MARCH 2016
Addo tours
Garden route and adventure tours.
Wednesday Hikes -- Sardinia Bay
Ides of March - 15th March 44BC. Caesar is assassinated by Brutus.
HISTORY OF JACKS PICNIC SPOT
HISTORY OF WALMER
Lifesaving National competition in PE -- Kings Beach -- Masters competition.
Two Oceans 21k in Cape Town
Day on the West Coast - Jacobsbaai; Paternoster and Tietiesbaai.
Tuesday 1st. Start the month with a solid run of about 8k. Tour of Addo with 5 back packers in Nissan NP200 hired vehicle.
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| MARIUS; ANDY; MANOUK; ALEX AND LORENZO ARE MY GUESTS TODAY IN ADDO. |
Wednesday - 7k run with Bridget. Barbara takes Gail to Hospital. I do some refuse pick up.
Thursday... I love the Thursday Morning Target kloof runs. The past two weeks Kelly, Andrea and I have run the full distance to 14th Ave. Running / shuffling all the way up the hills. Today I again have to take the Hired Nissan for five guests - Have a good day with amazing Elephant viewing up close and plenty of other game. No cats or other predators. BUT we did see a Cape Cobra slithering across the road. This was the second time that I see a snake in this park. The first was a Boomslang as he attacked a nest of birds with the birds fighting him off and this time it was a very brief sighting as he slithered across the road -- I almost ran over him and he reared up with a hood for a second and then went off. The Cape Cobra was a shiny brown beautiful creature.
These Addo days tend to be long, with me getting home after 7pm. Meanwhile Ally has handed in her notice at St Saviours Toowoomba and hopes to move to a School in Perth.
Friday -- Anther Addo Tour for two - Jan and Lena. Another good day with excellent Elephant viewing including real up close as the bull walks past us on the Vukani loop.
Saturday -- Katey and Sian and Jenna and Jess. Jess and Jenna do the Bungy and then Plett for swim with seals which is cancelled due to Rough Seas. Visit to Ena. Then back to Bungy and on to Tsitsikamma Falls for Zip Lining. Then to Storms bridge for lunch. Then back to Bungy. And finally on to Tenikwa for Cheetah before heading home at 6pm. Met Len and Mandy Freeman who own the farm. Good talk about the Conservation and other aspects of the farm. They used to farm near to Lion Park in Natal and knew Ted and Cynthia.
WE COME ACROSS THIS ENORMOUS ELEPHANT BULL, TUCKING INTO SOME DELICIOUS SPEKBOOM, ON MPUNZI LOOP. THIS MUST SURELY BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST ANIMALS IN AFRICA!
Sunday -- Craig gives me a last minute request for an Addo tour from Island Vibe. JoAnne and Chris from UK and Deena from New York. Deena is going to spend two weeks at Kariega after this. We have an excellent day of viewing in particular we see elephant including baby Elephant that cannot be much more than a few weeks old. As we leave the park we see this beautiful Puff Adder on the road. Unfortunately my camera fails just as I want to capture it. A special day as it is Jo Anne's birthday. At Domkrag we see a pair of Blue Crane. Monday 7th. No running as I went to bed too late the previous evening. A day of catch up -- Take the printer to Canon who later tell me to switch it on at the "On Switch".. Do some refuse removal.
Tuesday 8th. Good morning everybody! Just a bit more than Two Weeks before we leave for CT for another Oceans Half. Running this morning with Andy Bolton -- He has run 32 X 56k Ultra's. And will line up again this year. This morning there are just a few of us. It has been raining but does not rain at all during our run. I run with Adrienne; Lindi and Chris. Back home -- no tours planned -- so; Make a fruit smoothy from Banana; Gooseberry; Red berry; Pineapple; Mango and peach with some yogurt. Then shower and back under the covers for a second sleep. What a good life I live.
Complete a number of Nature Guiding Assignments.
Wednesday 9th. Hiking group -- Sardinia bay. Great to be back with the group again.
Thursday -- Feeling the effects of recent training. Sore legs, muscles, knees and ankles. Township tour with Judie and Ray from Florida.
Friday -- Spent most of the day doing Nature Guiding assignments. I hope that this is the last of them for a while. Will submit next week and see if I have done everything required.
