Baby Lizard

We have quite a few lizards (mostly Tropical House Geckos) who live around the house and although the Damselfly isn't always too comfortable with them coming in the house, we know that they catch unwelcome insects like mozzies. I found this baby gecko the other day and unlike his adult relatives, he sat still for me to get a photo.

Umhlanga Lighthouse

The popular seaside resort area of Umhlanga Rocks is situated just north of Durban. Standing proudly on Umhlanga beach is the Umhlanga Lighthouse which has been subject of numerous paintings and memorabilia over the years. Completed in 1954, the lighthouse was built to replace the Bluff lighthouse, which was commissioned in 1869 but had to be abandoned due to its rapid deterioration.

The Umhlanga Lighthouse was built in front of the Oyster Box Hotel and has never had a keeper as the hotel had been the official warden.

Lagoon sunset

Sunset over the Knysna Lagoon on the Garden Route

Visit Skywatch for more pictures featuring the skies above

Mackay Bridge

I have always known of the old Mackay Bridge in Colchester just outside Port Elizabeth, but I have never actually gone to it to have a look. A little while ago we had the absolute pleasure to spend a night at the awesome Elephants Footprint Lodge right next to the bridge, and took a walk to it just before sunset to have a look (and obviously take a couple of pics).

The Colchester area was a very busy spot the mid 1800s and early 1900s, as it had the only pont over the Sundays River on the main road between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. The original pont was washed away in 1874 and a second one in 1875. A bridge was commissioned in 1884 and opened on 5th March 1895. It was called the Mackay Bridge, in honour of John Mackay who's efforts resulted in its construction.
This bridge was constructed entirely of steel and iron brought all the way from Sheffield in England. Due to the elements taking its toll on it, the road across the bridge was closed to traffic a couple of years ago although it can still be accessed on foot.

Golden orb-webbed spider

About a year or so ago I encountered a Black-legged Golden Orb-Web Spider for the first time in the Zuurberg north of Port Elizabeth. These guys are real spiders. Not those thin legged little things that hide in your broom cupboard or under the sink, but things with the kind of look that scare little kids. Unfortunately you couldn't see the golden colour of the web in any of the pictures.

On our last camping trip at Sleepy Hollow just outside Port Elizabeth I discovered this one sitting in his very clearly gold threaded web next to the river. Talk about striking gold.

Queen Victoria Statue

Today (9 August) is National Women's Day here in South Africa. I checked my photos for something relevant and decided to feature the Queen Victoria Statue in front of the Public Library in Port Elizabeth. It kinda links in with the post I did the other day on the Queen Victoria Profile in the Gamtoos Valley.

Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was the Queen regnant of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. At 63 years and 7 months, her reign as the Queen lasted longer than that of any other British monarch, and is the longest of any female monarch in history. Her reign is known as the Victorian era and as South Africa, known in those days as the Cape Colony, was a British colony, a lot of its development took place under her reign.

The Queen Victoria Statue was erected and unveiled in 1903 to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee which took place in 1897. The statue is made of Sicilian marble and takes pride of place in front of the historic Public Library building next to Market Square. The spot was chosen as she would look down what used to be Jetty Street towards the landing beach and welcome people into the town.

Drostdy Hotel

Last weekend I did a post on Graaff Reinet Museums. Graaff Reinet has another prominent Cape Dutch style building which used to be the old Drostdy and is now the Drostdy Hotel. The building was constructed in 1806 as the Drostdy of the district. The Drostdy was normally the official residence and seat of the magistrate. The hotel is a real gem and contains original yellow wood floors, Persian Carpets and antique furniture.

The hotel's accommodation is situated behind the Drostdy building in Stretch's Court. This is where the artisans used to live and is a collection of white buildings on a cobblestone street, lined with colourful shutters and bougainvillea.