January 26-27 was the wettest Cavern birding weekend ever. A near-whole day of continuous rain was disastrous for swifts. Normally they land only at their nest site, which always has an elevated position. Then to take off is no more than dropping into open space, wings open, third gear engaged. Swifts don’t have first or […]
Dear Hikers, Supporters, Corporates and Cavernites In 2019 we will host our 5th of 10 Big5Hikes at The Cavern. As a family we have committed to 10 years of free accommodation and meals in an endeavour to prop up our education projects so that they have a good chance of continuing in the future. This
It’s the end of January and there have been no New Year resolutions in our house but this is quite fortunate because the thinking is that we shouldn’t have a resolution we should have a plan. A strategic plan but I prefer just a plan. Less scary and intimidating and therefore possibly more achievable. Having
To the Minister of Tourism, Mr HanekomTo the Minister of Education, Ms MotshekgaTo the Minister of Transport, Dr Nzimand I started this letter in mid-2018 but never completed it but I feel compelled to do so after the December holiday season. Times are trying and planning is possibly more important during these sluggish economic periods.
We have graduated from primary school. Our children are all done with Grade 7. We have done the leavers’ party, we have enjoyed the prize-givings, been submerged in the happiness of Carols by Candlelight (all thanks to Eskom and the new loading shedding agenda…) and so we close the door on a chapter. It’s been
2018 has been an exceptional ride with ups and downs, goods and bads and a whole lot in-between. SA seems to move from one crisis to another and there has been quite a lot of gloomy news. But we continue regardless, reading all the motivational quotes, we try to be inspired by great leaders and
Another fabulous week draws to a close in the Northern Drakensberg. We have had perfect weather. The skies are shining blue and the grasses are so green they almost sparkle. It was a good week to welcome James, who had trekked all the way from Cape Town, to share his knowledge and expertise with our
Our Royal Drakensberg Primary has been going for just over 10 years. It started because we needed to educate our own children and driving to town daily just wasn’t an option. It grew from 16 little people in 2007 to almost 80 in 2018. Most of the little people come from our local Amazizi Village
It’s been a week of small tour groups, special family gatherings, botanical art workshops and a million happenings. This Cavern is shared by so many different groups of people, so many with varied interests, from as young as a few weeks to those in their 90’s. We’re a hotel in the mountains, run by a
I have just returned from a weekend in the Pongola Nature Reserve and I have made 3 important observations. Weekends away are important. Towards the end of 2017 I had over-subscribed myself completely. I was trying to sit on committees, attempting to run extra activities, take care of one dear old lady, be a mom
