Harrismith and the Hills and Mountains

Harrismith is known for the life that the inhabitants live at the foot of Platberg. 

The Platberg, the Free State’s own “Table Mountain”, overlooks the town of Harrismith. It literally means the flat-mountain.
A high inselberg is a landmark & forms an imposing backdrop to the town.
It is an extension of the eastern foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains

The location of the town and the surroundings tells us that there is more.

Loskop is an isolated peak where you will find a huge, shallow pan.
In front is Staffordshire Hill and the Grant Quarries  

Slightly behind Loskop and further north, is Glen Paul. 
On top there is an odd rock formation like a crab's nipper standing up against the sky. 

Beside Glen Paul on a lower plateau, Bobbejaankop and Everest and Mooihoek (previously known as Wesselskop)
with its lower offshoot Tafelberg.
The locals call this group of mountains The Bull, the Cow and the Calf. 

Verkykerskop 

Mount Everest 

North East lies Nelson's Kop, on which a broken portion of the cliff bears a noticeable resemblance to the profile of 
Admiral Nelson wearing a naval cap.
There is the wonderful story of Nelson's Kop that was named after the horse Nelson that was killed by a lion.

Very close to it is Tandjesberg, whose rocky crown of boulders looks like a set of false teeth. 

These two mountains, along with five others stretching over a vast area and ending with Mont Pelaan. 

This range is known as the Seven Sisters. 

The photo was taken by Dirk Boukaert and we would like to thank him for the beautiful panorama of the mountains.

Thanks you to Johan Lodewyk Marais for sharing this panorama.
Pilaan, Skeurklip, Waterkop, Tandjiesberg, Nelson's Kop, Rensburgkop, Platberg, Mount Everest and Verkykerskop

Mabethlaan

Rensburg's Kop with the double humped summit near Swinburne.
Very close to Rensburg'skop is the Whispering Mountain and 
Tintwa Inyoni (haunted by birds) and Verloren Vallei. 

Tintwa Inyoni 

Verloren Vallei 

Kerkenberg, for here Piet Retief's followers held a thanksgiving service. 

Baker's Kop 

Baker's Kop is a fairly isolated peak with a huge overhang at the foot, 
which is big enough to house 300 - 400 sheep. 
Above the cliff is a large cave, inaccessible except with the help 
of a rope, and even then it is dangerous as the floor of the cave slopes out. 

Not far from Baker's Kop is Mount Paul. At its foot is a huge boulder 
beside which the Badenhorst family camped on their arrival in this 
district and we were told that they have carved their names and some dates. 

42nd Hill was previously known as Reitzheuwel 

The Turkey cavie visible on Platberg 

The Story of Harrismith by EB Hawkins 
Till next time 

Sandra 

When there is time . . story quilts

If I must say something about myself then . . . .  it must be the comforters that I make.  

After the passing of our eldest son in 2008 I made the first one.  A sort of memory ... or perhaps it started as something to keep my going.   

Now years later I still make them.  
Every one tells a story of our family.  It is a part of us. 

Worn jean, red heart made from a little chair that was re-upholstered. 

These quilts also tell about our road trips because no trip is without stopping somewhere to purchase a piece of cloth or old lace

To create one is a "battle" . . . I cut perfect and not so perfect pieces in the 

30cm blocks and then when there is 72 blocks the process can begin.

Antique lace from my granny's treasures 

Some charm from the Graphic Fairy 

Lots of hand sewing 

The batting at the back is now in place and a second cover is stitch in place. 

Thank you for visiting 

Till next time 

Sandra