Swartberg – Strachan & Co – Trading Store

October 18, 2016, 2:09 am

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Williamson’s Fertilizer Depot – Brick and Iron

Strachan & Co Ltd 1923 Trading Store and Hotel

One of the delights of going into the smaller villages in KZN is coming across some of the old trading stores. The trading stores in years gone by were the central points for the local farmers to obtain there much needed farm goods and groceries. Many farmers only came in to “town”, once a month, and this was a good opportunity to do business, but also to catch up on the local news. Often the local hotel provided the venue.

The old Strachan & Co Ltd hotel and trading store were no exception and the images here are a good example of the early establishments. This trading store is one of my favourites.

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Kamberg – Glengarry Holiday Farm

October 18, 2016, 3:04 am

≫ Next: St Anthonys Church – Durban – Stain Glass

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Glengarry Chalets facing the mountains.

Glengarry Holiday Farm lies in the upper Kamberg and is an ideal venue for exploring this part of the Drakensburg. As well as having facilities such as golf, fishing, camping and a variety of catering and self catering options, it is close to Ezemvelo Reserves like Highmoor and Kamberg Nature Reserve. It is a very beautiful and serene part of KZN. (See Gallery – Tourism and Accomodation – Glengarry, for more images.)

Glengarry Chalets and golf course

A Glengarry hike with the resorts dogs

St Anthonys Church – Durban – Stain Glass

October 22, 2016, 5:06 am

≫ Next: Rorkes Drift Lodge

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St Anthony’s Church statuette

St Anthony’s Church exterior

St Anthony’s Catholic Church Vestry window

St Anthony’s Catholic Church west end stain glass window

St Anthony’s Catholic Church – Station of the Cross

St Anthony’s Catholic Churcg altar stain glass windows

I have just completed photographing the interior of this church, and it always amazes me of the beauty of the interiors of many of our churches and in particular the stain glass windows. I am grateful to Father Anthony for disrupting his breakfast and allowing me into the church interior. Sadly there have already been incidences of windows in excess of 100 years being torn out for the lead content, and as such many churches are no longer open to congregants outside of services. These images are from St Anthony’s interior.

More images can be found under Gallery – Durban CBD – ML Sultan Road.

Rorkes Drift Lodge

October 28, 2016, 2:52 am

≫ Next: Verulam Cemetery – The Campbell Family

≪ Previous: St Anthonys Church – Durban – Stain Glass

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Rorkes Drift Lodge accomodation

Rorkes Drift Lodge – Morning mist

Rorkes Drift Lodge – views towards Elandskraal and Isandlwana

Rorkes Drift Lodge – views of Isandlwana from Lodge

Rorkes Drift Lodge – views of Zululand

Rorkes Drift Lodge is based at the foot of the Sinquindi Mountains with panoramic views towards Rorkes Drift, Isandlwana and Elandskraal. The lodge is self catering but delicious meals are provided, by prior arrangement, and has activities such as horse riding, walking trails, birding and battlefield tours. The battlefields of Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana are all close. A little further away but within easy day reach, are Blood River, Ncome and the Boer War, Talana battlefields.

To my mind, the beauty of this establishment is its remoteness, assisisted by a 5 km farm access road, which although a little uneven, adds to the sense of “getting away”.  The album I have published under Gallery – Tourism – Rorkes Drift Lodge has landscape images that do the talking. ( Lodge Contact : 034-6421805  or 0765575508)

Verulam Cemetery – The Campbell Family

October 29, 2016, 3:06 am

≫ Next: Cathedral Peak – Northern Drakensberg

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Campbells – Senator Marshall Campbell, William Campbell, Ellen Campbell and William Alfred Campbell

Senator Marshall Campbell and family

Campbell family monument – Verulam

Colin Marshall Campbell, Natalie, Killie and Gladys Campbell

I have today posted up 486 images of graves in the Verulam Cemetery.

The most well remembered will be those of the Campbell family, some of  the grave images of whom appear in this post. The Campbell graves include those of William Campbell of Muckle Neuk, his son Senator, Sir William Campbell (K.M.C.G.), Lady Natalie Campbell, Colin Marshall Campbell (1890-1930), and Sir William,s daughter, Killie Campbell (1881- 1965)

Most persons interested in KZN heritage will be aware of the Africana material that is kept at the old Campbell home Muckleneuk, Marriot Road, Berea, and the prominent part Killie Campbell played in collection of rare africana  for future research. The museum may be visited by arrangement with UKZN, who are the guardians of this important collection.

