Showing posts with label Cape Explorers. Show all posts
When it Rains...
You know that saying? "It never rains, it pours"? Well folks that's how I feel this weekend! I cannot belive the pace of the last two weeks - a friend referred to life during the term as 'warp speed' once, and I so feel like I'm living in that!
After our interesting start last week and our shocking first day of school, I had so hoped that this week would begin, and remain, better. And we did start better, and then things got a little complicated when on Tuesday an enormous fire threatened to devour the houses along the perimeter of the Estate we live in.
I was at the beach at the time (with two young Zimbabwean girls thrilled to be at the sea!), really enjoying a wind free beach at St James. I had deliberately left my phone in the car, in a rebellious state of just not wanting to be able to be reached all the time at every moment. So imagine my surprise when upon my return to the car I find 11 missed calls! From people I know well who do not panic!!!
I quickly realized how serious the situation was, and managed to raise my parents-in-law to try and get to the house to help. I am so thankful for my neighbors and friends within the Estate who lent a helping hand, as well as our twice a month gardener -without them, my house would not be standing today! So very thankful...but the ash? Well that's another story...it covered the garden like black snow...
For those of you interested, here's a video my father in law took to illustrate my point!
Overall, now at the end of week two, I can say it's gone better than than week one, although I have had to realize again just how different my children are. I am so thankful I have the privilege of homeschooling them and tailor making their education, although it is challenging and daunting at the same time. After having a tearful meltdown in Brent's arms the one night, I've had to tweak and adjust things, as Aragorn's learning styles are completely different to King Arthur's: it's the subtle challenge of carrying on stretching King Arthur, while at the same time supporting and encouraging Aragorn at the start of his journey. Bended knees people, and a good dose of tears!
Cape Explorers kicked off again this week, and when the outings are ones that I am personally responsible for it seems to knock me for a 6 (I guess especially after the week!). The outing went swimmingly, and I love those kids to bits...but, imagine my surprise then, thinking I was coming home to put my feet up and relax for a bit when I discovered our landlady had employed some folk to strip and replace a roof that has been leaking for years! In the pulling up of the old roof sheeting, ash had re-covered everything! Sob! And they weren't able to finish yesterday...and left a large hole...and so when it poured with rain today...well, need I say more? Sob sob!
So surely, surely, next week cannot top this?
Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose!!
After our interesting start last week and our shocking first day of school, I had so hoped that this week would begin, and remain, better. And we did start better, and then things got a little complicated when on Tuesday an enormous fire threatened to devour the houses along the perimeter of the Estate we live in.
I was at the beach at the time (with two young Zimbabwean girls thrilled to be at the sea!), really enjoying a wind free beach at St James. I had deliberately left my phone in the car, in a rebellious state of just not wanting to be able to be reached all the time at every moment. So imagine my surprise when upon my return to the car I find 11 missed calls! From people I know well who do not panic!!!
I quickly realized how serious the situation was, and managed to raise my parents-in-law to try and get to the house to help. I am so thankful for my neighbors and friends within the Estate who lent a helping hand, as well as our twice a month gardener -without them, my house would not be standing today! So very thankful...but the ash? Well that's another story...it covered the garden like black snow...
Cleaning up a house covered in ash is no small task...especially when one is trying to use one's mornings to homeschool! So again, another huge learning curve: what is homeschool really about? I know in my head that the fire was a real life learning experience, but the Perfectionist in me, the Box Ticker, cannot abide how many things we are 'not' getting done! So...a deep breath, and a letting go that this week is yet another one that has not gone according to 'plan'!
Cape Explorers kicked off again this week, and when the outings are ones that I am personally responsible for it seems to knock me for a 6 (I guess especially after the week!). The outing went swimmingly, and I love those kids to bits...but, imagine my surprise then, thinking I was coming home to put my feet up and relax for a bit when I discovered our landlady had employed some folk to strip and replace a roof that has been leaking for years! In the pulling up of the old roof sheeting, ash had re-covered everything! Sob! And they weren't able to finish yesterday...and left a large hole...and so when it poured with rain today...well, need I say more? Sob sob!
So surely, surely, next week cannot top this?
Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose!!
Pottering towards Peers Cave
Over the last few weekends we've managed to squeeze in a couple of family outings in spite of the *crazy* season we are in (trips to Zimbabwe, boys back to back birthdays, planning Cape Explorers, moving into a new season without a maid, trips to the UK - whew!).
One of my upcoming cape Explorer outings is to a cave we have often walked to, but not recently enough for me to be sure my littlest Explorers would cope. So off we set to explore Peers Cave on Skildergat Ridge.
It is a lovely flat sandy path...
with stunning flowers showing us the way...
Aragorn thought this rock looked like a rhino....
...fun for the little ones to examine the creepy crawlies (and be awed by the color of their blood after accidentally squashing them - eugh!)
We made it to the cave we always get to...
but then it dawned on me that I had seen descriptions of other caves along this very ridge. So this time, we explored further and deeper and found Tunnel Cave. I was thrilled! I often see this cave as I drive in the valley and was overjoyed to have made it!
