Topic: snake
Violence has started, Pac wants to go the Zim route
November 17, 2008 by evl
While the violence has started in most parts of the country in the run up to the elections a new snake has revealed his head namely the PAC. This new party has threatened to strip, invade and distribute land among the blacks. According to news 24:ohannesburg - A PAC breakaway group has threatened to invade land and distribute it to Africans, the SABC reported on Sunday. President of the group, Thami ka Plaatjie, launched a new party in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Why to wear leather boots in the wild and in the Karoo
September 10, 2008 by evl
There is a simple reason for wearing leather boots in the wild. Protection. Most scorpions can not sting through thick leather and some dangerous snakes can also not bite through leather. Scrorpions usually aim for the heel and as long as your heel is covered you are more safe. I am not talking about one layered shoes. You get shoes that have several layers of leather and those are the shoes that you should wear. Simple tip but it helps.River outside of Greyton
June 20, 2008 by evl
This river used to be full. I dont know if there is a drought now or if its just the time of year but a few years ago this river used to be a strong river, as a child I can remember the snakes that used to cross the river while swimming in the river. The river is just outside Greyton, not entirely it might actually be in Greyton but I guess you get the picture. This is the same river that continues to Riviersonderend if I am correct. When you drive on the gravel road on the way to Riviersonderend (the road to also get to George and Knysna) you will see a green path for some of the way on the gravel road. This is the river you are seeing. For miles there are just the bare dusty roads but the green strip stands out. Greyton is a great place for a holiday and there are also some great places to stay and accommodation. There are things to do like horseback riding and exploring nature. There is also a big nature reserve and for those that want more adventure you can climb the mountain.
Guest - My home Helderberg
September 23, 2007 by evl
Helderberg is the most beautiful place to grow up in. It makes all other places seem rather ordinary. It's the perfect place for families. Let me start by describing Helderberg area firstly it consist out of four basic area's, Somerset west the largest part Strand, Gordons bay and Van der Stel. I can remember as a child the four areas were reasonably separated from each other, now they just run into each other.
We are tucked in between the beautiful helderberg mountains and the false bay seas with its wonderful long white beaches. My favorite beach is bikini beach it's right next to the old harbour in gordons bay. It's a tiny beach probably why it appeals so much to me it's more the scene of the young adults rather than small families.
I have two small children so now i have started going to the strand beach it's much more family friendly because of how the reef runs. At bikini you walk in the water and you are almost immediately waist high in the sea with rough waves most of the time, where strand you have to walk a couple of meters in the sea getting slowly deeper and deeper and the waves are quite big at the back but shallow area is always nice especially for kiddies.
There are some rocky spots at the strand beach as well were little children love to play. There is all kinds of sea life so they have allot to keep them busy with shell collecting and exploring. There is 2 harbours and a jetty, the old harbour is next to bikini beach, the new harbour called harbour island is more of boats and restaurants with a big hotel called the harbour island hotel, which is very beautiful. They are both in gordonsbay.
The jetty in the strand is recently closed due to safety reasons. Well if you are tired of the beaches there is our beautiful mountain. The nature reserve is the best place to go for a hike or a picnic there is a entrance fee though but i believe it's well worth it. There is lovely trails snaking up the foot of helderberg not going completely to the top.
They have reintroduced some wild life my personal favorite is the really large tortoise who wanders the picnic area like a gentle giant. There is a small museum dedicated to the nature reserve as well a small restaurant with home made food with some traditional south African meals. Then there is radlof park were people can take they're dogs, its probably the only dog friendly public place in somerset west it runs along the lourens river.
Then there are plenty of places to to get a better view. There are 2 that I'm particularly fond of. One is at the top of van der stel road before it goes over the mountain to grabouw there is a turn off were people can park their cars and take in the view and what a view! It's probably the best place to see helderberg in its full glory you can see the whole bay area even to Cape Town.
On a nice day everything so crisp and clear. You can also go at night time what a sight to see all the city lights its just breathtaking. Some people like to paraglyde from that point i do not know if you need permition to do it but i have seen people do it i even took pictures once while i was there. The other place also has the same vantage point but is much higher and you see much more of the ocean, we even saw a whale from there. It's by Steenbras dam, there is a road that leads all the way up the mountain (gordon's bay's side) which is really steep.
Then there is a parking lot just outside the gate were people can park and have a look around. There are some hiking trails. I personally have never tried them though so i do not know were they lead or how they are. But the view, that view people pay millions for to watch everyday, and i don't blame them. If you ever are in this area you have to see it especially on sunset because you can see table mountain and the sun descending on it and the ocean in between with helderberg on the right standing proud.