Back streets in Swellendam
In the evenings and early mornings I wandered through the back streets of Swellendam, camera in hand. I loved the quietness, the peace, and the beautiful trees and flowers.
The De Hoop Nature Reserve
I wanted to walk in the countryside and decided we should visit the De Hoop Nature Reserve – it was not a wholly successful expedition. Firstly I had not found the map on the Reserve website… Big mistake! It clearly showed the roads we should … Continued
Bontebok National Park near Swellendam
The Bontebok National Park is an extraordinary conservation success story.
The Dutch Reformed Church, Swellendam
The Dutch Reformed Church in Swellendam is the second church on the site and dates from 1910. The church is in a prominent site on the main street, next to Church Square.
The main streets of Swellendam
I believe the two oldest streets in Swellendam are Swellengrebel Street, which passes the Drostdy, and Voortrek Street where the Dutch Reformed Church is situated. Almost every building in these streets is interesting and I wandered along with my camera until I was too hot to walk further!
The Swellendam Museum
The Swellendam Museum is housed various buildings: The Drostdy, Mayville House, The Old Goal, Ambagswerf, and Zanddrift. We had seen The Drostdy and Mayville House and rather whizzed through the remaining two buildings. We returned later to linger in the third, Zanddrift, now The Drostdy Restaurant.
Mayville House, Swellendam
In 1853 Daniel de Bruin built himself a home which is now known as Mayville House. The property soon passed to the Steyn family and continued as a private home until bequeathed to the museum complex in Swellendam.
The Drostdy in Swellendam
Swellendam was initially established as a trading post by the Dutch East India Company and declared a magisterial district in 1743. It is the third oldest town in South Africa (after Cape Town and Stellenbosch) and named after Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel, the first Governor … Continued
Oudtshoorn to Swellendam
Today was our final lengthy drive in South Africa – 283 kms from Oudtshoorn to Swellendam, starting at 12.00am. I felt sad as I looked back on the Swartberg Mountains above Oudtshoorn, then we turned towards the Outeniqua Mountains above George and the long road ahead.
Oudtshoorn
We visited Oudtshoorn to spend time with a relative. There are plenty of restaurants in the town but we particularly enjoyed lunch at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, which I highly recommend. Oudtshoorn was founded c.1847 and named after Baron Pieter van Rheede van Oudtshoorn (1714-73), a Governor-Designate … Continued