Aloe Ferox Factory
On route to Swellendam, along the Garden Route, we made a short halt at an Aloe Ferox factory. We were given a demonstration of some of the products and were able to try them out ourselves.
Swellendam
The town has a definite Dutch feel to it. There are several important historical buildings in the town, although unfortunately there was not enough time to see everything. I spent most of my time in the old gaol and Ambagswert (Afrikaans meaning a trades yard). The Trades Yard was constructed in the 1970s to exhibit the tools and equipment used by artisans and craftsmen of the past.
Aloe Ferox factory
Driving along the Garden Route
Driving along the Garden Route
Aloe Ferox factory: we were told about the products, mainly skin creams.
The factory garden
The factory garden
Aloe factory garden
Aloes grown for use in the factory
Swellendam
The old gaol
The old gaol
Plan of the Trades Yard
Coppersmith
On the walls inside: old pictures of coppersmiths at work
Tanner
Cobbler
Saddler
Watermill
Millstones
Inside the watermill
General view of the site
Threshing floor
Wainwright
Smithy
Charcoal kiln
A side road from the Trades Yard
Swellendam has blue plaques as a commemoration of local people.
Drostdy, built by the Dutch East India Company in 1747
Mayville: a mid 19th century house
Mayville: the garden
Mayville: the garden
Mayville: an arbour
The river Breenvier at Swellendam
Swellendam Dutch reformed Church