Back in the Classroom – A Good Start to Term Four

2013-10-05 | puppy1952

I can hardly take in that the final term is already upon us. And it is such a short and busy one too. All too soon I will be bidding my little princesses farewell as they shoot up to Grade Two!

They have come such a long way since that first exciting day and what a pleasure to see how ready they are for more advanced work. The plan is to have lots of fun with the Dr Seus stories and one of their first activities was to draw their favourite scene from The Grinch.

Drawing scenes from The Grinch

Starting new Maths Cards was a challenge that they rose to with enthusiasm. Some of those tasks were pretty tricky!

You can’t catch me out – I know all the answers

The girls could tell me all about email and the internet but some of them were not too sure what postage stamp was or how ‘snail mail’ actually worked. So we designed our own stamps and created post cards with street addresses on them which they thoroughly enjoyed!

Creating a beautiful post card

Of course their favourite subject is Information Technology and up until now they have been having lots of fun learning core skills while playing fun games. This week for the first time they learned how to browse the internet! Our upcoming outing will be to Rondevlei and the girls got to find the nature reserve’s webpage and researched what they were likely to see there!

I’m not too sure what to do right now

This is how to scroll through the images

Just a second – I’ll show you what to do

Birthdays are such huge events in a young lady’s life. At our school the children wear ‘civvies’ on their special day so that everyone knows to wish them. On Friday there was great excitement when one of the moms (who is also a teacher at the school) came in bearing a tray of cupcakes, lit up with candles.

The girls all broke into the birthday song

Just look at the delight on that face

After all that excitement the girls settled down to their tasks before we took a break to eat the delicious treats.

We are all looking forward to a happy, hard-working last term. It promises to be filled with plenty of new and fun experiences.

Catching up with the Kokstad Clan – Tala Private Game Reserve

2013-09-28 | puppy1952

Today dawned sunny and warm. Allan had a golf game planned and Lauren, Shannon, Simon, Grandpa and Granny decided to take a 2 hour trip to Tala Private Game Reserve. Although the weather was completely different on the other side of the mountain – drizzly and cool – it was a good decision. I have not been to a game reserve since July last year and was beginning to suffer withdrawal symptoms.

We packed a snack pack and grabbed a quick breakfast of cereal or toast and coffee and set off at 8:30. Our first encounter was still on the Karg Post road – unusual for this area, our National Bird – The Blue Crane

Blue Crane on the local farmlands

Grandpa does not like mist but unfortunately we had a few patches on our journey and this coupled with potholes and stray cattle can be daunting. It slowed our journey a bit but we still yelled for him to stop when we spotted Ground Hornbill on the side of the busy highway! He couldn’t because of traffic on his tail but a km later he found a place to turn around and headed back for a poor photo opportunity. There was a mom, dad and baby but I just managed one, half-decent picture.

The bird that thrilled us all

Not even in the park and the adrenalin was pumping. Of course now we had to turn around again and finally found a farm road to turn into. The double-cab skidded and slipped uncharacteristically so Earl checked the tires but all was well. It was probably due to fresh wetness on the road after no rain for a while.

Tala Private Game Reserve is a 3000 hectare wildlife sanctuary hidden in the hills of a quiet farming area not far from Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It has a habitat of acacia trees, grassland and some wetland which attracts a variety of birdlife and is home to many mammal species too. What I love about it is that in spite of it being a private game reserve you can self-drive. Entrance to the park is R60 for the vehicle and then R50 per person. They have a wonderful restaurant and the food is excellent. They do not accept cash at all. You must be prepared to pay with a credit card. Excellent idea I think!

Tala Entrance

Our first stop was the dam just through the entrance. There were hundreds of Egyptian Geese as well as many other water birds which kept us enthralled for a while.

Egyptian Geese

Yellow-billed duck

Lots of Egyptians about

This one is having a stretch

The pond was full of hippos too.

A Pod of Hippo

The weather was not the greatest for photography or birdwatching but we still managed to find more than expected. The wetland areas of course produced lovely opportunities to observe waterbirds.

