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.

So, what is a turn table all about?

Or before we go there, why am I writing about a turn table of all things under the sun?  Because I think it is worthwhile to write about it as it is not something often seen in South Africa.  I discovered this one by accident in the beautiful town of Knysna, next to the waterfront at an almost forgotten spot next to a parking lot.    On your next visit in Knysna head over to this GPS location to see it:  S 34° 02.393 E 023° 02.654 .

According to Wikipedia a railway turntable is a device for turning railway rolling stock, usually locomotives, so that they can be moved back in the direction from which they came. This is especially true in areas with economic considerations or with a lack of sufficient space.

Sadly, this is one of the features that became defunct when the Outeniqua Choo Choo stopped to operate between George and Knysna due to flood damages to the railroad. 

I also think there are not many countries in the world where you still find a train turn table.  Do you know of one?  It will be nice to see where in the world you can still find these structure so leave a location in the comments section and let’s see if we can build a trial of turn tables around the world. 

The post END OF THE LINE appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

At first you will think this is all about bikes, but while browsing through the display you will notice there is much more than wheels to this living museum (if you want to call it that).  You will notice the passion, the history and a story behind each bike on display.

The Motorcycle Room is Colin Studen’s happy place.   He takes old and new bikes which were heading for the dumpster, regardless make and model, and turn it into a memory (like the one of a kind model, Copper).

It is his happy place and not only filled with his happy memories, but also happy memories of every boy, no matter the age, that visits the room.  When we visited on hubby’s birthday I kept an eye on the expressions of fellow visitors.  It was nice to see how faces lit up on recognition of some favourites and memories flooding back of their first 50s when they were still young and reckless, moons ago, and quite often you will hear a father saying to the boy at his side “when I was your age we ….”

This is not a place only for rare and spotless bikes that is showcased, but things close to your heart if you are a motor cycle enthusiast.  This is a room where the bikes get used, are loved and are restored with tender love.  This is a place where the bikes go out onto the road and the rider still have some fun with  it.  This is a room filled with passion.

And, as Colin says in his own words, if your old friend from yesteryear is not there at the moment, keep on coming back. You might just find him/her (I do not know what you call your motorbike) one day.  Colin is always on the look-out for that special find tucked away in an old barn, covered under dust and rust that he can turn into something special.

In one corner there is soft couches and a heap of magazines and books which you can browse through while having a cup of coffee – anything from a bike manual to some interesting magazines.  This space is a happy place.

The Motorcycle Room is a place of memories and old two-wheeled friends that you wish you never parted with, but sometimes unfortunately had to part with (as we know that life sometimes throws a lemon or two at you and you have to depart with good things in life).

Just go!  Tell your story or listen to someone else’s story.  You will always find a story at the Motorcyle Room.

Entrance fee on our visit:  R100 per person.

Where:  Thesen Island, Knysna

Time budget:  I think more or less 1.5 hour will be enough

The post FULL THROTTLE appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

We took the gravel road up the historic Montagu Pass. –  It is one of the four passes that traverse the Outeniqua mountains. You will stumble upon the old Toll House.  The gravel road leads up the 8km long pass and is signposted from the N12 towards Oudtshoorn.  Starting from the George side and travelling up the incline, it is the first and only building that you come across.

Until the building of the Outeniqua pass as we know it today, the Montagu pass was the main route between Cape Town and Grahamstown.

The Toll House dates back to the year 1855.  According to old records the toll was as follow:

During the winter of July 1855 the toll house was all but destroyed in a forest fire.  It was later repaired, and its thatched roof was replaced with corrugated iron. The corrugated iron is still visible today.   However over the years the stone work started to show its age. The Friends of the Old Toll House stepped in, got a stone mason, and restored it to what it is today.

On Saturday mornings The Friends of the Old Toll House sell pancakes and coffee to raise some much needed funds. The funds goes towards the upkeep and ongoing restoration of the old building and to preserve history.  Make the effort and stop for a traditional pancake and at the same time support a good cause!

—oOo—

The post THE OLD TOLL HOUSE, GEORGE appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

Along the route you will find a couple of picnic spots with the beautiful names like Valley of Ferns, Ysterhoutrug and Diepwalle.  In the shade of some indigenous trees at Ysterhoutrug picnic spot you can light a fire for a braai as there are designated areas.  This is also a good stop for the children to stretch their legs as there are basic toilet facilities and water tanks to wash their hands.

