Something Good Roadhouse

Date taken:  15 December 2012

The Something Good Roadhouse in Summerstrand brings back many childhood memories. Apparently it close its doors in 2008 and I was sad to see it in this state on my return to Port Elizabeth.

Today I read in the newspaper about the "Making Something Bad Good" project plans and I was delighted! There will be an upgrade and redevelopment of the iconic Something Good roadhouse building at a cost of R3m!

According to The Herald, "the roadhouse was a pivotal part of the beachfront experience for locals and tourists for decades, but degenerated into a rundown and graffiti-covered eyesore before it was shut down in 2008.  Nelson Mandela Bay-based Shimda, which recently concluded a five-year lease agreement with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, said it would be investing R3.17-million in the project, which was expected to take between four and six months to complete.

Now that is good news!  Isn't it!
Will watch the progress of the project and post updates.

Source: http://www.peherald.com/news/article/10988

Cape Recife Lighthouse

Date visited: 2 December 2012
(click photo for a bigger view)

I was pleasantly suprised to see the Lighthouse, freshly painted, and it's immediate surroundings at low tide on Sunday.   I have seen so many photo's and heard of it's beauty before, so I had go and find out for myself!  With all the rocks and reef exposed by the low tide, we could take long walks and view the Lighthouse from a "different" angle.

You will find the 161 years old (2012) Lighthouse in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve, located off Marine Drive in Schoenmakerskop.

The 24 meter high octagonal shaped tower striped in broad black and white bands, was commissioned on 1 April 1851 (April's Fool Day!)  Lots of information about this lighthouse are available on the web, but just in short:-

• The Cape Recife Lighthouse is built on a rock foundation, known as D’Urban, and it situated on a headland in the midst of a large expanse of sandy beach.
• It warns mariners of a large spine of rocks, known as Thunderbolt reef. Thunderbolt Reef is the graveyard of numerous ships, the last being the Kapodistrias on 29th July 1985.
• The initial range of the light was 12 miles, however with the development of technology it is now 29 sea miles. 
• The warning system is equipped with a fog signal, radio beacon, a red light (28º) and a flashing white light (332º) that shines every 30 seconds at a focal plane height of 28 meters above the high water mark. The current sighting range is 29 nautical miles with a light power of 4 000 000 Candelas.
• It'sPosition: 34 01 43.97 South, 25 42 03.90 East

More information @ www.lighthouses.co.za

Good to know:
Entrance permits (annual or weekly) are available from Pine Lodge Resort located at entrance to Cape Recife Nature Reserve. Entrance only with permit!
There is visible security in the reserve during daylight hours. Picnicking is allowed and also dogs but they must be on a lease at all times.
www.pinelodge.co.za
Tel: +27 41 583-4004

Contact information and links to websites were correct at the time of blogging.