I offer experiences similar to the one described below. Cango Caves; Swartberg pass; Prince Albert; Meirings Poort; Wine tasting and Special eating experiences.
I have done them all personally and will take you to places and experiences few visitors to South Africa know about.
For more information regarding Garden Route or other tours of the Eastern and Western Cape of South Africa please contact Peter on peter.giddy@gmail.com
KNYSNA HALF MARATHON
SATURDAY 9 JULY 2016
- Road Trip from PE to Riebeek Kasteel
- Monkey Land near to Plett
- Knysna Half Marathon with Michael and Julia
- Stay at Brenton Lake with Jacqui; Lene and families
- Road Trip to Oudtshoorn -- Kleinplaas
- Road Trip to Cango Caves; Swartberg Pass; Prince Albert and Meiringspoort
- Road Trip to Riebeek Kasteel on the R62 past Calitzdorp; Ladismith; Barrydale; Montague; Ashton; Robertson; Worcester; (take the Ceres Turnoff) Tulbach and Hermon.
- Dawn arrives in Cape Town from Canada
Jacqui had arrived in PE ten days before Michael. I had
registered Michael and myself for the 21k as soon as entries became
available. Jacqui, Michael and three
children; Emily, Annabelle and Tom are living in Zichron Yakov – a small town
in Israel not far from Caesarea. Michael
is a practising Psychologist who gives lectures at the University and who runs
a private practice as well. Jacqui is at home looking after her children who
are all at school in Binyamina where they had lived for a number of years.
Michael reminded me that we had run this event together
about ten years ago. We had driven from PE on the morning of the event together
with Malcolm Figg.
We spent the first day together doing a tour of Addo. We
planned a half day tour and took my vehicle with Joshua so we were 7 in the
car. But everyone managed okay. We had
some fruit and biscuits and kept everyone happy for most of the four or five
hours in Addo. We were lucky to see a couple of herds of Elephant including up
close; families and babies. Spekboom hide had Elephant as did Hapoor. We also saw other game such as Kudu, Zebra,
Warthog, Hartebees in numbers and close up.
WITH SO MANY PEOPLE ON THE SWING BRIDGE AND BEING CHASED BY MONKEYS -- THE EXPERIENCE WAS A LITTLE NERVY
On Friday morning we left for Knysna. Jacqui was in the bakkie and Barbara and I were in the Nissan. We stopped at Storms River and the Monkey Land. Our introduction was quite funny for us as a monkey came to the platform where we were waiting and snatched a pair of glasses from another tourist. This is their favourite item to steal. The family loved seeing and learning about the monkeys. The only South African Monkey is the Vervet Monkey. All the others are rescue monkeys such as the RIngtailed Lemur, Squirrel. The Gibbon, the Holy Monkey from India and howling monkey. No Baboons in the enclosure. We ended the walk with crossing the long swingbridge which was quite funny as the monkeys were ready to snatch anything that they could.
On Friday morning we left for Knysna. Jacqui was in the bakkie and Barbara and I were in the Nissan. We stopped at Storms River and the Monkey Land. Our introduction was quite funny for us as a monkey came to the platform where we were waiting and snatched a pair of glasses from another tourist. This is their favourite item to steal. The family loved seeing and learning about the monkeys. The only South African Monkey is the Vervet Monkey. All the others are rescue monkeys such as the RIngtailed Lemur, Squirrel. The Gibbon, the Holy Monkey from India and howling monkey. No Baboons in the enclosure. We ended the walk with crossing the long swingbridge which was quite funny as the monkeys were ready to snatch anything that they could.
We visited Ena in Plett.
Julia and her friend Anja (from Germany) were staying there as well.
After some tea and cake we carried on to Knysna where Michael and I checked in.
We found Julia and had a beer before leaving for Brenton where Jacqui had
booked a house for the night. It was raining and not easy to find the house. They
had been wandering around for ages and only arrived just before us. And there was no gas to cook. Which we only
learned about later. Michael and I went back to Knysna to buy some supplies for
supper and breakfast. We managed to put
together some kind of meal before all getting an early night.
Michael and I left for Knysna at 6.15 to catch the Taxis to
the start of the race. We had packed for
a very cold morning but as it turned out it was reasonably warm with a low
cloud cover. We put our bags in the Tog
Bag truck and made our way as close to the start as we were able.
People we saw at the event; Ken and Warwick Barwood running
the 42 as was Anja. Gordon Turner; Kelly Holmes; Andrea Dyer (Kelly and Andrea
had hardly trained as both have been injured) but in the end coped okay. Linda
Harwood; Beverly (Achilles) who has only started running recently; Carol Anne
Cash; Michael Botha; Kathleen; Stuart and Maryka from MPRG; Neil Calder; Sean Pollock
who I saw at the end; We also heard that Abe De Villiers and Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith (Cricketers) were on the
race. Michael and Davera Magson doing the 42. Angela Ackerman who I chatted to
on the run. Aletta. Summerstrand and Church – Philip Karp; Jason Collier;
Kelvin and Jordan Zeelie; Tracy Crommelin; Kelly Mortimer
JULIA UP IN THE FOREST. JULIA HAS JOINED PIRATES RUNNING CLUB IN JHB.
