06 February 2008

C is for Cockscomb and a Chevy

Decisions, decisions, decisions. So many topics for C this week, but I decided to settle on the Cockscomb Mountain and a Chevrolet. As it happens they were both photographed on the same day and I had to drive past the Cockscomb to get to the Chev.

Panoramic view of the Cockscomb Mountain, seen from the Elands River Valley


It all started with a spontaneous suggestion by Suzi-k on Sunday morning, for us to drive through the Elands River Valley to Patensie. After plotting the 127 kilometre journey on my GPS, I estimated that it would take us about 2 hours to complete the journey. It ended up being a 5 hour trip. There was just too much to see and photograph. In fact I have enough material from the trip to take me through to G.

Close up of the Cockscomb Mountain from near (relatively speaking) its base


The Cockscomb Mountain is a very prominent feature that is visible from many miles around, but to get there is quite another story. At 1,759 m above sea level it is one of the highest mountain peaks in the Eastern Cape. Apparently it was known to some of the earlier indigenous tribes as "T'numkwa" (Mountain of the clouds).

Saying farewell to the Cockscomb Mountain from the Winterhoek Mountains near Patensie. Some of the Leucospermums (Pin Cushion Protea) like the one in the foregroundwere are still flowering.


When we arrived at Patensie it was 3 pm and we both felt like lunch was long overdue. Fat chance of that I said. I had been in the area some years before and did not recall seeing any restaurants. “Well, let’s try that one”, suggested Suzi-k pointing to the sign on the side of the road, which said the Padlangs Country Restaurant and Shop (Padlangs = Roadside) was 2 kilometres up the road.

A rare site in South Africa. Bicycles don't hang about for too long, before they go "walk about".


I dubiously agreed and we were pleasantly surprised to find the most delightful restaurant and shop, where I was able to select an excellent heart friendly lunch. There was the added bonus of finding this old Chevrolet truck, which I thought was very photogenic.




I have no idea of its vintage, but would guess late 40’s early 50’s. Not exactly built for comfort, but I guess it served its purpose..



Anyone for pumpkins. From their condition I do not think there have been many buyers this season.



For more insights and pictures on our trip down the Elands River Valley you can visit Suzi-k.

36 comments:

dot said...

I'm enjoying all the pictures ya'll are showing. Beautiful countryside!

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Oh wow! Stunning!

Sharon said...

Beautiful pictures for great memories of a fun time with a friend! thanks for sharing your trip!

Lilli & Nevada said...

Beautiful Scenery and nice looking pumpkins in that old truck

Anonymous said...

There is another good padstal in Patensie with the name "Tolbos".

photowannabe said...

Perfect post for C. Fantastic mountains and that truck is so full of character. I can't wait to see the rest of your trip pictures.

FO - 2 said...

Great Choises!
Mighty landsCape and a Charming Chevrolet!
Happy ABC! :)

Rune Eide said...

A very interesting (as always)tour from a world I have never seen (and probably won't be able to... :-( )

Kostas said...

Informative the post., with marvellous photographs.
We thank...

ArneA said...

Beautiful landscapes.
Thought I was in Africa before reading your text

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

Sounds a lovely trip - just the sort I'd have enjoyed being on.

lv2scpbk said...

I like those photos of the old truck.

Petunia said...

Very nice pictures! The old truck is awesome:)

Daryl said...

The truck is fabulous .. those mountains are aptly named.. great shots!

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

Hi Max E
That a great C for This Mountain valley Cockscomb and I like the photo's also of the TRUCK and the bike hnging on the wall all very welldone...

BTW Did you know that the bikes hare hanging in the hallway (indoors) in houses in AMsterdam?(Holland) This way they won't get stolen by bike-thiefs.

Come and see my ABC's photography
JoAnn Holland
Participant in ABC wednesday

Pernille said...

What a wonderful photos!! I just love them:)
Have a nice day:)

kml said...

Haha!! I wonder if the truck died with the pumpkins in it, and there it was left. Great pics!

Andrea said...

Beautiful. Love the old truck.

Katney said...

As always, I love the tour. Thank you. It is pretty obvious how the Cockscomb got its name. I think the Chevy might be a bit older than that--but what do I know of such things?

bonnie said...

I love your pictures and I hope the food was good at your restaurant. You could have eaten the little fruits you photographed. I saw a bleached out pumpkin just like those a few days ago, abandoned in the woods near my house. It was all squishy. I did photograph it, but you could not identify what it was by the picture.

DeeMom said...

The Mountain is gorgeous

The Truck is Vintage Awesome
Thanks for the additional links to Elands River Valley

Tom said...

I'm follow Suzi's trip at the moment Max.. this old truch is a belter... it stands very well for such an old timer..

Tom said...

I'm follow Suzi's trip at the moment Max.. this old truch is a belter... it stands very well for such an old timer..

Neva said...

The mountains are awesome and I love the rusty Chevrolet.

Leslie: said...

Looks like a fun outing and great photos for C.

VP said...

Thanks for letting us come along on your trip. A great C!

Randi said...

I love all of them. Really good photos.'

gma said...

Loved seeing these photographs. Those mountains are beautiful.

Janet said...

Great photos!!

Anonymous said...

Love the placement of the bike and you can't go wrong with an old chev to photograph.
Happy Wednesday.

PS have you jumped yet?

david mcmahon said...

Great shots, I love the Chevy truck

Edmund (the explorer) Nesbitt said...

Oooooooooooh! Suzi sounds as though she likes adventure! Waheeeeeeeeeeee! So do I!
My expedition is soon!

Kerri Farley said...

Wow...There's nothing like a ROAD TRIP to highlight a weekend! And a photographic one is even better! Those mountains are AWESOME....and I love the Chevy!!

PS - can't wait to see a pic of your new kitty when you get it. The cat on my post was NOT my cat....in fact in think it was feral and was just out in the woods while I was exploring...no doubt looking for a meal :)

Pete M said...

Beautiful landscape and that truck, love it

Flassie's Fil'a said...

Fantastic photograh's!

Beatutiful!

Really like the Classic Chevy!

Sad about the pumpkins though.

I am waiting for one of my dbrs to send me a map so I can make a collage of his old Studebaker Truck I took a photo of when I visited one year. I developed it in a class I had taken and it is a B&W photograph.

Look's like a really beautiful
outing you had together.

Have a Blessed Happy Fun
Healthy Creative Year!!!

myonlyphoto said...

Lovin' all you landscape images and anything you take around, it is always nice to see where people live on the other side of the world, as never know I may never see Africa. Thanks for sharing. Anna :)