The Cavern became our family home in 1941 when our grandparents moved from Richmond to the Drakensberg. They were to farm cattle for Judge Thrash but it soon became evident that the veld grasses were no good and that farming wasn’t really a viable option. My grandmother thought a Guest Farm was a better alternative […]
There’s no such thing as a dud birding weekend at the Cavern, and last weekend was no exception. Birding walks always start on the front lawn, under the Kiggelaria africana (that’s the Wild Peach tree), which is dripping with ripe fruit at the moment. The ripe fruit splits open to reveal a number of bright
With the new year in full swing and the end of January approaching fast it is certainly time to try and leave the festivities of the season behind and start living afresh. I am sure EXERCISE and HEALTHY LIVING are near the top of the list of each person’s new year’s resolutions… As the crowds
GRADE: ETIME: 2 hours round tripDISTANCE: 3 kmTERRAIN: Undulating, with easy stream crossings. The starting point is the car park behind the 70s block. There is an information board here with details of the trail, and many more information boards at points of particular interest along the way. Walk up the mowed slope, turning sharp
Dear Friends This year has ended on a high. We sat beneath the tall pines at the back of the school to commend all our gorgeous children, to mark special effort and excellence and to thank all those involved in keeping our school afloat. It was a special occasion, shared with the three important pillars
Dear Cavernites, As we lunge forward into the festive season we must quickly share our Activities Calendar for 2015, let you know that we have been marvellously busy despite the horrid R74 and that the summer rains have transformed our piece of mountainside into a crisp green lush valley once more! The good news is
It’s at this time of year in the Drakensberg that one appreciates just how many Chorister Robin-Chats are at the Cavern. Normally this is a secretive species of the dark forest interior, but at the Cavern it’s not unusual to see three or four in the thicker parts of the garden. The name refers to
Hi All, We have just spent 3 weeks at the Cavern (our forth visit this year) working on the Khanyisela Project and Wow! What a week we have just had with visitors from the Rotary Club of Retford. Read on.
Spring has sprung in the Drakensberg. Best proof comes from the arrival of a host of tropical migrants at The Cavern. They’ve come to breed and are not shy about it. Most of the noise comes from cuckoos. The Red-chested Cuckoo, with its familiar “piet-my-vrou” call is proclaiming its territory against other males, while its
Somehow there are always a few special folk that creep into your life and one such person is Terence Dunmore. A guest who visited us at The Cavern, happened to pop round to see the pre-schools we assist in Amazizi and he jumped on the band wagon to help! Over the years Terry has submitted
