Coffee With Kate

One Post At A Time

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:17:43 GMT

The bloggers who take it one post at a time. There's SlowSex (apparently; first I'd heard of it), SlowCities, and SlowFood. Now, the New York Times reports, there is also Slow Blogging, which Todd Sieling, a Canadian technology consultant, defined in a manifesto as "a rejection of immediacy ... an affirmation that not all things worth reading are written quickly".
This is an idea that appeals to me. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe in the mot juste. Words, as a rule, are better weighed before use, and too many blog posts -- and particularly blog comments -- are, well, not.
So I can but agree with Sieling when he proclaims that Slow Blogging is "speaking like it matters, like the pixels that give your words form are precious and rare"; represents "a willingness to remain silent amid the daily outrages and ecstasies that fill nothing more than single moments in time"; marks "the re-establishment of the machine as the agent of human expression, rather than its whip".
Like SlowFood, born in Italy of the conviction that fast food was as bad for local tradition as it was for your health, Slow Blogging is a response to the notion that fast blogging can be bad for both author and audience. For the time being, Slow Bloggers write mainly about subjects such as life in the countryside, philosophy and 19th-century literature (and, naturally, about the phenomenon of Slow Blogging).
Amid what David D Perlmutter, author of Blogwars, calls the "many, loud and raucous voices" out there, on a myriad blogs, on MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and all the rest, they tend to be "coherent and responsible, intelligent and precise".
So let's hear it for all those who take the time to think, study and reflect before they post; who do not feel the need to slap the first thing that comes out of their head straight onto the web. People who refuse to update five times a day, or even once a week. People who value quality over quantity. People, in short, like Sieling -- who is not in fact blogging at all any more, because no one was reading him. But that's the interweb for you. - guardian.co.uk © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2008-JON HENLEY - Nov 26 2008 08:45

Fast Food Nation

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:53:44 GMT

In 2001 Eric Schlosser’s book Fast Food Nation hit the book stands in the US. It rocked the consciousness of the nation and stayed on the New York best sellers list for more than two years. Its revelations about how the fast food industry operates and how animals are reared and slaughtered on huge feed lots in the Mid-West forced Americans to think about animal welfare issues. It highlighted the appalling working conditions and pitiful rates of pay of the meat and migrant workers.

Since then McDonalds and other chains have undergone a metamorphosis as they adapt to the growing customer demand for ethically produced meat and more healthy food. Other books, documentaries and films and acres of newsprint are helping to heighten awareness that things are going horribly wrong on many levels.

Even governments now are no longer in denial about climate change and global warming and even more importantly are beginning to face the decidedly uncomfortable fact that we can no longer really depend on cheap fuel. There is a huge urgency to prepare ourselves for a world fast approaching where fossil fuel will become so prohibitively expensive that we are forced to do without or find alternatives.

Let’s stop and think for a moment, take the dairy farmer. He picks up the phone to order diesel for his tractors “Sorry there won’t be another delivery for 4 months”. An hour later the power goes. The 100 cows need to be milked. Where does he start, he can remember how to milk but how can he teach the younger workers. The design of the milking parlor does not facilitate hand milking and where will he find a 3 legged stool. Even if he does manage to milk, what will he do with it? If the milk tanker comes, the creamery would be in the same boat!

I’ll stop here but you must get the message. This kind of scenario is hard to think about in fact most people are in complete denial that it or something similar is not as far away as we might think so we would do well to dwell on the new era we are going into and prepare.

At Slow Food Nation in San Francisco last weekend there was a lot of talk about transition farming and transition towns and villages. Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced the London Climate Change Adaptation Strategy which encourages people to take a variety of measures to prepare for what is now completely inevitable. It is not a case of if but when.

San Francisco and indeed most of California is unquestionably a place apart. There is an awareness and consciousness about food and environmental issues. I feel that for sure folks in Minnesota or Idaho may not see the same reality, even though they have many challenges. Factory farming has so damaged the environment that farming is becoming impossible in some areas. There are problems of soil fertility, soil erosion and chronic pollution.

In the U.S. there are more people in prison than there are farmers and the number of farmers has shrunk so dramatically that the National Census does not carry a category for farmers. They must register under ‘Others’ – How can it have happened that we so undervalue the very people who provide us with our means of life. But in the midst of despair and despondency there is certainly hope – something is definitely stirring at grass roots level. People are no longer waiting for governments to do it, individuals and committees are taking the initiative themselves. Slow Food and environmental activists are joining to develop local food initiatives. Slow Food Nation attracted 60,000 visitors over a weekend of seminars. Inspirational and visionary speakers brainstormed on a new way forward and how to bring about change and encourage sustainable food production world wide so that all food will nourish rather than merely fuel. The new Declaration for Healthy Food and Agriculture was launched and when it has been signed by more than 300,000 it will be presented to the incoming President of the United States as the voice of the American people that than the multi nationals. Thousands and thousands of people ate, drank and were merry as they toasted the farmers, fishermen and artisans and celebrated the beautiful fresh produce of the Bay Area. It was truly a life changing experience. www.slowfoodnation.org

