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
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
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 Obesa Nursery in Graaff Reinet
Hidden away behind the main street is one of the most amazing plant nurseries I have ever seen! The Obesa Nursery is Johan Bouwer – an extraordinary man in the real sense of the word. And here I was, in photography … Continued
Museums in Graaff Reinet
The museums in Graaff Reinet are in significant Cape Dutch buildings and so I urge you to spend time exploring them and understanding the town’s history. There are several museums: Reinet House, Urquhart House (including the Military Museum), the Old … Continued
Houses in Graaff Reinet
Last year I wandered the streets of Graaff Reinet picturing the houses – do visit the site, but here is a small reminder because this year I did exactly the same. I just walked and photographed, enjoying the quiet and … Continued
Walking in the Camdebo National Park
I had serious lower back problems as a result of long days in the car and hours on bumpy dirt roads. A wonderfully skilled physiotherapist in Graaff Reinet helped me, but walking was essential in addition to the exercices. Going for … Continued
Graaff Reinet flowers
We had stayed in Graaff Reinet the previous year when I posted on some of the historic houses so this time we visited family, walked in the Camdebo National Park, visited an art exhibition (!), and found the most extraordinary cactus … Continued
The Bossie Trail in the Karoo National Park
The Bossie Trail is a short trail up the hillside in the Rest Camp of the Karoo National Park. The Trail gives good views over the valley in which the Rest Camp is situated and links to a longer, guided … Continued
Potlekkertjie Circular Drive in reverse!
We had enjoyed the Potlekkertjie Circular Drive so much that we followed the route again the next day, but started earlier in the morning – just after 7.00am – and drove anti-clockwise. The Karoo National Park was looking wonderful after … Continued