Saturday Morning. Cold and Wet. I am at Lake farm doing Parking duty. Lene and family are there to run the 5k. Later I pick up four guests for an Addo tour. There have been good rains and the park is looking a lot better. Green and water holes now are at least a bit wet. But Elephant are not in the same numbers as we have seen in recent months. However we have a good day: Secretary Bird; Turtle at Domkrag; Blood Lily at Domkrag; Yellow Mongoose (Pumba's friend Timone); Buffalo up close; Cheetah at Arizona at a distance; Big bull Elephant up close;
My guests today are Anna Marie from Munich who is staying at Millbury; Caroline who is French from Paris but currently on Contract with ABSA for 7 months and who is traveling the world and South Africa and will be running Oceans 21k in two weeks; Sophie and Sarah from Germany in their Gap Year were doing social work in JHB and now on Holiday.
Today was a Long Day for me as I have not been feeling well recently.
Sunday 13th March. Patricks Birthday. Entered SAD 21k in Wellington for 2nd May.
Monday - Still not feeling my best. Run Mount Road and Collegiate with Andrea; Almarie and Adele. No work today so back to second sleep for 30min. Yay!. Wash the car; dump the rubbish, Replace the Gas;
Tuesday. 23 Runners this morning; Run the full Andrew Rabie School route: John; Erica; Maryka; Stuart; John; Adele: Almarie; Andrea; Kelly; Mike; Chris; Lindie; Ingrid; Benita; Lisa; Lynn; Angela; Nicky; Helen; Amanda; Joan; Johan & Peter.
For the first time I turn down a Tour Opportunity. I have to attend a PPECB meeting for DOLE and I really am not in the mood for another day driving on a sore backside. It turns out that the DOLE meeting is in Addo and I later fetch Jessica then go to try to register for Uber so eventually get home after 4pm anyway.
15th March -- Ides of March -- The day on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44BC by Brutus and Cassius. He was stabbed (23 times) to death in the Senate by Brutus and 60 conspirators. Four years later, to the day, Caesar's adopted son, Octavian (Later known as Augustus), to avenge Caesar's death, killed 300 senators and knights who had fought against him. Mark Antony (consul of the Roman Republic with Caesar) was a supporter of Julius Caesar and, in 40BC, was appointed governor of Egypt. Cleopatra was the ruler of Egypt at the time. There was tension between Octavian and Antony but eased when Antony married Octavian's sister. Octavia. But Antony had an affair with/ married Cleopatra (and had three children with her). In 31BC Antony was declared a traitor and defeated at the Battle of Actium. Antony and Cleopatra fled to Egypt where they (at different times) committed suicide. This allowed Octavian to become supreme ruler of what became the Roman Empire and so Octavian (Caesar Augustus) came to be emperor when Christ was born. Caesar Augustus died 14AD and was succeeded by Caesar Tiberius who was the Roman Emperor when Jesus was crucified in 33AD.
It was Thomas Jefferson who came up with the name Capitol Hill, consciously invoking the famous Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome.
Wednesday morning -- Sacramento to SAMREC tour with Tim; Julia and Kaylei. Good hike along the trail past the memorial and back on the top loop.
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ALLY FINALLY MOVES WEST TO PERTH. SEEMS LIKE SHE IS A HAPPY GAPPI  |
WHAT IS A VLEI?
A vlei is a shallow minor lake, mostly of a seasonal or intermittent nature
. It even might refer to seasonal ponds or marshy patches where frogs and similar marsh dwellers breed. Commonly, vleis vary in their extent, or even in the presence or absence of water, according to the fall of rain or dryness of the season. In terms of water salinity, vleis may be freshwater, saltwater, or brackish. Over time a vlei may degrade into a salt pan or clay pan, such as Dead Vlei or Sossusvlei. Swartvlei in the Wilderness is open to the sea for 6 months and silted up for the balance of the year.
South African
A grassy or marshy wetland, some or all of which is covered with water during the rainy season.
A marshy depression in which water collects in the wet season : a temporary lake
Thursday 17th; Lifesaving Nationals at Kings Beach. First event of the next four days is Masters. And I am doing my first event this year at age 65. Crazy! The only event which I cannot do is Ski. I have never learned to Balance. I have been in a competition before with Stanford Slabbert but today he will take Andrew Prichard with him. So I take part in Run, swim, run - Gold; Malibu Board - Silver; Surf Swim - Gold; 1km Beach relay - a new event - So as I do not have a partner, I get special permission to run both legs but in the end I am disqualified so no medal; Beach Relay with Jason and Serrano - we are placed 4th. The beach relay is total age of the three competitors and we are the only three from Summerstrand who are prepared to run. Then the flags - Silver; beach sprint - Silver - and long run - Silver. In all of these individual events I think that there are only two >65 competitors and so I am placed either first or second in all of them.
