in search of suitable firewood.

Now as Autumn ends, and Winter begins in the Berg, there becomes a higher and higher need for firewood.

So on a golden, late Autumn afternoon (3 June 2012), I went firewood hunting.

About a week before, I had noticed, on a dirt road near where I live, alot of scraps which had fallen off trucks loaded full of off cuts.

Basically, I parked my car, walked 100m collecting what I could see, loading the car, driving a bit further, and doing the same again. Untill I had a car full of wood.

Alot of this wood is full of dust, as it's been lying there for ages, and now it's the dry dusty season.

I was quite impressed with my improvisation, and use of time, over money.

I had enough wood from this collection for about a week of fires.

(the pictures below, are property of Matthew Chaplin, and due to copyright laws, may not be used without the authors permission)

in search of an invasive alien free world heritage site.

 On the 29 may 2012, I joined a group of volunteers to chop down alien vegetation on the sani pass road, which cuts through the ukahlamba drakensberg world heritage site.

This day was arranged by Russell Suchet, of Sani lodge backpackers. This is the second such day he has arranged, and the plan is to have an alien eradication day, once every six months. 

Due to the fact, that this area is in a world heritage area, it is obligatory to encourage local vegetation, and fauna.

Due to frustration, at the amount of spreading alien vegetation on and near the Sani Pass road, and the lack of action taken against it, Russell and those who volunteer have decided to try and start the ball rolling in the process of getting rid of these trees. The main alien removed on this day were wattle and gum trees.

Through this, hopefully more awareness can be created, and more and more alien vegetation can be removed.

The trees mentioned above, affect water supplies, as they drink plenty water, and also they take over the local vegetation.

(the red stuff, seen in the pictures, is poison that needs to be put on the base of the removed tree, so it does not grow back.)

(the pictures below, are property of Matthew Chaplin, and due to copyright laws, may not be taken/used without the authors permission)

in search of history

 I am very intrigued and fascinated by nature and history. 

By what was, and what is, and what will be. 

On Sunday, 27 May 2012, I did a great hike to some bushman paintings in the southern Drakensberg.

I am very gratefull to the bushman, for leaving these marks.

These magical marks, to make us wonder in mystery what there world was like.

I am always trying to see the world as others do, or did, and these painting always take me to a far away place and time.

(the pictures below, are property of Matthew Chaplin, and due to copyright laws, may not be used without the authors permission)

in search of a suitable reality.

zach, "minitjie" buddie, accidentally ended up in the laundry today.

in search of a suitable reality.

in search of a suitable reality.

on one of the pony treks trip i guide, palesa hanging out, and playing with
ida's glasses.

in search of a suitable reality.

a collection of pictures from the handing out of blankets. each sheperd that was there is featurd here, plus names will follow soon.