Go to Gallery – Cemeteries – Verulam to see the full album of graves.

Cathedral Peak – Northern Drakensberg

November 16, 2016, 1:58 am

≫ Next: Fort Nottingham

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Cathedral Peak Hotel Dining room – original area 1938

Cathedral Peak Hotel golf course

Cathedral Peak Hotel front lawn and Cathedral

Cathedral Peak mountains

Cathedral Peak Hotel Chapel

Cathedral Peak Hotel birdlife

The Cathedral Peak Hotel in the northern Drakensberg, about 30 kilometers west of Winterton, is one of the iconic family style hotels in this World Heritage site. The hotel was built in 1938 by Albert Van Der Riet, and opened in 1939. The original stone footprint has been retained but added on to greatly over the years along with many of the facilities.

The hotel now caters for all comers, but specializes in family holidays, conferences and weddings, with scrumptios food on offer as part of the DB&B rates. There are many offerings, including about 16 mountain hikes, tennis, bowls, climbing wall, horse rides, golf, Spa,and much more. The well manicured gardens are a haven for many bird species.

Add in the friendly staff and you have all you need to enjoy a wellness break, and glorious mountain air.

Fort Nottingham

November 24, 2016, 4:29 am

≫ Next: Ken Gillings – Dedication

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Fort Nottingham Cemetery and Commonage

Fort Nottingham – part of the Museum complex

Fort Nottingham – Museum main building

Fort Nottingham – farm land looking towards Inhlosane (Dargle).

Fort Nottingham in the KZN Midlands, was established by the 45 Regiment of Foot, the Sherwood Foresters in 1856, to protect the local farmers from maruading Bushmen.

Visits to these small villages, particuarly those that have not been ravaged by progress, are great places to visit, breath in the fresh air and discover the artifacts from the past.

This little village has a restuarant, museum, cemetery and museum, commemorating the men who were garrisoned here and is well worth a detour on your Midlands Meander.

Ken Gillings – Dedication

December 11, 2016, 9:29 am

≫ Next: Cabbage Express and Weenen Nature Reserve

≪ Previous: Fort Nottingham

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Ken Gillings ( photo Berea Mail)

One of Ken Gillings many publications

This post is dedicated to the memory of Ken Gillings, who died tragically at Cape Vidal whilst on holiday with his family. Ken was  well known for many of his publications on this Province, specializing in Military , and in particular the Anglo Zulu War and Anglo Boer War. He was also a long standing committee member of the South African Military History Society and one of the most knowleagable  Battlefeild Tour Guides  in SA.

On a personal basis, Ken assisted me from time to time on this project, and was always keen to help with site locations, or information. Ken was a real gentleman,  well liked by all who crossed his path , and his death will leave a massive void in the heritage community.

R.I.P.Ken,and condolences to his family.

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Cabbage Express and Weenen Nature Reserve

December 19, 2016, 6:30 am

≫ Next: Umhlanga Rocks 2016 Development

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Tierkloof 4.5m arch culvert – Weenen Reserve Cabbage express

Cabbage Express Red Bridge – Weenen Nature Reserve

Cabbage Express – Tierkloof Gorge – Weenen Nature Reserve

Class NG/G11 Loco No: 55 used on the Cabbage Express line – Weenen (Loco at Paton County Rail at present)

I have just posted up images of the old Cabbage Express that ran from Estcort to Weenen between 1906 and 1983. Although some enlightened individuals tried to save the line from closure, for tourism purposes, the powers that be at SATS chose to “do the dirty”. The route is very scenic and a large part of the line ran through the Weenen Nature Reserve.

See Gallery –  Bridges, Road, Rail – Estcourt to Weenen, for more images.

Little remains of the line as the tracks have been pulled, but some of the old bridges and culverts remain in the reserve. I am very grateful to Frik Lemmer, the ranger for allowing me to access the rail line on foot, in order to photograph the remnants.

Weenen Nature reserve of 5003 hectares is well worth a visit, with fauna and flora being diverse and interesting, added to which are the features mentioned above. The Reserve is run by Ezemvelo KZN Widlife.

In many parts of the world these old lines are being converted to use as mountain bike tracks. Any takers out there willing to look at this and bring some needed support to our wildlife heritage sanctuaries?

