Saturday, February 21, 2009

Commondale (J 10)

Name:Commondale

Commondale - Mpumalanga
Explore the quaint village of Lüneburg, then turn left on the road to Piet Retief/Commondale. Take the left fork, six kilometers further, and then turn right to Commondale after five kilometers. Look carefully for the battle site of Ntombe Drift on the way. Follow the mountains to Commondale village. Turn right on the R33, and left to Commondale. The road from Commondale winds through green plantations passing Double H Game Ranch at the Honingkloof turnoff, Wagendrift Game Ranch shortly after crossing White River.

Google count:
Date:

Historic fact:

Other interesting info:

Where to stay:

Friday, February 20, 2009

Conbomune (K5)

Name:Conbomune
(on the Maputo Rutenga line).

Siding (?) in Mocambique next to Hoyo Hoyo

Google count: Not found - Vould it be spelling or doesn't it exist (anymore?). Help with info - email me at proplib@gmail.com

Date:

Historic fact:

Other interesting info:

Where to stay:

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Colleen Bawn (G5)

Name:Colleen Bawn
Colleen Bawn: a town in Zimbabwe

Eppel describes his first book, which is also semi-biographical, as his most vicious attack on the white community where he grew up in Colleen Bawn, a cement plant in southern Zimbabwe.



Google count:
Date:

Historic fact:

Other interesting info:

Where to stay:

Friday, February 13, 2009

Coligny (D9)

Name: Coligny


Originally named Treurfontein (well of sadness), the name was changed to honour Admiral Gaspard de Coligny, a staunch French Huguenot who was killed in the Massacre of Saint Bartholomew's Day (24 August 1572) in Paris

At first sight, Coligny gives the impression of being just another dusty, windswept village - forgotten in the mists of time and bypassed by modern life. In a way it has retained its "olde worlde" character, but it hides a wealth of history and fascinating character.

Read more: http://www.tourismnorthwest.co.za/central/coligny.html
http://www.routes.co.za/nw/coligny/index.html

Google count: 42,000 for Coligny
Date: 13 February 2009

Historic fact:

Other interesting info:

Where to stay:

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Colesberg (E13)

Name:Colesberg (E13)

The town lies in typical Karoo veld and is surrounded by koppies (little hills). The most famous is Coleskop, which can be seen from a distance of over 40km. Early travellers called it "Towerberg" ("Magic Mountain"). The curious thing about this koppie is that as you travel towards it, it never seems to get nearer.

http://www.places.co.za/html/colesberg.html

Colesberg can trace its origins to a London Missionary Society station.

Google count:106,000 for Colesberg
Date: 11 February 2008

Historic fact:

Other interesting info:
Colesberg was founded in 1830 and named after Governor Sir G. Lowry Cole. There is a wonderful museum, the Colesberg Kemper Museum.

Where to stay:

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Colenso (J12)

Name:Colenso

The town of Colenso in South Africa is situated on the banks of the Tugela River and surrounded by the Drakensberg foothills, Colenso was known as Commando Drift before being renamed in honour of the first Bishop of Natal. John William Colenso was a missionary who translated the New Testament into Zulu...earning the title Sobantu - Father of the People. African life can be observed here in an undisturbed natural state, unspoiled by any form of commercialization.

http://www.drakensberg-tourism.com/colenso.html

Colenso (known in Zulu as eSkipeni - Place of the Boat). The original settlement was contained within a loop on the river, but it subsequently expanded southwards and eastwards. It lies on the main Durban - Johannesburg railway line some 190 km north-west of Durban.




Google count:
Date:

Historic fact:


Ambleside Military Cemetery:
Many of the men who fell in the Battle of Colenso, during the Anglo- Boer War, particularly the Irish regiments, are buried here.Take the Weenen/ Colenso off ramp from the R103 (approaching from Estcourt) and turn left to Winterton. Follow the signs to the cemetery. Open daily.

Armoured Train Cemetery: It was near this site that Winston Churchill was captured by Boer forces, who derailed the armoured observation train which he was travelling. A plaque just off the road records the event and the cemetery set among trees. Off the R103 near Frere. Signposted

Chieveley Military Cemetery:
Here Lt. Freddy Roberts, the son of Lord Roberts, lies buried. He was posthumously awarded the VC. Follow the dirt road past the railway station to the cemetery set among trees. Off the R103 from Estcourt to Colenso. Open daily
Clouston Garden of Remembrance:
Many of the Memorials and graves from the Battle of Colenso have been moved to the Clouston Garden of Rembrance. This site was General Bullers headquarters during the Battle of Colenso. There were a number of brigade hospitals here during the battle to which the wounded were brought. The graves of many of the men killed on the 15 December and Thukela Heights battles are found in this garden.

http://www.countryroads.co.za/content/colenso.html

Other interesting info:

Where to stay:

Train