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OLD SOUTH COAST BRIDGES USING SCREW PILES.
There are many bridges on the south coast of KZN. What is of interest is that one method of providing the bridge supports was to use what is known as a screw pile. The piles are massive metal screws...
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CAPE VIDAL – SAINT LUCIA
Cape Vidal is part of ISimangaliso Eastern Shores. As well as the camping snorkeling and beaches are a variety of game birds and forest as you make your way up to the dunes of Cape Vidal in the North....
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Vryheid – Petra’s Guest House and Museum
Petra’s Guest House and Farm is outside Vryheid on the Pulpietersburg road. The guest house is a comfortatble old farm house that has been split into rooms. There is also a self contained cottage....
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BOTHA HOUSE
The front facade of Heritage Guest House – Botha House Botha House based in Umdoni Park and overlooking the Indian Ocean IS open to the public for bookings. Its an ideal venue for small weddings,...
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The Battle of Holkrans – 6 May 1902
The Battle of Holkrans took place on 6 May 1902 during the Anglo Boer War. The site of the battle is to the west of Vryheid on the slope of a mountain. A Commando of Boers led by Veldkornet Jan...
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George North’s old home- Shallcross Umhlatuzana
George North and his family came to SA in 1860 on the Barque Emperatrice Eugene and settled in Northdene and owned considerable land on the North and South bank of the Umhlatuzana River. Various...
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Essenwood Residential Home
Essenwood Residential Home, for elderly ladies was originally established by the Durban Benevolent Society that itself was established in 1855, in Durban’s Victoria Street. The home then moved onto...
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Spionkop – Kings Royal Rifles Monument – Aloe Knoll
Spionkop was the site of General Buller’s second attempt to relieve Ladysmith on 24 January 1901. This attempt also failed with the loss of many men. One of the reasons was the for failure to secure...
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Durban – Northdene – Snaresbrook
In 1860, George and Annie North arrived in Durban and set out for Snaresbrook, now known as Northdene where his brother in law Henry Middleton had acquired the 335 acre farm, Buffelsbosch. The farm...
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SCOTTBURGH SURF LIFESAVING CLUB
The club was formed in 1932 and has been training lifesavers and protecting bathers ever since. the club house forms part of the commercial centre overlooking the beach and tidal pools. See album 842...
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NOTTINGHAM ROAD – CARLYLE COLLEGE
Historic buildings – part of Carlyle College’s campus In 1859 a grant of 3066 acres was made to Michael Short. The land had several owners including E Greene and G Ross, who sold it in 1890. The farm...
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SNAPSHOT OF AN AFRICAN LIFE – BY HUGH BLAND – 75 SHORT STORIES
I have recently published my fourth book. The book is a semi autobiography of 75 short stories covering family, events and fireside tales, that cover several centuries in this continent filled with...
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Doone Village – Pinetown
It would seem that benefactors are in short supply these days, or donors are keeping a lower profile. Take Doone Village, the farm, Richmond, donated by Aaron and Cissy Beare, and opened in 1974. This...
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Tugela River Lodge – Spionkop
Tugela River Lodge has self catering, dog friendly cottages on the river. The cottages are within easy reach of the battlefield, Spionkop, Mount Alice, Spionkop Dam and Nature Reserve and the...
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Holkrans battle site near Vryheid. Visited December 2023. (Private land.)
Holkrans Monument – Vryheid District. Hugh pointing to Johann Wilhelm (Willie) Bland’s name – part of the Boer Commando massacred. Holkrans visit with Louis Scheepers, Kai Klingenberg, Charles Mason...
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Spionkop Battle – January 24/25, 1900 – assaulted by Kings Royal Rifles.
Kings Royal Rifle Regiment monument between Twin Peaks at Spionkop. The battle (125 anniversary this year) was fought 24 January 1900. This monument requires a good climb. Twin Peaks , Boer...
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St Joseph’s, Mariannhill, Pinetown.
St Joseph’s Cathedral at Mariannhill, built by the Trappists in 1907 is worthy of a visit as is the nearby Monastery. The artwork in the Cathedral is prolific, so it is easy to miss one special...
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Scottburgh Surf Life Saving Club
One of the interesting parts of visiting old clubs is the memorabilia collected over the years members. Scottburgh Surf Life Saving, on KZN South Coast is no exception. The plaque below must have been...
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Phansi Museum – Durban Glenwood
The museum was started in 2000 as a small private museum, and has since expanded to host one of the biggest and most spectacular collections of African arts and crafts in the world. The collection is...
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The North Family Homes in Northdene, Durban – Bonavista
The criminals are at work everywhere in this country!! George and Annie North arrived in 1860 and set up a successful businesses in Durban. They also acquired and farmed in Northdene. The North’s were...
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