EXPLORING FRONTIER COUNTRY and other areas.

[H. erectus]

Eina STF, your pictures so real they almost hurt!!~!!

[steamtrainfan]

Having this "pudding" now, stf!

Must just say thanks very much indeed, again!

Also love the bridges and trains! (Wonder what ore that is going to PE?)

Wind in PE? Never!

No ghost at Uniondale?

Love the "koloni" translation!

Awesome scenery indeed!

We teach Frost's poem at school...google his life story a bit...interesting to say the least!

"Pudding"

Hi R.P.. Thank you so much for the lovely and interesting comments. I will google Frost and read up about him.

Good question on the ore train. I will try and find out from the railway group.

Eina STF, your pictures so real they almost hurt!!~!!

Wow H.E. what an amazing compliment. Thank you very much.

[steamtrainfan]

03 MAY 2015 - DAY 18 - GRAAF REINET TO GARIEP DAM - PART 2/4


WALKING AROUND NIEU BETHESDA

An eternal spring bubbles on the plateau just above Nieu Bethesda. Its water rises up from the village to flow downhill and through the village’s network of furrows, one of the last working furrow systems still operating daily. The babble of water is a fitting soundtrack to the serene pace of life in this small village, where the streets remain untarred and the locals greet visitors like friends.
Nieu Bethesda is overlooked by Compassberg, the highest mountain in the Eastern Cape, and is lined on either side by hills. In this fertile valley lies a village waiting to enchant and beguile. Night skies are clear, velvety and unforgettable and the air is crisp and enlivening. Ancient pear trees and quince hedges edge the roads and fields. And even though the village has no streetlights, it is safe to walk at any time of the day or night.

However, only in 1878 did Graaff-Reinet agree to the petitions of the Nieu Bethesda people. Rev. Charles Murray had made a few suggestions regarding a name and, at the founders meeting said: “Laten sy dese plaats nu Bethesda noemen.” These words are reported to have been minuted incorrectly as “Laten wij het Nieu Bethesda noemen.” In fact, during the prolonged negotiations, the name Nieu Bethesda had been used frequently – probably because of the strong fountain and its biblical reference
(John 5: 2-4.)

For the 68 permanent residents life in Nieu Bethesda potters along much as it did 130 years ago, when the village was founded. Stone water furrows still line the wide, dusty streets. Night skyscapes are unpolluted by streetlights, and the air is still fresh and clean. As always, the Compassberg watches over the village and Nieu Bethesdans still while away the hours on their stoeps, watching village life go by.

There are only two roads, one tar the other gravel, in and out of the village and there are no petrol, banking or ATM facilities. Mobile phone usage is discouraged.

An old road sign still standing in the middle of the village.



Some scenes in the village.











This is how your capachino is served at the Ibis Lounge.



All in all, the two hours we spent here was way too short a time.

Part 3/4 to follow.

[PJL]

Great to see some autumn colours... we don't get so much of that seasonal change here on the coast. That coffee looks fantastic

[steamtrainfan]

Great to see some autumn colours... we don't get so much of that seasonal change here on the coast. That coffee looks fantastic

Thanks PJL. We noticed that at the coast. Come inland a bit and the autumn colours start. Joan said the coffee was almost as good as a Woolies coffee but not quite.

[Lisbeth]

Nice touch to the capuccino (N.B. how it is spelled )

[steamtrainfan]

(Wonder what ore that is going to PE?)

The railway group have advised that it would be manganese ore empties heading back to Sishen /Hotazel.

[Bushcraft]

Catching up again

Awesome that you were able to meet up with a good friend after so many years

Great tidal pools which would be fantastic for kids

Valley of desolation Amazing views, but I’m afraid of heights, so would probably be crawling around on top

Beautiful old church

A road trip of note

[Richprins]

(Wonder what ore that is going to PE?)

The railway group have advised that it would be manganese ore empties heading back to Sishen /Hotazel.

Wow! Thanks for that, stf!

Autumn coming here too...our trees just lose their leaves, end of story!

leachy is a Bethesda fan, big time!

Wonder how long one sits on a stoep there without cellphone...who "discourages" it?

[Mel]

Is that a Rolo next to your coffee? The latter looks delicious, btw.

Love the old road signs! Shame that everything has to be new and looking fashionable these days.