In our team of masters today: Tania van Thiel; Jason Goedals; Jason Karogopulous; Serrano; Richard; Dalen Davidson; Stanford Slabbert; Andrew Prichard who has a real upset as his bag is stolen with all his belongings such as wallet, Car keys, Phone, and glasses. Plus the bag itself was an Ironman bag which he had worked so hard to win. Andrew Stone; Fanta Gous; and myself = a team of 11.
Thanks Also to the three Sardinia Bay competitors who helped me with my "stuff" on Thursday: Peter and Andrew Marriot and friend.
After the last event I rush home to shower and then pick up Nadine and Steff (Austria) and take them to Heavenly stables - where Barbara stables her horse - and the two girls have a 2 hour beach ride. They seem to love this outing and I think will remember it for some time to come.
Friday morning -- Meet with Craig. Sort out some stuff at home. Township tour with Tim, Julie and Kaylei. We visit Human Dignity Centre where Sandile takes us for a tour. We then drive through Walmer Township and on to New Brighton and nearby townships. I visit the Red Location BB for the first time.
I then meet Chris the Blunden driver at the Garden Court where we pick up Zozo the Hungarian translator and 16 visitors from Hungary. We drive to New Brighton. I explain some of the history of this area and Red Location. We then take a walk through the Shacks area; Visit to Stanleys Butchery and Nathaniels Spaza Shop. A nasty incident as a skollie tries to steal a camera. No one hurt. Then on to Chiefs Tavern where I meet his daughter Akona who is studying Tourism. The group appeared to enjoy the outing and I drop them off at 6pm.
Saturday Morning. Good to be back on the beachfront run after a long break. We run Eastwards to avoid the 10k starting at KB. Up Admiralty. Kelly and I run around the back and down to the Second Ave filling station where we meet the rest of the group. On towards LaRoche Drive and left to the Caltex. Here I receive a phone call from Craig to say I have a Garden Route Tour. Kelly and I turn back and down to Hobie beach while the rest continue on to Walmer boulevard.
I pick up SK; AK (Mother) and Shatsi at the Radisson Blu. They are from Mumbai, India and on holiday in SA for a short stay. Today they want a bit of a Garden Route Experience. We stop off at Jeffreys but this is not the place for a quick stop. Then on to Storms and a walk across the bridge. Then to Storms River Mouth (Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve) where we, after a long photo and Selfie session, walk to the Suspension Bridges. More Photo's and Selfies and then back to the parking area. From here we stop briefly at the Bungy jumping but that is not much fun so on to the Bird Sanctuary but Shatsi has sore feet from the walk and we cancel that. Plett is next but there they are having a music Festival and the beach is blocked off. Finally drop off at Knysna and I drive home.
Sunday 20th. Addo tour with Adam and Chelse. Have a good start with Elephant and Jackal. Then Lion at Windmill. Then we see large herds of Elephant throughout the park. And Second Sighting of lion at Domkrag. Both were lying down with occasional flick of a tail. Later we see a buffalo fight at Ghwarrie dam. Overall a good day at Addo. This evening I am on duty at Church.
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| OUR TOWNSHIP TOUR GROUP -- TOM; DIANA; LISA; GABRIEL AND LINDSEY AND FAMILY OF DIANA. PLUS TWO LADIES FROM THE RED LOCATION B & B |
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| ANNIE AND NEIL WITH ADRIENNE OUT OF PIC. MORNING BEACH RUN -- WE JUST AVOIDED THE RAIN. |
Cape Town - On 21 March, South Africans officially celebrate Human Rights Day, declared a public holiday in 1994 following the inauguration of former president Nelson Mandela.
While it pays tribute to the tragic events of the Sharpeville massacre, it is also a celebration of South Africa’s constitution, which gives equal rights to all.
Human Rights Day is but one of the many bricks in SA's road to democracy. Here are a few things about our complex past that happened on this day, that you might not know...
1. The Sharpeville massacre took place on Monday, 21 March in 1960 as police opened fire on about 5 000 people who had come to the Sharpeville station to protest pass laws.
2. Some 69 unarmed people were killed and another 180 were injured.
3. The pass law was also humiliatingly referred to as the dom pass and was a particular indignation for black men who had to produce it on demand and could be arrested and detained on the spot if they did not have it on them.
4. It is believed the movement was initiated by the newly-elected Pan Africanist Congress leader Robert Sobukwe at the time, who called for the stand against the pass law. Sobukwe, a 34-year-old lecturer in African languages at Wits University at the time was leading a march to the Orlando police station when they heard of the massacre at Sharpeville.
