Graaf-Reinet to Swartberg
This boring drive was brightened up by lunch at an unusual restaurant/gest house called Sophie’s Choice (Not a great name if you have seen the movie). I think weird isn’t the word as you will see for yourself. Our hotel Swartberg Country Manor was a long way from the attractions of Oudtshoorn. The following day we visited an Ostrich farm which was surprisingly interesting thanks to a good guide.
Another long day of boring landscapes
Typical roadside picnic lay-by
Old wind pump
The weird and wonderful Sophie's Choice restaurant/guest house/antiques shop!
Trees and bushes bury their roots in any available crack in the rocks
Roadside Eucalyptus trees are drought tolerant
Geese are good substitutes for watchdogs
Weaver bird nests
The rose garden
Weaver bird
Back on the road
Ostrich Farm
Local women selling ostrich feather dusters
Small mansions were built by wealthy ostrich feather traders in the late 19th century
Tobacco farm
An unexpected sight!
Rusty ostrich at the ostrich farm entrance
Ostrich feathers were a huge industry to feed the demand for hat feathers and boas.
A dangerous weapon
This is an Emu and the difference is obvious
Emu toes are different
Local birds wait for the seeds fed to the ostriches!
Male
Feeding time!
Waiting to feed,,,
Don't volunteer for an ostrich "hug" !
Eggs are the size of small melons
Pigeons wait their turn
Pretty plant
The obligatory gift shop
Decorated eggs
Ostrich toys
African drums