Spoonbill

Hamerkop – near a small roadside pond

Black Crake in pond just vacated by Hamerkop

Black-necked heron all puffed up

There were a few birds of prey, mostly yellow-billed kites flying overhead but it was great to find this little black shouldered kite posing obligingly.

Black Shouldered Kite

We saw all of the above within the first half hour of arriving in the park. Having only indulged in a very light breakfast we were peckish and decided to have an early lunch before continuing our safari. As we arrived at the restaurant we saw this wet bird in a tree – and realised it was a yellow-throated longclaw – a lovely sighting for us as we don’t see them often.

Poor photograph of the Yellow-throated Longclaw

The restaurant is really lovely. We were early so were served promptly and the menu offered a full lunch menu, sandwiches and a good choice for children. Simon and Shannon had chicken nuggets and chips. Earl enjoyed slivers of beef on Ciabatta, Lauren Chicken and Feta and I had chicken and bacon with a cranberry sauce on Ciabatta. These sandwiches were around R45 to R55 each. Served with French Fries they were more than a meal!

The restaurant is nestled in a lush tropical garden

A huge fire created a warm atmosphere on a chilly day

Traditional Meals are on offer and the ambience is definitely African

A good South African Braai is also on the menu

After lunch we headed out again determined to find giraffe and Rhino! It was an adventurous trip as we chose some roads that made us grateful we were in a 4×4. The kids shrieked half in excitement half in fear when we descended a particularly steep, stony and slippery hill. We also managed to lose the map somewhere in the car and had to depend on instinct to get us back on track. Of course Grandpa pretended that we might have to spend the night in the dark searching for a way out which got the kids going again! While on our meanderings to find the way out of the maze of roads we found kudu, nyala, eland, reedbuck and zebra. We dipped on the rhino but did get to giraffe but right across the valley and too far for a photograph. The antelope were also hiding in the bush making photography rather difficult.

Wildebeest were easy to see

Blesbok were around every corner

You find them everywhere but Impala are really beautiful

These stripy chaps were happy to see us.

Mom and Dad Ostrich were hiding chicks who evaded a photograph

Mom and Dad Ostrich took up residence outside one of the lodges. They were hiding chicks but we couldn’t get their portrait.

We were lucky to find a whole family of Eland

For a day trip, we were well pleased with what we found. But Earl and I stayed at Tala in October 2005 and I have copied my diary entry of that trip below for the interest of those who might consider a similar trip in the future. Remember prices mentioned are from 8 years ago.

October 2005

At Tala Private Game Lodge we stayed at Paperbark Lodge and our room had panoramic views of the grass plains surrounding us. The lodge is not fenced from the park and the animals are free to come right up close. The Lodge manageress warned us to be careful if we walked around after dark as hippos come to graze on the lawns and rhino choose to sleep the night in close proximity to humans! Usually in game parks we search long and hard to find these magnificent creatures but here we could have stepped out and touched 5 that were right outside our window!

Game in the park is plentiful but there are no cats or fierce predators. There were herds of blesbok, impala, kudu, nyala and eland as well as zebra, giraffe and rhino. Lauren brought the kids on Sunday morning and we had an exciting game drive with them. When they arrived Shannon said, “I need to see the animals!.” Well her “need” was well satisfied. Hippos were swimming in the dam, we saw a cormorant struggle with an enormous bass before swallowing it whole and turtles were out sunning themselves on a log. Shannon said she wanted to see a hamerkop and sure enough one obligingly showed itself next to the turtles before flying off into the reeds.

There were lots of zebra about but Shannon wanted to see the long-necked giraffe. We encouraged her to call them – come on Gerry, Where are you Josephine and believe it or not it worked! Five minutes after we started the game we came across a small herd of 8 or 9 browsing on the succulent leaves of some tall trees.

At lunch time we went to the main restaurant for a buffet meal. We only ordered the starters – a variety of soups, salads, smoked salmon, mussels, oysters, pâtés, breads and rolls – but could have as much as we liked. Together with one bottle of wine it cost R400 for 3 adults!

