The aloes are bloomng

It's that time of the year when the aloes are in full bloom and they can be seen both around the city as well as in the surrounding countryside.  It doesn't matter if you're driving west, north or east (not south cause then you'll drive into the sea), the countryside is awash with the mostly reds and oranges as well as the occasional yellow of the different species of aloe in flower.  The aloe (I think its called fence aloe) in the picture was snapped on the Old Seaview Road. 

31 miles to PE

31 miles from Port Elizabeth just off the Addo road (R335) is Addo Drift.  The drift was the first convenient natural crossing point on the Sundays River when travelling inland from the sea, and was used by wild animals and earlier human inhabitants as a ford.  When the Europeans arrived, they followed the same route, outspaning their oxen at a point nearby.                     

The military post “Ados Drift” appears on the site maps dated 1815.  In 1823 one William Wright, an 1820 settler, was given a grant of land near the drift. The earliest record of a license being issued to Zondagh’s River Inn, is the Cape Almanac of 1830.

Looking up at Pleinhuis

Port Elizabeth has some beautiful Art Deco buildings, some in good condition and others in need of repair.  Pleinhuis (plein meaning square as in open space and huis means house) on Market Square is one of the prime examples in the city.  I went to a meeting at Pleinhuis and before I entered looked up at the gargoyles on the side of the building.  It just screamed out to be photographed, so I did.

Kings Beach lake reflection

The new Kings Beach redevelopment has gone a long way to enhance the appearance of the Kings Beach beachfront and its great to see people going down there to use the area.  The development includes a small lake, new kids playing areas and a skate park.  I took the opportunity the stunning early winter weather we're having offered to head down there for a walk and the windless day meant that the beachfront buildings reflected beautifully in the lake. 

Happy Fathers Day

I had a Sunday lunch of note today and I am seriously stuffed.  What's the special occasion?  Its Fathers Day of cause and I got thoroughly spoiled today.  I was looking for a father themed picture to post and decided on this one I snapped at the new Kings Beach skate park the other day of a father and his son enjoying a nice warm day to try out the new facilities.

Butt but booty

Addo is a funny place in a backside kinda way.  Unless the elephants are actually heading in your direction, the chances are good that as soon as you have lined up your shot that the animal will turn his back and all you get is a booty shot. Bummer!

Silver reflections

Its another beautiful sunshine winters day in Port Elizabeth and to celebrate that and the coming long weekend, here is Shark Rock Pier at Hobie Beach with the early morning sunshine reflecting off the ocean.

Victoria Park stone bridge

I often wonder how many people realise how many beautiful open spaces Port Elizabeth has. Some of them are natural open spaces like the Baakens Valley which includes Dodds Farm and Settlers Park, Cape Recife Nature Reserve, Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve and Maitland Nature Reserve.  More formal open spaces like St Georges Park, Victoria Park and the Kings Beach lake area gives one a place to go for a walk where you are surrounded by paved paths and gardens.  This spot with the stone bridge and gazebo is in Victoria Park just up the road from my office.

Winter beachfront

Winter has set in and the mornings and evenings are nice and cold, but we're lucky here in Port Elizabeth in that we have a very Mediterranean climate which makes our days quite mild.  That is when there isn't a coldfront passing over.  Winters means that the beaches are empty but people are still using the beachfront to walk, jog or just enjoy the outdoors.

Horse riding at Sardinia Bay

I've been on a horse only twice before. Once when I was in matric and again about 10 years ago.  So I jumped at the opportunity when I was invited for a ride by the friendly ladies at Heavenly Stables on Sardinia Bay Road.  Although there are many stables in the Sardinia Bay area, I don't think many people know that the public can go for rides here as well.  Heavenly Stables offer an 1 hour as well as a two and a half hour ride.  The latter was the one we went on and the trail took us through the Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve through coastal bush down to the beautiful Sardinia Bay beach.  I have to say I was expecting my backside to be sore the next day, but it turned out it was my knees (is middle age setting in?) and calves hurting from banging against the horse. *Phew* Thank goodness.  It was an wonderful experience to go on the ride though and I will go any time again.  Practise does make perfect.

 

Not being an accomplished rider I decided not to take my camera along, but did snap a couple of pictures with my Blackberry.

Disclosure: I went on the horse ride as a guest of Heavenly Stables and received no additional remuneration to write this post.  All views expressed are my own.