Stellenbosch "Garden Route"

The Garden Route is the name give to the unique, picturesque landscape and coastline between Port Elizabeth and George. It is one of the most famous and popular attractions in South Africa, with many varying attractions for families or couples.The route starts in Port Elizabeth and it continues through St. Francis Bay, the Storms River, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Sedgefield, the Wilderness, Oudsthoorn and George. From George, you will continue on to Hermanus, an attractive seaside resort, well known for its whale-watching season between July and November. Then turn inland, away from the coast, toward the famous wineland towns of Stellenbosch and Paarl and a couple of days spent visiting estates to sample and perhaps purchase some of the finest wines in the world.

The verdant Constantia valley, home to Klein Constantia Estate, is the oldest, most enduring vineyard region in the Cape, first producing wine in 1689. As part of the original vineyard that in the 18th century produced "Constantia", prized throughout Europe by the leaders and aristocracy of the time, Klein Constantia has helped to reclaim its former glory by initiating the revival of this famous sweet wine.Family owned and run, Klein Constantia's philosophy is founded on quality rather than quantity, reflected in the wines regularly inviting accolades, both locally and internationally.Please browse through the website, and delve into our unique and rich history to get a sense of some of the special qualities that are evident in our wines. TheTamshee says: having visited the region on many occasions I have taken great pleasure in participating in numerous wine tasting sessions on this estate, the fascinating tour of the wine making process is very informative, but lets be truthful - we only go for the plonk. If you are interested in South African wines, I can recommend the the good people at the wine store in Melrose, Scottish Borders.

Outenique Choo Tjoe

TheTamshee's travels continued: catch the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe - the last remaining continually-operated passenger steam train in Africa, currently only operating between George and Mossel Bay as a result of mudslides which occurred in July 2006. The railway was completed in 1928, and links the towns of George and Knysna in the Western Cape, South Africa. The 3 hour journey also stops in the towns of Wilderness, Goukamma, and Sedgefield. The scenic 67-kilometre (42 mi) route hugs the rugged coastline of the Garden Route before ending by crossing a bridge over the lagoon in Knysna.
It was declared an officially preserved railway in 1992, carrying about 40,000 passengers per year at the time.
The trains are usually pulled by Class 19D steam locomotives, of 4-8-2 wheel arrangement with Vanderbilt-like "torpedo" tenders, although the task is occasionally handled by Class 24 steam engines. When dry conditions in the summer increase the risk of wildfires, diesel locomotives (Class 32s) are used instead. Unfortunately, due to recent heavy flooding in the area, the line has been damaged. It has been rescheduled to run between George and Mossel Bay (with a stop at Hartenbos)until further notice.
In 2008, the train and the Kaaiman's River Bridge were featured in a television advertisement for Stella Artois but TheTamshee says: give me Lion beer any day

To be continued - the final leg to Mossel Bay "natural gas, offshore"

Knysna Heads

Tamshee's travels Continued -Knysna Heads is without doubt one of the most striking geological features along the entire southern African coastline. They flank a deep but potentially treacherous channel through which the sea pours in to flood the wide and breathtakingly pretty lagoon at the mouth of the Knysna River. Knysna's history began in the year 1804, the year that saw the arrival of George Rex, rumoured to be the illegitimate son of King George lll. He purchased the estate known as Melkhoutkraal on the shores of the lagoon and moved his entire family and considerable entourage down to Knysna to settle. Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast's best known holiday destinations, situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon. The most well known attraction being the heads - two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea. A lookout has been erected on the Eastern Head, commanding spectacular views of the lagoon, Leisure Isle and Knysna. The Western Head is a privately owned nature Reserve - Featherbed Bay. The Knysna Lagoon is one of the few places along the coast and in the world that supports a oyster hatchery.