After lunch the kids left to meet Allan and go back to Kokstad and we had a short nap before going on a game walk with the ranger. This was a special experience. The well trained young ranger had a zoology degree and his special interest was birds. He started birding when he was 10 years old. Chris came to Tala from Mala Mala in Mpumelanga six months ago and said he was not yet totally familiar with all the KZN birds. He could have fooled us! He identified many just by their calls. It is always interesting to go on guided walks because the rangers give you little titbits of information about many of the things you see. Chris was no exception and as Earl and I were the only two on the walk we got his undivided attention.

Birds we saw on the weekend were:

Diedrick’s cuckoo

Jacobin Cuckoo

Spoonbill

White-breasted cormorant

Hamerkop

Egyptian Goose

Grey Heron

Darter

Hadeda

Glossy Ibis

Yellow-billed Kite

Fantailed Cisticola

Nedicky

Spotted Prinia

Pied Wagtail

Cape Wagtail

Yellow-throated Longclaw

Red-naped lark

Fiscal Flycatcher

Plum Collared Starling

White-bellied Sunbird

Cape White-eye

Grey-headed Sparrow

Red-shouldered Widow

We did not have supper in the dining room after our extravagant lunch. Instead the lodge chef prepared us a “snack plate” and served it to us in our room. Some snack! It included mushroom and spinach filled filo pockets, sausage rolls, sticky chicken wings, vegetable bread, game biltong and cheese and biscuits!

Catching up with the Kokstad Clan – Wattled Crane Cottage

2013-09-27 | puppy1952

Wattled Crane Cottage is beside a trout fishing dam on a dairy/beef cattle farm belonging to the Raw Family who are friends of Lauren and Allan. It took us less than an hour to drive to the farm and then another half an hour up the steep dirt road to the dam which is the highest dam in South Africa. The setting is to die for and we spent two very relaxing days there with Lauren, Allan, Shannon and Simon.

Before we left Shannon and Simon found another use for their trampoline!

Exercising their creative talents

The scenery in East Griqualand is stunning and the Raw’s farm is in a picturesque setting.

The Farmer’s residence nestled among the shady trees

Traditional Huts of the Staff

One of the dams on the farm

Lauren and Allan were up ahead of us and stopped when they spotted the rare birds we were dying to see. They were across the middle dam but close enough to get good views with our binoculars and even a photographs or two.

The Birds that give the cottage its name

Wattled Crane in flight

Right next to them were their cousins, two beautiful Crowned Cranes which are easier to find.

One of the crowned crane

We have seen Wattled Crane near the cottage before but only at a great distance – this was the first time we managed a half decent photograph so my holiday was complete! Another bird which I am finding a bit tricky to I.D. but think might be a female Buff-streaked chat.

Buff Streaked Chat Female

View to the cottage

As soon as we arrived at the cottage and got unpacked and settled, Simon had to practice his fly-fishing skills.

Following in Grandpa’s footsteps

A beautiful sunset

Thursday dawned calm and still and I was the first one up and got coffee on the go and then encouraged the fisherman to take advantage of the weather as the wind tends to spoil things later in the day.

Sunrise on Thursday morning

A Little Later

The fishing was successful – all catch and release – but Grandpa was not happy as the son-in-law beat him! Simon is still learning the art and managed to hook but not pull in a fish.

Trout

Jumping

Got it

Allan’s Big One

Gramps and Simon on the jetty

There always has to be a little inconvenience on every holiday – this time it was a flat tire which the guys set about sorting out.

Thanks Al

It was really flat – those roads have sharp

Although the sun was shining it is chilly at that altitude and i just couldn’t get warm. I settled down on the couch with a blanket and ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ by Lawrence Anthony on my Kindle.

Gran in chill mode

Allan had to leave after breakfast on Thursday – somebody has to earn the living! When it warmed up we sat on the stoep, watched the birds and enjoyed the scenery. When it got colder again the kids amused themselves by making videos on the computer and then entertained us with them. There were also games in the cottage and lots to read!

