Stormy stadium skies

On Thursday it was announced that the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium right here in Port Elizabeth will be hosting the third rugby test between the Springboks and England on 23 June 2012.  Stunning news for the city, especially after the very successful Tri-Nations match that was hosted here in August.  Port Elizabeth has showed SA Rugby that we can do it and do it with style.

Library gate

I had a chance to walk around the Market Square area last Sunday morning without all the cars and people about that is the norm during the week.  Unfortunately for me it was dark and cloudy, so I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted to.  One of those I did get was the very interesting gate in front of the main entrance to the historic Public Library.  In actual fact there are three of these next to each other.

Development on the horizon

Although there is still over a year to go until the opening of the new hotel and conference centre at the Boardwalk complex on the Port Elizabeth beachfront, the construction is quickly starting to take shape and becoming visible from all around.  Standing on Shark Rock Pier next to Hobie Beach one could only see the three cranes up to recently, but now the new building are sticking out as well.

Boardwalk in bloom

The flower beds at the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Centre is stunning at the moment and with the blue skies and palm trees its putting me in a holiday mood.

Did you bring us any carrots?

The donkeys at the East Cape Horse Care Unit loves it when members of the public comes to visit, cause most of the time they would bring along a bag of carrots to feed the donkeys with.  And how can one say no to a couple of handsome boys like these asking so nicely?

Campanile Clockwork

Huffing and puffing my way to the top of the Campanile I noticed a couple of technicians working on the tower's clockwork.  It gave me an excuse to catch my breath while having a chat and also gave me an opportunity to take out my camera for a pic.  The clock's been standing for a while and the one guy said that the reason was that it's been running fast.  I was hoping that they have found and fixed the problem.

Beachfront, boats and blegh

Looking through the windows from the top of the Campanile there are a number of different sights to be seen.  Looking south the Port Elizabeth beachfront is visible in the background and the Port Elizabeth Harbour in the foreground with rows and rows of fishing boats tied up by the quay.  The problem is in the middle with the petrol tank farm and manganese ore heaps being the blight next to the beachfront.  But from all indications they will (hopefully) be moved to the Coega Harbour within the next few years. *holding thumbs*  

Loading ship

Last week I decided to go and check out Bayworld's new mini display on one of the landings going up the Campanile.  Seeing that I was halfway up the tower's 204 steps already, I decided to stretch my legs some more and head all the way to the top.  Looking out the east view window the Port Elizabeth Harbour looked a little empty that day with only one ship berthed at the container quay. 

Under the Humewood Bridge

Humewood Beach in Port Elizabeth is the oldest Blue Flag Beach in South Africa and has just been re-awarded its Blue Flag status for the coming summer season. Humewood's main parking area is just behind the City Lodge Hotel and the easiest way to get to the beach is beneath the Humewood Bridge which goes under Marine Drive.  Although the beaches are still quite, the blue flag is already flying and the life guards with all their equipment is on standby for anything that may happen.

PAG Memorial for Remembrance Day

Today, 11/11/2011, is Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day and Veterans Day.  It is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty.  Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918 with hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.  Without thinking I posted the War Memorial cross I was keeping for today on Wednesday, but decided to post another war memorial which can be found in St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth.  The Prince Alfred's Guard Memorial was erected in remembrance of men from the Guard that have died in a number of wars which are inscribed on the memorial.