The Transformation Of Self

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:17:29 GMT

Intuition, attention, imagination, intention, inspiration, creativity – these are the raw materials of consciousness. With them we can mould our personal reality, and shape our collective reality as well. The following universal principles will help you become aware of how you create your reality, and will empower you to transform or let go of whatever is no longer serving you. Choose one principle to focus on each day and commit to applying it in your life:

The events in my life reflect who I am.
I will choose one thing that happens today and see how it mirrors myself. If I feel angry at someone, I will consider if what I dislike about that person actually exists in me. If an overheard conversation grabs my attention, I will take those worlds as a personal message. I will look at the world inside me.

The people in my life reflect aspects of myself.
Today I will look at my friends, family, and everyone I meet as a group picture of me. Each person stands for a quality I want to see in myself or want to reject. I learn the most from those I intensely love or intensely dislike.

Whatever I pay attention to will grow.
I will take an inventory of how I’m using my attention. I will keep a log of my activities to find out how much time I spend on television, the Internet, hobbies, gossip, work I love, work I dread, activities that fulfil me, or escapist fantasies. I will ask myself, “What do I want to grow in my life?” The answer will tell me how my attention needs to shift.

My true self is pure, unbounded consciousness.
I will remember that thoughts come and go, but the core of consciousness is forever. Today I will experience myself beyond limitations. I will set aside time to be present with myself in silence. I will experience myself as love, as a light that flows from my heart and spreads out into the universe as far as my awareness can reach.

Practices for Transformation

Extract from Deepak Chopra

Dare to be different Cocktails -with Leopard's Leap Wines

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:22:04 GMT

Life is so interesting. On the 12^th of November an image of an old friend popped into my mind, ever so persistent as I quietly whittled away at my pc, refusing to go away. I decided to Google the name. A plethora of possibilities flashed up on my screen, I selected the one most likely to suite the character of the person I once knew so long ago and é voila, the result proved positive.

Eugene Van Zyl, a respected wine maker in the cape, heads up Leopard’s Leap wines.

Many years ago his parents were involved in a property development adjacent to our Guest Farm; the two of us soon became firm friends, spending hardly a moment apart when he visited during the school holidays. In fact I would go as far to say that he was my best friend. But life moves people along and sadly we lost contact when our paths went different ways.

Moving on........While reading through some of the information about the wines produced by Leopard’s Leap winery, I came across these fantastic cocktails which they put together using there wines and are well worth trying, could be great fun for the festive period, so do give it a bash.

The Spotted Citrino
Fresh mint leaves pressed with kumquat compote added with Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc 2007, shaken and strained into a chilled martini glass

Ingredients:
o 75ml Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc 2007
o 1 spoon Kumquat jam or compote
o 6 mint leaves
o 6.25ml sugar syrup
o Crushed ice

Method:
o Half fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice.
o Muddle or mix the mint with jam and sugar syrup, and add to shaker.
o Add Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc.
o Shake well.
o Strain into Martini glass and garnish with a mint leaf.

The Red Leopard
Blueberry jam pressed with basil combined with Leopard’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, shaken and strained into a chilled martini glass

Ingredients:
o 75ml Leopard’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon
o 1 teaspoon blueberry jam
o 4 fresh basil leaves
o 1 teaspoon sugar syrup.

Method:
o Half fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice.
o Muddle or mix the jam and basil with sugar syrup and add to shaker.
o Add Leopard’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon.
o Shake well.
o Strain into Martini glass and garnish with a basil leaf.

Granadi vino
Fresh Granadilla and hints of cinnamon spice are softly rounded with rose, shaken and strained into a chilled martini glass.

Ingredients:
o 75ml Leopard’s Leap Lookout Rosé
o ½ granadilla
o ¼ cinnamon stick
o 12.5ml sugar syrup

Method:
o Half fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice
o Muddle or mix the granadilla, sugar syrup, cinnamon.
o Add Leopard’s Leap Rosé
o Shake and strain
o Pour into a chilled Martini glass and allow ½ Granadilla to float on the top as garnish

Leap of faith
A slice of fresh chili pressed with raspberry and pomegranate jam added with Leopard’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc, shaken and strained into a chilled martini glass.

Ingredients
o 75ml Leopard’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc
o 1 spoon raspberry and pomegranate jam
o ¼ chili (optional)
o 6.25ml sugar syrup

Method:
o Half fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice
o Muddle or mix jam and chili,
o Add Leopard’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc
o Shake and strain
o Pour into a chilled Martini glass and garnish with fresh chilli

Extracted from Leopard’s leap wines - http://leopardsleap.typepad.com

The Cape Leopard Trust

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:40:18 GMT

The Cape Leopard Trust aims to optimally facilitate conservation of the Cape's predator diversity through simultaneously implementing conservation strategies, research projects and tourism initiatives.

It will also educate and encourage the youth of disadvantaged communities to have a vested interest in the environment.

