TRAVELBUCKET

TRAVELBUCKET

Tag Archive: what to do in the Garden Route

CHASING CHEESECAKE IN HOEKWIL

There are many recipes for cheesecake, and everyone claims that they have the best recipe under the sun, but I must say this IS one of the best recipes that I have eaten in a very, very long time. 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… Read more >

RADICAL RAPTORS

One of the most rewarding places I visited is Radical Raptors situated at The Heath on the N2, just outside of Plettenberg Bay.   This safe haven for raptors is doing phenomenal work! During the daily flying displays you interact with amongst others Barney the owl and other rehabilitated feathered friends which cannot be released into the wild again for various reasons.  After all, the very knowledgeable Dennis only uses birds with permanent injuries as ambassadors.  And boy oh boy they behave like head boys!  Not one step – or should I say feather – out of place. The trained birds are tame and well adapted to visitors.  Therefore, during the flying display you are given a glove and the opportunity to invite the bird to land on your hand.  In other words, opportunities by the dozen to take that perfect picture in natural surroundings or try and try and try… 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 >

ST ANDREWS CHURCH, PLETTENBERG BAY

The story of St Andrews begins with the Newdigate family who lived in Piesang Valley and owned a couple of farms in the area. In 1851 William Newdigate realized the need, of his family and farm workers, to enrich their lives with the Gospel and constructed St Andrews of broad yellowwood boards, which was freely available in those years, and a thatch roof.  The thatch roof was later replaced by the red tin roof as it stands today.  The church served 17 people of the Newdigate family and their labourers during those early years. With its red tin roof and simple white cross at the top and setting amongst the lush green bushes of the valley it creates quite a romantic atmosphere.  Today the church is still used for country weddings, baptisms and church services for the descendants of the original congregants. In the little graveyard on the grounds you… Read more >

REVISITING BELVIDERE, KNYSNA

On an overcast morning, with all the holiday makers gone, and the schools starting today I took the drive to Belvidere near Knysna.  I had the streets almost to myself except for the garden services mowing the lawn and the odd resident walking their dog. As with so many places near your home you tend to seldom visit them, because they will always be there, but as I slowly drove into the village at nine o’clock a Knysna loerie was spreading its red wings as it crossed the road in the tree tops.  What a welcoming sight!  This alone was worth the visit. When I arrived at the Holy Trinity Church, designed by Sophy Gray, with its romantic setting and history there was a service.  So I strolled around the village to make up time, because I wanted to visit this historic church after reading its story.  Luckily the church… Read more >

Social Share Buttons and Icons powered by Ultimatelysocial
Facebook
Instagram