Historic Monument

The lighthouse at Seal Point was built in 1878, and has been declared a National Monument. The brass plaque you see on the gatepost is placed on all buildings with this status.

The honour brings with it responsibilities for those who own or administer a national monument, to maintain and preserve it in its original condition. No alterations may be made without specific permission from the Heritage Board, who will make very sure that any changes do not intefere with the historic nature of the place. (Sadly in many places, like Port Elizabeth, this is being ignored, and wonderful heritage sites are being lost as businesses have no problem paying a paltry fine for demolishing a building on a site that will bring a fat profit from a new development.)

But the good news is that there are many others, like this one, which are lovingly cared for and open to the public, so that an interest in the heritage of our nation can be passed on from generation to generation.

The Port on a quiet day

It was quiet on Easter morning at Port St Francis with many boats in the harbour for the long weekend. Looking out over St Francis Bay the Cockscomb Mountain is visible in the distance - it dominates the skyline for many miles from all directions.

N.S.R.I.

The National Sea Rescue Institute is active all along our coastline, and consists mainly of volunteers, who train hard and give up a lot of their free time to rescue people in distress on the sea. They do an amazing job, because they not only have to keep up professional standards as far as sea rescue skills and equipment goes, but have to use a lot of time and energy in raising funds to keep the whole thing going. This is the NSRI station at the Port, and from here the rescue boats are launched to go and help those in difficulties. Hats off to all of you!!!!

Looking through the windows of the boathouse, you can see the rescue craft Spirit of St Francis ready for action, and if you really look carefully, also a reflection of yours truly with camera!

Reflections again

The full moon was on its way down as the sun was rising across the bay, on Easter monday. There was not a breath of wind, and the rim flow swimming pool at the Port Hotel was like glass , which gave a great opportunity for this shot.......

Shark Point again

Over Easter we took our 3 year old grandson to St Francis for a night. The little guy was fascinated by all the boats so we chartered a power boat to go down to Shark point.

The top picture shows the warning beacon on the point, erected there after it had claimed a few wrecks, including this one of the yacht Genesis.

And at the end of the point, in the distance you can see the Seal Point Lighthouse peeping over the rocks . Unfortunately the sea was pretty rough so it was not safe to venture round the point into the bay at Cape St Francis.