Why The leopard?

The leopard fills the role of the apex predator in the Western Cape ecosystem and acts as an “umbrella species” which will effectively help in the conservation of smaller, lower profile predators.

Its resilience to persecution notwithstanding, the leopard has suffered extensive range loss in the Cape and is now extinct in many areas of the province where it formerly occurred. The species is routinely and regularly removed from farms with little knowledge of population or genetic status, whether removals are sustainable or whether the factors giving rise to conflict are established

Adopt a Leopard

Help protect leopards by adopting your own. If you are interested in the preservation of these beautiful creatures please think about adopting a leopard.

You will receive following:

· the right to name a leopard identified by the project

· a large framed photograph of your leopard

· a chance to track it if we can capture and collar it

· We will then keep you up to date with his/her movements.

Please contact us, to find out more...

extract from: TheCape Leopard Trust www.capeleopard.org.za

Mayan Prophecy 2012: Entering Our Galactic Day

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:03:56 GMT

Many of us are aware of the Mayan calendar but not many people truly understand what it means and how it works. Yes the calendar does end on December 21, 2012, but what does that mean? How does it come to that? What is their calendar based off of?

The Mayans had a very precise understanding of our solar system's cycles and believed that these cycles coincided with our spiritual and collective consciousness. The most significant of which has much to do with the 2012 prophecies. In the following writing, we will walk through the main details of their prophecies surrounding the 2012 transition. How the transition takes place (from an astronomical perspective), what it means for us, and when the cycles take place. We'll start with the basic prophecies and later move deeper into the explanation of the cycles.

The Mayans prophesied that from 1999 we have 13 years to realize the changes in our conscious attitude to stray from the path of self-destruction and instead move onto a path that opens our consciousness to integrate us with all that exists.

The Mayans knew that our Sun, or Kinich-Ahau, every so often synchronized with the enormous central galaxy. And from this central galaxy received a 'spark' of light which causes the Sun to shine more intensely producing what our scientists call 'solar flares' as well as changes in the Sun's magnetic field. The Mayans say that this happens every 5,125 years. But also that this causes a displacement in the earths rotation, and because of this movement great catastrophes would be produced.

The Mayans believed the universal processes, like the 'breathing' of the galaxy, are cycles that never change. What changes is the consciousness of man that passes through it. Always in a process toward more perfection.
Based on their observations, the Mayans predicted that from the initial date of the start of their civilization, 4 Ahau, 8 Cumku which is 3113 B.C., after one cycle being completed 5,125 years in their future, December 21st, 2012. The Sun, having received a powerful ray of synchronizing light from the centre of the galaxy, would change its polarity which would produce a great cosmic event that would propel human kind to be ready to cross into a new era, The Golden Age. It is after this, that the Mayans say we will be ready to go through the door that was left by them, transforming our civilization based on fear to a vibration much higher in harmony.

Only from our individual efforts could we avoid the path to great cataclysm that our planet will suffer to start a new era, the sixth cycle of the Sun. The Mayan civilization was in the fifth cycle of the Sun, and there were four other great civilizations before them that were destroyed by great natural disasters. They believed that each cycle was just one stage in the collective consciousness of humanity.
In the last cataclysm of the Mayans, the civilization was destroyed by a great flood that left little survivors of which were their descendants.

They believed that having known the end of their cycle, mankind would prepare for what is to come in the future and it is because of this that they would have preserved the dominant species; the human race.
They say that coming changes will permit us to make a quantum leap forward in the evolution of our consciousness to create a new civilization that would manifest great harmony and compassion to all humankind.

Their first prophecy talks about 'The Time of No-Time'. A period of 20 years, which they call a Katún. The last 20 years of the Sun's cycle of 5,125 years. This cycle is from 1992 - 2012. They predicted that during these times, solar winds would become more intense and could be seen on the Sun. This would be a time of great realization and great change for mankind. And it would be our own lack of preservation and contamination of the planet that would contribute to these changes. According to the Mayans, these changes would happen so that mankind comprehends how the universe works so we could advance to superior levels, leaving behind superficial materialism and liberating ourselves from suffering.

The Mayans say, that seven years after the start of Katún, which is to say 1999, we would enter a time of darkness which would force us to confront our own conduct. The say that this is the time when mankind will enter 'The Sacred Hall of Mirrors'. Where we will look at ourselves and analyse our behaviours with ourselves, with others, with nature and with the planet in which we live. A time in which all of humanity, by individual conscious decisions, decides to change and eliminate fear and lack of respect from all of our relationships. The Mayans prophesied that the start of this period would be marked by a solar eclipse on August 11, 1999, known to them as 13 Ahau, 8 Cauac. And would coincide with an unprecedented planetary alignment, the 'Grand Cross' alignment. This would be the last 13 years of the Katón period. The last opportunity for our civilization to realize the changes that are coming at the moment of our spiritual regeneration.

