Bayham Abbey
I wanted to visit Bayham Abbey because I had come across the Abbey when I was making Green Lewisham. The original Abbey was founded in Brockley, in Lewisham, and then moved down to... READ MORE
Bodiam Castle
We were heading back to London after a few very enjoyable days in Rye, but on the way stopped to see Bodiam Castle, and Bayham Old Abbey. They are both fascinating and it... READ MORE
The Church of St Thomas in Winchelsea
We had walked in the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and decided to take a quick look at Winchelsea. Our first impression was that it was similar to Rye, although much quieter, but then... READ MORE
Rye Harbour
We drove out or Rye, along the River Rother, and down to Rye Harbour, only about two miles outside Rye. When we left there was a seagull on the car, and yet another... READ MORE
Corners in Rye
This post is about a few corners in Rye, bits and pieces discovered while walking round. READ MORE
Main streets in Rye
The town is small and the main streets in Rye can easily be explored in a few days. READ MORE
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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.
Langenhoven in Oudtshoorn
Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven (1873-1932) was a writer, poet, and philosopher who lived in Oudtshoorn and was perhaps best known as the author of Die Stem, the poem whose words were used as the original South African national anthem.
Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn as a South African town dates back to the mid-1800s and is principally known for the production of ostrich products. I visited last year and in this post just wanted to walk around the town and take in some … Continued