Showing posts with label outing. Show all posts
Perfect Peaceful Pringle Bay
At the end of last term I had reached the end of myself - I was shattered. And although the holidays had started, the pace of life didn't seem to change, and as they wore on I realized that we really needed to get away to have a break. As a homeschooling mom, there really isn't much downtime (hang on, as a mother, I don't think there's much downtime!), but Braveheart realized what a fragile state I was in, and so blessed us with going away for a few days.
A dear friend arranged for us to stay in their family holiday home in Pringle Bay. I think my children thought we'd left the country, as they were in the sea so often in the first few days! Can you believe the extremes? One week a day trip into the snow, the next a swim in the sea!
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| I owe it to mention how much I appreciate the fact it is Braveheart in the water with them, and not me! |
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| Cold little bodies! |
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| Love the delight! |
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| In exploring we discovered a rocky area that so reminded me of a "moonscape" on the Rooi Els side, and loved rambling over the rocks |
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| We met a marine biologist on the rocks at Betty's Bay, and King Arthur learnt so much from her. This is definitely where is heart is leaning at the moment, into conservation and the environment, and I'm loving watching him! |
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| One day we ran from the weather and outsmarted it, managing to find good weather. We stopped in at the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens... |
Then the weather turned, the wind blew...can you believe this is sand not snow!
And then the rain beat us - and the cold front stayed ...
but we stayed indoors and played card games from my childhood, Rummikub and puzzles!
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| Look at these fire damaged trees - we called them Tiger Trees! |
It was a gorgeous time away, restorative, refreshing and invigorating!
Snow!!!!
Saturday morning dawned like any other morning in this household. I casually checked my computer, peeking into Facebook and noting the snow updates from Matroosberg Nature Reserve in Ceres -I'd become "friends" with them earlier in the week. I mentioned it in passing to Braveheart, who knows that each year since we've been here I've wanted to go and find the snow. Well this year, before we were even all dressed, he made the decision to take us away to see the snow - what a blessing!
I scrambled to find us some overnight accommodation, and at the last minute, was pleased to find us a self catering chalet at the Pine Forest Resort in Ceres. It reminds me a lot of the National Parks places at home, and I was impressed with the cleanliness of the chalet we were in - basic, but everything one needed. The kids were so taken with it that we could have spent the whole weekend playing just there and they would have been happy! They had a wonderful playground as well, which our kids loved - not sure this would be my cup of tea in high season, but it was perfect for this weekend!
As we arrived after lunch, the snow seemed to have melted/reduced dramatically, so we decided to take a drive up some nearby mountain passes, and had a picnic and one of the look out spots....
Should I mention at this point how very cold it was....does this give you a clue?
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| See the rainbow? |
Sunday sunrise on the mountains, and up early, we made our way to Matroosberg Nature reserve... our little Toyota Verso somewhat outnumbered by the sheer numbers of 4x4 - I've never really wanted to own one until this weekend! I was amazed by the queue out of the reception at 9 in the morning - clearly many people had had the same idea as us...but not so many were paying to hike - they were choosing to drive to the summit! Undeterred, we carried on, paid the fee to hike, and parked our car at the campsite car park, and walked the 2km to the start of the trail!
I was so impressed with my kids - their perseverance, determination and sheer grit to get to the snow. For little legs it was far...and yet they kept on. Once there, we had such fun....
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| building snowmen |
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| having snowball fights... |
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| Belle and I made this one... |
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| Can youo see us on the side of the mountain? |
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| Dad getting in on the fun! |
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| Love my boys! |
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| The mountain.....summit covered in cloud... |
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| King Arthur was overjoyed to spot this Cape Sugarbird... |
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| I need to work on my aim! |
We knew it was time to head down the mountain when Aragorn tried to fold himself in half to keep warm, poor fellow...so back to camp to have a warm bath, hot chocolate and some much needed food!
It was idyllic in every way - a gift that warmed our hearts and will stay with us forever.
Enjoying Elephant's Eye
This weekend led to an inspired hike...
and a gorgeous family day...
my heart always feels so full after moments like these.
I was so impressed with my children, as none of them take to walking far without complaining. But this day, we were all so enjoying each other the the moments, they did so well...Aragorn only started to cave in on the last stretch back to the car park!
got to love the scale of this shot - can you see us bottom left?
aren't grubby faces always a tell tale sign of happiness?
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| tadpoles in the last remaining pools |
Sunday Stroll @ Alphen & Ferndale Nursery
Today, in spite of still fighting to overcome a bout of flu, I needed to be outdoors. A chilly wind could not deter me from the gorgeous sun, and so off we set, further afield than usual, to the Alphen trail in Constantia.
