One Man in South Africa

Up early this morning as today I am visiting the 'Big Hole'.  There are many things to see and much history attached to Kimberley but this is the reason for my visit.  Believe me once you enter the museum, which is well signposted as are all the places of interest, it can take a day to look around.  I had no idea what to expect other than that this was where Cecil Rhodes and others made their fortunes and the fate of nations decided by that wealth.

I awoke to the sounds of nature all around me and breakfasted in the main house before setting off to explore this famous town. As with most towns here it follows a block formation so I tried to find the centre without success. After a little while I spotted a sign to the Tourist and Heritage Centre, crossing a bridge and driving for a short distance I found an impressive building and shaded car park to my left. I drove through the gate and parked up. Imagine my disappointment when I found that the building was not only locked but completely empty. Returning to the main part of the town and enquired at a government building but no-one seemed to know anything relating to tourism in the town. Eventually I was introduced to the son of a lady who worked there. You will see him on the photos but I do not have his name (I lost my jotter with all of my notes on the trip). He offered to show me around. 

The entrance to what was 'Cook's Castle' I had been discussing with my sister and Toby what to do before I returned to Europe, having decided on a road trip I thought I would nip out this morning to take some photographs of two local places of historical interest which I had seen previously.  Unfortunately it started to rain.  On my return the day was to develop an historical theme, my sister had discovered that there was a Port Alfred Museums competition in the afternoon. At that point I was not aware that there were five museums in the area.