Thanks also to Bruno Martin for his Branch line map he kindly allowed me to use.

Umhlanga Rocks 2016 Development

January 24, 2017, 11:52 pm

≫ Next: Tugela Valley

≪ Previous: Cabbage Express and Weenen Nature Reserve

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Umhlanga Post Office demolished 2016 – Interior counters

Umhlanga Rocks Oceans development August 2016 – Umhlanga Country Club bowling greens

Umhlanga Rocks Oceans development Oct 2016 – Umhlanga Country Club Bowling greens

Umhlanga Rocks Pearls development Dec 2016

The images attached to this post demonstrate how quickly it is “out with the old and in with the new:.

I have been photographing the Pearls and Oceans developments as they proceed and will continue with this exercise going forward.

The attached images show the Umhlanga Country Club bowling greens earlier in 2016, and  a few months later the work proceeding on the same site. An enormous amount of sand has been removed from site in the establishment phase.

Also included, is an image of the Pearls development towards the latter part of last year and the interior of the old Post Office which has been demolished.

Tugela Valley

January 25, 2017, 12:25 am

≫ Next: ST Johns D.S.G. – Pietermaritzburg

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Jameson Drift – Bridge & Tugela River – 28.46.744 S 30.54.144 E

Jameson Drift – Bridge & Tugela River – 28.46.744 S 30.54.144 E

Lower Tugela above Mandini – Aerial Photo

Middledrift & Tugela views – 28.53.714 S 31.01.324 E

Nsuze River – Jameson Drift road – 28.38.918 S 30.58.769 E

The Tugela region isn’t only about Nkandla and our current State President.

The Tugela Valley is especially beautiful and a day drive from Durban via Eshowe, Nkandla, Jameson’s Drift, Middle drift, Kranskop and back, is well worth the effort.

Along the route are majestic views, pristine forests, hot springs, rural scenes and great drives. This part of the world featured strongly in the KZN conflicts and was the scene for one columns invasion of Zululand in 1879 and the Bambatha Rebellion of 1906.

ST Johns D.S.G. – Pietermaritzburg

February 13, 2017, 4:58 am

≫ Next: Kearsney College – Bothas Hill

≪ Previous: Tugela Valley

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St Johns D.S.G. Residence

Dining Hall

 

Chapel Window

It is always a pleasure visiting schools, and the opportunity to photograph St Johns D.S.G. was no exception. Schools seem to attract helpful and energized people, and my thanks to Sarah Cole -Edwards in the marketing department for her kind assistance. St Johns was founded in 1897 for the education of girls and continues to do so to this day. There is an album with a full array of all the facilities, under Galleries – Schools & Universities, which illustrates this special place of learning. One is constantly reminded that although this school is privileged, the scholars are aware of their greater responsibility to society, and the founders ethos remains firmly entrenched in the operations of St Johns.

Kearsney College – Bothas Hill

February 13, 2017, 5:41 am

≫ Next: Durban Hindu Temple – Shree Thakurdwala – Somtseu Road

≪ Previous: ST Johns D.S.G. – Pietermaritzburg

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Kearsney College Chapel

Kearsney College Chapel

Portrait of Sir Liege Hulett – founder of Kearsney College

The complete album of this college can be viewed under Galleries – Schools & Universities and has images of the facilities, honours boards, and buildings, including the Chapel featured here.   Kearsney is a private school for boys that was founded by Sir Liege Hulett about 10 kilometers west of Stanger, but relocated to Botha’s Hill in the early 1900’s.

Durban Hindu Temple – Shree Thakurdwala – Somtseu Road

February 23, 2017, 5:37 am

≫ Next: Art Deco Tour of Point by Prof. Franco Frescura

≪ Previous: Kearsney College – Bothas Hill

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Durban Hindu Temple – South facade

Durban Hindu Temple

Durban Hindu Temple – opening plaque 1901

After 3 days of rain the Durban Hindu Temple in Somtseu road was shining out like a beacon in the morning sun. This temple was one of three built by descendants of the original Indian settlers. Two were demolished to make way for the magistrates courts and Durban Station. This Temple is in immaculate condition and well utilized by the Hindu worshippers. This Temple was opened in September 1901. It certainly adds color to the locality.