For the Mayans, everything is numbers and the time of the 13 sacred numbers started in August 1999. They predicted that along with the eclipse, the forces of nature would act like a catalyst of changes so accelerated and with such magnitude that mankind would be powerless against them. Also, that our technologies in which we rely on so much would begin to fail us. We would no longer be able to learn from our civilization in the way that we are organized as a society. They said that our internal, spiritual development would require a better place along with a better way to interact with more respect and compassion.

The first prophecies were attained by their study of our Sun. The Mayans discovered that the entire solar system moved. That even our universe has its own cycles. Repetitive periods which begin and end like our day and night. These discoveries lead to the understanding that our solar system rotates on an ellipse that brings our solar system closer and further from the centre of the galaxy. In other words, according to the Mayans, our Sun and all of its planets rotate in cycles in relation to the centre of the galaxy or Hunab-Kú, the central light of the galaxy. It takes 25,625 years for our solar system to make one cycle on this ellipse. One complete cycle is called a galactic day. The cycle is divided into two halves similar to our day and night. The half closest to the central light, is our solar system's 'day' and the half furthest away is its 'night'. Each day and each night lasts 12,800 years. Which is to say, the central galaxy is the Sun for our entire solar system.

The Mayans discovered that every grand cycle has its minor cycles, that carry the same characteristics. One galactic day of 25,625 years is divided into five cycles of 5,125 years. The first cycle is the galactic morning. When our solar system is just coming out of the darkness to enter the light. The second cycle is the mid-day. When our solar system is closest to the central light. The third cycle is the afternoon. When our solar system begins to come out of the light. The fourth cycle is the late-night. When our solar system has entered its furthest cycle from the central light. And the fifth and last cycle is night before dawn. When are solar system is in its last cycle of darkness before starting again. This is the cycle we are currently coming out of.

The Mayan prophecy tells us that in 1999, our solar system began to leave the end of the fifth cycle which started in 3113 B.C. and that we find ourselves in the morning of our galactic day, exiting darkness and on the verge of being in plain day of our central galaxy in 2012. They say that at the beginning and end of these cycles, which is to say, every 5,125 years, the central sun or light of the galaxy emits a ray of light so intense and so brilliant that it illuminates the entire universe. It is from this burst of light that all of the Suns and planets sync. The Mayans compare this burst to the pulse of the universe, beating once every 5,125 years. It is these pulses that mark the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. Each pulse lasting 20 years, a Katún

Extract from: adishakti.org

Disapproving Faces

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:49:57 GMT

It is not necessarily a pleasant experience, but there will be times in our lives when we come across people who do not like us. As we know, like attracts like, so usually when they don’t like us it is because they are not like us. Rather than taking it personally, we can let them be who they are, accepting that each of us is allowed to have different perspectives and opinions. When we give others that freedom, we claim it for ourselves as well, releasing ourselves from the need for their approval so we can devote our energy toward more rewarding pursuits.

While approval from others is a nice feeling, when we come to depend on it we may lose our way on our own path. There are those who will not like us no matter what we do, but that doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with us. Each of us has our own filters built from our experiences over time. They may see in us something that is merely a projection of their understanding, but we have no control over the interpretations of others. The best we can do is to hope that the role we play in the script of their lives is helpful to them, and follow our own inner guidance with integrity.

As we reap the benefits of walking our perfect paths, we grow to appreciate the feeling of fully being ourselves. The need to have everyone like us will be replaced by the exhilaration of discovering that we are attracting like-minded individuals into our lives—people who like us because they understand and appreciate the truth of who we are. We free ourselves from trying to twist into shapes that will fit the spaces provided by others’ limited understanding and gain a new sense of freedom, allowing us to expand into becoming exactly who we’re meant to be. And in doing what we know to be right for us, we show others that they can do it too. Co-creating our lives with the universe and its energy of pure potential, we transcend limitations and empower ourselves to shine our unique light, fully and freely. (Source: Daily Om)

Quote:

Suffering arises when we long for our experience to be something other than what it is. Satisfaction arises when we savour the richness of our experience as it is.
Full acceptance of whatever is arising in this moment is pure and absolute freedom. -‘Unknown Source’

Inter-twined Fates

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:25:22 GMT

There are times when we may feel disconnected from the world. Our actions can seem like they are of no major consequence, and we may feel like we exist in our own vacuum. Yet, the truth is that our simplest thought or action - the decisions we make each day, and how we see and relate to the world - can be incredibly significant and have a profound impact on the lives of those around us, as well as the world at large. The earth and everything on it is bound by an invisible connection between people, animals, plants, the air, the water, and the soil. Insignificant actions on your part, whether positive or negative, can have an impact on people and the environment that seem entirely separate from your personal realm of existence. Staying conscious of the interconnection between all things can help you think of your choices and your life in terms of the broader effect you may be creating.

