrow little road with the most beautiful view down towards the sea.  The Maitland sand dune can be seen in the background with farmland and small holdings in between.  Pity it wasn't a bright sunny day.

Group of hikers

This is the last of the pics I took on our hike on the Maitland Nature Reserve's 9km trail in December.  It was the first time I've been on the Maitland Trail and it just showed me that Port Elizabeth has so much that even I haven't seen.  And people say there are nothing to do in PE.

Maitland trail

The Maitland Nature Reserve's 9km trail is one of Port Elizabeth's lesser known trails.  I got to do it for the first time a little while ago and although it was very overgrown (not sure if its been cleared yet) I really enjoyed it.  Most of the trail goes through indigenous bush and coastal forest with great views of the Maitland dune and coastline at the turning point.

Old Man's Beard

Old Man's Beard is a lichen that grows on trees and is normally on found where there is no air pollution present.  You find a lot of Old Man's Beard in the Tsitsikamma as well as on the game reserves close to Port Elizabeth, but you won't find it in the city itself.  On a recent half day hike through the Maitland Nature Reserve west of the city I spotted clumps of Old Man's Beard which shows that its possible to get right out into nature so close to home.

Thunzi swimming pool

The pool area at Thunzi Bush Lodge near Maitlands west of Port Elizabeth.  Just the place to spend a couple of lazy hours this summer.  Thunzi does the most amazing picnic lunches where you get a picnic basket full of goodies and can head down to the dam to relax on the lawns with a loved one.  I want to try it early in the new year and will give some feedback afterwards.