Things to do in Port Elizabeth -- Peter Giddy Guided Tours and hiking trails. -- Nanaga Hiking trail. JUNE 2017

Peter Giddy is a Registered and experienced Tour guide.  He will take you on Safari to Addo and other reserves; or trail walking;  He loves to show the History and City of Port Elizabeth as well as Townships.  Airport; Wildlife reserve and Hotel Transfers; Addo Elephant wildlife reserve; Kragga Kamma for Rhino, Giraffe and cheetah.  Peter specialises in Garden Route adventures.
Contact Peter -- peter.giddy@gmail.com

NANAGA FARM HIKING TRAIL

Today I was part of the Thursday hiking group.  Mostly retired people who love to be in the outdoors and enjoy the company of like minded people.
We met at the Nanaga Farm stall and then continued on the R75 towards Alexandria.  We take the farm road which leads to the Hike and Picnic area.
Here we split up into those who want to stay in the picnic area and prepare the Braai;  the second group is the Short Trail walkers and then the Long Trail Walkers.  Todays long trail was just 7 kay.  A really good trail with some hills but nothing excessive.

 On the R75, in winter, look out for the beautiful array of aloe

Thorneycroft  and Nanaga farm trust.

Once you turn off onto the dirt road it is still quite a way past the farm buildings and on towards the picnic area.
We leave the picnic area and immediately walk up the first hill.  At the top we make a left turn on a field.  From here you can look to the West where there are a bank of water tanks on the hill across the valley.  This is where we will be in an hour or so.

I walk with Allan who is also an ex comrades runner.  He ran his first comrades in 1968 -- In that year another friend of mine (Ekard Schumann) completed his first comrades -- Allan finished in position 331 of 438 in a time of 10.28.  Allan then did not run another Comrades for 14 years and it was in 1980 that he gave it another go.  He then ran three consecutive years 9.24; 8.55 and 9.20.  Total of four Comrades Medals. The first one (1968), at that time, was a Silver Medal.

Top of the first hill and we regroup.

 Old Farm buildings. Now completely disused except for birds and other animals

 We looked for the Barn Owl but only saw droppings

 Dave and I at the old farm buildings

 There are hills on this hike but nothing to write home about.

We walk up and down the hills.  There is a bit of a strong westerly blowing but as soon as we dip into one of the valleys we cannot feel the wind at all.  The temperature is chilly but nothing more than a thin jacket is required as the sun and walking warm us up. We come across a couple of Warthogs grazing in a valley.

I meet up with Rose who is the farmer on the land and who has allowed us to use the trails. Rose is family to the Newcombe family who arrived in the 1820's in the 24 ships which came to be known as the 1820 settlers and who were assisted by Sir Rufane Donkin to find suitable land and farming implements.  The Newcombe family first owned the area which is now part of the Heritage trail around the Donkin Memorial.  They bought the current farm in 1840 and have lived there for generations. 

We find some old buildings where there are reported to be barn owls.  Inside the building all we see are the droppings of the birds as well as various other remains and evidence of animals.  Andy says he saw the birds up in the branches of the Eucalyptus trees.

 We reach the top of the hill where there are four or five water tanks.

 looking across the bay in a Westerly Direction. On a clear day you should be able to see some of the features of Port Elizabeth.

 Water tanks that supply the farmlands and animals below.

 It is only the calves and Heifers that are kept on the farm.  The dairy cattle are taken across to an neighbouring farm where they are milked.

Does not seem like much but this is really quite a big herd.
I am enjoying the group and the walk and so am not at all weary when we reach the bank of water tanks.  Here we stop for a brief rest and snack. It should be a good stop from where you should be able to see across the bay to the beaches of Port Elizabeth..  But today it is overcast and the west wind is cold and not at all pleasant. 
We pass the herd of cattle and head downhill and back to the picnic area.

 Back at the picnic area where the fire is set and everyone seems to have a chair and table set out.

The Braai Area is really user friendly.  There is even a toilet nearby.
I have not brought the necessary for a braai so leave for home.  The west wind batters the car as I drive home and there is a slight drizzle which makes the drive even more miserable. 

Overall I enjoyed the morning and will do this again anytime.