It was terribly windy on Friday morning so fishing was out of the question. We packed up early and made our way back to Kokstad deciding to treat ourselves to a Wimpy breakfast instead of cooking our own! We are now back at Lauren and Allan’s and the kids have gone down to the river to play. I think I will download another book onto my Kindle. The wind is blowing and anything more strenous is just not on my agenda!

Till tomorrow …….

Catching up with the Kokstad Clan – Heritage Day

2013-09-24 | puppy1952

Today is Heritage Day in South Africa. On Heritage Day we recognise and celebrate the diverse cultural wealth of our country. Being here in KZN in a rural environment has got me to thinking about what a privilege it is to live in this country in spite of its past atrocities and present problems. South African has been through many phases – the conquerors have conquered and like all other conquerors in the world realised that dominance is not a route of prosperity. Tribes have fought against other tribes and nations have battled for possession of a new land. The people affected are the citizens who have rebelled and trekked and set up new regimes which have had various levels of success and failure. We are now a rainbow nation of tolerance and yet there are still enormous problems to be overcome. It is up to us to learn from the past and what I see is a single thread running through the history of our country. One thing is certain – hard work – only hard work will ensure that the next generation will proper no matter what the political situation is. Think about it – in the past it is those who got up a did something about their situation who got the most out of their country. We should not forget the atrocities and the wrongs but we should follow the good examples from those who came before us. Each culture has something to offer. South Africa is an amazing country – fabulous scenery, mountains, sea and wildlife and extra specially fantastic people.

Here in rural Kokstad I have noticed that although the people lead a chilled lifestyle they all work very hard. My daughter has a full time teaching job 10km from where she lives, but it’s cool to have the kids there with her. She lives in a small house on a big plot, raises calves and keeps horses. She has an orchard and a vegetable garden. She is constantly busy but never complains about how stressed she is. She has a wide circle of friends all who lead rural lifestyles and support each other. The neighbours are far enough away not to see but the fence has a gate between them for easy access to each other. Other neighbours are further away but the visit often, swap kids and go off on weekends together. Social sport plays a huge role in their lives – there’s tennis and golf and Lauren’s favourite – endurance horse riding. If she rode in Cape Town it would cost more than she could afford – what a heritage, what a lifestyle she and all her friends enjoy.

Before leaving Cape Town, I asked my Grade Ones, “If your granny came to visit you from far away, what would you like her to bring you?” I got a long list of things from ‘Footy Pyjamas” to cool clothes, Action men to Barbie Dolls, Craft Books to pet kittens, puppies, bunnies and hamsters and finally a TRAMPOLINE. Well I got the cool clothes and some sweeties and when we got to Kokstad we purchased a 10ft trampoline from Game. What better gift for kids who have the garden to accommodate it.

Dragging the box to the right position – Lucy wants to help

The frame is up

Simon concentrating on those screws

Granny gets the first bounce

And is soon joined by Shannon and Simon

Gran now leaves it to the experts

Go Shannon

Oh Boy – this is fun!

On the land on which my daughter lives, a river runs through it. After bouncing for a bit Shannon and SImon packed a picnic and rode their bikes down to the where the river was shallow. I walked down a little later to see what they were doing. The brook gurgled, the birds were in full song. The dogs panted beside me and I eventually found them in the nook of a shady tree building a fort. Then they went hunting for crabs and frogs. Simon helped me over the slippery stepping stones giving careful instructions as to where to put my feet without slipping.

No fear of bikes being stolen

Shady nook

Sheeba exploring

Off to find crabs

Scary Monster

A princely frog

After lunch it clouded over a bit and we thought it might rain. I expressed relief that it didn’t but the family were most disappointed. “We welcome the rain!’ was their response and they’re very disappointed when it doesn’t come!

Later in the afternoon Lauren and I went for a fairly strenuous walk. We checked on the calves who are now almost cows. The view was amazing and it was good to get some exercise and air into the lungs. The dogs enjoyed it too.

The calves

The View

The wetland

Cows in the fields

Traditionally on Heritage Day, South Africans braai! We were no exception.

