#4: [27-Dec-20]

#2: [30-Mar-04]

#3: [04-Apr-04] (incomplete)

27-Feb-2004 -- Continuing with our quest for three confluence visits (having already visited 30S 20E and 30S 19E), Robert Thorne and I left Pofadder early in the morning, planning to see some of the sites the area has to offer.

Just West of Pofadder, on the main road to Springbok, there is a turn off to Pella. This settlement is well worth a visit, as its existence bears testimony to the endurance and achievement of the human spirit. In the second half of the 19^th century, it was already inhabited by indigenous people, who found shelter and water at this place. During the Anglo-Boer campaign as well as the First World War, soldiers from both sides were stationed here at various periods and nursed back to health. Discarded date pips (which formed part of the troops rations), germinated in the warm conditions, and because of the high water table, date palms soon grew. Subsequently, the whole area has now developed into a date producing region.

Two missionaries who landed here decided to build a church, which they did by making their own bricks. All the building work was done by hand by these two, who had no knowledge of construction, assisted by a couple of locals. The church, which resembles a mini-cathedral, was built from pictures in an encyclopaedia, and consecrated in 1895. It is still in use today.

From Pella, we headed NW to another settlement called Klein-Pella, which is really a modern date plantation, with a couple of dwellings. One of the roads on this plantation passes within 16 m of the Confluence, so it was no problem visiting it.

I see that Roland Bergh has also filed a plan to visit this Confluence, but only at the end of March. Roland, do not despair - make the effort to visit the Confluence, as we have left a Geo-cache for you there. Contact me via the supplied e-mail address for further details.