Whistling Thorn Photography

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The magic that is Wakkerstroom! As I say to friends when we visit... "You have a little patch of heaven right here!"And ...
08/04/2026

The magic that is Wakkerstroom!
As I say to friends when we visit... "You have a little patch of heaven right here!"
And every time we visit it's just as spectacular as the last visit!
Thank you for hosting us (again) this past Easter weekend and showing off your magnificence!

Although it's nearing the end of Cosmos season... The display in Wakkerstroom was still spectacular this past weekend!
08/04/2026

Although it's nearing the end of Cosmos season... The display in Wakkerstroom was still spectacular this past weekend!

A couple birding pictures from the past weekend in Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga.
07/04/2026

A couple birding pictures from the past weekend in Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga.

Fishing Fun over the Easter Weekend! A quick weekend away in Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga.
07/04/2026

Fishing Fun over the Easter Weekend!
A quick weekend away in Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga.

The Big Hole Viewing Platform and Kimberley Mine Museum150 years ago, the site of the Big Hole was a featureless, flat-t...
17/03/2026

The Big Hole Viewing Platform and Kimberley Mine Museum

150 years ago, the site of the Big Hole was a featureless, flat-topped hill. When word spread that diamonds had been discovered, thousands of prospectors, armed with nothing more than picks, shovels and hope, descended on Kimberley and created the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.

The museum and Old Town next to the mine reconstruct history, when word spread that diamonds had been discovered, thousands of prospectors, armed with nothing more than picks, shovels and hope, descended on Kimberley in hopes of finding their share of riches!

Roadtrip - Day 18 - 6 January 2026

Taking a quiet and slow day at camp! Roadtrip - Day 17 - January 2026
17/03/2026

Taking a quiet and slow day at camp!

Roadtrip - Day 17 - January 2026

Moerby Farm Stall - 🐝 It's un-bee-lievable! 🐝 🍯 Located on the R357 just outside Douglas (heading towards Kimberley) thi...
17/03/2026

Moerby Farm Stall - 🐝 It's un-bee-lievable! 🐝 🍯
Located on the R357 just outside Douglas (heading towards Kimberley) this magical little farm stall offers absolutely everything bees and honey!
There is a glass observation beehive that allows one to get close up and see what happens on the inside of a beehive without any risk of harming the bees or getting stung! It's brilliant.

They have a big array of different craft honeys, bees wax candles and bee themed goodies on sale. As well as some amazing hand crafts available. If you are in the area definitely make a turn and go take a look see!

Roadtrip - Day 17 - 5 January 2026

The confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers The Vaal River flows for approximately 1300 kilometers from its source in M...
17/03/2026

The confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers
The Vaal River flows for approximately 1300 kilometers from its source in Mpumalanga, flowing through Gauteng, the North West province and Free State to where it meets with the Orange River near Douglas in the Northern Cape. The Vaal river is the largest tributary to the Orange River.

From this point the combined river continues as the Orange River, flowing approximately 900kms westward before eventually emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay.

Unfortunately however, one has to pay (R100 per adult, R50 per child and R20 per vehicle) to visit this point on these two rivers. While we don't mind paying there are local rubbish collection people (who were very drunk) using the facilities as a recycling sorting area and the place has fallen into terrible disrepair with litter and broken glass everywhere. There are no more picnic facilities. The viewing deck is rotten and completely falling apart. And the toilet facilities are absolutely disgusting!

Roadtrip - Day 17 - 5 January 2026

Broadwater River Estate Douglas Northern Cape After spending roughly 10days touring the extremely dry Karoo, it was time...
16/03/2026

Broadwater River Estate
Douglas Northern Cape

After spending roughly 10days touring the extremely dry Karoo, it was time for some cool green grass under foot on the banks of the very full Vaal River.
Although it was extremely hot still we were instantly refreshed and cooled down after a "Monkeys Wedding" sunshower.

Roadtrip - Day 16 - 4 January 2026

The Marksdrift low-level bridge Running parallel to the Frans Loojs Brug on the R357 (13kms South-west of Douglas headin...
11/03/2026

The Marksdrift low-level bridge
Running parallel to the Frans Loojs Brug on the R357 (13kms South-west of Douglas heading towards Prieska) and upstream of the confluence with the Vaal River,

It serves as a key location for ecological water requirements and resource studies.
Studies include ecological monitoring of fish, microorganisms, bugs etc. as well as the rivers flow of and required water release from the Vanderkloof Dam (previous post) and monitoring of water quality.

Notice the high water level where the river has broken its banks.

Roadtrip - Day 16 - 4 January 2026

Campbell The NG Kerk in Campbell is still just as quaint and beautiful as it was when I first laid eyes on it 16 years a...
11/03/2026

Campbell
The NG Kerk in Campbell is still just as quaint and beautiful as it was when I first laid eyes on it 16 years ago.
Back in 2010 on a road trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg (and purely by accident) I stumbled upon this very church and my interest in old churches in small (and big) towns was born!

I have struggled to find much info on this church other than it was founded around 1946. Maybe someone has something to share.
Regardless it is still my favourite old church to date!

The town's back story...
The overall area was originally inhabited by the Griqua, San, and Koranna tribes, making it a place of cultural exchange. In 1805 a settlement called Knovel Valley was established when strong springs in a valley at the edge of the Ghaap Plateau were discovered. It was noted for its potential for future crop cultivation. In 1811 the settlement's name changed to Groote Fontein(Great Fountain) when at the same time a mission station was laid out and informally established. Shortly afterwards in 1813 the town was renamed to Campbell when ReverendJohn Campbell toured the region.

In the town is the Bartlett Mission Church, constructed between 1827 and 1831. It's known as the oldest mission church north of the Orange River, it features distinct, neat stonework and is a declared historical monument. It's famed for Reverends Robert Moffat and David Livingstone having preached from its pulpit.

Much like the local residents curiously looking on at us as we explored the old church a Lesser Kestrel also keeps a watchful eye from its telephone pole vantage point, while a storm rolls in across the Karoo.

Roadtrip - Day 16 - 4 January 2026

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