The Fire

The Braai Masters

We enjoyed braaied chicken, pork rashers, boerewors (farm sausage) and sweet potatoes wrapped in tinfoil and cooked in the coals. A fab way to end Heritage Day!

Link

On Sunday morning it was such a pleasure to be woken by Simon and Shannon shortly followed by Mom and Dad with steaming cups of coffee. The weather was crisp and clear and freezing cold! After a leisurely chat and lovely lie in we finally raised ourselves from bed. There was a power failure so we decided to treat the family to a Wimpy breakfast just outside the town of Kokstad. It had a lovely garden with play equipment for the kids.

A rare treat for the rural grandchildren

Simon expending energy

Fun on the climbing wall – Shan in new skinny jeans

We took the scenic route home. Instead of going through town so I could get some Kodak moments.

The Pink Church is one of 12 outstation Catholic churches in Kokstad that serves the surrounding community and is situated at the turnoff to Karg’s Post.

Karg’s Post turnoff

The Pink Church

Stunning setting for a church

We usually visit Kokstad in Summer when the green becomes overwhelming. In winter there is some relief as the lack of rain means there is a bit of dryness and browner shade around.

Mount Currie

Mount Fifty

Juvenile Jackal Buzzard

Dassie (Rock Hyrax) watching us closely

Later that morning we had visitors for tea. Neil and Rose and their daughter, Margie from next door popped in with the most delicious scones baked by Margie.

People in Kokstad are really friendly and nobody stands on ceremony. Conversation is relaxed and revolves round horses, livestock, farming and family. It is most refreshing. Nothing is too much trouble and if you’re in a spot there are a dozen people prepared to help you out. What a fantastic lifestyle.

We spent the rest of the day reading, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine. Grandpa did some repairs for Lauren and the electric gate now works!

Great way to mow the lawn

The Rural Home

Enjoying the dogs

I managed to finish reading The Unlikely Journey of Harold Fry on my Kindle before supper. After a delicious supper of chicken casserole we watched a moving and then it was bed!

This morning my cell rang out loudly at 7 a.m. causing me to rouse myself quickly. It was Barbara confirming plans for our visit to Brooklyn Farm later on. When our children were growing up we spent many Christmas holidays with Barbara and Andrew and their five children whose ages blended perfectly with our three. We are now the older generation watching our children do exactly what we did a generation ago! Now, though, we stay with Lauren and only get to spend a day or two with them unless we arrange to go away together which we have done before and is definitely on the agenda for the future!

First we had to shop for our two day stay in the mountains so Earl and I set off early and got all the needed provisions. En route we spotted this lovely Jackal Buzzard enjoying the morning sun.

Jackal Buzzard catching the rays

We met Birgitta and the boys at the bridge. They were on their way home from a long bike ride. “They think they’re playing in the river – but actually I’m recovering form the ride!” I know the feeling having done many cycles with my grandsons back home.

The MacKenzie boys cycling up the steep hill on their tiny mountain bikes

We enjoyed tea on the stoep but when the sun became too hot we moved into the shade of the oak tree. The garden was abuzz with birds and we enjoyed watching them come to the feeding tables and birdbath.

Tea on the stoep

A shady spot

Barbara instructing the gardener

A duck visits the ‘bath’

Oriole

Grey-headed sparrow

Barbara and Andrew’s grandsons came over after their ride and joined Simon in the sandpit.

Boys playing in the sand

Lunch was delicious and brought back happy memories of the old farm holidays. The Mackenzies are now in a small cottage while their son and his family occupy the old farmhouse.

Andrew carves the roast

Here are some farm scenes

The Dairy Herd

The tractor trudging along

After lunch Earl took the boys to the dam to try their luck at some bass fishing and were gone for some time. I heard later that there was a lot of fun but no fish caught!

Ann came over for tea with three-year-old Caitlyn and 18-month old James. What gorgeous children.

