Legend of the Pansy Shell

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:08 -0500

Some of our guests went for a walk along the serene Keurbooms Beach and came across this interesting shell:

It looks similar to our Plett icon, the Pansy Shell, but where the Pansy is flat this shell was larger and domed, but still intricate and delicate. We did some research and found that it is called a Lamp Urchin. It is a part of the urchin family, as with the Pansy Shell and it is incredibly rare to find one intact on the beach. Plettenberg Bay beach walkers and nature lovers still delight in the shelly wonders washed up by the Indian Ocean.

Both the Pansy Shell and Lamp Urchin live and burrow just beneath the sand in both shallow and deeper waters. Covered in velvet-textured “spines” and fine “hairs”, they feed on crustacean larvae and algae. The classic bone-white shell found by beachcombers is once the spines and hairs have fallen off and the skeleton has been bleached white by the sun.

In other parts of the world, relatives of the Pansy are known as the Sand Dollar, Sea Cookie and Snapper Biscuit and the shell has attained mythical proportions and wonderful tales of its origins, including the lost coins of Atlantis or mermaids. A wonderful little Christian poem:

There's a pretty little legend
That I would like to tell
Of the birth and death of Jesus
Found in this lovely shell

If you examine closely
you'll see that you find here
Four nail holes and a fifth one
Made by the Roman spear

One on each side is the Easter lily
its centre is the star
That appeared unto the shepherds
and led them from afar

The Christmas poinsettia
Etched on the other side
Reminds us of His birthday
our happy Christmastide

Now break the centre open
and here you will release
The five white doves awaiting
To spread goodwill and peace

This simple little symbol
Christ has left for you and me
To help us spread His gospel
Through all eternity.

In Plettenberg Bay, the Pansy Shell has been collected to near extinction and its sale is now prohibited. Slowly the population is growing again. The Keurbooms Beach is an ideal spot for searching for Pansies and other beautiful seashells. The Pansy Shell with its delicate beauty seems to embody all that is peaceful and magnificent about Plettenberg Bay.

Milkwood Manor: Ocean Views - overnight!

Mon, 07 May 2012 06:16:35 -0500

Welcome to the blog of Milkwood Manor and Lemongrass restaurant in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. We have been operating a guesthouse on this spot for 15 years now, but 4 years ago our landlocked establishment changed into prime oceanfront property - overnight!

In November 2007, a raging flood from the nearby Keurbooms River swept away over 300m of sand, rock and vegetation in one night. The Manor was only saved by a reef of solid rock that redirected the flood past the guesthouse and out into the ocean. That night, at 7pm the alarm was raised - the river was right outside our Lemongrass restaurant! You can imagine our shock! Luckily we were able to evacuate the guests and find them alternative accommodation while the storm and flood raged. All, that is, but two guests who had turned in early and did not hear the commotion or the knocking on their door. They awoke to find a deserted guesthouse and restaurant. Can you image their confusion at the sight of a river and the ocean at their door?

An entire stretch of land was washed away during the night and the Keurbooms River mouth had shifted over 300m. Trees, logs and branches littered the ocean and numerous river boats had been washed out to sea. It was a true natural disaster and one with surprising results for us here at Milkwood Manor.

Our swimming pool had been replaced by a rushing river. Our rooms, once overlooking natural vegetation and our parking lot, now offer uninterrupted lagoon and sea views. The story of Milkwood Manor's "relocation" has become a favourite with locals and travellers alike.

Once the waters calmed, Milkwood Manor has been left with an exclusive beach across a serene cove and magnificent, endless views.

Milkwood Manor then:

Milkwood Manor-on-Sea today:

All the Best,

The Team at Milkwood Manor & Lemongrass Restaurant

Anniversary of Plettenberg Bay’s Flood, Milkwood M

Legend of the Pansy Shell

Milkwood Manor: Ocean Views - overnight!