Maitlands beach

We have had the most awesome weekend weather wise over this past long weekend. Any alien landing around here on any of the three days would have mistaken it to be a place in the mids of summer. On Saturday I took Chaos Boy to Seaview Game and Lion Park followed by Maitlands beach and we had such a super time in the outdoors. This is Maitlands beach with the Maitlands River mouth as seen from the hill approaching from the Seaview side.

Eastern Province Tumbling and Trampoline Trials

Bianca Budler flying through the air during her tumbling routine

Yesterday we went to the Eastern Province Tumbling and Trampoline Trials in the Uitenhage Indoor Sports Centre. Chaos Boy took part in two items and got a gold and silver (see here). Tumbling and Trampoline in the Eastern Cape is of a very high standard and this becomes very clear when you realise that nine of the twenty gymnasts chosen to go to the Gymnastics World Age Group Games in Russia in November comes from Port Elizabeth. Of those nine, four belongs to Gymstars, Chaos Boy's club. The star in the team, Bianca Budler, was also chosen to represent South Africa at the World Championships which also takes place in St Petersburg a week before the World Age Group Games.

Happy Valley stream

The little stream running through Happy Valley is actually Shark River. In the early days of Port Elizabeth Shark River used to be the town's main water supply. Shark River isn't really much of a river anymore and the water gets pumped from the bottom pool back to the top of Happy Vally which means that it doesn't have a river mouth into the ocean anymore. In actual fact the Eastern Province Rugby Stadium and the suburb of Forest Hills is situated in what used to be the river valley.

I remember when we were small and we got to visit Happy Valley, I always wanted to cross the stream over the rocks in this picture. Now when we go there Chaos Boy is the one who wants to do it (and it gives me an excuse to do it as well).

Almshouses cornerstone

Today's post is a follow-up of yesterdays. Yesterday I showed you the Almshouses in the historic part of Bethelsdorp and told you that the original cornerstone is still visible. For today I wanted to show you a pic of the actual cornerstone. For Europeans 1822 may not be very old, but over here in Port Elizabeth it is a mere 2 years after the landing of the British Settlers.

Bethelsdorp Almshouses

Bethelsdorp in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth was founded as the first mission station in the Eastern Cape by London Missionaries Van der Kemp and Read in 1802. They convinced the Colonial government of the Cape to establish a settlement for the indigenous people on educational, religious and social ground. The Almshouses built in 1822 was part of the Mission Station and can still be seen just behind the Van Der Kemp Memorial Church. An interesting feature of the Almshouses is the original cornerstone which is still visible.

Port Elizabeth Harbour

The Port Elizabeth harbour was built in 1935 and is used for the export of fruit, mohair, cars and manganese ore. It also has a very active container terminal as well as fishing fleet.

The entrance channel to the harbour is maintained at a depth of 14.5m and has a generous width of 310m. The draught of vessels allowed into the harbour range from 9.6m to 12.1m. A lot of the current activities taking place at the PE Harbour will in future be taken over by the new deep water port of Ngqura being developed in Algoa Bay.

For more information on the Port Elizabeth Harbour, go here.

My little pony

One of the horses on the Merry-Go-Round at the Boardwalk

Art in the Park

Art in the Park takes place in St Georges Park every first Sunday of the month. Years ago when the market started it was a huge affair with over a hundred stalls scattered all along the park's pathways. Only hand made good were allowed in those early days. As the years went on the number of stall declined and people were also allowed to have bric and brac (the kind of stuff you would normally throw out, but here you buy it cause its antique) stalls. Over the last year or so the number of stalls at Art in the Park has dwindled. I went to the market on Sunday for the first time in quite a while and was shocked at how few stalls there were. Maybe its because its winter, but the day was an awesome one and those people there (and there were quite a few) had a wonderful time in the warm outdoors.

Pasella TV Show

I was fortunate enough to be asked to be part of a shoot for the SABC 2 Afrikaans magazine show Pasella today. Along with my colleague S, I got to take the the presenter, Vicky Davis, and the crew on a walkabout along some of the places on the Donkin Heritage Trail. Here we are standing at the Prester John monument across the road from the Feather Market Centre.

The show will be broadcasted in the first week of September.

What sharp teeth you have

Looking at the replica skull of a Triceratops through the teeth of the replica skull of a Tyrannosaurus Rex in the Dinosaur Hall at Bayworld.