Environmental and Cultural Courses

Newsflash – June 2008

 

No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, nor sailed to an unchartered land, nor opened a new doorway for the human spirit  - Helen Keller

 

 

 

A very warm hello from Nottingham Road, where we’ve had some glorious autumn days, and some very chilly ones too.  The frost lies thick in the mornings, and there’s been snow on the Berg. 

 

There are all sorts of events coming up in the next months, so I’ll get right down to it ...

 

 

Baroque in the Bush – extra huts available

Thought you’d like to know that there are some huts available at Baroque in the Bush this year, from 19^th to 22^nd September.  This is a unique event in the world, where we take over Shingwedzi Camp in the Kruger Park for a weekend of marvellous music with Dr Richard Cock and a selection of the best players from the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra.  The music will be supplemented with Richard’s amusing and informative talks on the pieces being performed and the composers who created them.  If you’ve never been to this event before, join us for the experience of a lifetime.

 

The accommodation is as follows:

3 bedded hut with loft, bathroom and kitchenette on the verandah: R3 520 per person sharing.

2 bedded hut with bathroom and kitchenette on the verandah: R3 495 per person sharing.

2 bedded hut with bathroom: R3 150 per person sharing.

3 bedded hut with communal ablutions: R2 495 per person sharing.

There is also plenty of camping space available at a cost of R2 050 per person.

 

The above prices include all concerts, music lectures and dinners on all three nights.  Prices do not include the cost of entrance into the Park.  To book, contact me at kim@montybrett.com.

 

 

Anyone for Bridge?

Nestled between the winelands and the golden wheat-fields of the Western Cape is the charming little village of Darling.  Here, under the guidance of bridge-master Dr David Johnson, players will have the opportunity to improve and extend their skills, whilst enjoying the company of the other players.  If you’re a complete beginner, you’re welcome to come along, but you’ll need to bring a partner so you can learn together.  We’ll also be attending a show by the brilliant Pieter-Dirk Uys, and visiting a local estate for a wine-tasting.

 

This weekend takes place from 21^st to 24^th August, and costs R3 450 per person sharing.  The cost includes meals, bridge sessions and all entrance fees.  Bookings and further information can be obtained at kim@montybrett.com.

 

 

Global Warming

A reminder about this very interesting set of lectures by Dr Bob and Prof Mary Scholes, on the controversial topic of global warming.  Despite rampant scepticism and denial from many governments, global warming is an environmental fact of alarming proportions.  Already there are signs of rising sea levels, unprecedented weather changes and extreme weather patterns affecting human and animal communities throughout the world.   Bob and Mary will clarify the issues for us, and help to separate fact from fabrication.

 

These talks take place at the Mary McLarty Theatre on 21^st and 24^th July from 18h30 to 21h30 each evening.  The cost is R240 per person for both evenings.  To book, please contact me on kim@montybrett.com.

 

Sani Mist Belt

Calling all birders ... join Prof. Steven Piper on an exploration of the Sani Pass and the mist-belt forests, in search of birds like the African Rock Pipit, Drakensberg Siskin, Bearded and Cape Griffon Vultures, Blue Swallow and Orange Ground Thrush.  The dates are 17^th to 19^th October, and the cost is R1 450 per person, which includes accommodation, meals and transport from Underberg to the birding areas in Steven’s 4x4 vehicles.  To book your place, contact me at kim@montybrett.com.

 

 

Crackling Critchley Concerts

The exclusive Critchley Hackle Lodge in Dullstroom is the place to be from 8^th to 10^th August.  This luxurious mid-winter getaway mixes pleasure with pleasure – good food and excellent company are combined with exquisite music under the baton of Dr Richard Cock.  The intimacy of the venue ensures that pleasure doesn’t get too much better than this!  Each of the well appointed suites has its own fireplace where you can warm your tootsies before snuggling in for the night.

 

The costs for the weekend range from R4 230 to R4 670 per person sharing, and include dinner, bed and breakfast and all music events for the weekend.  Contact me on kim@montybrett.com for further details and bookings.

 

 

Music in the Mist

This is a sublime weekend of music, mist and memorable moments at the fabulous Magoebaskloof Hotel, from 7^th to 9^th November.  Dr Richard Cock will lead some of the best principal players of the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra in midday and evenings concerts.  Bird expert Clive Hopcroft will give a slide presentation on the birds to be found in the area, and then he’ll lead an early morning walk through the Woodbush Forest – who knows ... there may be a Starred Robin or a Narina Trogon in the offing.  Also over the course of the weekend, local historian Dr Louis Changuion will give a fascinating talk on the history of the area.

 

The cost for the weekend is R3 250 per person sharing, which includes dinner, bed and breakfast for the weekend, as well as all the concerts and talks.  To book, contact me at kim@montybrett.com.

 

 

Did you know?

The stocks of 15 well-known line fish species have collapsed in South Africa due to overfishing and if current trends continue, there will be very little fish left to catch by 2048.  Some fishing methods may also pose a threat to other marine animals including turtles, dolphins, sharks and sea-birds.

 

The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) from WWF has compiled a list of local fish species so that consumers can make legal and more sustainable seafood choices and avoid fish that are over-exploited.  To find out if a fish is a good choice, sms the name of the fish to 079 499‑8795.  Green = a good choice, orange = species are a conservation concern, red = do not buy.  Information courtesy of The Fairest Cape Association.

 

 

Helpful computer hint

Have you ever used the format painter button?  If not, read on.  Formatting is when you change the font, the size and the colour of your text, or when you underline or make it bold.  If you’ve got some text that’s formatted exactly right, and you’d like to make some other text look exactly the same, follow these simple instructions:

1.         Click inside the text you want to replicate.

2.         Click once on the “format painter” icon on your menu bar at the top of the screen – it looks like a small paintbrush. Notice how the mouse-pointer changes.

3.         Click and drag over the text you want to format.  When you release the mouse button, the text will re-format automatically.

 

 

I’ve been updating the mailing list recently, in order to get it exactly right.  Please let me know if any of your details change, particularly your email address.  If you no longer wish to receive our emails, please let me know by return mail, and I’ll remove you straight away.

 

That’s it till next time.  Keep warm.

 

 

Kim Brett

Monty Brett Courses

P O Box 314, Nottingham Road, 3280

Tel: (033) 266-6113  Fax: 086 652-7662  Cell: 082 824-9378

email:  kim@montybrett.com   website:  www.montybrett.com

 

 

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