ESELBANK - CEDERBERG

Eselbank is situated high in the Cederberg Mountains of the Western Cape and is home to that phenomenon known as Rooibos Tea where the plant grows naturally, and where it is now farmed extensively. Being on top of the range after driving up either from Matjiesrivier in the South - or the Moravian mission village of Wupperthal in the North - offers a unique take on the concept of Spirit of Place. There is a distinct and identifiable community - people, kids, dogs, donkeys and chickens, all of whom happily accept one's presence in their isolated enclave without question ............... just being in Eselbank somehow sets one apart from the rest of the world.
Getting there is not easy, and the Eselbank Pass, which also appears on some maps as the KerskopPass, is 10,5 km long and is very steep in places, but these sections have been concreted which assists greatly with traction. It has an average gradient of 1:21 but the steep sections get up to 1:5. The mountain scenery and the waterfall just north of the village make it a very special place.

THE ESELBANK PASS - LOOKING SOUTH TOWARDS MATJIESRIVIER

Nikon D750 - 1/100sec at f10.0 - Focal Length 70mm - ISO 100

June 6 - 2017 - 11h21

ESELBANK RESIDENT ENJOYING THE WINTER SUNSHINE

Finepix S5700 - 1/300sec at f5.0 - Focal Length 27.4mm - ISO 64

August 26 - 2007 - 13h43