5. Also referred to as Heroes' Day, the event marked an awakening across the world to the inhumanity of the apartheid regime, however it also meant the start of the end for peaceful protests against apartheid in South Africa as a few days later on 8 April 1960, the Nationalist Party government, under the premiership of apartheid architect Hendrik Verwoerd, banned the PAC and ANC.
6. Following international sanctions and many years of struggle, with Sobukwe having been detained on Robben Island, released and then banished to Kimberley where he died of cancer reportedly in1970 - the pass law was only revoked in 1986 by then apartheid leader PW Botha.
7. SA's Human Rights Day on 21 March is also the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
8. In stark contrast to the pass law, South Africa's constitution protects individual rights for equality; human dignity; life; freedom and security; privacy; freedom of religion, belief and opinion; freedom of expression; freedom of association and a right to education -
Start the morning with a beach front run with Adrienne; Annie and Neil. Just avoided getting wet.
After a bit of confusion as to what tour I will be doing: I first go to the Boarwalk hotel where there is not a client. Then I collect Lindsey and Gabriel from Ahoy in La Roche Dr. Then we collect a Hired Vehicle from the airport. Meanwhile it is raining and we get wet each time we have to get in or out the vehicle. Then we collect Tom, Diana and Lisa and three other German family from Hans Heiman's B & B in Cromwell drive. We do the Township tour starting in Motherwell and Moving to New Brighton, Zwide and Red Location. Our stops include Spaza shop; Stanley's Butchery and Red Location Museum and the Red Location B & B where Lindsey will be taking a group in July. Our last visit is to Walmer location and then drop back home. I have the afternoon off to catch up on some admin stuff.
This evening we go to Church and the preacher makes a comment: Europeans have watches while Africans have time. He talks about the different reactions to stimulus of pain or anticipated pain (Physical, mental or emotional pain) which is controlled by a part of the brain situated just above the spine called the Amygdala -- responses are: Flee; Fight or Freeze.
Amygdala
Shown in research to perform a primary role in the processing of memory, decision-making, and emotional reactions,
Tuesday 22nd. Pick up 6 people from various accommodation. With Pieter in the VW Bus. Today we have an exceptional day for viewing: Lots of Elephant; Kudu; Hartebees; Pumba and Zebra. But also Cheetah at Arizona; Lion at Woodlands Dam mating; A small family of Meerkat and two herds of Eland Plus a number of Buffalo bulls.
Wednesday -- Rubbish Dump; Hotels visits and reviews with Barbara; Preparation for CT trip.
Thursday 24th. Drive to Cape Town with a short stop in Plett. Raining for most of the way. Registration for the race is at CTICC and is done in less than 30 minutes. Stay over in Riebeek Kasteel. On the way to CT we stop at Albertinia. Here we meet up with Tommy Satchwell and Geoff Roberts who are also on their way to Oceans. Tommy tells me that they are going to be staying with his brother who lives in Riebeek Kasteel. What a coincidence!
Bob Stedman ran his 30th 56k. Andy Bolton ran his 34th and Graham Channon has now run 36 times. Geoff Roberts completed his 17th 56k I think. So many legends in the Achilles running group.
Friday -- Breakfast at Wicked Treats. Meet Tommy and Geoff. Barbara and I drive to Cape Town where we stay at Patrick for the night.
Saturday morning -- I am up at 4.20. Wash and shave and dress for the Oceans 21k. Its drizzling so I take a long sleeved top. Walk to the start. Line up in the Group C. Wait for our start at 5.50am. When it is time for our start they play Sho Sholoza and the anthem and finally the three blasts of the Fish Horn. Then the Gun.
I run at a reasonable pace. I have determined to not walk today. So I don't want to run past my ability and jog on and up the hill. The first hill comes just after 1km and continues past 3k. Down the hill and over the bridge. Here we are at about 7k. Then there is the section where we back track on each other. I see no one that I know. But I am concentrating on the run. I see the Sub Two Hour flags behind me and know that they will catch me soon. I press on past the 7k mark and along the section which leads to the 10k just before Southern Cross drive. Then up Southern Cross drive for a three k uphill. I determine to try my hardest to not slow down but I struggle up hills these days.
So up we go to the 12k mark and here we see the brass band in Green. They are amazing the way they perform for us. So its over the top to the 8k to go. Now there is the long section of lousy undulations and bad camber. I battle along this bit but finally we get to the top of the hill. And the it is the sharp downhill. We run down and I feel the pain in my calves. Now there is only about 5k to go. I know that I have to work hard ; with five kays I am capable of pushing to the end.
