The town is surrounded with fynbos, ericas and buchu is growing wild.  Fynbos  is also one of the main export products of the area.  Buchu is that  very distinctive smell that you get when you approach Riversdale on the N2.  The  natural beauty of the area is also  very popular with hikers and boasts several hiking trails at Boosmansbos and Grootvaderbosch.

To the north the Garcia pass (R323) links Riversdale with Ladismith in the Klein Karoo.  It is also a Thomas Bain pass where he used convict labour.  After Bain completed the Tradouw pass 107 convicts were transferred to the Garcia pass.  However, things did not progress without problems.  Most of the convicts were either old or sick and progress was slow.  This surely put Bain to the test as he had his hands and mind full with Cogmagnskloof and Pakhuis pass.  The pass was named after Maurice Garcia, an 1820 settler of Jewish-Portuguese descent.    The pass is about 17 kilometres with several bends.  It is not a busy road so take the time to pull over at the viewpoints to drink in the scenery.   You will not be disappointed.

We also discovered a little stone church designed by the famous Sophy Gray.  From my previous post you would have noticed that I am on a mission to tick the boxes on her church list.  Read more about her other churches in the Garden Route @ Day-trip-from-George-Sophy-Grays-footsteps

For the train enthusiasts there is a Class 7 steam locomotive parked in the centre of town in front of the municipality.  I always wonder how they get it there as it ways tonnes. 

There were a couple of famous people who either were born or grew up here and put the town on the map.  Who are they?  Dalene Matthee, author of several books on the Knysna forest attended the local High School.  She was also laid to rest in the Knysna forest where you can visit her memorial.  Willem Botha a younger singer and actor.  Dr Cecil Moss who was a qualified medical doctor (anesthetist) who was part of the medical team who removed the heart from the first heart transplant donor.  He was also vice-captain of the Springboks in1949 and head coach for South Africa from 1982 to 1989.  CJ Langenhoven, another famous author and father of the Afrikaans language, also spent two years of his school life in Riversdale. 

We ended our exploring trip at the old jail, now turned into a cute little coffee shop, (S 34° 05.490 E 021° 15.788) that has an interesting story.   During 1860 the government bought the the premises from the Barry family and turned the trading store into a police station, court and jail all on one site.  The jail warden also lived on site.  The only execution ever in Riversdale also took place in this complex.  Gilbert Hay of Heidelberg, who murdered his  mother with a hammer for some drinking money, met the end of his life here.  Today the gallows are displayed at one of the backrooms.  Go and have a look and do not just pass by, you might be surprised at what you discover.

We would love to hear from you if there are some other interesting places to explore in Riversdale. 

oOo

Make this year a year of discovery

The post RIVERSDALE – ALL ABOUT MOUNTAIN PASSES AND FYNBOS appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

All of them fall within park areas and is thus taken care by SANPARKS.   I will start from the western side and travel in an easterly direction to reveal them to you.

WOODVILLE

This is an 800 year old tree that stands 31 m tall.  Follow the Seven Passes road from Hoekwil leading towards the mountains and the signage will indicate where to turn left.  The tree is just 80 m down the trail. 

There is a picnic spot with braai facilities and toilets at the start of the trail. 

Type:  Outeniqua Yellowwood

Entry fee:  yes

Permit:  self-issue type

Walking trail:  +- 2 km (easy) with water crossing

Coordinates:  S33°56.8232  E022°38’42.1944

DALENE MATTHEE

This one stands proudly next to the memorial of the famous forest writer Dalene Matthee at Krisjan-se-Nek.  It is estimated that this tree is about 880 years old with a height of 40 m.  This is also the tallest one of them all.

Type:  Outeniqua Yellowwood

Entry fee:  yes

Permit:  self-issue type

Walking trail:  3 km circular route (moderate)

Coordinates:  S33°57.003  E023°57.469

To know more follow the link to Dalene Matthee

KING EDWARD VII

This tree was first know as Templeman’s tree and later renamed to King Edward VII after the king visited the tree and was treated with lunch in the shade of it in 1924.   It is estimated to be around 650 years old. Follow the gravel road from Knysna via Avontuur to Uniondale to reach the tree.

Type: Outeniqua Yellowwood

Entry fee: yes

Permit: self-issue type

Walking trail: yes

Coordinates: S33°57.350  E023°09.247

TSITSIKAMMA

This tree can be reached directly from the N2.  Just past the village of Stormsrivier you will get the sign board where to turn off and park for this one.  There is a small cafeteria at the start of the trail selling some refreshments.  Follow the trail to the giant amongst the giants. The top reaches 36 m into the sky.

Type:  Outeniqua Yellowwood

Entry fee:  yes

Permit:  self-issue type

Walking trail:  on wooden boardwalk (500 m)

Coordinates:  S33°57.882  E023°53.968

Visiting the big trees is an ideal alternative activity for cloudy days in the Garden Route when the weather is not up to scratch. Please, respect them all, because there are not a lot of them left.

oOo

Time spent amongst trees are never wasted time (Katrina Mayer)

The post THE BIG TREES OF THE GARDEN ROUTE appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

George Rex was rumoured to have been the illegitimate son of George III (Prince of Wales at the time) and a Quaker girl, Hannah Lightfoot. The legend is that he was sent to the Cape Colony to avoid a Royal embarrassment.

Rex, who settled on the farm Melkhoutkraal, also contributed to the economy of Knysna as he was a timber merchant and trader and played a major role in the development of the town and the surrounding area.

Whilst the grave is no great sight to behold, it can be found close to the N2 and is easily accessible for a quick visit.  Heading towards Plettenberg Bay you will find the grave nestled between trees.  As you leave town take a turn right into Plover Road and immediately left on a small dirt road leading up to this historical site.

If you have a GPS you can find it at:  S 34°02’33.0, E 23°04’43.0

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