| Baardskeerdersbos |
 | Baardskeerdersbos was first recorded in writing dating back to 1660. The fertile B'bos valley is in the heart of the Overberg and is one of the most undisturbed and original areas of this region. Traditional cattle-farms and horse-steads, bright-green vineyards and multicoloured flower-farms mark the landscape. B'bos is also home to several pristine and rare Fynbos habitats of the original "Cape Floral Kingdom". Explore the local reserves, galleries, historical buildings; visit the local Strandveld Pub & Restaurant and even the beauty salon. B'bos is also home to the famous Baardskeerdersbos Orkes.
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| Dangerpoint Lighthouse |
 | Forty three years before the establishment of the lighthouse at Danger Point on 1 January 1895, the British troopship H.M. "Birkenhead" carrying troops and their families to Port Elizabeth was wreck on a reef off Danger Point on 26 February 1852. A white commemorative plaque recording this tragic event has been set into the white octagonal lighthouse tower. The light and the tower now warns mariners of the dangerous reefs in this area.
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| Dyer Island |
 | Dyer Island was first named Isla da Fera by the Portuguese seafarers during the 15th century. Isla da Fera: Island of wild animals. The name is still applicable. The Island is home to 10'000ths of African penguins and other sea birds. The neighbouring island, Geyser Rock, is fully filled with over 50'000 Cape fur seals.
The island got its present name from its first permanent resident Samson Dyer, a black American, who settled on Dyer Island in 1806 and who made a living by clubbing seals for an American company. |
| Dyer Island and Geyser Rock is now a nature reserve managed by Cape Nature and visitors are not allowed on the Island. Still, boat-tours from Kleinbaai take you very close along the shore and Cape fur seals will escort the boat in Shark Alley, named after the Great white sharks that cruise in these waters, looking for their favourite food : Cape fur seals. |
| Fantasy Garden. |
 | It is now January 2012 and when my wife, Marie and I went on pension seven years ago, she got her chance to live out her dream world. She was born and bred on a farm and scratching in the soil, flowers, vegetation and anything aquanted with this seems to come natural to her. While I decided to concentrate on fishing she got stuck into the aspect of gardening. The ground presented a problem though as the area is rather rocky, with the minimum of soil coverage. It also sloped steeply away from the house. She cunningly used what seemed to be a problem, to her advantage. I had to forfeit some of my fishing time to cart in more |
than ten tons of good soil in order to secure a better coverage. Furthermore using a hand drilling machine, a chisel and a hammer I eventually succeeded in flattening a portion of the rocky surface where I later on built an outside braai. (She complained that the braai did not fit in with the rest of the garden and of course, I had to “update” it by cementing rocks over and around it.)
We had three fish ponds built (which I also had to change, by the way). Now she was really in her element and collecting “fynbos” to supplement those already in the garden, started planting and pruning in earnest. I got more time off to tend to my hobby but under protest had to help when deemed necessary. I supported her wholeheartedly and had to admit that even at that stage the garden started looking very nice. Then she wanted a birdhouse, then a feeding house, then…….. and so it went on and on.
Eventually we ended up with a garden that, according to the many visitors we receive, is different to most others. The fynbos dominates, being indigenous and together with a variety of other plants plus the added fairies, castles etc. creates something of a dream world. We can now sit back on our front stoep, enjoy the garden, feast our eyes on the sea, watch dolphins and whales playing in the waves. I cannot relax for too long though because Marie will most certainly dream up another idea, another kind of fairy or maybe she wants a lighthouse to be built.
She gets her satisfaction from the many phrases that she writes painstakingly on rocks and pieces of driftwood and others. “This is my Farther’s world and his own design. But in His goodness He has made it mine….” This example is also what we believe.
People are adament that we should ask an entrance fee and we have since installed a donation box. It does help to cover costs, but people must know that they contribute willingly. We appreciate the sharing of ideas.
We have a garden that gives us great satisfaction, a home we are thankful for, I adore my wife and we thank God for our blessings. Donations Welcome.
Albert Potgieter
Address: 10 Haarlemstreet, De Kelders, South Africa, 7220.
Tel: 028 384 1136
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| Gansbaai Harbour |
 | Life in Gansbaai is very much associated with the sea and the fishing industry. The cove that once provided a safe landing spot for the small fishing vessels of yesteryear was deepened, adequate moorings were built and today Gansbaai boasts a modern harbour where many fishing trawlers come and go daily. To augment the fishing industry, a modern canning and fishmeal factory was built at the harbour site |
| Klipgat Caves |
 | When Neanderthal man was still ruling supreme in Europe, modern people had provided some of the earliest evidence in the world of modern people. Such early remains have been found in only three South African sites and in the Middle East. Klipgat cave is one of the most important cultural assets in the Western Cape.
Klipgat Cave, just outside of De Kelders in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, has a dramatic view over the ocean and the Walker Bay Reserve through its two "windows" and one small "portal". |
The remains found in the cave date back to between 65'000 and 85'000 years. At this time the ocean was at a distance of around 5 km from the cave.
Excavations in Klipgat Cave between 1969 and 1995 produced stone artifacts, preserved bone tools and human remains left by Middle Stone Age people between 65'000 and 85'000 years ago. The excavations also produced remains of some of the earliest sheep bones in the Western Cape, indicating that sheep-keeping Quena pastoralists from the Later Stone Age were already living in the region 2000 years ago.
De Kelders is also rich in other archeological sites, with shell middens occurring in several areas along the coast. Stanford's Cove has two important historical aspects, namely the graves of early inhabitants and the fig tree planted by the first fishermen who lived here.
The Klipgat cave is open to the public and is accessed through the Walker Bay Nature Reserve entrance at the end of De Kelders. From the gate, numerous steps take you down to the protected cove. From there one has to climb a bit to get to the entrance of the cave. In the cave one can see the sand bags that have been used to seal the excavations. At the moment the cave is only accessible for fit people, but this will change in the near future when the cave and its surroundings will be developed to both protect this cultural asset and allow smoother access for visitors.
The Klipgat Cave in the Walker Bay Reserve is managed by Cape Nature Conservation. It is one of the most important assets in the Western Cape. After a period of neglect, funding has now been made available to upgrade the facilities and protect the site from further damage. The construction of board-walks will provide access without further damage to the cave due to visitor impact. An interpretation and information centre will be built to facilitate an awareness, understanding and interest in our indigenous cultural heritage. The centre will offer opportunities for environmental education for youth. School groups will be able to use this effectively for their environmental projects.
This project undertaken by Cape Nature will ensure the necessary long-term conservation and preservation of Klipgat Cave. Tour guides will be employed from the local communities to assist and educate visitors.
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| Strandveld Museum |
 | A small privately owned museum at the cliffs of Franskraal. The Strandveld Museum is a little gem and housed in the original home of one of the Headman that used to work on Dyer Island. The museum has the largest collection of relics of the HMT Birkenhead, that wrecked off Danger Point and several other historical items. The owners are local historians and marvellous story tellers who gladly take you on a trip through time.
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