Think of buying a wooden stool. The wood was once part of a tree which is part of a forest. A person was paid to fell the tree, another to cut the wood, and yet another to build the stool. Their income may have had a positive effect on their families, just as the loss of the tree may have had a negative impact on the forest or the animals that made that tree their home. An encouraging word to a young child about their special talent can influence this person to develop their gift so that one day their inventions can change the lives of millions. A poem written “merely” to express oneself can make a stranger reading it online from thousands of miles away feel less alone because there is someone else out there who feels exactly the way they do.

Staying conscious of your connection to all things can help you think of your choices in terms of their impact. We are powerful enough that what we do and say can reverberate through the lives of people we may never meet. Understanding that you are intimately connected with all things and understanding your power to affect our world can be the first step on the road to living more consciously.

Source: Daily OM

The Whale Season has started.

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:14:57 GMT

These magical beautiful creatures can be seen 'parked' off in front of my home in Clifton for a day or some times just a couple of hours, as the slowly wend their way toward Hermanus which becomes the baby whale nursery over the next few months.

Bush Greetings From The Tuningi Team

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:14:17 GMT

Bush greetings to all once again.

September is the month of new beginnings, and as this month came to an end the blossoms of the wild pears filled the air with the sweet aroma of summer.

Yes, the expecting mothers in the savannah are really looking fat with the new life that they will be introducing in the next few months, all the while having the continual stress of that dangerous foe that lurks in the dark. The rains are building slowly, with the August Trade Winds that sweep south from the equator providing some welcome relief from the scorching sun, as temperatures are rising day by day reflected in the heat haze as we look down the valley and onto the Inselbergs from the lodge.

After coming back from the morning safari our guests are treated to a hearty breakfast on the deck overlooking the waterhole which, as we told you in the last newsletter is abundant with various types of game; the buffalo herds visit almost on a daily basis. You will also be entertained by Bob the vervet monkey who has a uncanny knack of darting into the lodge and escaping with a delicious cappuccino muffin every now and then..... times are tough in the bush, but not at Tuningi according to Bob.

Speaking of the safaris, our rangers have been churning out the best quality sightings, and the ones that stand out for this month include Gerry witnessing the successful hunt of, what turned out to be, a pregnant Red Hartebeest that was taken by the Dipelo Female Lions and the huge Tsolho-Mateya male coalition. Gavin was charged by a Black Rhino and her calf just last week, and Grant had the luck of sighting another Pangolin (second sighting in his career). Among these special sightings there were notably more leopard sightings this month as well as an increase in the Black Rhino which as you know are extremely rare throughout Africa. (see the Rangers Column)

The reserve has also become very dry, and the remaining water sources are becoming less and less with every day creating some competition among the larger herbivores for the precious moisture they so desperately need. In the last week the reserve has also had a number of bush fires which have stripped the earth of its grasses, leaving behind a black and barren landscape. But wait.... this is not a bad situation. The savannah system is very dependent on fire to burn off the hard outer layer of the seeds which lay in anticipation of the first rains, as well as clearing off any dead and moribund vegetation which is not of any use to the animals out here.

RANGER’S DIARY
Black Rhinoceros

The Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), also colloquially Black Rhino, is a mammal in the order Perissodactyla, native to the eastern and central areas of Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Although the Rhino is referred to as black, it is actually more of a grey/brown/white colour in appearance.

The name of the species was chosen to distinguish it from the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). This is misleading, as those two species are not really distinguishable by colour. The word white in the name "White Rhinoceros" derives from the Afrikaans word for "wide" rather than the color white. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) announced on 7 July 2006 that one of the four subspecies, the West African Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis longipes), has been tentatively declared as extinct. About 3600 Black Rhinoceros exist in the world.

Description
An adult Black Rhinoceros stands 140–170 cm (57.9–63 inches) high at the shoulder and is 3.3-3.6 m (10.8–11.8 feet) in length. An adult weighs from 800 to 1364 kg (1,760 to 3,000 lb), but sometimes grows up to 1818 kg (4,000 lb), The females are smaller than the males. Two horns on the skull are made of keratin with the larger front horn typically 50 cm long, exceptionally up to 140 cm.

The longest known horn measured nearly 5 feet in length. Sometimes, a third smaller horn may develop. These horns are used for defence, intimidation, and digging up roots and breaking branches during feeding. Skin colour depends more on local soil conditions and the rhinoceros' wallowing behaviour than anything else, so many black rhinos are typically not truly black in colour. The Black Rhino is much smaller than the White Rhino, and has a long, pointed, and prehensile upper lip, which it uses to grasp leaves and twigs when feeding. White Rhinoceros have square lips used for eating grass. The Black Rhinoceros can also be recognized from the White Rhinoceros by its smaller skull and ears. Black Rhinoceros also do not have a distinguishing shoulder hump like the White Rhinoceros.

Their thick layered skin protects the rhino from thorns and sharp grasses. Their skin harbours many external parasites, such as crabs, which are eaten by oxpeckers and egrets that live with the rhino. They have terrible eyesight, relying more on hearing and smell. They have large ears that rotate much like satellite dishes to detect any sound and a large nose that has an excellent sense of smell to detect predators.

