Showing posts with label outings. Show all posts
Clambering Cape Point
Today dawned, bright, clear and wind free - a perfect winter's day. And so we took the clan to Cape Point - something we've been wanting to do since we bought a family Wild Card, but something we just haven't had the opportunity to do for months. And O it was good for my soul! Such beauty, such space, such room for my soul to find peace!
Yes, we succumbed to our children's charms and bought one way tickets on the funicular....something we won't repeat in a hurry. The joy of the ride was priceless! It's been years since we last visited Cape Point.
I loved the boys making connections about the sea birds nesting on these mainland cliffs having spent the last few weeks learning about sea birds ( at least I must be inspiring some learning!!!!)...but this cliff walk gave me the heebie-jeebies (which made King Arthur laugh!). Braveheart had to do the holding whilst looking for nests...I was having none of that!
Lighthouses and I...sigh...so lovely...
We found a bunker...
But decided after our picnic to brave another walk to this beautiful beach...
Such a lovely way to end the weekend, with a soul restored....
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| Aragorn was determined to feed a copper winged starling! |
May it go well with you too this week...
Tag :
family fun,
outings,
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!
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!
The End of a Year!
So...this is it...the end....
... of our first official year of homeschooling, King Arthur's Grade 1 year! And the last few weeks have been busy!
King Arthur competed in a gymnastics competition in which he came third, which was just so lovely for him, as he had tried really hard to earn a trophy this season.
King Arthur and I did our own evaluation of the year, looking through his file of work and talking through all the things we've covered. Then I scribed his own evaluation of the year, which was so insightful. We identified problem areas, and talked through possible solutions. Try this with your kids - just keep asking them leading questions. I was thrilled with the insight Elijah had as to how to make next year work better for him, and we talked through some of the ideas I have already had. (It might help also to show them photos of the things you've done together during the year, or perhaps to even make a collage?)
Maths is his biggest challenge, and not because he finds it difficult, but because, in his own words, it's just so boring". When asked what he thought a solution could be he replied, "Not do any?". It's got to make you smile hey?! Needless to say after a little more brainstorming we decided that we'd do less of it every day, and I'd try to create some appropriate games for him. And it leaves me the same question that has haunted me all year. There's a fine line between frustration with a subject that actually has a character issue at the heart of it (does the child need to learn perseverance?), and whether the chosen method unnecessarily frustrates the child (should I be using a more visual/kinasethic program?). I'm glad I've got the holidays to think this through a little more.
Interestingly enough his highlights of each day were the Read Alouds (his favorite was Dolphin Treasure, and least liked was Mary on Horseback - when asked why he commented that everyone seemed to be sick/die in it!) and Art.
To celebrate the end of his year, we decided to join the CHE prize giving which was held at the Giraffe House this year.... I didn't realize I would be awarding my own certificate, and my emotions got the better of me and I was unable to say anything coherent at all!!!
And now...onto holiday fun!
Happy Holidays!
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| Sonlight's Core A - done and dusted! |
... of our first official year of homeschooling, King Arthur's Grade 1 year! And the last few weeks have been busy!
King Arthur competed in a gymnastics competition in which he came third, which was just so lovely for him, as he had tried really hard to earn a trophy this season.
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| a little nervous being up there on his own... |
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| proud! |
King Arthur and I did our own evaluation of the year, looking through his file of work and talking through all the things we've covered. Then I scribed his own evaluation of the year, which was so insightful. We identified problem areas, and talked through possible solutions. Try this with your kids - just keep asking them leading questions. I was thrilled with the insight Elijah had as to how to make next year work better for him, and we talked through some of the ideas I have already had. (It might help also to show them photos of the things you've done together during the year, or perhaps to even make a collage?)
Maths is his biggest challenge, and not because he finds it difficult, but because, in his own words, it's just so boring". When asked what he thought a solution could be he replied, "Not do any?". It's got to make you smile hey?! Needless to say after a little more brainstorming we decided that we'd do less of it every day, and I'd try to create some appropriate games for him. And it leaves me the same question that has haunted me all year. There's a fine line between frustration with a subject that actually has a character issue at the heart of it (does the child need to learn perseverance?), and whether the chosen method unnecessarily frustrates the child (should I be using a more visual/kinasethic program?). I'm glad I've got the holidays to think this through a little more.
Interestingly enough his highlights of each day were the Read Alouds (his favorite was Dolphin Treasure, and least liked was Mary on Horseback - when asked why he commented that everyone seemed to be sick/die in it!) and Art.
To celebrate the end of his year, we decided to join the CHE prize giving which was held at the Giraffe House this year.... I didn't realize I would be awarding my own certificate, and my emotions got the better of me and I was unable to say anything coherent at all!!!
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| Having grown up with real wildlife practically on my doorstep I was a little sad their first exposure to 'wild' animals was through fences.... |
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| me blubbering away :) King Arthur just grinned at me, bemused! |
Happy Holidays!
Weekend Stroll @ Langebaan
We were privileged to go away with some friends this weekend to Langebaan - a place I last explored when King Arthur was only 9 months old! We left at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning (to make the rugby you understand!) and then stayed overnight in a lovely plettenberg (a step up from camping!).
Saturday morning was sunny and wind free - and what a delight to be in such surroundings whilst rugby was on! We had a blast on the beach!
Then we took a drive into the West Coast National park to see the wild flowers....
...and kept helping all sizes of tortoises across the road....
But getting to the flowers was so worth it....
By the end of the day, the wind had picked up and the boats were chasing the wind in the bay...
Sunday morning was chilly and overcast, but that didn't stop us from being back on the beach!
.....shell hunting, and finding Belle a shell ring.....
My soul is full - a stunning, refreshing, revitalizing weekend with good friends...it feels like I have been away for a week!
Saturday Stroll @ Intaka Island
Thanks to Se7en's wonderful posts on what they've done on the weekends I learnt about this lovely place: Intaka Island, and it really is a gem amidst the hustle and bustle of Century City.
After this point my camera battery sadly died, but it really is a lovely spot to visit and picnic, and there are two options: guided walks or self guided ones. It's GREAT for Nature Club or co-op outings! It's really rather reasonably priced, especially if you organize a group to go. My boys loved watching the red bishops, and the ibis flocks on the man made heronry. We'll gladly go back!
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| Pops and Nana treated the kids to a boat ride too... |
After this point my camera battery sadly died, but it really is a lovely spot to visit and picnic, and there are two options: guided walks or self guided ones. It's GREAT for Nature Club or co-op outings! It's really rather reasonably priced, especially if you organize a group to go. My boys loved watching the red bishops, and the ibis flocks on the man made heronry. We'll gladly go back!
Tag :
family fun,
outings,
