George Archives - Page 3 of 3

BLIKI TIN SHACK

Today is one of those CAW days in the Garden Route (with only a max of 12º C). So let me explain for those of you visiting our beautiful area. George has the appropriate car number plate sign of CAW which our locals refer to as cold and wet due to the rain which at times can softly fall for days on end and the cold comes and settle in your bones. Then it is time to seek some comforts to put a bit of sunshine in your day. This sunshine you will find at Bliki Tin Shack on the R102 which runs parallel to the N2 if you travel from George to Groot Brak River. For a bit of comfort, to chase the cold away, you can enjoy a slice of home baked melktert, a local favourite, and a cup of steaming Ugandan coffee enjoyed in front of a Dover stove… Read more >

FOSSIL DUNES ON THE BEACH

Just up the coastal road, Knysna way, from George you will find South Africa’s highest fossil dune known as Gericke’s Punt (Point) near Sedgefield. Although going there for years I must admit that I never knew that it was a fossil dune, but thanks to Geocaching now I know! Take the easy walk to the point along the beach and marvel at all the patterns that the wind has carved over years in to the sand dunes. If you have an artistic eye there are really a couple of spots along the walk where you can spend a while taking really great pictures! Every time I go there I see some new patterns in mother nature that I have not noticed before – even a dragon if you use your imagination …….… Also keep an eye open for the endangered Black Oyster Catchers at the waters edge with their startling… Read more >

HISTORIESE GEORGE

Die storie van George, wat na King George III vernoem is, begin reeds op 23 April 1811. Ek begin stap in Yorkstraat, wat vernoem is na die Duke of York en tweede seun van King Geroge III, by die Old Town House. Dit is reeds in 1847 opgerig en het eers die George Museum gehuisves, maar vandag dien dit as restaurant. Dan 100 jaar later in 1911 word daar op die hoek van Mark- en Hiberniastrate, ‘n gedenksaal opgerig wat vandag die Ingenieurs Departement van die George Munisipaliteit huisves. Ek kruis die straat en stap na die witgeverfde Poskantoor met sy mooi houtdeure en kenmerkende rooi posbusse. Nie net is dit in 1948 voltooi, maar spog ook met ‘n hout kloktoring. Dan verder op in die straat kry ek onverwags, agter mooi ysterhekke in ‘n lowergroen tuin, ‘n glimps van die statige Bishops Lea, huis van die Diocese of George…. Read more >

ST MARKS CATHEDRAL, GEORGE

I took some time off from my day job and did a bit of exploring in my own town. I must confess that I have been living in George for more than 15 years and have never visited the little stone cathedral in the middle of town. Arriving over the lunch hour on a sunny day I found the gardener attending to the lawn with love and care. He only gave me a quick glance and carried on with his tasks at hand. Today the little stone church stood out against the blue sky with picture opportunities aplenty. This is another one of the legendary Sophy Gray churches. The design of the cathedral is based on the Littlemore Church near Oxford in England which was designed by Henry Jones Underwood. Three stonemasons were used to build the cathedral and it was completed in only 13 months. Without the modern technology… Read more >

DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH, GEORGE

Situated in the main road of my home town a visit to the church is a relaxing and peaceful outing and is open to visitors, but take cognizance that it still is an active church so be respectful, please. Here you can witness the incredible history, architecture and craftsmanship that are present at this stately building which is also declared a National Heritage site. The church’s story starts a decade or so before it was inaugurated. On 14 April 1832 Rev Ballot laid the first cornerstone of the building, but because of financial problems the building took twelve years to complete. But then the church suffered the unwelcome event on 13 September 1905 when the steeple collapsed after 10 inches (+- 250 mm) of rain fell in three days. The congregation bravely started with reconstruction work and the present bell was bought at the time. The London firm, Philipson and Stow, presented… Read more >

THE FOREST VILLAGE

Hubby spoiled me with a quick, but welcome, road trip while he was on his home break from his bush work somewhere in Africa. We zippied along the N2 in the Garden Route and through the green Tsitsikamma forests to the adrenaline filled little village of Storms River situated halfway between Port Elizabeth and George. Walking in the village you cannot imagine that yellowwood was actually used for railway sleepers in this forest community in the early 1800’s. At the turn of the 1800’s Frank Mangold purchased several properties in the village and built a house and established several other businesses. Today there are still not a lot of businesses in the sleepy village, but if you are an adrenaline junky this is the place to do a canopy tour and maybe catch a glimpse of the rare Knysna Loerie with its reds wings gliding from tree to tree or… Read more >

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