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Montrose Farm – Mpomphomeni

March 30, 2018, 6:56 am
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Montrose Farm was expropriated from the Lund family by the Nationalist Government in the 1970’s with devastating consequences. The ANC led Government has just adopted a policy of Expropriation without Compensation, which will have much more devastating consequences if followed through. “The more things change , the more they stay the same” seems to be apt?

On a positive note the old farmhouse. has recently been renovated and houses an interesting Museum. Further images can be found at Gallery- Old Natal Farms – Boston Road Montrose Farm.

Montrose Farm – North facing facade

Painting of Montrose farmhouse when farmed

Interior passage of Montrose

Museum section inside Montrose farmhouse

Remnants of original Voortrekker home

Charles Lund with his family

 

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Byrne Valley – Blarney Cottage

April 5, 2018, 6:27 am
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I have just posted up the Blarney Cottage album under – Galleries – Natal farms – Byrne – Blarney Cottage.

The cottages are the original of those built by 1850 Byrne Settlers Sophie and Frederick McLeod in 1879. This posting however is an indictment of the KZN Province, who have allowed these cottages, placed in their care, to fall into disrepair. This, the result is one of the many failures of the current regime who prefer to extract funds for personal gain or on unsustainable junkets that have no lasting benefits, not to mention grand larceny. The ex “father of the nation” is set to go to court on the morrow”, to face corruption charges he has artfully evaded, using tax payers money.

Bentley & Nellie McLeod’s wattle and daub cottage

Panel showing construct of hut

Built 1897 – this is the house built by Sophie & Frederick McLeod

Neglected interior of the 1897 cottage

Refurbished in 1897 this is the neglected Heritage site owned by the KZN Province

 

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PMB – Church of Madonna delle Gracie

April 5, 2018, 6:51 am
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Named the Church of Madonna delle Gracie (Our Lady of Mercy), the tiny church in Epworth, Pietermaritzburg, built by Italian prisoners of war can accommodate about 50 worshipers.

I have been trying for a long time to get access to the Church and I got lucky this Easter  Sunday. A big thank you to Franco for opening up the church and explaining some of its interesting history.

Italian P.O.W.’s built the church during WWII, and the church is now owned by the Italian Military who along with the Italians have renovated this historical church. Many Italians who died on active service or as prisoners have been re interred here.

See – Gallery – Churches & Missions – PMB Church of Madonna delle Gracie, for more images.

The unintended consequences of of incarcerating these Italians was that many stayed on after the war, or came back later, bringing with them many highly skilled family.

Our Lady of Mercy Church exterior

Our Lady of Mercy front facade

Interior of Our Lady of Mercy Church built by Italians

Monument to the WWII “Nova Scotia “victims of a U Boat sinking

Our Lady of Mercy Church – PMB – Monument to the fallen

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Umvoti Villa Farm

April 26, 2018, 3:31 am
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Of all the images I took for the book Farmhouses of Old Natal (Otterley Press 2017), my favorite is that of Umvoti Villa Farm in the Umvoti (Greytown ) District.

The farm which is owned by the Tarr family, is run by Linda and Dawie Pieterse, who are well renowned for Tarr’s Roses. Built in the late 1880’s this farmhouses is little altered and the image speaks for itself.

The Tarr’s were keen to rake up the leaves before my shoot, but thankfully I delayed this attempt at orderliness!!

Umvoti Villa in autumn splendor

Umvoti Villa of yesterday

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Baynesfield Estate and Joseph Baynes

May 27, 2018, 6:40 am
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Joseph Baynes came out to South Africa as a Byrne Settler and eventually settled at Nel’s Rust in 1856. As well as building up a large farming operation, he built a magnificent home on the farm. As Baynes left no heirs, the farm was left in trust for the benefit of South Africans (see Trust Objectives here). He is buried in a Mausoleum on the farm. More images can be seen under GALLERY – NATAL FARMS – BAYNESFIELD

Baynes Home on Baynesfield Estate

Baynesfield Estate – Nel’s Rust Dairy – now museum

Interior corridor of Joseph Baynes home

Lounge in Joseph Baynes Home

Portrait of Joseph Baynes

Front door at top of sweeping steps

Elegant side door onto the wrap veranda’s

Objectives of Joseph Baynes Trust

The Mausoleum on the estate

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Nottingham Road Railway station

June 23, 2018, 1:50 am
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Sadly another heritage site has recently bit the dust with the razing down of the old Nottingham Road Railway station.

If only Transnet had had the correct management, many of these old buildings in their portfolio, could have been let out on full maintenance leases at an affordable rental. it is however easier to do nothing, or simply deny interested parties this opportunity. End result is many of the sites are illegally occupied and end up like this station and many others.

Burnt out shell of the railway station

Shell of Railway station

Razed shell of Nottingham Road Railway Society

Remains of Station

 

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Durban CBD Cenotaph

June 26, 2018, 4:33 am
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Some depraved individuals recently desecrated the Durban Central Cenotaph and stole about 13 of the large bronze plaques for scrap metal. These plaques commemorate the names of the men of Durban who died in WWI and WWII.