Behaviour
Solitary animals with the exception of coming together to mate, mothers and calves will sometimes congregate in small groups for short periods of time. Males are not as sociable as females, although they will sometimes allow the presence of other rhinos. They are not very territorial and often intersect other rhino territories. Home ranges vary depending on season and the availability of food and water. Generally they have smaller home ranges and larger density in habitats that have plenty of food and water available, and vice versa if resources are not readily available. In the Serengeti home ranges are around 43 to 133 km², while in the Ngorongoro it is between 2.6 to 44 km². Black Rhinos have also been observed to have a certain area they tend to visit and rest frequently called "houses" which are usually on a high ground level.

The Black Rhino has a reputation for being extremely aggressive. They attack out of fear, confusion and panic. Due to their very poor eyesight they will charge if they sense a threat. They have even been observed to charge tree trunks and termite mounds. Black Rhinoceros are not very aggressive towards others of their species, usually only bluffing aggression. Males will fight sometimes by pushing head to head or horn jousting. They usually avoid other males when possible. Females are not aggressive towards each other. Despite their aggression, adult Black Rhinos have no natural predators, outside of an unverified incident of a huge Nile crocodile taking down one. Black Rhinoceros follow the same trails as elephants use to get from foraging areas to water holes. They also use smaller trails when they are browsing. They are very fast and can get up to speeds of 35 miles per hour (56kph) running on their toes.

Diet
The Black Rhinoceros is a herbivorous browser that eats leafy plants, branches, shoots, thorny wood bushes and fruit. Their diet helps to reduce the amount of woody plants which results in more grasses growing for the benefit of other animals. Its been known to eat up to 220 different species of plant. It can live up to 5 days without water during drought. Black Rhinos live in primarily grasslands, savannahs and tropical bushland habitats.

They browse for food in the morning and evening. In the hottest part of the day they are most inactive spent resting, sleeping and wallowing in the mud. Wallowing is an essential part of all rhino species lives. It helps cool down their body temperature during the day and protects against parasites. If mud is not available they will resort to wallowing in dust. Drinking water is most commonly done towards the after hours.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your stay as soon as you can, the Tuningi Team cannot wait to see you.

reservations@madikwecollection.com

Baby Abbott - 16 weeks progress report

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:57:49 GMT

Hi All

Well … the exciting news is that the doctor is 70% sure that I am a girl! He told my mom not to tell anyone just yet …… yah, right … she is a real big mouth!

She is so excited at the thought of another girl. My dad is also happy – but as you all know … he is the conservative one and is not believing it until the doctor says 100%!

All is well with us … except my mom, dad and Maxine are very stressed with all of the building that has begun at home. We have no bathroom (only a toilet left) and I hear my mom cursing when she has to get up and fight through rubble in the early hours of the morning! But I have seen so many baths, taps and basins …… we are bound to have a really cool home when it is complete.

I got my first present from “Big Dom” – it is a stuffed musical elephant that belonged to my cousin Farren Abbott. It was bought by Gareth and his mom Rita … so I am really lucky to be the owner of an heirloom! My sister Maxi is looking after it until I am born … she sleeps with it every night!

My mom and dad are so excited cause they are off to Cape Town on Wed to see my granny Kate. I cannot wait to hear her voice .. I hear she is a real problem solver and makes all your problems go away! (I heard my mom and dad talking)!

Anyway …. Next scan is 20 weeks (halfway) in mid Nov.

Take care all … and don’t forget it is my mommy’s birthday tomorrow!

Tegan Mare(Baby Abbott's Mum)
Business Unit Manager,

Goodbye QE2

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:08:24 GMT

Another era passes ......Nostalgically sad!

Googles Project10^100

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:44:39 GMT

Project 10^100

9/24/2008 08:47:00 AM

If you could suggest a unique idea that would help as many people as possible, what would it be?
It's a question worth considering. Never in history have so many people had so much information, so many tools at their disposal, so many ways of making good ideas come to life. Yet at the same time so many people (in all walks of life) could use some help, in small ways and big. In the midst of this, new studies are reinforcing the timeless wisdom that beyond a basic level of material wealth, the only thing that seems to increase individual happiness is... helping other people. In other words, help helps everybody.
But what would help, and what would be most helpful? We don't believe we have the answers, but we do believe the answers are out there. Maybe in a lab, or a company, or a university -- or maybe not. Maybe the answer that helps somebody is in your head, in something you've observed, some notion that you've been fiddling with, some small connection you've noticed, some old way of doing something that you've seen with new eyes.
To mark our 10th birthday and celebrate the spirit of our users and the web, we're launching Project 10^100 (that's "ten to the hundredth") a call for ideas that could help as many people as possible, and a program to bring the best of those ideas to life. CNN will be covering this project, including profiles of ideas and the people who submit them from around the world. For a deeper look, follow along at Impact Your World.
Ideas are due by October 20, 2008. Get started submitting your own ideas, and come back on January 27th to vote on ideas from others. We hope you feel inspired enough to try. Good luck, and may the ones who help the most win.
Posted by Andy Berndt, Managing Director, Google Creative Lab