Catilyn and Heather's Fatso who is now 30 years old - out girls used to ride her

Catilyn on Fatso who is now 30 years old – out girls used to ride her

James got the courage to join his sister

The kids were intrigued by the ducklings

Sticking close to mom

Caitlyn fascinated by a ladybug

The boys returned tired and happy after their fishing trip and it was time to go. The weather has been kind and we very much enjoyed soaking up the warmth after our cold, wet, Cape winter.

Catching up with the Kokstad Clan

2013-09-22 | puppy1952

Schools broke on Friday and I was looking forward to having a long free afternoon to pack and organise myself for departure to KZN instead of my usual trick of going directly to the airport from school. However, there was something I had to do before I could settle down to the packing. I left school at 12:30 after setting it up for the new term and then as I have been suffering from an infection which has left me feeling rather low I went to Constantiaberg for a bladder and kidney scan just to make sure all is in order. Phew – yes everything is fine and I just need to get over myself!

The best way to do this is to get out there and have a holiday! Saturday morning found us packed and ready for Lisa to take us to Cape Town International and we were in the air at 10:30 a.m. The sun was trying hard to shine and we took off in only slightly overcast conditions. Sitting in the second row of Mango was delightful with Earl at the window disturbing my reading by pointing out the fabulous landscape below. I am not usually a happy flyer but this year has seen me in the air several times and hey – I’m now quite blasé about the whole affair – didn’t even listen to the safety instructions – I now know to grab the flippin’ mask before helping the next guy and kick off the heels to go down the slippery slip after following the well-lit arrows to the exit. And who cares anyway – if we crash I hope it’s over in a flash – I don’t want to be floating in the icy ocean below!

Durban did not put on its best face for us – temperature – same as Cape Town and raining too! Come on KZN – we need some cheering up! Too long have we suffered the winter blues back home – it has been the longest, coldest and wettest winter we’ve had since 2004!

Our hire car is a Toyota D4D Double Cab much like the one Earl used to drive so he is a happy chappy. We have booked to go to Wattle Crane Cottage high in the mountains and this requires a 4X4 – more about that later.

Ahhh KwaZulu Natal – how different to the Western Cape. It’s the colour that is the first thing to strike you – different shades of green and more green. The mountains are green, the fields are green unlike the Cape KZN is lush and sub tropical – The Cape is mild and Mediterranean. The further away from Cosmopolitan Cape Town you go the more you feel that you are truly in Africa. We travel along the South Coast for a while and stop to buy some fruit from the roadside informal traders. I have never seen such enormous avocado pears. The traders bring barrows full of produce and sit in front of their huts and sell to the passing motorists.

Informal Trader on the side of the highway

Informal Zulu Trader on the side of the highway

Hut with a view

When we turn inland and travel through a part of the Eastern Cape to get to Kokstad at the foot of the Drakensburg Mountains. The roads can be treacherous to travel along because of potholes and livestock who think the road is there for them. Today the condition of the road is mainly good – maintenance has taken place but the livestock are there.

Along the way the fruit sellers are there but also some enterprising people who braai mielies on an open fire and provide sustenance for hungry locals and travellers alike. I wanted to take a photograph but the lady shouted and put her umbrella in front of her and the person next to her sent her child across with the wares so you can just make out the fire of the one and shy brolly of the other in the background.

Not for us but thanks for the photograph

We made it to Kaag’s Post at exactly 4 o’clock precisely according to Earl”s planning which gives him great satisfaction.

A fork tailed drongo greets us at the bridge

Then flies into the willows

The wild peach trees offer some welcome colour to the eternal green of KZN

Simon was hiding when we arrived but the dogs and Lauren were there with the dogs and Shannon and Alan not far behind. It’s wonderful to be with them again. Shan has grown in the seven months since seeing her last and she’s now almost as tall as me. Good thing I decided to get the 12-13 jeans and t-shirt I’ve brought her!

Lauren and the dogs

Simon was finally persuaded to come out of hiding and had a rough and tumble with his grandfather.

Rough and tumble with Grandpa

The Bakers came for supper and we enjoyed a wonderful Weber of pork and chicken and the excellent company of kids’ best friends! More – much more to follow.