So we come to the 3 kays to go, just before the left turn where the traffic lights are. And up the sharp hill. Then along the straight section and past the second brass band. This is a tough section as you must focus and run hard despite the ups. I come to the last kay. And again an uphill. I push on and over the final bit onto the field. I complete the event in 2.11 and realise that this is where my place is. I could not have run any faster. The conditions are perfect. This is my 8th Oceans Half.
We met Stefan's Aunt Maria at the Oceans Expo. She runs her 7th 21k in 2.55. Lene's mother also ran the 21k -- her first -- in about 2.51.
I walk down to the steps and down the steep hill to Main St. This is agony and my calves ache. I phone Barbara but she was not able to meet me as the road is blocked off. I get a lift for a couple of kays and then walk the last section to where Barbara is waiting for me. Back to Patrick; shower and leave for Nicky. Stop at Engen for a coffee and sandwich. Then in Malmesbury for some supplies.
At Nicky we are: Nicky and Werner; Chris; Aaron; Zara and Mia; Saul and Cathy and Blake; Lene and Jessica; Josh and Daniel. Lynette and Gush and their two children. And John. And Chris and Estelle. What an amazing family party and gathering!
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| OLIVE TREES OF THE KLOOVENBERG FARM. |
Sunday morning - Gush and Lynette slept over in their camper; Nicky and Werner stayed with his parents; Barbara and I slept in Nicky's Room; Cathy, Saul and Blake in one room and Lene and her children in another room. The boys were in their room and up until about 3am.
Barbara and I drive to Cathy for Sunday night. Cathy gives me the recipe for her Butternut soup.
Easter Monday -- We leave from Cathy at 9am. Follow Cathy and Saul to Jacobsbaai. We get a bit lost and finally find our way to the restaurant where Nicky and Werner & family and Christ & Estelle are waiting. But this restaurant is fully booked. So we stop for a Coffee before continuing to the Backpackers where there is a Fairy Land.
From here we press on to Paternoster and then Tietiesbaai where we find the Seekombuis Restaurant. Right on the beach. The seating is inside or if you like you can sit in the dingy's outside or just around tables in the sun. It is a perfect day so we sit outside with the Atlantic Ocean in front of us. So calming and beautiful. We walk the rocks and beaches before enjoying a delicious seafood platter.
I drive home while Nicky and Werner stop off at a fish shop to buy some Angle Fish for a fish braai this evening.
Meanwhile Lene and family drove home this morning.
Tuesday 29th. Barbara and I leave for PE from Riebeek at about 6am. Take the N1 and Robertson road. Cross to Swellendam and then N2 to Albertinia for breakfast sandwich. Past Mossel Bay and stop at Knysna to fill up. Then Storms river for an Ice Cream before last bit to PE. Arrive home at 16.00.
Wednesday. Cycle around the Moffet. Builders warehouse and back up Target with Megan. Addo Tour with Michael; Dinah and Joris.
Thursday 31st... Short run with Mike, Lindi and Chris. Tom's Birthday. I have a morning Township Tour -- Not very successful. I did not feel good about my efforts.
Peter Giddy
JACKS PICNIC SITE
In the early 1960's at a time when Black Rhino was under threat of extinction in South Africa, Black Rhino from Kenya were introduced to the park. By 1986 these East African Rhino had increased to 17. In 1991, park management decided to follow the IUCNS decision to stock only the subspecies of Rhino indigenous to particular area. Hence from 1991 to 2003 Michaeli Rhino were relocated out of the park and the correct subspecies Diceros Bicornis were reintroduced. 46 Michaeli Rhino were translocated out of Addo
Jack's name was originally JA - A reference to JA Hunter who was responsible for killing over 1000 black rhino in Kenya. JA was renamed Jack by a Park Ranger (Karools Goliath who achieved 34 years of service) as he did not like the original name. Jack could not be translocated out of the park due to a heart condition which meant that he probably would have died if exposed to the stress and tranquilizers used during translocation. On two occasions during a previous immobilisation his heart actually stopped and he had to be resuscitated.
He spent his last days in this botanical reserve. Jack was well over 30 years of age when he died and is one of a few black rhino recorded to have reached his stately age in the wild.
Addo Elephant Park now boasts a successful black Rhino conservation story. The Rhino population is managed as part of a bigger population to ensure genetic diversity by translocating Rhino between National Parks in South Africa and Namibia.