When you arrive at the top you can, on a clear day, enjoy a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.  If you know the area you can identify the Knysna Heads as well as some other features like Robberg towards the Plettenberg Bay area. Take note that on a rainy day Spitskop will be covered in clouds and mist and you will not be able to enjoy the view.

But you will ask why  is this spot important?  In the woodcutters’ era Spitskop used to be a fire station manned by an Italian, Guiseppe Sciocatti, who kept a beady eye on fires in the area.  Guiseppe was one of the descendants of Italian immigrants that was lured to the forest to farm with mulberries in a silk trade venture, but things did not work out well for the Italian families.  Yet another interesting story for another post.

If you put the following (S 33° 54.723 E 023° 08.229) coordinates into your GPS you will experience this amazing view.  Remember the golden rule is to see all and only leave your footprints for the next visitor to enjoy.

The post SPITSKOP ON PRINCE ALFRED’S PASS appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

 Do you like golden oldies with a story?  Then this is just what you were looking for at Mauritz Lammers Antiques.  From crockery brick-a-brac to stately old furniture and much loved books.  Take your time to marvel at all the pieces on display and take some home if you wish.  You just might find something that you like here.

A good place to keep you busy on those unexpected rainy days.

Where?  On the N2 opposite the Sasol garage Kraaibosch, George.

THE OLD TOLL HOUSE ON THE MONTAGU PASS

This is a historic building that was lovingly restored by some local enthusiasts and also the very first toll road in the Garden Route.  On a Saturday morning you can have pancakes and coffee to support a worthy cause.

What to see?  Admire the lush green mountainside and fynbos.

WORLD FAMOUS POTTERY

 Did you know that the world renowned and sought after Wonki Ware factory is situated right in the heart of George?  Yes, those magnificent masterpieces that you buy at Poetry and the likes are made here right on our doorstep.  Spoil yourself and warm you heart by visiting the factory in York Street.

 Really?  You can pick up less than perfect pieces at reduced prices.

 CAST IN STONE

Near the top-end of York Street you will discover the stone church of St Marks Cathedral with its interesting history. Read more about it on another blog of mine under the heading St Marks. 

It is always difficult to tell the erratic times that it is open for visits, but try your luck!

Reason for a visit?  Because the stonework is well preserved and stained glass work is outstanding.

TAKE A WALK AT THE GARDEN ROUTE DAM

 If you feel like some exercise, take the family, the dog or a canoe down to the dam and enjoy the scenery.  Remember this is the Garden Route and we have four seasons in one day so check the weather forecast before leaving home and inform a friend of your estimated time back at base.

 Need to know: Remember for security reasons you have to sign in at the boom.  

The post GEORGE – A PERFECT DESTINATION appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

This is not what Sedgefield is about.  Take your time, because you are in a slow town.  A town does not choose to be a slow town randomly; you need to meet certain criteria as set out by the Cittaslow movement in Italy, before you can adopt the name “slow town”.

Sedgefield earned this name in 2010 and was the first town (and thus far the only town) in South Africa to be awarded with that title.  South African now joins the list of slow towns of the world.  These towns can be found in some unexpected countries like Japan and South Korea in the East to Denmark and Finland in the North and USA and Canada in the West and even Down Under boasts with three slow towns.

A very apt symbol was chosen as the slow town emblem – the angulated tortoise.  In front of the tourism office you will find a mosaic tortoise, a project which was implemented by an NGO to develop job creation and skills training for unemployed local people.  These mosaic art works gives Sedgefield a unique identity.  When you stroll through town and The Island (a suburb of Sedgefield) you will stumble across some of these mosaic features.

Take your time (like a tortoise) and explore Sedgefield!

→→→→→

DID YOU KNOW?

Sedgefield has a Tortoise Rescue Squad of Island Conservancy volunteers. A building contractor can contact one of them at Sedgefield Island Conservancy on Tel: 044-343 2448 48 hours before clearing a plot for development so that a team can be assembled to comb the area and remove any residing tortoises to a safe location. They can also be contacted about any tortoise needing help.

→→→→→

Be not afraid to go slow, be afraid to stand still

The post GO SLOW IN SLOWTOWN appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

And as you can expect the Country Café also has its own secret cheesecake recipe, made by a local lad from Hoekwil.

