Things to do with the family this weekend

To celebrate the move to Level 2 and subsequent opening of parks and other recreational areas, here are a few places to visit and events to diarise:

• Guided walks and goldmine tours reopen at Kloofendal Nature Reserve
The Kloofendal Nature Reserve has also reopened, and the Friends of Kloofendal’s (FroK) guided nature and educational walks, as well as goldmine tours have also resumed. According to Karin Spottiswoode from FroK, all Covid-19 regulations, which include wearing a mask, will be adhered to at all times. Walks are generally easy and most events are suitable for all ages. Daytime guided walks cost R90 for adults, R70 for pensioners and 50 for children. For more information and/or bookings, contact Karin on 07 693 5608 or visit their website on www.kloofendalfriends.yolasite.com. There will be two events for September, a goldmine tour presented by Rod Kruger on 20 September from 2pm – 4pm and a wild flower walk presented Karin Spottiswoode, also on 20 September, from 9am – 11am.

• Stepping in the footsteps of our ancestors at Melville Koppies
Most people know Melville Koppies as “that beautiful koppie with 360 degree views”. It’s a nature reserve now so no-one lives on it but some of its stones and rocks tell a story of who once lived there and what they did. Because of lock-down there are no guided tours at Melville Koppies but instead you can self-guide yourself around with a map that points out some of the key historical spots. From one particular spot, at the foot of a small rise and sheltered from the freezing southerly wind, you can then walk just 200 metres up to the top of the rise and down again and walk through 100 000 years of human history. First you’ll stand in what was once an early San/Bushmen settlement with views to Magaliesberg. If you’ve got sharp eyes you’ll be able to pick out stone walls against the slope – these are the remains of the early farmers that lived on the koppies from about one thousand years ago and also knew how to smelt iron from the rocks. Then if you climb up the slope and over the top you’ll find a blasthole from the 1880s and an adit (a mine entrance) where the Geldenhuys brothers tried to find gold. Unluckily for them but luckily for us, they didn’t find enough to warrant mining. More details about all of this as well as how iron was smelted from rocks can be found at the lecture hut. Come and see for yourself but make sure you pre-book and pay (R80 adults and R40 children) for either 20, 24 or 27 September from 8am to 11.30am. For more details, send an email to wendavid@mweb.co.za or phone 011 482 4797.

• Hikers and runners can visit Avianto in Muldeerdrift again
Avianto Trails in Muldersdrift opened their gates again for hikers and runners. They offer a variety of trails, and all of them are pet-friendly too. Before visiting them, take note that tickets for the weekends are to be bought online at www.avianto.co.za/avianto-online-trail-tickets but, if you visit them during the week you have to report to the reception to purchase a pass. All trails start at The Clubhouse on the Avianto Lifestyle Estate. Running and walking trails are ideal for a fantastic day out in the countryside. Approximately 5km of scenic routes offer a great exercise option, regardless of your level of fitness. Pets need to be on a leash, and remember the poop scoop. They are situated on Avianto Plot 69, Driefontein Road, Muldersdrift.

• Missing your weekly parkrun?
Sterkfontein Heritage Lodge, 1 Wolf Street, Rant-en-Dal, has the answer for you! If you have a parkrun barcode, you and your friends will be able to access the parkrun route for free. All you need to do is report to reception, show your barcode and you are good to go. All the owner asks of you is to support the restaurant after completing your route. For non-parkrunners and those who would like to visit the lodge for a hike or to cycle, the lodge is also open at a fee of R40 per person.

• Picnic at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden on Malcolm Road, Poortview is now open for picnics, bird watching and photography, walking, hiking and running. The restaurant is also open. The Sisulu Circle, children’s play area, garden gym and drinking fountains are still closed. If you wish to visit the Garden, remember to wear a mask, sanitize at the entrance and ensure social distancing. The group limit is 50 persons. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online on the webtickets.co.za website to limit physical contact.

• Living Waters of Hope hosts their annual golf day
On 1 October, the Living Waters of Hope will be hosting their annual charity golf day at the Eagle Canyon Country Club, 3 Eagle Canyon Boulevard, Eagle Canyon Golf Estate. The format will be a Betterball Stableford with an 11am shotgun start. A four-ball costs R4 000 and includes green fees, golf carts, halfway house lunch and soft drink, as well as the prize-giving dinner. There are still opportunities open for sponsorships. For more information, or to book your space for this fun-filled day, contact Debbie on 084 555 0224 or send an email to debbie@trsa.co.za.

• NG Kerk Roodekrans hou basaar!
Op Vrydag, 2 Oktober, hou die NG gemeente, Rodoekrans hul heel eerste kry-en-ry basaar by die NG Kerk, 7 Azalea Laan, Roodekrans vanf 4nm tot 8nm. Kom herleef die era van die Padkafee met heerlike basaarkos. Smul aan die heerlike sosatie ete, kerrie en rys, malvapoeding, beskuit, melktert, fudge, klapperys, koekies en nog vele meer. Daar sal ook “lucky packets”beskikbaar wees. Alle bestellings moet via die elektroniese bestelvorm geplaas word, beskikbaar by https://bit.ly/35k2vGV. of stuur jou naam en van na die WhatsApp nommer 079 401 8000 (stoor eers die nommer in jou foon). Bestellings sluit op 28 September,en all bestellings moet by die kerk, op 2 Oktober afgehaal word. Vir meer inligting, kontak Gerhard van Rooyen op 083 455 6426 of Helene de Jager op 083 408 2132.

Remember to send notifications of your events to roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za/ northside@caxton.co.za.