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Baby Abbott ...12 weeks scan & progress report

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:33:32 GMT

Hello All

Well we have reached our first milestone … 12 weeks! My mom is so much better (no more morning sickness) but Dad thinks she has lost it! She is in full “nesting” mode now and bedrooms are being re-arranged and everyone is being bossed around (especially my poor Dad). But I have to say that I am impressed with my mom’s energy now … she took bedroom curtains down and put new ones up in 30 mins at 9.00pm on Fri night … I hope my Dad is reading this and realizes that my Mom is very clever! He is going to be so spoilt when she starts using all of those baking things that she bought last week with Collette! (I thought she couldn’t bake? That’s what dad says? Oh well … just shows how clever she is pretending all that time that she CAN’T bake!).

At my 12 week scan the doc checked my back neck measurement and fluid and all seems to be fine. I was really putting on a show for the doc and my mom …. He battled to get a measurement because I was somersaulting and kicking! We are waiting for the blood tests too this Wed … but hey, I know that I am 100%!

Our next visit is 14^th Oct – My Mom’s 35^th b day. I will be 17 weeks so hopefully the mystery of “who I am” will be solved. You guys are going to be so excited when you find out my sex!

Other than that ….… I hear that we have a new puppy at home ….. he is a special toy pom / cross from the SPCA. He sounds very cute. Dad called him Jerry. Then it changed to Zak and then yesterday he changed it again to Wheelie! It sounds like my Dad loves to change things .. I hope my name sticks and I am not going to be called something new every week!

Well take care … chat soon.

xxx

On Wedenesday We Could All Be Dead

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:55:18 GMT

Scientists prepare for uber experiment

By Cole Moreton
London - Yes, but what is it? That has been many people's reaction to the furore over the Large Hadron Collider, due to be switched on on Wednesday.
The biggest, most expensive experiment in history is attracting both scientific hyperbole and hysteria. Some say it will reveal the universe's secrets and lead to the elusive Theory of Everything.
A few fear that unleashing unimaginable power beneath the Swiss countryside will result in the end of the world. But how? And what do all these words mean?
Large
It is an understatement. A giant circular tunnel, with several loops, stretches for 27km under a stretch of land between France and Switzerland.
Hadron
The name for one of the types of particle that make up an atom. These tiny bits of energy will be propelled by giant magnets around the tunnel circuit at almost the speed of light.
Collide
Is what they will do when they meet other hadrons being beamed in the opposite direction, at the same great speed. The resulting explosion will create 100 000 times more heat than the sun, apparently.
Thankfully, it will happen only for a moment, in an area a billion times smaller than a speck of dust.
Cern
Pronounced "sern". The French acronym for the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, which built the £5-billion (about R70-billion) collider. The money came from 20 countries, including Britain, which has played a leading role.
The Big Bang
Is what they are trying to re-create. Or rather what happened a trillionth of a second after the universe was created by an explosion nearly 14-billion years ago. It is believed that for that tiny moment, everything was molten plasma. This cooled to create everything we see around us.
The hope is that by remaking the moment, in miniature, scientists will be able to see things that are invisible now.
The God Particle
Big name, very small thing; and the first great discovery they hope to make. It is believed we have detected only a quarter of the particles in everything. We don't, for example, know why things have mass. (To get a feeling for what that is, hit yourself on the head with an inflatable hammer, then a real one. The one that hurts has more mass.)
In 1964, Professor Peter Higgs of Edinburgh University predicted an unseen particle that provided mass (its official name is a Higgs boson).
The hope is that it will be detected for the first time. Other possible revelations include so-called dark matter, which in theory "stretches through space like an invisible skeleton".
The Theory of Everything
The Holy Grail of science. A unifying theory providing one explanation for the forces at work in the natural world, from the nucleus of an atom to the movements of the planets.
Sounds like alchemy to non-scientists, but some very respectable minds believe it is possible, and that the collider may show the way.
The End of the World
Some scientists, on the other hand, went to the European Court for Human Rights to try to stop the collider being turned on. They fear it may create a black hole - which would certainly violate our rights by sucking the planet into … well we don't really know.
Professor Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith of Cern says: "The chance that we produce a black hole is minuscule." It is not all that reassuring, but he adds: "Even if we do, it can't swallow up the Earth." It would be too small. Till then we're not all doomed. - The Independent on Sunday

This article was originally published on page 4 of The Star on September 08, 2008

Mission Green Earth...Stand up and take action

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:09:25 GMT

It is said that the average person utilizes the oxygen from 16 trees to survive his/her life-span. Every human being is invited to take this opportunity to offer trees back to mother nature, by participating in the worlds’ largest tree planting effort. Globally the intention is to plant and nurture 100 million trees. This action is to be performed between 15th July to 16th October 2008. Will you do your bit?

WHY PLANT TREES ?

