Fire Extinguisher Refills

While on holiday in South Africa the fire extinguishers at the farm needed their annual maintenance check up and service. Bayteck drove to the farm and we were able to see the process.

 First each cylinder is checked for pressure and whether the powder is compacted.

 If the powder within is compacted the cylinder is emptied of it's contents.

 New powder is measured and poured back into the cylinder.

 The nozzle is refitted and the cylinder is re pressured.

 The cylinder is then washed and new stickers adhered with expiry dates and inspection dates.

There are a few types of extinguishers on the market today.

Source

When you use a fire extinguisher remember to PASS

Source

 An interesting look at the history and types have a look at Wikipedia, Atwood Fire and Security, Fire Safety Advice Center,

That sums up our fire safety explorations.
Blessings
Chareen

A trip to Khamai Reptile Centre

When we lived in South Africa 16 years ago we managed a farm called Richmond Game Farm.  On the corner of the farm there was a little park called Swadini Snake Park and we were friends with it's owner.  So on our return to SA we decided to take Sir N and Miss J and go back for a visit.


A lot has changed in 16 years and we had a wonderful day rediscovering Donald's park which has been renamed Khamai Reptile Centre.  I highly recommend his website it is full of interesting information. Donald is an expert on snakes from all over the world so if you have a snake question get in contact with him.

Khamai was opened as Swadini Reptile Park in November 1984.

MISSION STATEMENTS

• To conserve through education and research. 
• To locate, propagate and relocate rare and endangered reptiles. 
• To establish viable captive populations of rare and endangered reptiles.

In the Park there are an assortment of cement figures and one Sir N particularly enjoyed was the life size figure of a Nile Crocodile.  I think he was a little bit overwhelmed by it sheer size (so was I) and enjoyed climbing on it.  We learned about the Nile Crocodile during our Egypt Expedition Earth Study before we went to South Africa.

We then went over and had a look at the small one Donald had in an enclosure just behind the model.

At the Park you can find Lizard Rock Cafe where I can remember enjoying the most wonderful hamburgers for dinner. Sir N enjoyed exploring the interesting dinning room.


There are numerous snake enclosures to explore and I took loads of photo's of snakes and all variety of creepy crawlies.

This is an African Rock Python (Python Sebae).
 

• This snake can grow to 30 feet in length and is Africa's largest snake and the third largest snake in the world.
• They are non poisonous and kill their prey by constriction.
• Females lay eggs of up to 100 eggs in a clutch which she aggressively defends. 
• The babies are 18-24 inches in length.
• These snakes can live up to 12 years in captivity.

This is a Black Mamba.

• They get their name from the blue-black of the inside of their mouths which they display when threatened.
• These snakes can grow up to 14 feet in length and travel at speeds up to 12mph.
• They can strike from 4-6 feet away. Before antivenins were developed, a black mamba bite was 100% fatal.
• The Mamba has a lifespan of 11+ years.
• The fangs are Proteroglyphous and the venom is Neurotoxic.

Snake Skeletons of interest


One of the most interesting displays I found was one showcasing different snake head skeletons.

No Fangs Aglyphous Non Venomous Snakes.

Back Fangs (Opisthoghlphous) Venomous Mostly Semi Venomous but also Boomslang and Vine Snakes.

Front Hinged Fangs (Solenoglyphous) Venomous Adder or Vipers

After a good look around the different enclosures in doors Donald arranged for us to hold, touch photograph a snake.  I must agree with Sir N I don't like touching snakes however Miss J really enjoyed the experience.

There are three Squirrel Monkeys living in the gardens and when they saw we had some lollies they wanted in on the action.

Sir N with a Squirrel Monkey on his shoulder.

It was so good to see Donald and how much his park had grown.  If you ever find yourself in South Africa take some time to pop in and explore the park and take some time to get to know these interesting reptiles.

Blessings
Chareen

A day discovering Mariepskop Picnic site

We went with Dave to explore Mariepskop on Thursday last week.

On the way we found a Chamilion.

Here is a smorgsboard of what we saw and did

Some of the flowers we saw.

Mariepskop Picnic site

A little stream.

Looking up stream at the view points

Sir N enjoying the freedom to climb and explore

Paul enjoying the swinging rope :o)



Taking a moment to enjoy the sights and contemplate.



The view upstream



There are beautiful little streams all over adding to the tranquil feeling.

The view driving home after a wonderful day of memories.

It's been so wonderful watching Sir N explore and discover both himself and his surroundings.  I am enjoying watching him gain confidence with his own abilities.

Blessings from Africa

Chareen

A walk to the waterfall

On Wednesday last week we decided to take a walk up the mountain to look at the waterfall / stream that feeds the house fresh stream water with Sir N. 
In the beginning of the walk he complained bitterly but we persevered and had a wonderful time together.   This experience taught me not to give up too soon with young kids when going on a nature walk.

Here are a few of the sights we saw

The start of our walk

I love the shapes of the trees

Sir N found this rock and wanted to sleep there for the night !

Nearly there

Sir N exploring to find the best way up

Experimenting with shutter speed while the boys explore the mountain

The sun has disappeared behind the mountain. Time to go home.

I'm thirsty Dad!

This place holds special memories for Paul and I as we courted up here.  20 years ago we used come up here with his Dad and the school groups who had come to the farm for outward bound camps.  Paul and his Dad used to rig up abseiling ropes and the classes would climb up here and enjoy the day exploring.

Blessings
Chareen

Week 1 - Photography Challenge Showcase

I love taking photographs and capturing memories. One of the things I desire to learn is how to use my camera more effectively to capture the precious moments that happen around me daily.

I was reading on Erin's blog the other day that she has created a little Photography Challenge for the month of May. The challenge is to a photograph each day and explore a new aspect of photography.

While on holiday I have been using some of Erin's challenges during some of my travels.  Here is my first weeks attempt.

High Angle

Looking down on Jessica the Hippo.

Low Angle

Mushrooms growing at the base of a tree.

Changing Light

Sunrise from the balcony at Trackers.

A pink rose with the sun shining on it from different angles.

Up Close

Macro photography is one of my favourite forms of photography. I love to look for the smallest flower on my travels and see if I can photograph it.

A Frangipani bud.

From a Distance.

Sammy Marks Residence near Pretoria.

Sitting on a rock at The Three Rondavels View Point.

This photograph could be for two divisions. High Angle and from a distance.

Eyes

Miss J holding an African Python at Khamai Reptile Park

Emotion

Sir N didn't want his photo taken !

Thank you Erin I had a lot of fun this past week.

Don't forget to pop on over to Seven Little Australian's Photo Challenge Showcase Blog Hop and see the photographs other friends are taking and be inspired.

Blessings

Chareen

[PS To illustrate the length of time it takes to use the Internet in Hoedspruit:  It took two hours to upload these pics :) ]

Target Practice

One of the fun things to do on a farm is some target practice. 

Paul took out the air rifle and found a safe spot in the garden for us to learn about gun safety and do some target practice.   It's been years since I held a rifle and it brought back many memories.


Paul and Sir N doing some target practice .



Miss J and I had a turn too.

Blessings
Chareen