Rock Dassie

We headed East today along the N2 towards Port Elizabeth, aiming for the Tsitsikamma National Park and the Mouth of the Storms River. This is a spectacular marine reserve in forestland. It’s the point at which the Storms River has created a huge gorge and there is an emerged rocky coastline. Waves crash over the rocks in an amazing fashion. Unfortunately this morning, despite it being very warm and sunny, there was a heavy mist over the area, so the views of the waves and rocks were not as dramatic as they can be.

Here is a Rock Dassie, or Rock Hyrax, a furry mammal. They look like oversized guines pigs, but are actually related to elephants. There were a lot of them running about amongst the rocks. They are preyed on mainly by eagles and I suppose they have worked out that lots of people means no chance of eagles! You can see, through the mist, the waves breaking on the rocks. Look large.

And here’s a Baboon nonchalantly having a scrat at the edge of the road. They were all over the roads this afternoon.

We visited a few other places, including a wonderful textiles and crafts centre called Langa Lapu Fabrics. Their speciality is sun dyeing on fabrics, all done locally. Of course I bought a selection of pieces, I just have to decide what to do with them when I get home! Anyone interested in the process of sun dyeing can find out a little more here. Quilters might be interested in knowing that the lady who owns the centre and shop sources huge amounts of locally made textiles and crafts from all over Africa and it is she who supplies The Africa Shop which always has a very colourful stall at all the Quilt Shows. A very interesting lady.