serioussunshine blog

Port Alfred on the Sunshine Coast

August 1, 2010
Sometimes a holiday destination warrants a continuous "repeat button" for an individual, a couple, or a family.

This important attribute is an indication of the venue's sheer enjoyment factor, its ability to appeal to all ages - from tiny tots to Grandma and Grandpa - and - equally important: its affordability.

Such a place is Port Alfred, situated in the Eastern Cape, at the mouth of the Kowie River, and almost half way between Port Elizabeth and East London.


It was established in the early 1820's by British Settlers who were located into the area by Lord Charles Somerset - the west bank named their settlement Port Kowie; and those in the east bank named theirs Port Francis.  However, in 1860, when Queen Victoria's son, Prince Alfred, visited the area, the name was altered.

Kelly's Beach (which has Blue Flag status, and thus one of the top beaches in South Africa), is immensely popular for those who wish to park themselves and laze on the beach, enjoying the sand and sea.  It also provides a wonderful, energetic walk along the shore, before breakfast, or just before supper.

Picturesque residential holiday homes, and bed and breakfast establishments are located near this area.

Whether your interest is river and deep sea fishing, diving, sea and beach surfing, or canoeing - adventure activities - your needs can be met.


For avid golfers, Port Alfred boasts one of the "Royal" courses in the country.



There is a magnificent Marina, with luxurious houses, which face on to the canals.  Also a boat harbour which provides mooring for the many vessels, ranging from luxurious yachts, and pleasure craft, to snorkling and commercial deep-sea fishing.


Even if one chooses not to fish, a boat trip on the River is hugely pleasant, and again there are many homes situated facing the river.


The town itself provides for every eventuality and requirement, but is small and quaint.

Whether you wish a luxury hotel, a bed and breakfast, a holiday home-from-home, or lesser self-catering, you will be spoilt for choice, and the standards of excellence are there for the taking.


The museum situated in the town provides lots of historical interest.

A must whilst in the area, is a visit to Bathhurst which is 15km outside of Port Alfred.  This is home to South Africa's oldest Inn - the Pig & Whistle.

Game reserves which are close by are Oceana, Intsomi and Kariega.  Less than an hour away is Shamwari, Kwandwe, Pumba and Lalibela.

 

St Andrews, Scotland - Home of Golf

July 12, 2010
St Andrews is a University town located in the east coast of Scotland, in Fife.  So named after the apostle Saint Andrew and known worldwide as the Home of Golf.  The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, an international governing body for golf, was founded in 1754 and exercises legislative authority over the game worldwide (with the exception of the United States and Mexico).  It has been the most utilised venue for the Open Golf Championship.  This week people from all over the world will once agai...
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PaterNoster - Last but by no means least

June 28, 2010
No booking had been made for the last leg of our holiday, but we decided whatever experience we were seeking, would be on the West Coast.  However, never having visited that region, we were not quite sure what to expect.

We followed the map, taking in the scenery and ambiance on our journey, and having the freedom to take "pot luck".

Around lunchtime we arrived at Langebaan.  Langebaan, at the edge of a Lagoon and hugely popular with water sports enthusiasts, is a seaside town, on the South Afr...
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Arniston - The Penultimate Part of our Amazing Holiday

June 26, 2010
Our next journey by car was to Arniston, which is a beautiful seaside retreat close to the most southern tip of Africa.

                                                              

We did not have a sea facing room at our hotel, and were facing instead the swimming pool - but the front facing rooms had a view of the sea, the colour of which one is totally unprepared for - a spectacular azure blue.

                                                                                                ...
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An Amazing Holiday - Part 2

June 24, 2010
Somerset West (so named after an English Governor of the Cape Colony during the 1800's - Lord Charles Henry Somerset) was our next destination, to which we travelled by car from Knysna.  The town lies on the slopes of the Helderberg - part of the majestic Hottentots mountains, and is situated approximately 50kms from Cape Town, 6kms from the False Bay Coast - the resort towns of The Strand and Gordons Bay.


         View from Sir Lowry's Pass

Somerset West has easy access to three golf courses, ...
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Knysna - Start of an Amazing Holiday - Part 1

June 22, 2010
Often when we plan a holiday, it is the "combination" of the places we visit. that make a memorable holiday.

Knysna Heads frame the entrance to the quite spectacular Knysna estuary - lagoon - which provides a haven for water sports and sunset cruises - and this was to be the first stop on our journey.



Aside from having spectacular beauty, Knysna still retains a "village" feel with narrow streets.  This despite recent exciting real-estate developments.

The venue we chose to stay, was originally e...
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The Gautrain - In time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup

June 10, 2010
On Tuesday 8 June 2010 - and therefore in time for the Soccer World Cup, the African Continent's first "high speed rail link" officially opened for "Joe (or Jane) public".  This is part of a three billion dollar Gautrain project.

Gauteng Premier, Nomrula Mokonyane, advised journalists, on Saturday 5 June, to the effect that, what South Africa has done for the World Cup is not something for just 11 June to 11 July, they have put the money for life beyond that.

Having personally endured the previ...
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My idea of Winter Paradise

May 29, 2010
Tucked away in the mountains of Switzerland - accessed only by mountain railway - no road leads you there - is my idea of winter paradise.  The "picture perfect" mountain village of Wengen.  Wengen is in central Switzerland at 1274m above sea level.  This can be reached by train from Lauterbrunnen or Grunewald and is located beneath the imposing Eiger-Mรถnch-Jungfrau mountain range in the heart of the Bernese Oberland.

Equally magnificent in both winter and summer, we chose winter (Christmas i...
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A survey by law professor - Legal Secretaries

May 27, 2010
As a former legal secretary, I was hugely interested in the following article which was posted on May 26, 2010 by Debra Cassens Weiss :

"Legal secretaries are largely invisible in the academic literature, but one Chicago law professor is setting out to change that.

Felice Batlan, an assistant law professor at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, surveyed 164 legal secretaries last year and learned some sobering news, the Wisconsin Law Journal reports.  Nearly 20 percent had recently lost their jobs...
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The Bushveld but with Home Comforts

May 18, 2010
Do you want to experience the Bushveld but are not quite ready to relinquish your home comforts?

Located in the Limpopo Bushveld is a Lodge where you are accommodated in Luxury Hemmingway air-conditioned East African style safari tents, with 220v electricity and bathrooms en-suite, under massive Bushveld trees.

Bateleur Tented Safari Lodge is a 12 bed Lodge - and you can be accommodated whether you simply seek a Bushveld break away, a private conference venue, or a team building experience.  Th...
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About Me


Janet Gallagher My primary interest now is writing my "In-Progress Book" in the Romance Genre, and I also have a writing site under www.serioussunshine.com. I fall under the sign of Aquarius and therefore I would not slot myself under any one genre. I have many interests - gym, swimming, family, geeeek! Formerly childrens nurse/air stewardess/personal assistant/secretary/dabbled in a couple of university law subjects then worked for many years in a prestigous law firm as Secretary/PA. I am very family and home oriented but also love travel and pursuing interests and learning from people who are achievers and focused. My favourite movie stars : male: Ryan Reynolds, Jack Davenport and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers; female: Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Charlize Theron Favourite movies: The Proposal, The Devil Wears Prada, August Rush You can follow me on Twitter @serioussunshine I look forward to meeting you there!

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