And the Knysna Oysters are reputedly among the tastiest in the world - and having spent a considerable number of Rand on the Cultivated Pacific Oyster - and enjoying the lean, crisp flavour characterised by a nutty undertone - at the Oyster Tavern on more than one ocassion, I must confess that restaurant setting combined with the finest food and wine - life does not get much better. Next day with compulsory hang over - I visited the Millwood House Museum which houses material relating to the history of the town, and includes artifacts once owned by George Rex. It was built from yellowwood at the end of the previous century during the gold rush. Knysna has many attractions in the surrounding area as well, one of the most spectacular being the Knysna Forest, which is still evident in many places within the town as well. It is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa comprising of tall and ancient trees of local and exotic species, including stinkwood, yellowwood, blackwood, ironwood, white alders and Cape chestnut. Not forgetting the ferns, creepers and wild flowers which add colour to this endless green collage. The forest is vast and extremely dense in places making it impenetrable. Animal life is limited to a few small antelope and a large variety of birds, such as the famous Knysna Loerie. Home to the once great herds of Knysna Elephants, it is believed that only one lonely cow remains today. Another historical attraction are the Millwood Gold Mines. Alluvial gold was found here in 1885, which caused a rush to the area. At Jubilee Creek, the exact spot where gold was found, provides a tranquil and beautiful picnic area, with many enjoyable forest walks in the area. Buffalo Bay is the closest beach to knysna, one of the safest for swimming along the coast and enjoyed by many holiday makers every year.

To be continued - Outenique Choo Tjoe to Mossel Bay and back to work !!

Breaking Waves

Photographer Clark Little has dedicated his life to film the world's ultimate waves and has now published his favourite shots of all time.
Clark, 39, swims in terrifying seas and crouches on shorelines with his waterproof camera to capture rarely seen views from inside a 'tube' - a breaking wave.
He has now unveiled this set of images which he says are the best he has ever taken and epitomise the world's deadliest surf.
Many of his photographs are shot at Waimea Bay in Hawaii - the home of surfing and immortalised in the lyrics of the Beach Boys song 'Surfin USA'.
They show perfect arcs of water and crystal "caverns" which are turned into a kaleidoscope of colour by sand and rays of sunlight.
Father-of-two, Clark, from Oahu, Hawaii, says he often risks his life to capture the "perfect wave".
He said: "I love the ocean - I am addicted to the waves. Especially places like Waimea Bay. I started surfing there in the 1990s and now I like to photograph it as much as possible.
"I'm always in the water before dawn to try and snap that perfect picture as the sun rises.
"I try to capture the beauty and power of these monstrous waves from the inside out. I enjoy the power and beauty of the huge waves that roll through.
"Thanks to experience I can capture some of those heavy moments without getting slammed about myself. Well, most of the time." TheTamshee says: Big respect to Clark, this bloke can take these awesome shots while standing on a surf board, shooting the tube of all things. Photography at it's best, master of the board & lens. I have had the pleasure of trying his fun sport, it was on one of my visits to South Africa, when we started our adventure at Cape Town working our way around the coast until reaching surfers paradise at Jeffreys Bay

the gem of the Kouga Region, is also the gateway to the Garden Route. It boasts with endless unspoilt beaches and at some places quite a variety of shells are washed up the shore every day. Before you start your own collection, first visit the Shell Museum! Jeffreys Bay offers a variety of activities. You can go horse riding on the beach; you can watch the dolphins and the whales play between July and October to name a few. If you’re a surfer Jeffreys Bay is the place. Be sure not to miss the Billabong Pro competition in July every year. If you’re not a pro there are surfing schools for beginners with excellent training. If that still seems above you, there are even places ideal for paddle skiing and knee boarding - or you can go all out and just experience - what TheTamshee calls the tumble drier option, but believe me this is not the safest approach. My young coach on that eventful trip was born to balance on the board - glideding on the crest of the waves like a professional ice skater but he failed to prepare me for the wipe outs - some would say spectacular - while others felt the pain. O how the crowd laughed.

To be continued ---- the delights of Knysna