After returning home to write the Living Letter for CE, it struck me that I still hadn't yet reached the right cave. The descriptions I had read did not match the caves we had been in. So two weekends later, off we set again, this time from the Fishoek Valley side. Park behind the sports facilities at the Silvergaldes Sports Fields (our car felt even more exposed and vulnerable here on the Sunday afternoon we went than on busy Ou Kaapse Weg).
Now, this walk is much prettier than the other way, and we were amazed by how stunning it was...however, it is MUCH more taxing. My kids are seasoned explorers, and they struggled up the steep hillside, as did Braveheart and myself who clearly are not as fit as we were at the beginning of winter!
The dunes were our children's highlight, and we spend a good chunk of time playing on them after our descent. I think we'll be spending more time there this summer...
And finally we found the cave I'd read about...
Peers Cave
Are you wondering what on earth King Arthur is doing?
Ha and his brother got completely drenched trying to catch run-off drops from the roof of the cave into their mouths!
I don't recommend the other route with young children (under 7's).
Enjoy exploring!
Lead - up and Launch: Cape Explorers
So after our idyllic slice of heaven on last week, Monday morning dawned and one the way to school we were involved in an accident. It shook the kids and I quite a bit, and thankfully no one was hurt. I am so very thankful we are so particular about seat belts and even more so now, even on the stretches we are a little lax on before (you know, when you're *just* going around the corner?).
It's been horrible dealing with the accident, and dealing with the other driver. An accident is just what it is, an accident - a mistake. In this case, we were very fortunate that there was neighborhood watch footage of the accident, which has helped considerable. Braveheart as always, was amazing. I am so thankful for his strength that he so readily lends me, his stability, his calm and logical way of dealing with things, adn the way he is taken over the nitty gritty of this. The car doesn't look too bad here (the other one is badly damaged), but it's now a waiting game whilst insurance companies get their ducks in a row.
Starting the week like that threw me off a bit, especially as it was our first week back doing "school" with King Arthur, and the Cape Explorers launch. But, we got there, thanks to the support of Braveheart and friends who listened to my angst!
Cape Explorers launched this week, and it was such fun! It's an awesome group of kids and lovely moms, and I'm just looking forward to our journey. I used my kids as examples in playing a name game ice breaker...
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| Belle remained attached to my leg for most of the day! |
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| I'm so thankful for this home - we used every conceivable room and table! Painting shirts in the garage! |
Tag :
Cape Explorers,
Launching: Cape Explorers!
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| Picture source |
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things: (...)"
It's true. The time has come, and as I started writing this post, Lewis Caroll's poem just would not leave my head!
Since the beginning of the year I've wanted to do something on Fridays (as we run a 4 day school week and it's technically our 'free' day), and initially thought it would take the shape of a Nature Club. At the beginning of the year I leapt into it with great gusto, and then circumstances caused me to stop, slow down, take a step back and spend many weeks in deep thought and prayer! I'm thankful now, for the way the year started and the time I've had to reflect on this, because now I'm ready to launch something...
...a little bit different...
....something a little bit ...
....broader.
On an outing with other homeschoolers to Groote Schurr in the first term, I was struck by three things -
- There is so much South African history I know nothing about, because I am a foreigner...
- There is such a historical, cultural and natural richness right here on my doorstep in Cape Town...
- Unless I step into this area deliberately (it seems this is my word for the year!) and boldly, it is likely that we, in our homeschooling, will never fully embrace all that is here to be soaked up through experiencing it first hand.
Alongside that, is the fact that I ache for Africa to be given its own time and place in History books. I don't know what your school experiences were like, but mine went something like this: For the first two years of high school, we did both Geography and History. Then in our third year, when we started our "O" Level syllabus, (present day IGCSE), we had to choose between them. I enjoyed both, but loved Geography more, and so chose that. I did find it amusing that the only history I ever learnt was about Ancient civilizations and World War I and II - and it has only been over the last few years and Zimbabwe's demise that I realized how little I knew about my own country and it's political history, and how so much of the history I was taught was from a Eurocentric world view. I'm saddened by how much rich literature there is for my children to devour on America's history, or even English history, and seem to be forever struggling to find living books on Africa's history.
And so....I'm launching
Cape Explorers!
Cape Explorers, in its infancy, is an elementary geography, history and nature course run
through outings that happen twice a month, accompanied by
living letters written to members about the geography, history and nature of the Cape. Outings happen twice a month, and I'll be adding all kinds of value to the outings, like maps, timelines, printables etc. If you'd like to know more, then please hold on just a few days longer, as the website will be up and running this week!!! It's been a long time but it's almost here! And I'll sneak this in here...perhaps, just perhaps, when it's grown up a bit, I might even follow my heart's desire and write a living book on Cape Town...perhaps...
There is much, much more that could be said about the process, the structure, the way I'm feeling - but I shall leave it here for now. I'm really thankful for Braveheart and the folk who have backed me in this venture, listened to my wild ideas, been patient whilst I've sifted out the realistic ones from the idealistic ones, supported me with suggestions and encouragement. Thank you!
Here's to a new season of exploring and discovering!
There is much, much more that could be said about the process, the structure, the way I'm feeling - but I shall leave it here for now. I'm really thankful for Braveheart and the folk who have backed me in this venture, listened to my wild ideas, been patient whilst I've sifted out the realistic ones from the idealistic ones, supported me with suggestions and encouragement. Thank you!
Here's to a new season of exploring and discovering!
