Road trip through the Eastern Cape

blunomore

blunomore

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Anyone ever done this before ?

My final destination is PE. Which small towns are worth visiting on the way there?

Thanks :)
 
Graaf Reinet for the local tequila (pack aspirin).

It is a very sad and poor part of the country so perhaps pack some empathy as well.
 
JHB to Bloem on N1.

http://www.aa.co.za/content/369/kimberlybloemfonteintoportelizabeth/

From Bloem you have two options: Colesburg (N9) or Reddersburg (N6)

A. From Colesberg to Middelburg then you have 2 options: Cradock (N10) or Graaff-Reinet (N9)
http://www.aa.co.za/content/369/kimberlybloemfonteintoportelizabeth/
1. From Cradock (N10) through to Cookhouse to Colchester to PE. (quickest but boring)
You can also go from Colesburg and turn off at the Gariep Dam and go over the dam wall and through to Venterstad to Steynsburg to Hofmeyr to Cradock. (great dam view that makes up for the Cradock to PE trip!!)

2. From Graaff-Reinet (N9) through Jansenville (R75) through Uitenhage to PE. (more to see)

B. From Reddersburg (N6) stay on the N6 through Rouxville to Aliwal North to Queenstown.
http://www.aa.co.za/content/1499/kimberley-bloemfontein-to-east-london/
From Queenstown you use the R67 through Fort Beaufort to Grahamstown back onto the N2 to PE. (long way!)
 
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I did this trip many a time so I use to alternate between routes A1 and A2.

Both routes have their pros and cons.

The most important part is not do the trip between GFR and PE in the dark (buck and kudu on road).

With Baby Blu onboard, I'd recommend the Graaff-Reinet route. Also just before GFR you have Nieu Bethesda and the Valley of Desolation.
 
Used to stay in Aliwal North for 3 years in the 90's, been back intermittently since then - watch out for them potholes....
 
When in PE, if you head a little up the coast towards East London, there is Nanaga farm stall that sells the best pies ever.

nanaga.jpg


I drove through there earlier this week on my way back from Knysna. These people have great pies. I recommend the Lamb mint pie. I couldnt believe how busy it was until I tasted those pies :D Now an official stop point every time I go through that area.
 
ghoti said:
When in PE, if you head a little up the coast towards East London, there is Nanaga farm stall that sells the best pies ever.
I drove through there earlier this week on my way back from Knysna. These people have great pies. I recommend the Lamb mint pie. I couldnt believe how busy it was until I tasted those pies :D Now an official stop point every time I go through that area.
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Very true!

If the Blu's use the Cradock or Queenstown route, then they will drive past it before they arrive in PE.

(on the route map I posted earlier, look for the Ncanara junction just before Colchester)
 
Hmmm . . . pies. I wonder if I'm going to have time on Saturday on my way back from East London. :o
 
bwana said:
Hmmm . . . pies. I wonder if I'm going to have time on Saturday on my way back from East London. :o
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You damn well better make time! :mad:

It's considered a cardinal sin to drive on the R72 without paying homage to the pie gods at either Beavers in Port alfred or Nanaga farmstall. You've been warned. :p

Have a safe trip, mrs Blu! Remember to roll down your window when you get near here, I'll shout hello really loudly, k? k.
 
Voicy said:
You damn well better make time! :mad:
Click to expand...
My dilemma . . . I'm shooting a rugby match that starts in EL at 13:30 . . . tri-nations starts at 17:00. :o
 
Voicy said:
You damn well better make time! :mad:

It's considered a cardinal sin to drive on the R72 without paying homage to the pie gods at either Beavers in Port alfred or Nanaga farmstall. You've been warned. :p

Have a safe trip, mrs Blu! Remember to roll down your window when you get near here, I'll shout hello really loudly, k? k.
Click to expand...

The pies are Beavers have gone pear shaped :( The lamb mint pie I had there was nothing compared to the pies as Nanaga. Beavers used to be my pie Mecca :(
 
bwana said:
My dilemma . . . I'm shooting a rugby match that starts in EL at 13:30 . . . tri-nations starts at 17:00. :o
Click to expand...

Whahaha, you'll wish you rather spent your time at the pie shop instead. :p

Besides, you'll only get out of slummies by 3pm. Nanaga closes at 5:30pm. Takes you 1hr30mins to get to Port Alfred, another hour to get to Nanaga. You prolly won't make it in time before Nanaga closes - and you're definitely going to miss most of the Tri-nations match anyway...so you might as well swing past Beavers.
 
Voicy said:
Whahaha, you'll wish you rather spent your time at the pie shop instead. :p

Besides, you'll only get out of slummies by 3pm. Nanaga closes at 5:30pm. Takes you 1hr30mins to get to Port Alfred, another hour to get to Nanaga. You prolly won't make it in time before Nanaga closes - and you're definitely going to miss most of the Tri-nations match anyway...so you might as well swing past Beavers.
Click to expand...
I think its the other way around.

Only an hour from EL side to PA.
 
Word of warning... remember that the Nanaga Farm Stall has moved to their new premises on the other side of the interchange.
 
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