LOOKING STRONG ON THE RUN.
The event started at 8am.
7000 runners. It was crowded from start to finish. The run starts on an uphill on the tar road
that leads to Diepwalle. The 42 starts
an hour earlier and goes in the other direction. We jogged at a steady pace with Julia. Then turn right onto the dirt road. It was okay for most of the time but as there
had been rain there was a lot of mud which runners seemed to think was poison
and not to be touched. So every now and again we would have long back ups as
bottlenecks formed. Also the trail
becomes narrow at stages and there is not really any place to run on the sides
of the track. So when there was an up hill it became difficult to run with so
many athletes walking. I prefer to
continue at a steady pace rather than walking and then running faster.
THE PATHWAY IS STILL CROWDED AND YOU BASICALLY HAVE TO WAIT OR WALK AS THE RUNNERS IN FRONT DO THE SAME
at about 8kay Julia urged us to go ahead. Michael and I stayed together for the rest of the event. We passed Kelly and Andrea – it was difficult to stay with them as the run just tends to separate people. Just keeping in touch with Michael was difficult. There are no kilometre markers so I had no real idea where we were. At about 1 hour I estimated we must be around 8k but had nothing to confirm this with. Michael said his GPS lost signal so he also was not able to see if we were doing okay timewise. We stopped many times for pictures and just to enjoy the views.
at about 8kay Julia urged us to go ahead. Michael and I stayed together for the rest of the event. We passed Kelly and Andrea – it was difficult to stay with them as the run just tends to separate people. Just keeping in touch with Michael was difficult. There are no kilometre markers so I had no real idea where we were. At about 1 hour I estimated we must be around 8k but had nothing to confirm this with. Michael said his GPS lost signal so he also was not able to see if we were doing okay timewise. We stopped many times for pictures and just to enjoy the views.
Finally we reached to Paved section near to the Golf Course.
It was here that we came across Carol Anne Cash and Michael Botha. Not at all easy running downhill. It is just
so steep and we did not want to hurt ourselves.
Beverly joined us for a while. At the bottom of the hill we don’t have
very far to go. But have to keep up the motivation. Then we get to the main
road and Michael goes ahead while I try to get a picture of the bridge and the
people. Not easy. Once he is on the other side I then have to work hard to
catch him. And only manage to do so in the final Km. So we finish together. We
see the family on the side of the road.
But I catch the attention of the announcer and introduce him to Michael
who then has a full on Interview and to the delight of the family becomes a
celebrity.
Once on the field it becomes difficult to stay together as
people greet one another. We find our
tog bags and have a bit of a sit down. But children want to go one way while
adults are just thinking of how to get out of here. I am hobbling. Barbara and
I find her car; Lene and Jessica look for a pharmacy as Jess has a toothache;
Michael and Jacqui agree to meet at a point. Barbara and I drive to the other side of
Knysna to fetch my car. Traffic!. Finally we all hook up and after a shower we
leave for Oudtshoorn.
 |
| KLEINPLAAS -- BRAAI OF WORS; KUDU SOSATIES; CHOPS AND PORKERS. EVERYTHING WAS EATEN |
OUR GUIDE WAS LISA. SHE AND TOM HAD AN ONGOING REPERTOIR. HERE SHE IS SHOWING TOM THE DEVIL FACES AND OTHER APPARITIONS ON THE FACE OF THE INNER CAVES
Sunday morning we leave early for Cango Caves. We are in the first tour of the day at 9am. Our guide is Lisa. She explains everything about the history and the formation of the caves. Tom chats to her as if she is a long lost friend. We do the Heritage (easy ) tour. I have been in these caves on a number of occasions. I still find them fascinating and a well worthwhile activity. Lisa tells us of the lady who, in 2007, became stuck in one of the Adventure Tunnels. She had been advised to not attempt this but continued anyway. Became stuck and despite all attempts to extract her it was not until 11 hours later a rescue team pulled her out. This meant that the whole group which was already in the tunnel was also stuck for 11 hours. Must have been quite an experience.
Sunday morning we leave early for Cango Caves. We are in the first tour of the day at 9am. Our guide is Lisa. She explains everything about the history and the formation of the caves. Tom chats to her as if she is a long lost friend. We do the Heritage (easy ) tour. I have been in these caves on a number of occasions. I still find them fascinating and a well worthwhile activity. Lisa tells us of the lady who, in 2007, became stuck in one of the Adventure Tunnels. She had been advised to not attempt this but continued anyway. Became stuck and despite all attempts to extract her it was not until 11 hours later a rescue team pulled her out. This meant that the whole group which was already in the tunnel was also stuck for 11 hours. Must have been quite an experience.