It has got to be one of my all time favorite places - space, green meadows, peace and quiet - even though there are an endless myriad of dogs all over the place!
And after this gorgeous time we pulled into Ferndale Nurseries, on Brommesvlei Road. This is one of my favourtire nurseries as it is so kid friendly!
Here's hoping your weekend was filled with color too!
It has got to be one of my all time favorite places - space, green meadows, peace and quiet - even though there are an endless myriad of dogs all over the place!
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| this is the delightful mud pool where Belle fell in just after taking this photo and I had no spare clothes with me, except for a jacket :( ! |
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| a wonderful wall to climb along |
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| miles of it! |
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| the view from our picnic spot |
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| Belle and Braveheart - this sight can stop my heart |
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| the boys captured this run away balloon... |
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| beautiful trees |
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| look at the height of these trees! You can see King Arthur walking with his head thrown back trying to see their tops! |
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| Belle trying too! |
A maze for dads to chase children in, or play hide and seek:
A playground full of a wonderful variety of things:
And endless rows of colorful seedlings!
Here's hoping your weekend was filled with color too!
The Great Outdoors
It has got to be said: we are INCREDIBLY privileged to live where we do! Cape Town is one of the few cities I've lived in that has an endless choice of outdoor activities to choose from. My favorite types of places, beaches and mountains, are right on our doorstep.
I love creation. I am most alive in it. My soul is soothed, my peace is found, my true north is reset. Keep me couped up inside for too long and I begin to fray at the edges!
Enough said?
So here are some of our favorite beaches we love to visit as a clan:
Fishoek - this actually isn't my favorite beach - it's the kids favorite one! They love the playground (that's sometimes too much hard work for me. How come all three children don't want to be in the same place at the same time? This is now getting easier as they are getting older and don't need to be watched as closely as they swing from bar to bar!) and the fact that perhaps once in a blue moon they are treated to an ice cream! The walkway is great, as is the flatness of the beach and the rock pools at low tide. During the holidays we avoid this beach though - far too crowded for us!
Noordhoek - my favorite! I love the wide open expanses and the solitude! The kids love the rocks, the
lagoon, the dunes...a favorite of ours for evening walks as the sun sets...
Fisherman's - a deep south hidden gem (go past Boulders, past the golf course parking on your right hand side, round the bend and just before the Whale House Guesthouse's flags park on the right hand side of the road) Lovely rock pools at low tide, and so super quiet during the tourist season!!!
Boulders - a lovely sheltered cove from the summer South Easter. We've swum with with penguins and a small stingray here! Wonderful during the week while school's in - especially with the My Green Card, Cape Town's very own Wild Card (a must have deal if you live in this city!)
Glen Cairn Tidal Pool - I love St James's tidal pool , but with the road works on Main Road it just isn't conducive to a stress free outing for me. The tidal pool at Glen Cairn is a litle more off the beaten track and boasts stunning rock pools and water that feels a degree or two warmer! Train spotting is a favorite past-time as well as whale spotting during the season.
So, the only thing I have yet to come to term with in Cape Town and its beautiful offering of nature is the dreadful South Easter....thankfully the weather this winter has been incredible. So here's to you and your clan enjoying the great outdoors!
This post is featured as part of the upcoming South African carnival of Homeschooling blogs...
I love creation. I am most alive in it. My soul is soothed, my peace is found, my true north is reset. Keep me couped up inside for too long and I begin to fray at the edges!
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.
Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles. - Anne Frank
Enough said?
So here are some of our favorite beaches we love to visit as a clan:
Noordhoek - my favorite! I love the wide open expanses and the solitude! The kids love the rocks, the
lagoon, the dunes...a favorite of ours for evening walks as the sun sets...
Fisherman's - a deep south hidden gem (go past Boulders, past the golf course parking on your right hand side, round the bend and just before the Whale House Guesthouse's flags park on the right hand side of the road) Lovely rock pools at low tide, and so super quiet during the tourist season!!!
Boulders - a lovely sheltered cove from the summer South Easter. We've swum with with penguins and a small stingray here! Wonderful during the week while school's in - especially with the My Green Card, Cape Town's very own Wild Card (a must have deal if you live in this city!)
Glen Cairn Tidal Pool - I love St James's tidal pool , but with the road works on Main Road it just isn't conducive to a stress free outing for me. The tidal pool at Glen Cairn is a litle more off the beaten track and boasts stunning rock pools and water that feels a degree or two warmer! Train spotting is a favorite past-time as well as whale spotting during the season.
So, the only thing I have yet to come to term with in Cape Town and its beautiful offering of nature is the dreadful South Easter....thankfully the weather this winter has been incredible. So here's to you and your clan enjoying the great outdoors!
This post is featured as part of the upcoming South African carnival of Homeschooling blogs...
