[Originally published September 8, 2012] My first stop in Africa was to visit my friend Luke and his family on their farm. Harrison Farm is located near the tiny South African town of Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa.
Not sure what The Big Trip Redux is all about? Read the first blog post in the series here.
Although I think the region is technically considered 'grassland' it borders the Karoo Desert, so it is definitely a very dry place. It is also in a very mountainous region of the country with elevation averaging 1,000-2,000m (or 3,500-6,500ft.)
The Harrison Farm has around 1,000 acres of rolling hills, rocky outcroppings, woods, and fields. During its zenith in the 1920's, it was a sheep farm and there are remnants all over the plot of fencing, troughs, and other old-farming paraphernalia. Today, it is a fully functioning agricultural farm and that year, the main crop was lucerne (a type of alfalfa) which is mainly used to feed livestock.
Indigenous plant life was super interesting to me and included lots of cactus varieties, aloe plants, and thorn trees (which make the best charcoal for cooking fires!) Also on the farm were various types of planted trees such as gums and spruce.
Although worlds apart, my first reaction to this landscape was that it reminded me of the rolling hills at the edge of The Rockies in Montana. It was beautiful.
View out the original post on September 8, 2007: Yes, I'm in Africa!
Remnant fencing from the sheep days.
Aloe succotrina, South African Aloe plant
I believe this is an old old grave site on the farm.
A view from the highest point on the grounds, The Beacon. Harrison Farm is in the foreground, Whittlesea is in the center, and another village called Ekuphumleni in the very background.
The Beacon, the highest point on the Harrison Farm grounds.
An old gum tree near the stream.
Harrison Farm and the lucerne fields.
The way in.