Monty Brett Environmental and Cultural Courses Newsletter	July, 2009
Hello, At time of writing, the southern Drakensberg which we can see from our kitchen window is covered in a light dusting of snow – a really beautiful sight.  It makes the mountains look much closer, and forms a spectacular backdrop to the cows grazing in the adjacent field.  Our hens have produced a crop of the most delightful little chicks, and they’re all busily scratching away at the soil, and cheeping contentedly.  Ah, well, such is farm-life here in the Midlands.  It’s tough, but I guess someone’s got to do it!  We held A PARLIAMENT OF OWLS at the Wanderers Club recently, and it turned out to be a marvellous course.  Geoff Lockwood was on top form, with his humorous anecdotes of his experiences with owls, and Lorna Stanton wowed the crowd with her live owls.  Thanks to everyone who attended the course – we hope you enjoyed it.  Also, a great big thank you to everyone who donated money towards Lorna’s feeding costs for her bird of prey rehabilitation centre.  A whopping R3 700 was raised, and Lorna asked me to convey her heartfelt thanks to you all for your generosity. CLASSICAL MUSIC TOUR TO NEW YORK Start spreading the news … I’m in serious negotiation with agents and operators, and I’m aiming at mid-April 2010.  With our own brilliant Dr Richard Cock as music expert, and the likes of violinist Joshua Bell on the menu, plus the operas Tosca or Carmen, the ballet Coppelia, and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, you’ll definitely want to be a part of it.  Sound like your kind of trip?  Please contact me to register your interest, and I’ll keep you in the loop with any progress. BIRD ID COURSE AT WANDERERS CLUB (10 evenings) We still have some space left on this course, which is specifically designed to give you a whopping amount of fascinating information about birds and their world.  Bird experts Geoff Lockwood, Clive Hopcroft and Marion Melville will be looking at topics such as identification, breeding strategies, migration, bird-song and much, much more.  Details are as follows: Dates:          August 17, 20, 24, 27, 31, September 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 2009 Times:         18h30 – 21h30 each evening Venue:           Bowler’s Lounge, Wanderers Club, Illovo, Johannesburg Field Trip:    An early morning outing.  Date and venue to be advised during the course. Cost:            R1 400 per person.  This cost includes a copy of our Beginner’s Bird-call CD and a book of course notes which will be given to you on the first night. SHOEBILL TRIP – Monty reporting … The chances of seeing the incredibly rare Shoebill is remote, to say the least, so it was with great trepidation that we set off on our very long and tortuous journey to northern Zambia in April this year.  The group was small, and consisted of Dr Richard Stott, his wife Dr Sue Stott and their 12-year-old daughter Zibby, Rob and Marion Hofmeyr, and myself and Marion Melville, my stalwart safari partner and administrator extraordinaire. Having done a very similar trip last year, it was familiar ground for myself and Marion, but completely new and exciting territory for the rest of the group.  Although not for the feint-hearted, Zambia is a fascinating destination, and very rewarding. Not only did we see the Shoebill, but we saw it at close range and for long enough to examine it quite closely.  Richard had a great camera with him, and managed to get some wonderful photographs.  I hope to have some of them posted on the website within the next few weeks. BIRD ID AT SKUKUZA We still have a few places on this course, but please do book soon to avoid disappointment.  Clive Hopcroft will be the main lecturer on the course.  Clive has a vast depth of knowledge on every aspect of birding, and his sense of humour and easy manner make the subject spring to life.  Supporting lectures will be given by Marion Melville and Monty Brett. Details are as follows: Dates/times:  13h00 on September 30^th to midday on October 4^th, 2009 Venue:              Goldfields Education Centre, Skukuza, Kruger National Park Course Cost:   R1 400 per person for the course.  This cost includes a copy of our Beginner’s Bird-call CD and a book of course notes which will be given to you on the first night. Accomm. 2- or 3-bed hut with bathroom and communal kitchen facilities: R1 330 per person sharing for 4 nights.  § Camping: R260 per person for 4 nights. Guests can self-cater, or have meals in the camp restaurant.  Communal kitchens are available in the camp, which have sinks and hotplates. SWAROVSKI BINOCS SPECIAL Monty asked me to mention that the superb EL range of Swarovski binoculars are on special at the moment, with as much as R6 000 off the usual retail prices.  These discounted prices are only valid until the end of August, so please contact him if you’re interested.  His number is 082 824-9374. IN THE PIPELINE: ANGOLA PITTA Monty is considering a trip to northern Mocambique in November 2010 to look for the Angola Pitta, amongst other specials.  If you like the sound of this trip, please contact me to register your interest, and I’ll keep you abreast of developments. BATTLEFIELDS OF ANGOLA - 2010 Monty and the legendary Colonel Jan Breytenbach will be leading a trip next year, possibly August, to explore the battlefields where the South African forces played such a crucial role in the Angolan war.  Please contact me to register your interest. Stay warm during these chilly times.  With the doctors threatening strike action, it’s not a great time to be sick! Warm regards, Kim 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	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
	Quotes
	War does not determine who is right, only who is left. Bertrand Russell A genius is a talented person who does his homework. Thomas Edison
	Tips on how to save the planet
	Every little bit helps when it comes to saving our wonderful planet, so here are a few easy ways we can all make a difference: · Plant a tree (or seven or nine). · Find needy homes or charitable organisations for things you don’t want, rather than throwing them away. · Save water by not letting the tap run while shaving, washing your face or brushing your teeth. · Insulate your geyser. · Put a timer onto your heaters. · Unplug chargers when not in use. · Avoid buying bottled water – rather refill your bottles at home. · Keep a supply of cloth shopping bags in your car for easy access. · When packing lunches, use containers instead of foil or plastic wrap. · Before ordering fish at a restaurant, sms the name of the fish to 079 499-8795.  You will receive an immediate reply with the current status of that fish, and whether it’s a sustainable choice. · Plant another tree. Information courtesy of the Natal Witness and The Fairest Cape Association.
	Parting Thought
	He knows nothing, and he thinks he knows everything.  That points clearly to a political career. George Bernard Shaw
	PS:
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Calendar of Upcoming Events

2009
May	Jun	Jul	Aug 17^th, 20^th, 24^th, 27^th, 31^st: Bird ID at Wanderers (continues in Sept)
Sep 3^rd, 7^th, 10^th, 14^th: Bird ID at Wanderers (cont.) 24^th – 27^th: Baroque in the Bush 30^th – Oct 4^th: Bird ID Course at Skukuza, Kruger Park	Oct	Nov 2^nd, 5^th, 9^th, 12^th: LBJs (Little Brown Jobs) at Wanderers 6^th – 18^th: The Marvels of  Madagascar Trip	Dec
2010
Jan	Feb	Mar 2010 19^th – 21^st: Music in the Mist at Magoebaskloof Hotel	Apr 2010 Classical Music Tour to New York with Dr Richard Cock.  Dates to be confirmed.  Please contact Kim for details.