Locals and visitors come here on a Sunday morning to meet friends and have coffee and some of the famous cheesecake and while enjoying your treat the owner will come around to chit-chat, proudly inform you how many slices they have sold thus far.

The café owner meticulously keeps track of each cheesecake slice that is sold in the shop as he earnestly tries to improve on his previous year’s total.  So, guys and girls, grandma and grandpa, go, go, go, to the Hoekwil Country Café to help him sell some more cheesecake for a new record.

And like any true country café there are all kinds of sweets in old fashioned glass jars and stone ground flour in paper bags on the shelves.  This reminds me of my childhood when I was sent to the Indian shop and could buy something for myself with the change  – a marshmallow mouse or an orange “appelkosie” were my preferred choices!

The post CHASING CHEESECAKE IN HOEKWIL appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

SPOT #1 : EBB AND FLOW (NORTH)

 Situated on the northern banks of the Touw river it falls within the Garden Route National Park, but day visitors are welcomed.  You will be rewarded with some shade under old wild fig trees, a demarcated fire pit, clean ablution facilities and a Knysna Loerie (Turaco) or two.

Need to know:  Report to reception and pay your day visitor fee.  If you have a SANPARKS Wild Card you are exempted from the  day visitor fee (Currently R40 per person for South African citizens).

SPOT #2 : GLENTANA BEACH

 With great views over the beach and sea you will find this spot in Kusweg (Beach Road), Glentana.  The chances are good that you will spot some dolphins frolicking in the waves.

Be prepared and take an umbrella as the trees do not provide ample shade for a whole day out and about enjoying the sun and sea.   There are no facilities on the picnic spot itself, but a brisk walk down the road and you will find ablutions near the main parking area of Glentana beach.  At the main parking area there is also outdoor showers to wash off all the sea water and sand.

This is also a great spot to take those sunset pictures!

Need to know:  There are no shops in Glentana, so take everything that you need with you.

SPOT # 3 : JUBILEE CREEK

For a forest experience pack the kids and head for the forest behind Rheenendal.   Relax on the grass with a blanket and a book while the children amuse themselves in the creek which flows through the picnic site.

Wooden picnic tables and ablutions are provided.  Go early as this is a popular spot over weekends.

Need to know  Obtain and pay your entry permit at the gate before you follow the gravel road to Jubilee Creek.

SPOT # 4 : KRISJAN SE NEK

 Situated next to the road on Kom se Pad, Knysna  This scenic drive was made famous by Dalene Matthee in her books.  This is one of just a few spots where you can have a picnic on this route.  Only three wooden tables with fire grids are provided.  Ablutions are in the form of a long drop.

 Need to know:  Make sure your fire is doused when you leave as this is in a sensitive indigenous forest area.   Fires can spread fast and wide as was the case in the recent Knysna Fires in 2017!

SPOT # 5 : ISLAND LAKE

 When you travel from George to Knysna on the N2 you will spot this lekker picnic spot on your left-hand side.  Follow the Hoekwil turnoff from the N2 and turn to your right on the gravel road just before the railway line.  There are no trees, but thatched umbrella style structures provide shade …… if you arrive early.  Otherwise take a gazebo to provide some shelter.

Pack everything you need for the day.  The nearest shops and fuel is in Wilderness Village.

Need to know:  This is a popular spot for water lovers with boats.   Take care when you are in the water!!

The post 5 “LEKKER” PICNIC SPOTS IN THE GARDEN ROUTE appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

I think we were a bit early as we were the first patrons to pay a visit, but the wooden stove with the kettles already simmering radiated its warmth and welcomed us.  Nice, as the sun was not out yet and it was still a bit chilly next to the river.

Today was not the type of weather for canoes and peddle boats, however as I have observed during the past summer months this is a favourite spot for families with kids and the young ones to laze around on a hot day.

They also offer diverse kinds of accommodation varying from pitched tents to A-frames or maybe you can pitch your own tent.  The backpackers’ Bazz Bus also stops a stone’s throw from here – so not too far to carry your backpack.

I peeked into the campers’ kitchen (as this to me is always a good indication of the type of guests who visits) and it was spotless.  I will be able to prepare my food here …

River Deck reminds me of a lot of places that you find throughout Africa.  This is a laid-back place.  No fancy stuff, but you will definitely find friendly staff here!

“There are a lot of stories out there, waiting for you to live them”

— Unknown

The post RIVIER DECK, BUFFALO BAY (BUFFELSBAAI) appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.