Knysna

Breakfast at our B&B was very good, as we have become used to on this trip. Always a fresh fruit salad to start with yoghurts and muesli or nuts, plus fruit juices and a cooked breakfast to follow, if you want it. Bread or toast with honey, cheese or jams to finish and tea and coffee. We sat out on the veranda and chatted to fellow guests. The dogs (3 of them) were in attendance should anyone care to feed them and one small dog would jump up to tap your leg if you were ignoring him.

We set out to see the heads - the rocks which guard the harbour entrance, passing down a residential road with plenty of bushes.


Bougainville with two colours of flowers on the same plant






and a tree with beautiful lily like flowers






A view out to the ocean showing the north and south heads





Looking inland this is where one sailing brig was wrecked and there are still remains to be explored by divers.






We clambered over rocks to get the best views. Workman were there repairing a wooden bridge which made the way to the point possible. The path was very narrow (50 cm) at some points next to a sheer drop down. It was not a walk for the faint hearted.

When we got to the end there was evidence that the sea birds use the rocks for 'maturing' their fish. We spotted a large locust enjoying the sunshine.







John went to the very end of the rocks to take these views to the Indian Ocean


South head on the right


North head



So while Knysna is a natural harbour like Sydney its entrance is a bit scary.




Looking back to Knynsa




The narrow path with a steep drop onto rocks on the way back.



View across the estuary inland. There are steps down and people on a walking tour.




We set off in the direction of Buffalo bay, calling into a roadside cafe, a large tent affair, for a lunch of bobotti for John and quiche for Pat. While we were eating a snake was spotted climbing up to the veranda and a great fuss followed until it had been moved.





We stopped at Goukamma beach which had great views of Buffalo Bay village.

The beach was deserted except for one small group of people in the distance. The spray haze dulled the detail of the village making the photo appear more like a painting.





In the other direction there were some very interesting rocks




This is in the opposite direction to Goukamma beach which is a protected area.




There was some bird life, a couple of Black African Oystercatchers were scolding John.



Large black backed gulls





Interesting rocks



Natural debris on the beach left by the sea NOT laid out for the photo.




We proceeded toward Buffalo bay but rather than the long interesting walk that we had expected, the beach which sweeps round to South head was rather boring for a walk but obviously a great holiday beach.




This poor starfish had got beached on the sand.




In the evening, we went down to the town and then to the waterfront with is shops





And restaurants




A large heron had perched on one of the boats in the Marina




The view towards the Heads




Carriages from an old train by the port



The sun set across the estuary as we walked around.



We ate at the anchorage restaurant in town rather than on the waterfront and had delicious fish.


Pat and John on tour