Monty Brett Environmental and Cultural Courses Newsletter	August, 2008
Hi there, Isn’t it amazing how our own mundane, every-day tasks can sometimes hold such excitement for others?  We keep some farm animals here on our small-holding, and feeding the pigs isn’t exactly my idea of drop-dead fabulous fun.  But my brother visited over the weekend with a friend and they found the whole concept so novel that they made a video of themselves helping our swine to dine, and playing Bo-Peep with our thirteen sheep.  Sure takes holiday videos to a whole new level!  Beware invitations from friends bearing photo albums... I hope you’ll forgive the experimentation I’ve been doing with the newsletter this year – I’m trying out all sorts of formats to see which one works best.  I’d really value any feedback, whether positive or negative, so I know what works for you.  Meanwhile, thanks for bearing with me. Don’t miss out on our BIRD IDENTIFICATION COURSE starting on 1^st September in Johannesburg.  If you’re a birder of any sort, experienced or not, it’s a great course.  See below for all the details. Also in September is BAROQUE IN THE BUSH, now in its 13^th year, and still going strong.  There is still camping space available – see further down for dates, cost, etc. We’ve still got a couple of spaces on our SANI PASS SAUNTER, which takes place at the end of October.  This is a gentle amble up to Sani Top Chalet on the very edge of the escarpment, and will be rewarded with one of the best views in the world.  See below for details. Join us for MUSIC IN THE MIST in November at the Magoebaskloof Hotel.  All the details are further down. Remember to keep smiling – it makes people wonder what on earth you’ve been up to! Kim	Our contact details: Monty & Kim Brett P O Box 314 Nottingham Road 3280 Tel: (033) 266-6113 Email: kim@montybrett.com Fax: 086 652-7662, or (033) 266-6970 Web: www.montybrett.com
	Quote
	“The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits”. Albert Einstein
	Computer Hint
	I’ve had such fun trying different things with this newsletter.  For example, I’ve inserted active links for each of the events I mention in the blurb to the left.  These take you straight to the information you’re wanting, without even having to pass “go”. To get to the detailed information about the birding course, for example, all you do is hover your mouse over the underlined word.  If a small hand appears, just click.  If a message appears, hold the CTRL button on your keyboard, and click with the left mouse-button.  This will take you straight to the relevant paragraph.  This works for all website addresses and email links too.  Happy navigating!
	Animal Trivia
	A Blue whale’s tongue weighs more than an elephant, and its heart weighs about the same as a Mini Cooper. Elephants are the only animals with four knees, and they are also the only animals that cannot jump.  An elephant’s trunk can hold about 9 litres of water. Koala Bears are not bears, they are marsupials. Antarctica is the only continent that has no snakes or any other reptiles.
The Best Birding Course Ever	Bird ID details
Thousands of people have done our birding courses over the years, and are still reaping the benefits.  Geoff Lockwood, Clive Hopcroft and Marion Melville will take you through your paces, and teach you all about birds and their world.  You’ll learn how to identify them, how to tell the similar species apart, how birds court each other, build nests and breed, how they sing, how they migrate to the far reaches of the planet, and more.  The course is 10 evenings long, giving you 30 hours of expert tuition in all, and plenty of fun besides!  See side panel for dates, cost, etc. To book your place, contact Kim on kim@montybrett.com, or you can book online at www.montybrett.com.	Dates:  September 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 25, 29, October 2, 6, and 9. Times:  18h30 – 21h30 each evening Cost: R1 200 per person, which includes our bird-call CD and a book of notes. Venue:  Mary McLarty Theatre, Marang Maths & Science Block, Wits Education Campus (the old JCE), St Andrews Road, Parktown.
