More about the Northern Cape.... meer oor die Noord Kaap

The sociable weaver is a small (14cm and 32 g) bird without any spectacular features.  Looks a lot like a house sparrow...but the nests they build are absolutely magnificent! These are not plain or ordinary in any way.

Photograph from - Wikimedia Commons File:Nest of the Sociable Weaver

The birds invented the communal housing, I’m pretty sure that is where we copied our blocks of flats from. These weavers build nest with multiple rooms for up to 500 individuals.  This communal nesting provides the weavers with protection against predators as well as extreme temperatures.  The inside of the nest is isolated against cold and heat.

What I find very interesting is that the  nest is not exclusive; other species are also welcomed in the communal nest.

Click here for more about the sociable weaver (versamel voël).

11 interesting facts about sociable weavers - Click to view.

Follow this link for more.....

Haak en steek bos. 

The locals know to take a wide step around one of these shrubs.  I saw more than one crew member stuck and asking for someone to come and unhook them.

The shrub has 2 types of thorns: Straight thorns (“Steek”) and hooked thorns (“Haak”). 

The latin or botanical name is Vachellia tortilis previously known as Acacai tortilis, is found from here all the way to Egypt.

The bush has often pieces of wool or fluff stuck to its thorns left their by its latest victim.  The main reason a plant has thorns for protection against grazers, many grazers in return have developed the ability to simply not be bothered by thorns.

This is just one of the thorny shrubs found in this arid habitat.  This it what it looked like when we traveled past ...

https://asiloidflies.si.edu/south-africa-trip-sep-oct-2009

Want to know more about the Northern Cape....Click Me!

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Northern Cape shoot day

So last night we stayed at a Protea Hotel with all the creature comforts a tired body requires.  We have a 10 am call, so we can have a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel.

I don’t expect to see any of my “subjects” before they have to report at 10 am and even if I do I don’t think school work will be on their agendas.  Not with the thrill of enjoying a four star hotel and a buffet breakfast at leisure.  

I will have to pull my best motivational tactics out of the hat if I hope to see any of them do any official learning.  That is the good and the bad of it.  The books come second when there is so much to experience.

Learning happens and they don’t even realise it.

THANKFULLY on this away shoot all the teenage learners are accompanied by an adult.  Guardians accompany them in the persons of moms, aunties or sisters... and one dad.

I am in good spirits, hoping to have a bit of time to enjoy the ‘veld’ of the Northern Cape.  On the way here I could see that the veld has responded beautifully to the recent rains.  Light green grass and fresh new foliage is visible everywhere.

More about the Northen Cape....

Better get to breakfast, don’t want to miss out on this treat!

 (Oh boy – they have Nutella and I was going to eat healthy!!!)

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Leaving Cape Town behind....

It is 4 am and I hit the shower, place the last few items in my bags and head into the city.  The bus will take us from the Waterfront all the way to the Northern Cape.  One whole day of travel lies ahead and I look forward to see the landscape change as we leave Cape Town, beautiful as it is, behind.  Cape Town is a jewel, but there are many other parts of our country that is beautiful in their own way.

 

The bus is dark and before we leave the familiar city limits half the occupants have resumed their interrupted sleep.  When they awake we will be probably be stopping to refuel and stretch our legs.

For this trip I brought some special equipment.  Crochet starter kits, colouring pages and card making goodies.  I will have to see if the phone addicted teens have any interest in these.  Oh I did bring an adequate selection of books also, Maths, Science, Biology, Tourism in a variety of grades.  However, I have my suspicions that these will not be given much attention.  

Time will tell.  For now, I am going to let the darkness and rhythms of the bus lull me to sleep.... like the rest of the team around me.

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Wish we could stay longer....

Goodbye Northern Cape

So we are heading back, after another lovely breakfast we take the trip back to the mother city. 

Yesterday was absolutely marvelous.  The kids made an attempt and bravely took out their books in between moving onto set and having their hair and makeup done. Unfortunately we were in a catering area outside and the red Northern Cape sand made any productive work a battle (and dirty).  The brave warriors gave up their valiant attempt at book work and yielded to enjoying the life on set.

When the kids abandon the books,
why not teach the parents a new skill.

Action scenes were shot and we spent the most of the day under an easy shade and the shade of a thorn tree.  I missed the snake wrangler, would have been perfect if he could have chatted to the children about the local snakes and scorpions.   (I have done this before and it was a biology lesson like no other! )

Now, all that remains is for me to keep tutoring my crochet students.  Many of the kids tried it and now the moms are joining in.

Why not! It is perfect for the 8 hour bus trip home.

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Night Shoot in Cape Town

Sunset in Cape Town.... (cue the violins)

It is everything BUT romantic when you are driving into town on the N1 right into the orange ball of fire.  My eyes don’t like this! I’ve been wanting to by sunglasses forever now, but you know....the prices!  I’ll make a plan just get a cheapie at a stall.

The night will not be dark for me tonight.  Tea, hot chocolate and work will keep me awake. We are doing a night shoot.  Our set is inside a parking garage.  (No 7 year old princesses tonight, but a group of cell phone addicted teens!)

I am tired, I had a full and busy day and I am going to be even more tired. 

Maybe tomorrow morning I will face the orange fire ball again – going back the way I came.  Or, hopefully, I will reach home before the skies awaken. 

Either way - this night there will be no sleeping for me....

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A beautiful day in Cape Town -2

Heading into Cape Town again!  I’m ready for this day.  Exited!

No real reason.  It is going to be another day, anther shoot.  Today I am prepared.  My bag is full of crafts, tricks and colourful papers.  “Princess” and me are planning to play and have fun!

What! What was that a camera!  #Faksmasien! That I never thought off!! There go all the thoughts of a beautiful day. Eish! 

Entering the City Center I pass the castle and can see the cable car going up to the top of the mountain.

It is going to be OK!

I am NOT allowing a future “letter in the mail” to make my day less sunny! NOT this day!  NO not today!

Well I am going to try anyway.

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A beautiful day in Cape Town

It’s a beautiful day in Cape Town.  The morning air has a cool crispy bite, the kind that wakes you up before you really want to be awake.  You know you are alive.

Table Mountain up close, majestic! When you live in the Northern Suburbs, like I do, it is easy to forget how big this landmark actually is.  A few fluffy white clouds hang scattered in the air. The smell of salty sea air always gives me a real sense of place.   

But the city is not my port today and soon I will disappear into the “tunnels” of the work place.  Only to see the daylight when I need to see “the Queen” maybe or are driven outside for a breath of fresh air.  My charge for the day is a 7 year old princess with curly golden locks.  Our venue a strange maze of tunnels with very little light inside.  This is the business of movies.  “Rolling, rolling!!” all day long.

Either way, it is a beautiful day in Cape Town and I get to see it.

Live it, breathe it,

 and while I labour the day away...I know it.