Karoo - Got to love this place

The Grootwinterhoek Mountains near Klipfontein, with the Cockscomb Mountain shrouded in mist. This has become one of my favourite places on the planet. It is also one of the few areas of the Karoo that has not been earmarked for fracking. If you are interested in preserving the Karoo and have not already done so,  please sign the online petition in the side bar.

Click photo to enlarge

A time for refreshing

We have just spent a delightful weekend in the Karoo and come away feeling totally refreshed, but still wanting to spend more time enjoying its vastness, solitude and tranquility. Where we go has no access to cell phones or the internet, but those things aren't even a consideration for us out there. It is a harsh and rugged part of the world, with its own charm and beauty and when it gets into your system it grows on you and you just want to be able to spend more time out there, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Mini vs Maxi Tour - The Eastern Cape has it all

When I was looking at the plans for the Mini vs Maxi tour I was again reminded that the Eastern Cape is a really amazing tourist destination, but that is not always recognised as such.

Sue and I recently joined Couch Surfers and have had some fantastic people come and stay with us, but it always seems that they are just passing through. When I ask them if they are planning a trip to the Addo Elephant Park, they look at me blankly and say, "No, we are going to Kruger. I am sure we will see elephants there."

"Yes you will, but we have the big seven here," I say.

They also don't seem to realise that our elephant cows are much prettier, because they do not have their delicate facial features spoilt by large tusks.

And then, can you see whales and dolphins and sharks in Kruger?



We have the Wild Coast, the Sunshine Coast and the Garden Route.
We have lush green forests with amazing yellow woods and the wide open spaces of the Karoo. There are mountains and valleys and rivers, lakes and dams.

We have the most amazing fynbos and aloes. In fact there is always something flowering in the Eastern Cape, no matter what time of the year.

You can ski in the snow in winter and on the lakes and rivers in summer.

We have everything in the Eastern Cape and next week the Mini and Maxi teams will be experiencing the "adventure" activities the province has to offer. There will be many updates on what the province has to offer next week.

What don't we have? Malaria..............so, who cares. There is no need to go further North or South.

The road to...................

.............if your car's suspension can take the hammering, it will eventually get you to Uitengage.

The Cockscomb Mountain

The Cockscomb Mountain is one of the most prominent features in this area - wherever you go you will get a view of it. This picture was taken on a farm in the foothills of the Groot Winterhoek Mountain Range.

For more pictures, follow the Cockscomb Mountain link in the side bar.

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.

Cockscomb Mountains

The Cockscomb Mountain seen from the Elands River Valley, which runs in a westerly direction from Rocklands, just outside Uitenhage towards Patensie in the Gamtoos River Valley.
A drive through the Elands River Valley is worth while excusion. It is marked by rolling hills, mountain streams and fynbos (the famous Cape vegetation).



Until the 1980's, the valley was a significant wheat growing area, but as a result of a big decline in the annual rainfall, wheat growing is no longer viable. Another example of climate change and global warming?
The contour banks of the old wheat fields can still be seen on the side of the hill.