Clarendon Circle was a Landmark Intersection, of the North East Route into Johannesburg. It was a Circle of note Located where East Avenue crossed Empire, Bruce, Twist and Klein Streets. There was an Island on East Avenue, separating the Traffic Lanes with an attractive line up of palm trees and shrubs. Today Clarendon Circle is NO more! The fingerprint of the History is captured in the name; Clarendon Place which is the new name for, East Avenue. The old Clarendon Circle disappeared into an amorphous, chaotic Crossing marked by Traffic Lights.Clarendon Place which was once Clarendon Circle! Clarendon Circle was named in honour of the Earl of Clarendon, George Villiers (1877-1955) who served as Governor General of the Union of South Africa from 1931 to 1937. He was the Chief Representative of Britain, in South Africa. George Villiers came from an Aristocratic English Family, with Ancient Roots. His full Name was; George Herbert Hyde Villiers, 6th Earl of Clarendon! He was a British Conservative Politician and sat in the House of Lords. He also served as Chief Scout of the Boy Scout movement during his tenure as Governor General and filled many other Public positions and roles. Today Clarendon, the last Englishman to hold the Post of Governor General of South Africa, is a largely forgotten figure from our Colonial past. However, his name is still remembered in Hotels, Streets, Guesthouses, Apartment Blocks and Schools, throughout South Africa! He was the man who laid the Foundation Stone of the William Cullen Library at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1935. Anna Smith, in her Classic Book: 'Johannesburg Street Names', gives a full record of City Council deliberations for 1931. In October 1931 the Council decided on the name Clarendon Circle following a suggestion by Councillor D W McKay (Mayor, 1936-37) that the roundabout should be named Clarendon Circus which was then modified by Councillor M Freeman (Mayor 1934-35) to Place or Circle. The actual planning of a crucial Road Intersection in the form of a Roundabout went back to 1929, in deliberations of the City Engineers Department. Clarendon Circle was a key intersection leading into the City, or to Hillbrow or West, along Empire Road, and served this purpose over a 28 year period. A Circle meant that vehicles took turns to enter the Traffic Roundabout and then move off in the chosen direction of the Driver. In 1959, it was decided to abandon the Circle in favour of a straightforward intersection to handle growing traffic densities. Over time “traffic” took precedence over a, "living green urban Environment". However, the name Clarendon was retained as what had been East Avenue was renamed Clarendon Place and extended beyond the old Circle and heads towards Klein Street.

A small, modern Karoo Village, Laingsburg lies at the confluence of two rivers, but is one of the driest parts of the Country. Laingsburg is 280 km from Cape Town just off the N1 highway that travels through the Great Karoo. Despite its dryness, they are well known for the freak flood that devastated the Town on the 25 of January 1981. In a matter of Hours, the entire Town was under water, with only the roofs of Houses visible. This traumatic event was due to an abnormal rainfall in the Catchments of both the Buffel's River and Biviana's Rivers that come together in the Town. This catastrophic event claimed 104 Lives and left only 21 Buildings standing. Today high-water marks line lamp posts and the Dutch Reformed Church, one of the few remaining Buildings, to serve as a reminder, and the local Library has a collection of photographs and press cuttings covering the disaster. The Laingsburg Flood Museum is dedicated to capturing the essence of the Town and its People, and conveying the mammoth effect of this Disaster. Memorabilia, Artifacts and Information continues to be gathered for an accurate, up-to-date Exhibition that speaks to the hearts and minds of those that visit! One of the exhibitions at this Museum is; the "Wolfaardt Collection of Africana Memorabilia", which is about the Great Trek, the Anglo-Boer War and the ancient tools and implements used by the indigenous Khoi-San folk that once occupied the Region. These tell fascinating stories that are integral to the History and Heritage of South Africa; a land of so many Cultures and Customs. Laingsburg, initially called Buffelsrivier (Buffalo River), is considered something of a Geological wonderland. Running alongside its main Road are layers of fossilized mud stone and a yellow bank of volcanic ash that have blown across from South America, 250 Million Years ago. There is also a distinguishing white quartz band that runs between Matjiesfontein and Laingsburg and on into the Eastern Cape Province, indicating continental drift - a similar layer is found in South America. There is now a Geological walk on the Farm; 'Geelbeksbrug', 12 km North of Laingsburg to cater for the growing interest in the Geology of the Area. Known as the Blockhouse Route, because of its proximity to the Anglo-Boer War Blockhouse, the route takes in a number of fascinating rock formations. The Area also caters extensively for outdoor enthusiasts. There are a number of Hiking Trails; including the 24 km 'Klipkraal Route' which is along the crest of the Swartberg and the 16 km' Verlorenhoek Trail' as well as, a hike designed specially for bird fanatics at 'Kraankop Farm'. Then there’s the Annual 80 km Karoo Marathon, which passes through some of the most beautiful parts of the Area and is regarded as a rather grueling Ultra Marathon. There are several easy Mountain Bike Trails and a two-day Guided Horse Trail.