- To reduce global warming

- To have a clean & green environment

- To protect the environment

- To protect biodiversity

- To promote global cooling

- To reduce pollution

WHERE TO PLANT

Schools, wasteland, farm boundaries, along the river banks, hills, roadsides, sides of railway track, playground boundaries, home gardens, public places, thermal stations, coal mines, military areas, universities & educational institutions, fertilizer manufacturing company premises, pesticide manufacturing premises, government office premises, municipal areas, government lands, industrial areas, places where there are high levels of pollution, etc.

Note: when planting, always seek the permission, and support of local government, schools, business, and the respective landowners, at the place you wish to plant.

Baby Abbott

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:44:39 GMT

Hi All

Well my mom was missing me … so she had her 11 week scan yesterday. I am 3.54cm big and I have real hands and feet now … cool! If you look at the scan … I am facing forward with my big head on the left and my round tummy. The little white thing at the top is my hand … yes … I can wave! I was moving around a lot and I heard my mom say “Oh .. it’s so cute”! When my dad saw me he said I look like an “Indian myna” … I assume that is also cute??

On 16 Sept the doctor will check that all is fine with a measurement on my neck (for downs) and from there on … things should get exciting. At 16 weeks my mom and dad will finally see who I am. My mom went on the Internet and looked at the Chinese lunar calendar !! She believes I am a Girl! Oh well .. my sister Maxi will be over the moon! I suppose you will have to wait until then!

My mom is still feeling a bit sick … but slowly coming right. Her stomach is getting fat and she is dreading seeing Dominique on Saturday cause she knows she will be called “Biggie Tegie”!

Take care .. chat soon. xx

Baby Abbott No 2

The Happy Parents: Cameron Abbott & Tegan Mare

The Wisdom Of The Cherokee

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:46:36 GMT

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people.

He said; “My son the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked: “Which wolf wins?’

The old Cherokee replied;…….. “the one you feed”.

Frienships

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:51:05 GMT

From: christine long
Sent: 25 August 2008 06:08 PM
To: Kate Abbott
Subject: Thank you

Dear Kate,

I have just received four emails from my girlfriends in different parts of the world. I love each and every one of them and just know I am so blessed and try to devote email time for their needs as well.

You have been especially kind Kate and it brings back so many wonderful memories as to why we became firm friends in the first place.

I have always held you in a place of trust and are so glad that this has been returned to me by circumstances.

There always is a gold lining.
Go well,

Christine

Volcanic eruption meets lightening storm

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:02:49 GMT

I received these awesome photographs today which I just have to share with you. I salute the nameless photographer.

Photo Album: November

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 02:55:30 GMT

November

Coffee Break

Contemplative Kate

A Rose from my garden

Corks authenticating producer

Burgundy

Cabernet-Sauvignon-

Old wine

Ah a good Shiraz

To Your Good Health

Sole With Spinach

More photos...

Photo Album: Christmas Cheer

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:06:24 GMT

Christmas Cheer

'Tis The Season to Be Caring

Seasons Greetings

Holly....so warm and welcoming

Wishing You All Well

Christmas pies

Party snacks

More snacks

gift cakes

Photo Album: February - Moments in time

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:24:11 GMT

February - Moments in time

moment in time 1

Moments in time 2

Moments in time 3

Moments in time 4

Photo Album: April in Clifton

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:08:16 GMT

April in Clifton

Evening Bliss at Clifton House

The patio at Clifton House

Misty Clifton Cove..View from deck at Clifton House

View from Clifton House, Lavender hues, boats sailing past...

a little yacht goes by as viewed from Clifton House

A picasso sunset, view from patio Clifton House

more magical sunsets as viewed from Clifton House

Sunset over Clifton cove. view from Clifton House

Early evening Sunset, View from Clifton House

red sunset over the bay as viewed from Clifton House

More photos...

Photo Album: May 2007

Mon, 14 May 2007 03:41:53 GMT

May 2007

basil

dill

oreg_marj

rosemary

tarragon

thyme

Photo Album: The Month Of June

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:21:57 GMT

The Month Of June

strawberries and champaign

Fresh straberries

The wine valley Franschoek

Photo Album: July

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:09:22 GMT

July

Chess

Staircase.jpg

Photo Album: 19 August

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:52:24 GMT

19 August

food

wine

Photo Album: Blog Images (3)

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:03:13 GMT

Blog Images (3)

Love chocolate

Chocolate Expresso_171.jpg

Chocolate Expresso_thumb_812.jpg

Photo Album: August

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 06:48:41 GMT

August

food

Photo Album: Blog Images (2)

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 04:15:26 GMT

Blog Images (2)

New August 2007 C.jpg

New August 2007 C_thumb.jpg

Just a Mum_406.jpg

Just a Mum_thumb_000.jpg

clip_image001_500.jpg

clip_image001_thumb_531.jpg

clip_image002_687.jpg

clip_image002_thumb_687.jpg

coffee E Vida_187.jpg

coffee E Vida_thumb_578.jpg

More photos...