Pear Tree Cottage

Cycling Routes and hiking trails in Storms River Village

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:48:30 +0000

The Ubuntu Spirit
(Nelson Mandela explained Ubuntu as follows:[4]
A traveller through a country would stop at a village and he didn’t have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. That is one aspect of Ubuntu, but it will have various aspects. Ubuntu does not mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore is: Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?) Wikipediahas possessed me and my husband, and we helped a fellow traveller on a bycicle in his journey from Belgium to South Africa. 11 countries and a journey of self discovery.

So, this is why I decided to give you a little description of the cycling route in our village, if you decide to test your endurance in a little journey. May this be the beginning of a path to change your life.

Plaatbos Nature Walk and cycle route
The Plaatbos is situated in the Storms River Village, amid Indigenous Forest in the Eastern Cape. There are actually 3 routes for hiking/walking: Yellow (8.09km), Red (7.78km) and Green (5.09km). In the first one, you can have a picnic and swim (in summertime, as the water now is freezing) in the Storms river. The brown coloration of the water is due to the tannins of the leaves and is drinkable. Very refreshing!
The cycling route covers 22 km (round trip) and can be completed in 3 to 4 hours. Maps are available in the Forestry office. Changes in weather conditions and damage route by other users may result in increased difficulties. Be prepared to carry your bycicle over sections. The visitors hours are from 6:00 until 16:00 and self -issue permits are available at gate.

Goesa Nature Walk
This is my favorite walk! Lovely ferns, tree ferns and hard pear trees, among other beautiful trees. It’s 2 kms….easy peasy! Just issue yourself a permit, carry it with you and enjoy! You might be able to see the Knysna Loerie! but there are also other pretty birds to enjoy…

Storms River Mouth

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:43:31 +0000

If you are travelling on the N2, Garden Route, do not forget to stop in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (formerly known as Tsitsikamma National Park).
There’s the Suspension Bridge and two others built recently.
The Park offers a little beach..lovely…and the water (sea) it’s not too hot at this time of the year.

If you feel a bit more adventurous, there are different options for you to try, like canoeing, snorkelling, even diving. Or if you wish, there is a boat taking you to the mouth and back. Please refer to the reception for details.

Also, there is a lovely walk worth to try it…it’s the beginning of the Otter Trail, to the waterfall. The whole hike takes you about 3 hours, but the scenery it’s incredible, breathtaking.

After exploring why not having some coffee or maybe oysters at the Tsitsikamma Restaurant..overlooking the sea….

Whatever you decide to do…have fun..and enjoy your stay in South Africa

Raining in the Tsitsikamma…

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:39:16 +0000

Sorry. But this post was supposed to appear in March….

It is said that Nature is wise…well it is something very true about it if you experience the weather in the Tsitsikamma area.
There is a soft drizzle covering the area….refreshing after a few days of steaming weather.
If you are travelling to Port Elizabeth, do not forget to stop in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (formerly known as Tsitsikamma National Park).
You must not miss the walk to the waterfall, it takes approximately 3 hours (return), or more…just take it easy and stroll down beautiful boulders, lillies and maybe see some rock hyraxs or better known as dassies…ancestors of the elephants…believe it or not….
Or have an easy walk to the suspension bridge…over the storms river mouth….and after exercising have a break at the Tsitsikamma restaurant, over looking the sea…try the oysters….Delicious!!!!!!

Understanding Nature

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:37:29 +0000

We are very lucky to live in this part of the world. The Tsitsikamma forest is a living organism, and the symbiosis that exists between trees, invertebrates, mammals, fungi, etc…
If you visit this part of the world, you will not be disappointed with the beautiful walks, hikes and our garden.
As part as giving back to Nature, we decided to plant indigenous trees, flowers and shrubs.
Cape Ash, waterbessies, assegaai, forest elder, kamassi…etc….and fynbos as well

whale time!!!!!!! a distant splash of water…

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:42:00 +0000

Dear bloggers:

If you happen to be in South Africa do not forget your binoculars and check out the sea as our mammal friends are travelling our coastline. Whales and dolphins are often seen in the Garden Route National Park, Tsitsikamma Section. Some of the mammals seen: humpbacked whales, southern right whale, common dolphins, bottlenosed dolphins, etc…

Come check it out….

kitties purrrrrfect

admin — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:40:17 +0000

If you visit South Africa at the moment, please do not forget to bring a good sunblock…
This morning before 9 am, the thermometer was registering 32C!….but it feels like 40C…..If you are on the N2 coming from or on the way to Plettenberg Bay, do not miss the opportunity to visit Tenikwa Awareness Center.
It is indeed a labour of love. The founders, Mandy and Len Freeman, have created this sanctuary for wild cats. It is not only reserved for felines but for any specie of wild animal needing the time and care to recuperate and to release into the wild again.
For only 150R, you can experience the Wild Cats. If you prefer to walk with the Cheetahs, for a fee of 450R you can walk with them.
Please be aware, that the main goal is to rehabilitate and then release the animals. The only ones kept in captivity are the ones that are no able to be sent back into the wild again. Please respect the animals and remember that it is an experience that will change your life forever.

Visiting South Africa

admin — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:16:00 +0000

Lovely couple from Germany

admin — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:20:00 +0000

Hello morning:

Great start for this lovely morning. I had a couple from Germany, young and charming. They stayed in the cottage last night and enjoyed it very much. Taking pictures of the moutains, flowers, etc…as they said, they’ve never seen such a beautiful place before. Which makes me proud, and I am thankful to my husband for his persistance with the garden and his commitment to it. He is the one in the family with the green finger(s).
Fellow b&b owners would tell you that it is so much fun when you host for guests who enjoyed the view, nature and surroundings.
In days like this one, I feel blessed. As if some cosmic force (I use this word to be able to incorporate believers and non believers and not to hurt anyone’s feelings) is watching and helping me.
There are days, in which, I feel hopeless and feel the need to have a proper job and earn money on a monthly basis and others, like today, very pastoral and bucolic, I am sitting here with my high technology computer in a rural area, a tiny village, and I am at peace.

Looking back, I guess I had my wish….and should be grateful for it.

Anyway, just felt like saying this to the world.
I AM HAPPY TODAY

Understanding Nature

admin — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 09:48:00 +0000

Welcome to the Pear Tree Cottage

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:03:00 +0000

It is a lovely cottage in our garden. If you are looking for relaxation come and visit us. Today we have a lovely rain. The garden is looking lush and the plants are loving it. This is why the Tsitsikamma … Continue reading →