Art Deco Tour of Point by Prof. Franco Frescura

April 4, 2017, 7:22 am

≫ Next: Durban Beaches

≪ Previous: Durban Hindu Temple – Shree Thakurdwala – Somtseu Road

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Warehouse façade on Point Road

Prof. Franco Frescura and his Art Deco Disciples

Old Control Tower – harbour Board

Harbour officials houses – Escombe Terrace

Restored Warehouses – Point Road (Mahatma Gandi)

Last Sunday saw the Art Deco Society based in Durban, hosting a tour of the older remaining buildings on the Durban Point, by Professor  Franco Frescura, former Chair of Architecture at UKZN. The tour included discussions on buildings such as the Old Railway Station, Edwardian and Victorian residences, Warehouses, Seaman’s Institute, Port Officials houses, old Police and Fire Station, amongst many others.

These are  a fascinating remnants of the past operational buildings that were integral to the Port City’s development, and thankfully many have been restored to former glory, or the old facades retained as part of the Point Re-development.

A few images are attached but a great effort by the Society Chaired by Donald Davies. This Society is well worth joining for a modest R50 per annum and in this way made aware of their worthwhile outings. Contact Carol Allan at allandurban@mweb.co.za

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Durban Beaches

May 31, 2017, 10:13 am

≫ Next: Durban – Deliberate neglect

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The beauty of Durban’s  beachfront never fails to amaze me. People come and go, the seasons change, the tides come in and recede, people litter and disrespect our natural heritage, but somehow they (so far) recover.

Durban – Deliberate neglect

May 31, 2017, 10:40 am

≫ Next: Estcourt – Klipfontein Farm aloes

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This seems to be another example of deliberate neglect to evade the law, and requirements of IMAFA. This house in Durban’s Morningside, that used to belong to the Pickford family, is definitely protected. To get around the legal requirements, some new owners allow the property to degrade to the point they are condemned. Some owners even go far as to “invite” in vagrants in the hope an unfortunate fire will  occur. The Municipality should be demanding compliance with bye laws that require proper  maintenance and hygiene standards. One wonders why this enforcement doesn’t happen?

Not sure of the status of this property?

Estcourt – Klipfontein Farm aloes

June 5, 2017, 7:15 am

≫ Next: Fern Hill Hotel – Midmar

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Klipfontein farm aloes

Klipfontein Farm Cottage

Klipfontein Farm aloes

 

 

 

From mid May until mid July the aloes in KZN are a spectacle that can’t be missed. Along the freeways, and in some of the rural areas, the rather wintry, sombre landscapes are uplifted with these displays of orange and red. One bucket list item should be the Creighton aloe festival, and trip past the aloes on the steam train.The images below are from an abundant display around the Klipfontein farm house in the Estcourt area.

Fern Hill Hotel – Midmar

June 6, 2017, 5:33 am

≫ Next: Umhlanga – Dubai here we come

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Fern Hill Hotel – Snooty Fox restaurant

Fern Hill Hotel – former railway Signal box dining area

Fern Hill Hotel – Host to President Nelson Mandela in 1996

Entrance to the Fern Hill Hotel

If you are looking for a getaway that is conveniently located, has a rich history, and a reputation for great cuisine and comfortable rooms, the Fern Hill Hotel near Midmar Dam is an obvious choice. It is also conveniently situated to the Midlands Meander, and the Drakensberg mountains, themselves a World Heritage site. This hotel, established in 1855 and recently extensively refurbished, is also a popular conference and wedding venue.

Contact +27(0)333305071

Umhlanga – Dubai here we come

June 6, 2017, 7:01 am

≫ Next: PMB – Old Edendale Road

≪ Previous: Fern Hill Hotel – Midmar

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Umhlanga Oceans in the foreground and Pearls Mall in the background – about to top out.

Umhlanga Pearls topping out – June 2017

Umhlanga Pearls Mall – competing for airspace

The Village has gone and Dubai is arriving on these Indian Ocean shores. These images illustrate the progress of the Pearls and Oceans developments until June 2017. (Some might differ as to whether this is progress, but each to their own). Certainly the village atmosphere is no more, with the bustle of taxis now mixing with the trucks groaning up the hill with tons of soil. Mix this in with the nouveau riche, roaring between speed bumps in their Ferraris and Lambo’s , those seeking a quiet retreat will have to look further afield.

The Oceans development will consist of a large retail complex, topped off with a high-rise hotel and an equally high-rise apartment block.

I intend to capture these developments as they proceed and more images can be found under –  Gallery, North Coast, Umhlanga development album.