German School Bazaar

Thomas holding a real live scorpion. The big ones, like this, are not so dangerous, and are mild mannered. This was the best room at the bazaar, a nature room. Thomas impressd the presenters with his knowledge of Dung Beetles, Whirligig beetles, and lots of other insects as we see them on our hikes. Not bad for a 4 year old.

Alex looking but wouldn't hold it.

I was surprised Rita held one.

Here I am on the bungee jumping thing, trying to do a forward roll. It gets quite tiring bouncing around and 5 minutes of it is more than enough. We get pulled down by a big bloke, on the lower trampolene, and released.

Cliff and Karen visit Jhb

Down a mine at Gold Reef City. This used to be a working mine, going down to more than 3,200 ft. (1,000 metres). Here we are at about 250 ft deep.

Here we are at the top of the Voortrekker Monument, near Pretoria. This hole in the top of the dome looks down into the main body of the building.

On top of the building, flying buttresses creating a corridor all around.

Cliff and Karen on the last leg of their honeymoon, spent a weekend with us.

First week April

Rita's first Pizza; very professional-looking and very tasty.
I spent the day hiking with Yvonne and her kids to Castle Gorge. Here we are damming up the water in a nearby pool. Made the pool behind me 4 inches deeper, and made a nice waterfall roar when we stood up. "Do it again!" said Thomas... "..But it takes 20 minutes...!!"
Thomas and Alexandra. They walked the whole way... quite a long walk... Up 1000 ft, and across a few kilometres. We looked at Boer War building remains, insects, frogs... saw Klipspringers (buck), great swimming - not cold yet. A great day.

two old pics

Richie Havens at Womad 2005, Reading, UK. I love Womad... I enjoyed Havens and though not a fan, I like my picture of him here.
These guys were easily the best group at this Womad: Les Yeux Noirs. Here the main two are playing ONE violin, quite wildly; a brilliant group. Eastern European, or French Gypsey music. I ran and bought all three available CDs as soon as their first sesssion was over, and still listen to them frequently.

Hike on sunday

Yvonne and Thomas most of the way to Dome pools. The area had burned out a few days ago. Yvonne loves hiking but can't get out as much as she'd like because of the kids, so we join her when she can, to help with Thomas and Alex.

Alex isn't much into hiking but will gladly go if Rita goes.
She loved this bum slide, I tried it once... bum got a bit sore. Alex went about 20 times .

Thomas and me: comparing our carrots as we eat them.

Badplaas

A series of slides and mini-rapids, with overhead waterfalls - great fun ride. Not really for kids who can't swim as occasionally one gets overturned.

The long, fast, twisting slide.