Riviersonderend is a small farming Village with a peaceful rural atmosphere, situated on the main Garden Route between Cape Town and Mossel Bay on the N2 - 160 km from Cape Town, and is surrounded with Farms. The Town offers the tranquility of beautiful Mountain and River scenery, a nine hole golf course and a host of other activities. The Town is also only an hour away from several Beaches. There is uncertainty about the origin of the name Riviersonderend. Translated from Dutch and Afrikaans, the name means ‘river without end’. Riviersonderend, is located on a loop of the winding Sonderend River from which it takes its name. Willem ten Rhyne, who visited the cape in 1673, referred to the River, with it's source in the Mountains, as the "sine fine flumen" ("river without end"). In 1707 Jan Hatogh, a Horticulturist, employed by the Dutch East India Company and a seasoned traveler, referred to the River as the "Kanna-Kan-Kann". This word was possibly derived from the Hessequa word "Kamma-Kan Kamma" which, roughly translated, means "water, endless water", (The Hessequa were a local Tribe of herdsmen). Thus there is also the believe, that the name of the Town was derived from the perennial Sonderend River at the foot of the Sonderend Mountains. Riviersonderend, or "Rivier Zonder End" as it was known in earlier days, was established in 1923 when Miss Edith S V McIntyre sold the Farm 'Tierhoek', for 6000 Pounds to the Church Council of the local Dutch Reformed Church when the congregation was established. Riviersonderend marks the ‘start’ of the Garden Route and even though it isn’t officially on the Route, the Town caters well for travelers who bustle back-and-forth on the freeway, which passes through the Town. Rest Stops and Fueling Points for both car petrol tanks and human tummies in need sustenance on the long road, are on all entry and exit points of the Town! Riviersonderend is a convenient Base from which to explore the surrounding Countryside and several Tourist Busses make this a stopping point, when passing through the Town. Nature lovers will delight in the magnificent Views across the Riviersonderend Valley. Enjoy the beautiful wildflowers, fynbos, fresh air, Mountains and scenic views that Riviersonderend Mountain has to offer!

The little Hamlet lies right on the Montagu Pass cradled by some of the most majestic Mountain scenery in the country on the R 62, (Route 62) one of South Africa’s newest and most scenic travel routes that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, dotted with quaint towns and undiscovered Villages like Herold! Herold lies almost Halfway between George and Oudtshoorn, offering not only moments of idyllic tranquility and peaceful contemplation, but access to both the Coastal and Inland attractions; of the Klein Karoo and the Garden Route. The Area abounds with Outdoor Activities like: Bird watching; hiking, mountain biking; wine tours and panoramic countryside, are right on your doorstep. There are also guided Hikes up the nearby Cradock and George Peaks. Some of the original village buildings of Herold are now incorporated on one of the guest farms in Herold whilst the remains of what was once the blacksmith’s shop, which dates back to the 1860's, is visible from the Montagu Pass. Herold Wines Estate, is bounded on three sides by a Nature Reserve, making the Estate remote and magnificent! The vines are at a higher Altitude than many other South African Vineyards. Come and taste wines in a completely relaxed Area! You are not short of things to do when staying in Herold, although you may well be tempted to slow to the pace of life here and venture no further than your doorstep. But should you set out, the Cango caves are but 30 minutes’ drive from here; the Beach is only half an Hour away, and there are steam Train trips between Knysna and George that are well worth the minor effort it would take to get there!