WE SAW ALL KINDS OF SHAPES AND FORMS ON THE ROCKS ABOVE US
This plaque is found on the top of the pass known as Die Top
SWARTBERG PASS
NOVEMBER 1881 TO DECEMBER 1887
This pass was planned and the greatest portion built by Thomas Bain, son of Andrew Geddes Bain. the Bainskloof Pass Engineer, with the aid of approximately 240 prisoners, mostly from George & Knysna area.
The original building costs were estimated at R40 000 of which R16 000 and R4000 were to be contributed by the Prince Albert and Oudtshoorn divisional councils respectively and the balance to be supplied by the Government of that day. The Actual building costs were about R20 000 apart from the maintenance paid to prisoners which amounted to R34 000.
The 24km road was opened to the public during the month of January 1888.
After the caves and a coffee we decided to do the Swartberg pass. It is a rough road and has to be driven very
slowly. I have so many memories of this pass
when John; Stefan and I have done the Dryland Traverse over four days. This
pass was built over 6 years by Thomas Baines and convict labour and completed
in 1889. It provided access from
Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert and the interior. We reach what we think is the top
but turns out to be Skelmdraai. From there we still have quite a long drive to
the “Die Top” and Ou Toll. This is where the hiking trail emerges and is also
the point where we emerged after the climb during the third day of Dryland. Past the turn off to Gamkaskloof or Die Hell which is a 35km road and the motorists is warned that this is going to be a 2 hour drive. We
take a very slow drive down just enjoying the views below and taking lots of
pictures. We emerge on the R407 and turn
into Prince Albert for a lunch. We are
fortunate to find a full restaurant before stopping at the Lazy Lizard. Here we have an outdoor table where the
children can run around. We order some really delicious soup served with
bread. The burgers are huge. Nothing is cheap but the quality of the meals
makes it worthwhile. The soups we have
are Chicken and Veg; Peas and Beans; Tomato and a vegetable soup. Each is
served with some delicious breads.
THE EARLY MORNING DRIVE TO THE CAVES -- AT THIS TIME IT IS STILL COLD -- ABOUT 3 DEGREES
Old English Fort
Well known landmark in Cogmanskloof
Declared a monument in 1999. Situated on top of Tunnel in Cogmanskloof - 4km from Montagu towards Ashton.1899 heralded the second Boer War and saw the construction of the English Fort above Cogmans Kloof. (Montagu and 2nd Boer War 11th October 1899 to 31st May 1902)
This was built by stonemason William Robertson at a site selected by Lieutenant Colonel Sidney, Commandant of the Royal Field Artillery.
The fort was garrisoned by a company of the Gordon Highlanders who were survivors of the Magersfontein battle. They were commanded by a Lieutenant Forbes.
They were camped on the original road construction site below Kalkoenkrans (Turkey Crag) the site which is now the parking area below the fort on the Montagu side.
Montagu had 4 small rectangular forts and a smaller circular one, all of which were instrumental in causing Commandant Gideon Scheepers and his Boer Commando of 300 men to avoid Montagu.
Strictly speaking, the well-known landmark at Cogman's Kloof is not a blockhouse but a construction of mortared stonework which shares some features with the blockhouses.
Perched high on a rock above the R62 road, three kilometres south of Montagu, it measures 9,3 x 3,8 m on the outside.
It has a simple entrance opening at the west end and 21 'waisted' loopholes formed in the masonry without steel plates. The loopholes are 700-800 mm above the concrete floor and the 400 mm thick stone walls reach a height of about two metres inside the building.
Inside the fort, near the south-east corner, is a roughly circular mortared stone platform (400 mm high), together with a drainage channel and hole at the base of the adjacent east wall, which seems to indicate the presence of a water tank and hence a roof.
It is not known how much of this building has been restored but one would expect the entrance to have been protected by a screen wall either inside or outside. Military History Journal Vol 10 No 6 - December 1997
Once we have had our lunch we continue back along the R407
towards Meiringspoort. It is 110km back and we pass Klaarstroom where Nicky and
Werner had stopped on their way to Ena’s Birthday party. We all loved the Poort and climbing and the
Waterfall. The only one who got wet was
Jacqui as she slipped in crossing to make sure that the girls were safe.
Monday morning we leave for Riebeek Kasteel. It takes us the whole day to get there. We drive the R62 through the Klein Karoo -- Calitzdorp; Ladismith; Barrydale' Montague; Ashton; Robertson; Worscester; Tulbach and finally Riebeek. We drive a number of passes and encounter three or four stop and go. The route past Tulbach is a first for us. We have always gone through the tunnel. But this may be a slightly better route as we don't have to navigate Wellington which is a bit of a bore.
Werner makes us a delicious supper of stewed beef and waterblommetjies. Barbara is in bed early as she has not been feeling her best the past two days.
Tuesday 12th, Barbara and I fetch Dawn from the CT airport. She is here for a two week visit. We spend a short time with Saul who leaves for NZ on 18th Aug. Then back to Riebeek. Nicky and the rest of the group spent the day doing wine tasting.
When they get home we go to Riebeek Cellars where we buy a few bottles of wine. Werner again is doing his speciality cooking duties.
Thursday 14th -- Drive back to PE with Dawn.
No comments:
Post a Comment