Fortunately a scrap metal dealer had the integrity to secure the bronzes and I understand they are back in the possession of the appropriate authorities.

The long term safety of important monuments like this are in jeopardy. The perpetrators need to be given long jail sentences.

The Art Deco Monument in Durban’s Francis Farewell Square

The Cenotaph’s desecrated bronze Roll of Honour plaques.

damaged bronze plaques at the Cenotaph

Stolen plaques at the Durban’s Cenotaph

Stolen bronze plaques – Durban Cenotaph

 

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Architectural Detail in Durban’s CBD

June 26, 2018, 5:53 am
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For those with an eye for detail, Durban’s CBD has plenty of interesting architectural motifs, design, and detail. With one eye on the hawkers crowding out the pavements, glance up and you will spot these many adornments, mostly above eye level.

For a fuller album of these adornments go to – Galleries – Geographical Regions – Durban CBD –  Durban Architectural Motifs.

 

Gargoyle on Quadrant House on the Esplanade

Detail on Quadrant House – Esplanade

Art Deco on the rooftops

Detail on the Victorian Railings at the harbour

Detail on Victorian railings at the harbour

 

Durban – West Street – Harvey Greenacre building

Mural on Victoria Mansions on the Esplanade (Victoria Embankment)

 

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Durban to Port Edward – Wall to Wall Beaches

June 26, 2018, 7:50 am
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Take a flip from Durban to Port Edward and all you get is miles of wall to wall beaches, that unlike the Cape can be bathed in the warm waters of the Mozambique current for all year. All of these beaches have good resorts and hotels to compliment the  natural treasures we have in KZN.

A Heli trip along the coast at Dawn from Virginia

Durban Main Beaches

Amanzimtoti Main Beach

Umkomaas close to Aliwal Shoal

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottburgh Town and beach

Port Shepstone alongside the Umzimkulu River

St Michaels main beach

Uvongo Main Beach

Margate main bathing beach

Port Edward – Beach and Umtamvuma river mouth

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Military Interest – General

June 29, 2018, 3:41 am
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I Have today uploaded an album under Galleries- Military Interest Sites – Military Interest – General, that has a mix of military interest images extracted from other albums. Most of the sites would be “lost” in the general galleries and for this reason accumulated into one album. Other composite galleries can be found in the military interest section.

For example you will find in this album the monument to Fred Johnson of the Harrismith Commando who was the first Burgher to die in the Boer War on 18 October 1899. Another example is the Monument to Hand De Lange (Hans Don), who is also buried near Besters. He was executed by the British on 26 March 1861 related to the death of a black man. Hans Don was one of the original Vootrekker leaders held in high esteem by the Boers. Yet another example is the lonely grave of Private T Skinner of the 5th Hussars who died in 1900 and is buried alone alongside the Natal – OFS rail Line near Besters. Another example is the WWII gun Battery Towers in Durban North near Virginia.

 

Monument to Fred Johnson – Harrismith Commando – First Boer killed in Natal 1899

Monument To Hans Don – Voortrekker leader

Monument to Hans De Lange ( Hans Don) – 1861

Grave – Private T Skinner – 5th Hussars – 1900 near Besters

3390 Pvt T Skinner died 14 June 1900

WWII gun batteries near Virginia (Durban North)

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Epworth School – Scottsville

August 6, 2018, 9:18 am
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Epworth is actually two Schools, Epworth Preparatory School for Girls and Boys, and Epworth High School for Girls.

The school was opened as a private school by Emily Lowe and Emma Mason in 1898, in the City CBD, and was taken over by Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1919, and moved onto its 15 hectare campus in Scottsville in 1941.

My thanks to Renee Alcock who runs the Museum in the Mel Metcalfe Cottage, for contacting me, and then taking me around the school. This well maintained school has a good vibe with friendly staff and polite girls. I will be posting up a full gallery of the school when my images are ready for upload.

Its great to see schools taking an interest in heritage and preserving their important documentation.

 

The Chapel’s beautiful stain glass windows

The Art Deco Reception entrance.

Miss Emma Mason – First Principal 1898

The Principals Honours Board

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Clairvaux Trappist Mission 1896

August 18, 2018, 1:35 am
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Clairvaux (Clear View) Trappist Mission overlooking the Mzinga River, near Mpendle, now consists only of the Church built in 1914. The rest of the structures are represented only by foundations. I arrived at the Mission at dawn and although I couldn’t enter the church managed to get some interior images through the broken windows. The early morning light coming through the stain glass windows provided a beautiful golden glow.

More images of this mission can be found under Gallery- Churches & Missions – Clairvaux

Clairvaux Church 1896

Clairvaux interior

Clairvaux – detail on the roof

Morning light shining through the church windows

 

Front facade of Clairvaux

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Nottingham Road Hotel –“Notties”

August 18, 2018, 2:42 am
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I recently had reason to stay at the “Notties” hotel, and on several occasions had dinner in their restaurant. As a student I used to visit the pub in the 1970’s and it was a favorite at the time.