CAPE HONEYSUCKLE
WALMER ---- HISTORY
An interesting bit of history about Walmer, a suburb of Port Elizabeth - found on google and thought I'd share!
In 1815 the farm Welbedacht is granted to a Mr A.M Muller.
Located to the south west of Port Elizabeth it covered an area just under 14 square miles.
When Muller died in 1845 his farm was inherited by his 8 sons who, true to form, could not decide on how to sub divide the property.
As a result the farm was sold and the money was distributed to the heirs.
In 1855 the area was transferred to the municipality of Port Elizabeth and renamed Walmer in honour of the Duke of Wellington. Who lived in the Walmer Castle which is located in Kent on the South East Corner of Britain.
Located to the south west of Port Elizabeth it covered an area just under 14 square miles.
When Muller died in 1845 his farm was inherited by his 8 sons who, true to form, could not decide on how to sub divide the property.
As a result the farm was sold and the money was distributed to the heirs.
In 1855 the area was transferred to the municipality of Port Elizabeth and renamed Walmer in honour of the Duke of Wellington. Who lived in the Walmer Castle which is located in Kent on the South East Corner of Britain.
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, (1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852), was an Anglo-Irish soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of 19th-century Britain. His defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 put him in the top rank of Britain's military heroes. In 2002, he was number 14 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.
After ending his active military career, Wellesley returned to politics. He was twice British prime minister as part of the Tory party: from 1828 to 1830, and for a little less than a month in 1834. He continued as one of the leading figures in the House of Lords until his retirement and remained Commander-in-Chief of the British Army until his death.
The area was then laid out and on 8 March 1855, 400 plots were sold by public auction.
A number of stands were also reserved for the Dutch Reformed Church and the Anglican Church.
The village plan included wide streets and a plentiful supply of water.
1856 - The residential township of Walmer is laid out as a separate municipal entity.
1896 - Town Council agrees to the construction of a road to Walmer through Target Kloof.
In 1899, Walmer was awarded separate municipal status while its residential character, spacious residential plots and attractive dwellings attracted both families with young children and the elderly.
Acetylene gas was used for lighting before the electricity came in 1925.
The man of the family was responsible for seeing water was carried in to wet the carbide which produced the gas. The residual ash, or lime, was used to white-wash the buildings.
In the early days Walmer had a large dairy so milk and butter was delivered every day.
The butcher was further away and his daily deliveries were brought on horseback.
Folk without horses either walked or rode donkeys.
The donkeys of Walmer were charming and full of character (and a healthy child or two could vouch for the good of the asses milk they were given in times of necessity)
The coming of the train to Walmer was hailed with enthusiasm and Saturday15 December 1906 was the inauguration day.
Everyone was invited to a free ride and it was said 5,000 people sampled the new transport that day in "inclement weather".
Of course some small boys were in heaven as they rode up and down all day, from the station in Humewood along Villiers Road into Water Road to 14th Avenue.
1923 - August, The location for a new Black township of Walmer is approved.
In 1966 Walmer becomes part of Port Elizabeth.
The area was then laid out and on 8 March 1855, 400 plots were sold by public auction.
A number of stands were also reserved for the Dutch Reformed Church and the Anglican Church.
The village plan included wide streets and a plentiful supply of water.
1856 - The residential township of Walmer is laid out as a separate municipal entity.
1896 - Town Council agrees to the construction of a road to Walmer through Target Kloof.
In 1899, Walmer was awarded separate municipal status while its residential character, spacious residential plots and attractive dwellings attracted both families with young children and the elderly.
Acetylene gas was used for lighting before the electricity came in 1925.
The man of the family was responsible for seeing water was carried in to wet the carbide which produced the gas. The residual ash, or lime, was used to white-wash the buildings.
In the early days Walmer had a large dairy so milk and butter was delivered every day.
The butcher was further away and his daily deliveries were brought on horseback.
Folk without horses either walked or rode donkeys.
The donkeys of Walmer were charming and full of character (and a healthy child or two could vouch for the good of the asses milk they were given in times of necessity)
The coming of the train to Walmer was hailed with enthusiasm and Saturday15 December 1906 was the inauguration day.
Everyone was invited to a free ride and it was said 5,000 people sampled the new transport that day in "inclement weather".
Of course some small boys were in heaven as they rode up and down all day, from the station in Humewood along Villiers Road into Water Road to 14th Avenue.
1923 - August, The location for a new Black township of Walmer is approved.
In 1966 Walmer becomes part of Port Elizabeth.
Noem- Neom Jelly;; AMATUNGULU.
