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the Degree Confluence Project
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South Africa : Free State

16.9 km (10.5 miles) S of Warden, Free State, South Africa
Approx. altitude: 1688 m (5537 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 28°N 151°W

Accuracy: 3 m (9 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View south from Confluence #3: View east from Confluence #4: View north from Confluence #5: View west from Confluence #6: GPS screen showing coordinates #7: Family at Confluence with farmer

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#1: General view of Confluence area

(visited by Hendrik van Eeden, Louise van Eeden, Jana van Eeden, Heidi van Eeden, Liesl van Eeden and Gerhardus Corver)

20-Dec-2001 -- The Confluence lies close to the N3 highway that runs between Johannesburg and Durban. I decided to try and visit it on my way down to Sterkfontein dam for a holiday with my family. The dam lies on the escarpment close to Harrismith and is part of pump storage scheme that supplies water and electricity to Gauteng during peak demand times. It is excellent for sail boarding.

We found a turn-off from the N3 to a farm house almost directly opposite the Confluence. Due the spate of farm murders that the country is experiencing currently, farmers in South Africa are very wary of strangers on their farms, and signs warning us of armed guards made us approach the farm house with some trepidation. The farmer, a Mr. Gerhardus Corver, arrived home from the nearby town of Warden where he has a construction business, almost simultaneously with us. He turned out to be very friendly and helpful. He offered to walk with us to the Confluence, and then afterwards actually sent his bakkie around to come and pick us up, and invited us in for some cold drinks.

The Confluence lies on typical Free State grassland. "Ouvolk", an endangered reptile that looks like something between a large horny lizard and small crocodile, is common, and we saw quite a few while driving back from the Confluence. Pictures #2-5 are views South, East, North and West from the Confluence. Picture #6 shows the GPS and Picture 7 shows my family standing at the Confluence with the farmer also in the picture.


 All pictures
#1: General view of Confluence area
#2: View south from Confluence
#3: View east from Confluence
#4: View north from Confluence
#5: View west from Confluence
#6: GPS screen showing coordinates
#7: Family at Confluence with farmer
ALL: All pictures on one page