Well the recent experience has just reinforced my positive image of this iconic old hotel. The beers are good, the food exceptional, and the new annex rooms clean, comfortable and well appointed.

Anyone needing to stop over can be assured of positive experience.

Contact ” 033-26666151 or  visit www.nottieshotel.co.za

Notties Hotel Annex

Notties Dining Room

Notties reception and door with date 1854

Elegantly tiled veranda

West facade and entrance into the dining room

The gracious facades of this well maintained iconic hotel

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KZN’S litter problem

September 7, 2018, 10:33 pm
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Its disappointing when travelling in this Province to see the culture of littering that seems to identify us. Why is it that our problem should be easily resolved by turfing out our litter, rather than disposing it in a responsible manner?

There needs to be a massive educational effort to curb this scourge, followed up with meaningful and enforced punishment. I dream!!!

The litter along the roads and on our pavements is obvious, but a trip by rail between Durban Station and Shongweni Station with the Holiday Express to Shongweni Market really illustrates the problem, as the images below portray. The silver lining on the trip was however, the beautiful waterfall near the Shongweni Station.

Note: Corruption within Ethekweni Municipality has resulted in the “orange bag” recycling program being terminated, so there is not much hope of us solving the wider litter problem.

Litter lying beside the lines at Berea Station

Litter piled up along the rail lines near Durban Station

Pristine waterfall near Shongweni Station.

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Maria Trost Trappist Mission – 1895

September 14, 2018, 2:48 am
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Maria Trost, founded in 1895, lies between Oetting and Maris Stella, in the Highflats area of southern KZN. The present church built in 1934, was the third on the Mission site and constructed of local stone.

In the cemetery was the solitary grave of Kenneth George Cooper, of the Natal Police who died in 1901.

Maria Trost Church built 1934 (Third in line)

Maria Trost Church 1934

Maria Trost Cemetery – Grave Trooper K.G. Cooper – Natal Police

The barn at Maria Trost

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Umhlanga Rocks – Oceans Development

September 14, 2018, 3:23 am
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The skyline in Umhlanga Rocks continues to rapidly change as these images from July and August 2018 portray.

I sincerely hope that the “powers that be”, are improving the infrastructure and services in line with all these massive developments such as this and Sibaya.

Umhlanga Rocks – Oceans Development – August 2018

Oceans Development – August 2018

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Citeaux Trappist Mission – 1896

October 11, 2018, 5:57 am
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Citeaux Mission overlooks the mighty Umkomaas River between Impendle and Underberg. Very little remains of this mission other than a stone barn, residence, and remains of the Grotto.

The inhabitants of the site were very wary of me photographing, until I explained that I simply wanted to photograph. I was asked whether I was doing an environmental check??? More images are available under GALLERY – CHURCHES & MISSIONS – CITEAUX

Citeaux stone barn

Citeaux – Remains of the Grotto

Citeaux – Panoramic views over the Umkomaas River

Citeaux – the sole surviving residence

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Hardenberg Trappist Mission – Matatiele

October 23, 2018, 7:15 am
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Hardenberg Trappist Mission was established in 1897, and the present church completed in 1899.

This Mission is one of the 22 Missions established by the Trappists with Mariannhill as the mother Monastery.

Although not as ornate as many of the other Missions, this mission serves a growing congregation drawn from the burgeoning settlement at its doorstep.

See Gallery – Missions and Churches – Hardenberg – for more images.

Hardenberg Mission Convent

Hardenberg church built 1899

Interior of Hardenberg Church

Hardenberg Foundation Stone

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Maris Stella Trappist Mission

October 25, 2018, 9:08 am
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Anyone who follows my blogs, and site will know that I am a great admirer of the Trappist Missions established by the founder of the missions in South Africa, by Francis Pfanner and his  Trappist Order. I had previously photographed Maris Stella Mission, but had not been able to do the interior. A follow up trip resulted in me gaining access into to the church built in 1909. What a treat to see the craftsmanship of the interior, from woodwork, altars, and the many murals. Below are a few of the examples, but more can be viewed under Gallery – Churches & Missions – Maris Stella Trappist Mission.

Maris Stella Church 1909

Murals in the church

Stairway to the mezzanine

Maris Stella nave and altar view

Maris Stella – one of the many stain glass masterpieces

Maris Stella wall murals

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Mariazell Trappist Mission – Ongeluksnek

November 18, 2018, 7:28 am
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Mariazell Mission established in 1894 lies at the head of the fertile Ongeluksnek Valley and in my opinion is one of the more beautiful of the Missions.  The mission still has an operating turbine supplying power to the mission and the mill. The mission has been expertly renovated under the watchful eye of architect Robert Brusse who specializes in heritage renovations.

More images of this mission can be found under GALLERY – CHURCHES & MISSIONS – MARIAZELL

Mariazell nave restored in 1984

The front facade of Mariazell

Restored murals above the sanctuary

Mariazell – One of the many detailed stain glass windows

Old water turbine that supplied power to the mission

Workshop anvil still in use today

Tools in the metal work shop still in use

 

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