3rd Avenue Dip

Everybody in Port Elizabeth knows the 3rd Avenue dip.  It is where 3rd Avenue, Newton Park crosses through the Baakens Valley and before the construction of the William Moffat Express Way it was the main access road between Walmer and Newton Park.  The 3rd Avenue dip was built in 1957 and still is a very popular road used as an alternative to William Moffat.

Very close to the low water bridge, which is often under water after big rains, stands a bench as a monument to David Baillie Lovemore.  Lovemore was the person who pioneered this road through the Baakens River.  Now there's a fact I bet the PE folk didn't know.

Mosque tower

A passing shot (and not the first I might add) of the Rudolph Street Mosque in South End.  I think its time I stopped there one day and have a proper look around.  The mosque was completed in 1894 and is one of the buildings that was spared when the rest of South End was being demolished.

Beachfront Tin Hat

One of the older features on the Port Elizabeth beachfront is the Tin Hat next to Humewood Beach.  It's been around for yonks and I am sure it has some kind of significant meaning. Unfortunately there is no plaque on it (anymore) and I couldn't find any information other than references to it on the internet.  My guess is that it has some relevance to the Order of the Tin Hats, but I don't want to assume without any facts.  If I do find something, I will update the post with it.

UPDATE: I have had a fantastic response on this post and would like to thank Ziggie Keil as well as John & Lynn Gregg (as well as their contacts in Moth) for the info e-mailed to me.  So here are the facts:
The Tin Hat on the beachfront has got nothing to do with the Moth, isn't a memorial neither does it have any military significance. The Governor General of the Cape (Prince Arthur of Connaught as well as Princess Arthur) paid a short farewell visit to Port Elizabeth in 1923.  On this occasion Prince Arthur opened the Campanile and laid the foundation stone of the First Scouts Hall in North End.  Princess Arthur opened the "Princess Promenade" in Humewood which was built in sections over several years.  The official opening took place under the Promenade Dome, designed by the Assistant City Engineer JJ Burt, on 6 November 1923.  The Promenade Dome is commonly known as "The Tin Hat" from its resemblance to a First Word War helmet, but couldn't have had any connection to the Moth order as it was only founded in 1927.  A bronze plate was affixed to commemorate the occasion, but this has been long gone of course. 

Credit to the details above goes to Margaret Harradine from her wonderful book titled "Port Elizabeth - a social chronicle to the end of 1945".

ANOTHER UPDATE: The Promenade Dome has a twin in  the De La Warr Pavillion Bexhill on Sea Sussex in the UK.

Pollok Beach

Pollok Beach (often also spelled Pollock Beach) is seen as one of Port Elizabeth's main beaches, but is probably the one that is least frequented by bathers.  Although the beach is guarded by the very efficient Summerstrand Lifesaving Club, it tends to be a bit on the tricky side as it often has rip tides.  So the important thing to remember when swimming here is to stay within the lifeguards' demarcated area.  The Pipe surfing spot next to the main swimming area is probably Port Elizabeth's most popular surfing beach though which means that there are always quite a few people on the beach.

PAG Memorial

I just love the Prince Alfred Guard Memorial in St Georges Park.  It has a certain something to it.  I always find a new angle I haven't used or a feature I haven't seen before.  This photo is just a straight face on photo of the memorial which was erected in the memory of the men from the Prince Alfred Guard Regiment that has died in four different wars. One of them being the Anglo Boer War.

Humewood Hotel

The 3 star Humewood Hotel on the beachfront must truly be one of the most under rated hotels in Port Elizabeth.  When you ask anybody to name hotels in the city, you can bet that the Humewood won't be very high on the list.  Its probably because its one of the grand old ladies of the city's accommodation industry and doesn't look modern and fancy, but it doesn't have to be.  Over the last 10 years or so the SAGA Holidays group in Britain has voted the Humewood Hotel as one of the top 10 hotels it offers its guests.  Most of the other hotels are 5 star resorts in exotic destinations all over the world which just shows that nothing beats good ol' service and value. Its definitively a feather in the hat of GM Dave Snuggs and his team.

Enjoying the view

A couple of people enjoying the view of Hobie Beach from Shark Rock Pier

Harbour entrance

A container ship on its way to the Port Elizabeth Harbour with the harbour entrance in the foreground

Granite ball

A closer shot of the granite ball situated on the new parking area of the South End Museum (see here).  The ball is one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy projects that were identified before the World Cup.  It is felt by a lot of people that too much money was waisted on this and that the money could have been better spent somewhere else.  I think the only way to really make it work for the city is to make it a monument to a succesful 2010 FIFA World Cup that was staged in the city.  Something for people to remember the World Cup by.

Happy New Year - The path ahead

Happy New Year everybody. Another year has seen its backside and with that a new year is wiping its feet on the welcome mat.  I hope there isn't too many aching heads today and that everybody partied the new year in responsibly.  Here is to hoping the the year (and path - see how it fits in with the picture) ahead is a wonderful and prosperous one.