Baroque in the Bush	Baroque details
Calling all campers ... if you’ve got some camping equipment gathering dust somewhere, you’ve simply got to come to Shingwedzi in the Kruger Park to give it an airing.  Up against the fence of the camp is where all the wildlife action takes place, and where Monty always reminds me he’d rather be.  I’m much happier in a hut, simply because the air-conditioner drowns out the sounds of snoring!  How else is a girl to get her beauty sleep? I digress.  Camping costs R2 050 per person, and for that price, you get your choice of camping spot, a gorgeous swimming pool nearby, midday and evening Baroque concerts under the baton of our very own Dr Richard Cock, dinners on all three nights, and the finest people as your neighbours for the weekend.  What more could one possibly ask? To book, contact Kim on kim@montybrett.com, or you can book online at www.montybrett.com.  If you’d like to go onto the waiting list for hutted accommodation, please let me know.  We sometimes do have last-minute cancellations.	Dates: 19^th to 22^nd September, 2008 Camping Cost: R2 050 per person for the weekend, which includes dinner on all three nights and all musical events for the weekend.  Cost does not include the Park fee, which must be paid on entry. Directions and other details will be sent to you on receipt of your booking and payment.
Sani Pass Saunter	Sani details
Dr David Johnson will lead the Saunter, looking at the birds, geology and flora of the area.  David is without question one of the most interesting people on the planet.  He has an unusually large number of strings to his bow; besides being former Head of Ornithology at Natal Parks Board, and a tree expert of note, he’s also about the most well-read person I’ve ever met, and can express informed and pertinent opinions on any topic you can pull out the hat.  He also plays a mean game of Chess, and thrashed me the last time we played.  I’m still smarting.  The opportunity, therefore, to spend a weekend in his company is no small matter – people like him are thin on the ground.  This is a gentle amble up an interesting piece of dust road, which may soon become a not-quite-so-interesting piece of tar road, if rumours are to be believed.  A picnic lunch en-route (of the baguette, paté and cheese type), and a night in Sani Top Chalet, which houses the highest pub in Africa, completes the picture.  Oh, Monty will be driving the support vehicle – walkers are welcome to catch a lift if they’re tired of hoofing it. To book your spot, contact Kim on kim@montybrett.com, or you can book online at www.montybrett.com. The dazzling view down the Sani Pass as seen from above.	Leader:  Dr David Johnson Dates:  31^st October to 2^nd November, 2008. Cost:  R2 340 per person sharing. Cost includes accommodation for 2 nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, and a picnic lunch.  (Accommodation is at Himeville Hotel on the first night, Sani Top Chalet on the second).  Cost excludes transport, drinks at mealtimes and other items of a personal nature.
Mist Belt and Sani Pass Bird Adventure	Mist Belt details
On Friday afternoon, 17^th October, arrive in time for tea on the Peanut-butter Patio at Prof Steven Piper’s home, and watch the sunbirds at close range, buzzing around the feeders.  On Saturday at dawn, depart for a day up Sani Pass and into Lesotho to look for all the high-altitude endemic and special birds, such as the Drakensberg Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskin, African Rock Pipit, Bearded Vulture and Cape Griffon.  On Sunday, travel to the mist-belt forest to search for the Orange Ground Thrush, Cape Parrot and other elusive forest birds.  All transport from Underberg to Sani Pass and the mist-belt forest will be in Steven’s 4x4 vehicles, and is included in the price. Contact kim@montybrett.com to book, or you can log onto our website at www.montybrett.com and use the online booking form.	Leader:  Prof Steven Piper Dates:  17^th to 19^th October, 2008. Cost:  R1 450 per person sharing. Cost includes accommodation, meals and excursions.
Music in the Mist	MITM details
This is a sublime weekend of music, mist and memorable moments at the fabulous Magoebaskloof Hotel.  Raconteur extraordinaire, Dr Richard Cock, will lead some of the best principal players of the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra in midday and evening concerts. Bird expert Clive Hopcroft will give an illustrated talk on the birds to be found in the area, and then he’ll lead a (very) 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 Prof Louis Changuion will give a fascinating talk on the history of the area. Contact me at kim@montybrett.com to book, or use our online booking form at www.montybrett.com.	Dates:  7^th to 9^th November, 2008. Venue:  Magoebaskloof Hotel near Tzaneen. Directions and further details will be sent to you on receipt of your booking and payment. Cost:  R3 250 per person sharing. Cost includes accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, and all musical, birding and history events for the weekend.

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