Narrow gauge station remains

On a recent Geocaching outing I got to walk a bit around what is left of the old Humewood narrow gauge station.  Of the actual station and sheds nothing really remains, but there are still a couple of carriages on the line between where the station used to be and Kings Beach.  Makes for interesting photography.  

Then and Now - Grey Institute

In the mid 1800's there was a boom happening in Port Elizabeth.  It was during this time that Sir George Grey, Governor of the Cape from 1854-61, played a leading role in the establishment of educational institutes throughout the colony.  At the instigation of John Paterson, one of Port Elizabeth's the first Town Councillors, the then municipality took over vacant land on top of the hill opposite the Donkin Reserve and the establishment of a grammar school.  A Mr Archibald was commissioned to prepare plans and specifications for the building in September 1856 and by the end of 1858 the school was ready for occupation.  The town decided to name the school in honor of the Governor, in recognition of his contribution to education in the colony.  In January 1859 elementary classes were commenced and in April the high school was formally opened.  When the building was built it didn't have a clock tower (as can be seen in the Then photo above).  This was added in 1875 gave the building its dominant character over its surroundings. By 1914 the building had grown too small for its needs, and the high school was moved to its current location in Mill Park.  After that the building was used by Pearson High School (now in Summerstrand) and Albert Jackson Primary School (which later moved and became Greenwood Primary on Park Drive).  The building was declared a National Monument on 10 December 1976.

The Grey Institute building started to fall into disrepair and wasn't looking very good when it was bought by the Mediterranean Shipping Company for their Port Elizabeth office.  Over the last decade or so they have pushed millions of rand into the restoration of the buildings with a full time restoration team and the place is looking stunning inside and out.  Well worth a visit if you can twist somebody's arm to show you around.

Lighthouse Mosaic Moments

Everybody who visits the Donkin Reserve is in awe of the huge 470 m2 mosaic next to the pyramid.  Very few actually notice the frame of mosaic blocks surrounding the base of the lighthouse.  The mosaic blocks is a celebration of symbols and icons within Port Elizabeth and its surrounds referencing various stories, personal ideas and journeys.  One actually have to spend some time and look at each one individually to really see what they are about and to appreciate the art as a whole more. 

Passing the Fish-Bird

Visitors to the Donkin Reserve may think the aliens have landed when they walk past the Fish-Bird art piece on the Donkin Reserve.  The Fish-Bird is one of the art pieces forming part of Route 67 and was done by artist Mxolisi Dolla Sapeta.  The sculpture represent the fish found in Algoa Bay which is visible from Donkin and the birds found on the Reserve itself.  The Fish-Bird has "landed" here to take ownership of this transforming site, making itself at home amongst the history and art found here.

Cannon Hill

The best view point in Uitenhage is probably Cannon Hill with view both to the south and east.  The park on Cannon Hill has to coronation memorials, one for Queen Elizabeth II and one for King George V.  There is also a cannon on the hill pointing south and this along with the name makes me think that the hill was used as a lookout and potential defense point for the town at some stage in its history.

Splash Waterworld Super Tube

The Super Tube at Kings Beach has become one of the Port Elizabeth beachfront landmarks a long time ago and is still as popular as possible.  Drama Princess turned nine last week and yesterday (Saturday) we had her birthday party at the Super Tube.  It's even more fun as I remember and things have changed a little bit with extra slides being added since I was a kid.  When I say kid I mean kid in age cause yesterday I was a kid in spirit, outsliding and outlasting Drama Princess and all her friends.  I say outside cause I went just about non-stop from just after 10am until 15:30.  Needless to say my tank was empty by the end of the day and I'm feeling it today but I'll be back as soon as I get a chance again.

Addo buffalo

One of the Cape Buffalo in the Addo Elephant National Park checking us out while we were taking some pics of him

Bushbound Girl getting some penguin training

Blogger Rachel Lang of Bush-bound Girl's first love is nature and conservation and with her bubbly personality and  inquisitiveness she made for a fantastic travelling partner during the #PERocks blogger visit to Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounds.  When there was a need for a volunteer to try something out she was always first to stick her hand up.  This is how all bloggers should be as it gives them the opportunity to really experience things and then be able to describe it in their posts.  Here Libby Sharwood of SAMREC is showing Rachel how they treat new penguins that come into the centre in need of medical assistance.  *Please note, that is not a real penguin*

Penguin photography, blogger style

One of the things I loved the most about the #PERocks bloggers visit to Port Elizabeth was the fact that the bloggers always had their cameras close by and took photo of everything and from every angle.  Like here at the South African Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre (SAMREC) in Cape Recife. Penguin photography at its best.

Drinking buddies

A couple of young elephant bulls drinking at Gwarrie Dam in the Addo Elephant National Park.  Gwarrie is one of the waterholes  where you often get to see elephants but unfortunately also one of those spots where a lot of idiots get out there cars for a better look.  Luckily I didn't encounter any clowns on this visit, just these two dudes.