Gijon to Santander
Our time in Spain had come to an end and we had to drive from Gijon to Santander to take the Ferry back to the UK. It was sad to leave but at... READ MORE
The Parador in Gijon
The Parador in Gijon is on the edge of the town, at the far end of the San Lorenzo Beach from the old town. I’ve talked a lot about it so a separate... READ MORE
Isabel la Catolica Park in Gijon
The Parador of Gijon overlooks the Isabel la Catolica Park in Gijon, in fact you might say it is situated in the park. It was a joy to stroll here at some point... READ MORE
Wandering in Gijon
On this day we decided wandering in Gijon would be a good idea, so we took a taxi to the town centre again. We were also on a hunt for wine! The harbour... READ MORE
Cimadevilla of Gijon
The old town is the Cimadevilla of Gijon, situated on and around the Santa Catalina Hill in Gijon. We took a taxi into the town – I was still on somewhat ‘go-slow’ –... READ MORE
The Museum in Gijon
The Museum of the Asturian People in Gijon is situated close to the Parador. We visited twice because there was just too much to take in at one time. Spain is very proud... READ MORE
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The Langeberg behind Swellendam
The ‘Clock Peaks‘ in the Langeberg Mountains behind Swellendam are a spectacular sight in the evening light as you drive out of the town, beyond the golf course and the Marloth Nature Reserve.
Flowers in Swellendam
Posts on South Africa have been delayed by gardening, a trip to Portugal (!), and Open Garden Squares, so now I am picking up where I left off, in Swellendam. And in the boiling hot weather in the UK I … Continued
Graaff Reinet in the Karoo, South Africa
Graaff Reinet, the fourth oldest town in South Africa, is in the heart of the Karoo, the vast semi-arid interior of the Cape Province behind the ring of mountains along the coast. If you want to deepen your understanding of South … Continued
Walking at Suurbraak
Suurbraak was known as Xairy (Paradise) in Khoi, and it was Hans Moos, the Khoi leader at the time, who invited the London Mission Society to establish a Mission Station in the area in 1812 (how did he get in touch with the Society?). … Continued
Walking in the Bontebok National Park, Swellendam
The Bontebok National Park is just outside Swellendam and as we had enjoyed our visit and walk last year we returned for a repeat experience. We turned into the carpark and found a group of bontebok who didn’t seem at all … Continued
Tradouw Pass
We set off into Tradouw Pass towards the end of the day with a deadline for arriving in Swellendam so these photographs were taken from inside the car. The pass is 16 kms of tarred road, the R324, following the course … Continued
Calitzdorp
Calitzdorp, like several of the towns we visited, started on a farm. Jacobus Pretorius settled in the area, which he called ‘Buffelsvlei’, in 1757, and other settlers gradually followed.
The Church of St Peter & St Paul, Fressingfield
The Church of St Peter & St Paul in Fressingfield was built in the 1300s and 1400s and its South Porch dates from c.1420s, with fine flintwork and lovely carvings. The Church is in the middle of the village, on a … Continued
Driving from Oudtshoorn to Swellendam
We left Oudtshoorn late morning to drive the 238 kms to Swellendam on the tarred R62, then turned off on a quieter, concrete road, heading for Calitzdorp. The concrete road was the original road between Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp and the first … Continued
Around the Cango Caves in the Swartberg Mountains
We drove out of Oudtshoorn towards the Cango Caves but didn’t go in – I am claustrophobic – and just wanted to see the scenery closer to the mountains.