Pluck firm, ripe fruits. Wash the fruits and cut them into pieces including the skin. Add just enough water to cover them and cook until soft. Put aside and let it cool for a few hours. Pour through a sift. Measure the liquid.
For every 500ml of liquid add 400g of white sugar. Slowly heat until boiling and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Filter the syrup; don’t press through or else the jelly will be cloudy.
Cook the filtrate at a fairly high temperature, until it jells when a small amount is dropped on a cold saucer. Remove the scum bottle and seal while still warm.
Pluck firm, ripe fruits. Wash the fruits and cut them into pieces including the skin. Add just enough water to cover them and cook until soft. Put aside and let it cool for a few hours. Pour through a sift. Measure the liquid.
For every 500ml of liquid add 400g of white sugar. Slowly heat until boiling and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Filter the syrup; don’t press through or else the jelly will be cloudy.
Cook the filtrate at a fairly high temperature, until it jells when a small amount is dropped on a cold saucer. Remove the scum bottle and seal while still warm.
CATHY BUTTERNUT SOUP
Butternut - cooked until soft -- empty butternut into the blender plus a small amount of water.
2 golden delicious apples cut and peeled;
Curry powder & Garlic crush and One full onion in the butternut water cooked to soften; One chicken stock
Blend and serve.
Lord Milner was Governor of the Cape Colony 1897 - 1901
He was a British statesman and colonial administrator who played an influential leadership role in the formulation of foreign and domestic policy between the mid-1890s and early 1920s. He was also the key British Empire figure in the events leading up to and following the Anglo-Boer War of 1899–1902
In the same year that saw the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, on October 26, 1897, a meeting took place
of the now-vanished Town Council of Woodstock, in due course to be merged into that of Greater Cape
Town. Before it, awaiting attention, lay a communication from a company, Milnerton Estates Limited,
"notifying the purchase of the properties known as Paarden Island and Jan Biesjes Kraal respectively". The
letter also informed them that it was intended "to layout the estate as a township, to be known as Milnerton
and also to open up railway communications from Cape Town to the centre of the property. . ."
Dominating the news of the day was the arrival in Cape Colony of the new High Commissioner for South
Africa, Sir Alfred Milner (afterwards Lord Milner), for which reason, the promoters of the new venture decided
to embody his name in that of their new enterprise.
The founding of Milnerton Estates Limited, on August 30, 1897, under the Cape Company Act (adopted only
five years previously), reflected a temporary wave of optimism and an urge towards development, which had
been sweeping the whole country as the trauma of the Jameson Raid receded into the background.
Unlike modern township developers, the fathers of Milnerton began their sales campaign in a manner that
could almost be described as casual. In the weekly journal of Cape Town gossip and politics, the "Owl", on
February 17, 1899, there appeared on the back page a modest advertisement for "46 Plots of Land, near
Milnerton Estates and the Beach", mentioning "Milnerton Estates Company's land which will soon be connected with the Government Suburban Line". Two months later, tenders were called for the construction of
the Milnerton Railway.
Rondebosch, "in regard to obtaining water from the Steenbras River".
International events were now to affect the affairs of the Milnerton Estates. On October 11, 1899, tension,
which had been steadily building up between the authorities of Britain and the Boer Republics, culminated in
the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War.
Only a few days before, on September 29, the earliest recorded photographs of Milnerton are mentioned, an
amount of six guineas being paid to A. J. Fuller for taking them. Notwithstanding their unique historical value
they do not seem to have survived.
Meanwhile, eager to escape from the oncoming catastrophe, thousands of refugees were streaming down to
the coast from the Goldfields of the Transvaal and elsewhere, aggravating the overcrowding already created
by the demands of the Military.
Press yesterday morning, this impression is altogether dispelled and, instead of a vast stretch of barren land,
one finds an expanse of rich soil, planted advantageously with abundant trees, and irrigated by the river,
which cuts right across it, a land capable of and eminently lending itself to cultivation, development and
improvement.
and shut out a further expanse of rolling, heaving and tossing seas, which one knows is there, yet cannot see.
Turning towards Cape Town one beholds a beautiful panorama of the city, snugly nestling at the foot of the
mighty Mountain, which in its stern grandeur forms a striking background, lovely in its natural ruggedness. In
the far corner one sees the Docks, the masts of the shipping scarcely discernible in the distance, and by them
rise the tops of the higher and more prominent buildings. Looking backwards along the road travelled from
Maitland, the Mountain again presents itself to view, gently led up by the rising slopes, and now standing
alone and unrelieved, its jagged tops lined bold behind the fleecy clouds that dot the blue sky.
cooling sea breeze is wafted up."
