Swartkops River Mouth

Comming across this photo of Amsterdamhoek has brought back my happy childhood memories of growing up in such a beautiful place. Even after travelling the world and now living in England, Amsterdamhoek is one of the beautiful places in the world. I can almost feel the sun on my back, the sound of the bees and the smell of the bush.

Hi, ibayi - I'm really glad it brings back happy memories for you - we lived across the river on the Swartkops strand for 5 years (so we got to have the view of Amsterdamhoek, not Swarrtkops, from our front garden!), but I used to love going along the A'hoek waterfront (my pic of a kingfisher was taken there) and up Tippers Creek road to the aloe trail. I'm in the UK as well now, but I treasure those 5 years also.

Hi Graham

Your photo's of Amsterdamhoek have inspired me to return to Amsterdamhoek for a long overdue visit! I fly in two weeks and look forward to being in the beautiful scenery for real.

Thanks so much for communicating that, ibayi -I hope you find the place if not exactly as you remember it, then at least to have retained what brought you so much pleasure during your growing-up years - I don't think it's the type of place that changes quickly, somehow, and the aloe trail is an official nature reserve, so though you'll miss the aloe flowers it will still be there - travel well and enjoy your visit - i get happy memories too as I think back on my time there. Graham

I do not have to travel that far to get to some corner of Amsterdam (Translation of Amsterdam Hoek). The Dutch influences in S. Africa shows clearly here. Afrikaans (the language) is very easy for us to understand as most words are very similar.

This is a wonderful place, which can´t be found on any corner in the Netherlands, well perhaps at some botanic gardens we can see these lovely inflorescences of the Aloes.

Erik

the crop of pictures around here are because we lived on the other side of the estury, Erik - I used to love walking in the aloe reserve and looking down on the river - and we had the better view on our side - they had to look at us!

thanks for taking the time to trawl through the old-tech transparencies.

Graham

I will do some more exploring, through these 'Golden' oldies for sure. There is nothing better than the real view of Africa!

Erik

Maravillosa, miguel

Thanks-you Miguel - I used to live for several years of the far side of the estury, and it is a happy memory for me :)

Graham

Excelent~!

thanks Paul13 - as I've aaid elsewhere, the flowering of the aloes is a big compensation for winter in SA - mind you, the winter isn't that bad ... :D

Graham

Hi Graham your photos of S.Africa are out of this world.

BO

Greetings

I so enjoyed my time there Archie - and I had the leisure to take pictures when conditions were just perfect for them - I was very lucky :)

Graham

Graham, I've just had an enjoyable stroll through your gallery. You have some wonderful collections. You certainly have captured the differing moods of our fine countryside for all to see. Congrats: I've plonked you in my favorites, so hopefully you will keep up the good work. Kind regards,

very much appreciated keepclicking - and being plonked has seldom felt better ;D - we do have a beautiful country here - it took me a while to get back in tune after 5 years in SA, but I'm really enjoying the photographic possibilities again now :)

Graham

great lights of Africa, i want see this once in a lifetime! i'm a fan of Wilbur Smith, the first books ..., and aloe Knoll,a kopjie near Ladyburg, with your flowers ... are in my mind and in your shot ... wow ... ciao lorenzo

It's a wonderful country Lorenzo - I would encourage anybody who loves beautiful landscapes to go. Our house was on the far side of this estuary - so lovely in the flat calm with the warm Winter sun on your back :)

Graham

GRAHAM.

Esplendida vista,

Una magnifica foto,

Me GUSTA Nº2.

Un cordial saludo, desde Spain,

Marino.