Fort Frederick

Fort Frederick is the oldest building in Port Elizabeth. It was put up in 1799 as a defense of the only safe anchorage on the South Eastern coast during the war against the French, and was garrisoned until 1862. However in all that time, a shot was never fired in anger from the canons which still peep over the walls. It has commanding views of the harbour and the Baakens Valley, looking across to South End. The grave which you can see behind the trees is that of Captain Francis Evatt, who died in 1850, after serving as Comandant of Fort Frederick for 34 years. He was in charge of the landing of the 1820 Settlers who, according to his headstone, were "treated by him with the greatest kindness and hospitality."

By Special Request.......... 49 Havelock Street

The other day the following comment arrived on our introductory post to this blog:

OH MY, OH MY I WAS SEARCHING FOR THE NEW NAME OF PE AND FOUND
YOUR SITE. I WAS BORN IN UITENHAGE AND LIVED IN PE UNTIL EARLY 20'S.
MY PARENT'S HOME IS NOW A NATIONAL MONUMENT OR SOMETHING
LIKE THAT. THE ADDRESS IS 49 HAVELOCK STREET, PE. DO YOU HAVE ANY
PHOTOS. I HEARD FROM A COUSIN THAT THE SITE HAS BEEN CONVERTED
TO BOUTIQUES ETC. OH HOW I WOULD LOVE TO SEE EXTERIOR AND
INTERIOR PHOTOS. LORNA GREAVES

I remember that it was an Interior Design /coffee shop a while ago, but was not sure if that still applied. So we went around there yesterday, and found that it is currently being used as student's accomodation. However the owner is in the process of refurbishing it so it can become a guesthouse. He very kindly let me in to take a few photos, but the interior was very basic with the student's stuff all over, so I didn't take too many interior shots. Anyway, here you go Lorna, enjoy! (and I hope the powers that be at City Daily Photo will indulge us and allow more than 1 photo, in light of the special request :) )

It is, indeed, a National Monument, here is the official plaque next to the front door.

The property consists of two houses set in an L shape.


This is the patio of the one directly in front of the main gate from the street.

Some interiors, the entrance hall, a bedroom and the lounge


And looking out from the entrance hall towards the street.

Hope you enjoyed that trip down memory lane, Lorna

Its THAT time of the Year again!

Less than a week to go, and the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas is in full swing. Even little sidewalk cafes are getting in the mood.... this one is in Belmont Terrace near Fort Frederick, which we will show you soon.

Granny Smith

There are very few narrow guage steam trains still in operation around the world. One of them is the Apple Express, which runs from PE to Thornhill and back over weekends. It is a great trip giving one a leisurely view of the surroundling countryside, from a perspective you don't usually see.

One of the highlights is the opportunity to walk across the railway bridge over the van Standens River Gorge

This picture of Granny Smith was taken at Loerie, during the Great Train Race several years back. It was a real fun event, where up to 600 teams of relay runners, raced the train to Loerie. Unfortunately the race fell foul of internal politics with Athletics South Africa and was subsequently derailed.

It's Official....Summer is here!

Every year, on the Public Holiday we have in South Africa on 16th December, the City Council throws a party on the beachfront, complete with firework display. It is the official "Opening of the Season" to celebrate summer and welcome holiday visitors to our city. For the past 30 years that we have lived here, we have studiously avoided it, because of the crowds, parking and traffic issues etc. We sometimes went to high viewpoints and saw a bit of sparkle in the distance but that was it.

Well this year, we decided it was our civic duty to go and record the event for you (LOL). And it was GREAT! We even enjoyed the crowds, the vibe, the kiddies oooh and aaaahs, and of course the wonderful fireworks. So guess where we will be on 16th December next year? For more pix, go to the MaX Files.

Places of Worship # 4

The Hill Presbyterian Church, Cnr Parliament St and Belmont Terrace

This is a wonderful building, completed in 1865, with such intricate detail all over, that 1 photo would not have done it justice. So here is a montage to show it in its setting, on the brow of the hill overlooking the bay, and to show some of the craftsmanship in the details.

Cora Terrace

The delightful Cora Terrace, dating back to 1830 and the earliest terrace built in Port Elizabeth. The terrace is named after Cora Henderson, daughter of Henry Henderson who built it. He was murdered in 1834.

Every Dog has its Day

At the beachfront, even the canine tourists are well catered for. This was spotted on the edge of the beach, in front of a popular beachfront (human) watering hole!

Brightening up a cloudy day

The marketing of Coca Cola never ceases to amaze me. They must truly be one of THE success stories worldwide. It has often amused us to be in some remote and backward little place in the middle of nowhere, and see Coke signs on the local store (often just a grass hut), in fact many years ago we used to make a point of photographing Coke signs in unlikey places.

I had breakfast at the beachfront yesterday. It was a cloudy grey day, but the trusty all-pervasive Coke merchandise was there to add colour!

The Old Erica School

One of the earliest schools for girls in PE was the Erica School, which started out in a couple of cottages next to the headmistress' home in Richmond Hill. This lovely building was opened in 1903, on the edge of Richmond Park, with commanding views over the bay. The school eventually outgrew it and moved on, and the building is now used for the art department of one of our colleges offering Tertiary education.