SOME HISTORY OF THE EARLY DAYS OF MILNERTON
Lord Milner was Governor of the Cape Colony 1897 - 1901
He was a British statesman and colonial administrator who played an influential leadership role in the formulation of foreign and domestic policy between the mid-1890s and early 1920s. He was also the key British Empire figure in the events leading up to and following the Anglo-Boer War of 1899–1902
MILNERTON ESTATE COMPANY LIMITED
Notify that they have bought Paarden Eiland and Jan Biesje's Kraal for a Township and intend connecting it with a Railway."of the now-vanished Town Council of Woodstock, in due course to be merged into that of Greater Cape
Town. Before it, awaiting attention, lay a communication from a company, Milnerton Estates Limited,
"notifying the purchase of the properties known as Paarden Island and Jan Biesjes Kraal respectively". The
letter also informed them that it was intended "to layout the estate as a township, to be known as Milnerton
and also to open up railway communications from Cape Town to the centre of the property. . ."
Dominating the news of the day was the arrival in Cape Colony of the new High Commissioner for South
Africa, Sir Alfred Milner (afterwards Lord Milner), for which reason, the promoters of the new venture decided
to embody his name in that of their new enterprise.
The founding of Milnerton Estates Limited, on August 30, 1897, under the Cape Company Act (adopted only
five years previously), reflected a temporary wave of optimism and an urge towards development, which had
been sweeping the whole country as the trauma of the Jameson Raid receded into the background.
Unlike modern township developers, the fathers of Milnerton began their sales campaign in a manner that
could almost be described as casual. In the weekly journal of Cape Town gossip and politics, the "Owl", on
February 17, 1899, there appeared on the back page a modest advertisement for "46 Plots of Land, near
Milnerton Estates and the Beach", mentioning "Milnerton Estates Company's land which will soon be connected with the Government Suburban Line". Two months later, tenders were called for the construction of
the Milnerton Railway.
So far not a single plot had been sold, but on April 7, 1899, appeared a reference to the provision of another
essential amenity, when Langerman was requested to arrange an interview with J. A. Watson, Mayor ofRondebosch, "in regard to obtaining water from the Steenbras River".
International events were now to affect the affairs of the Milnerton Estates. On October 11, 1899, tension,
which had been steadily building up between the authorities of Britain and the Boer Republics, culminated in
the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War.
Only a few days before, on September 29, the earliest recorded photographs of Milnerton are mentioned, an
amount of six guineas being paid to A. J. Fuller for taking them. Notwithstanding their unique historical value
they do not seem to have survived.
Meanwhile, eager to escape from the oncoming catastrophe, thousands of refugees were streaming down to
the coast from the Goldfields of the Transvaal and elsewhere, aggravating the overcrowding already created
by the demands of the Military.
On February 4, the “Cape Argus”, in an historic article, announced: “Perhaps the finest and best-situated estate in the suburbs is that lying between the main line of railway, beyond Salt River Station, and known as the Milnerton Estates. Looking at the property from a distance, or form a passing train, it appears to be quite
infertile waste, in fact, marshy, but on closer inspection, such as was afforded the representatives of thePress yesterday morning, this impression is altogether dispelled and, instead of a vast stretch of barren land,
one finds an expanse of rich soil, planted advantageously with abundant trees, and irrigated by the river,
which cuts right across it, a land capable of and eminently lending itself to cultivation, development and
improvement.
"As regards the view afforded by the situation, seldom, indeed, is one so striking and artistic. Looking
seawards, the ocean, dotted with craft, stretches far away, until the skies, as it were, fall down as a screenand shut out a further expanse of rolling, heaving and tossing seas, which one knows is there, yet cannot see.
Turning towards Cape Town one beholds a beautiful panorama of the city, snugly nestling at the foot of the
mighty Mountain, which in its stern grandeur forms a striking background, lovely in its natural ruggedness. In
the far corner one sees the Docks, the masts of the shipping scarcely discernible in the distance, and by them
rise the tops of the higher and more prominent buildings. Looking backwards along the road travelled from
Maitland, the Mountain again presents itself to view, gently led up by the rising slopes, and now standing
alone and unrelieved, its jagged tops lined bold behind the fleecy clouds that dot the blue sky.
"As a residential quarter the Estate possesses the exceptional advantage of being within easy reach of the
city, while lying at the shores of the Bay, almost fringing the ocean, from which the healthy invigorating andcooling sea breeze is wafted up."
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