Our Homeschooling Adventures and Activities for August 2021.

August Adventures and Activities.

August Activities:

Homeschooling.

Two week break.

August began with a two week break, as we headed off camping in the Zambezi Valley. The joy about homeschooling is that I can set my own calendar and take breaks, as and when it suits the family.

As we were heading off for a 10 day camping expedition, I needed a few days preparation, to organize and pack for the trip. With the children on a school break, they were able to assist and learn all about what it takes to prepare for a week’s camping trip.

This was a major exercise, as our remote destination required us taking everything, including fuel for the boat and vehicles. In Zimbabwe, we don’t have the luxury of well stocked shops along the highway, so all meals for the road needed to be prepared beforehand.

This two week school break turned out to be wonderful family time, as well as quality time spent with others. Our children thoroughly enjoyed the fun they had camping and interacting with other children.

Getting back into the school routine, after a break, is always a bit of the shock to the system, -as it takes a few days for everyone to settle down! We shall now push on with school, throughout September, before we take another break.

Homeschooling Friends.

Murray John got himself a new rabbit called ‘Flash’, so we are back to two rabbits and two guinea pigs.

Homeschooling Art/Crafts.

Craft this month was more mechanics and vehicle maintenance. The children enjoyed checking the boat and camping trailer in the workshop, together with the farm mechanics. All the vehicles were also checked and tool boxes packed, ready for the trip.

This month, Paula Joy managed to make a lovely hanging shelf for her horse grooming kit – and she also knitted a funky beanie for herself.

Murray John cut 40 wooden trailer boards, using his circular saw. This task took a few afternoons to accomplish.

Horses.

Horses take a break.

The horses had time to rest this month, whilst we were on our camping trip. With this rest they all put on weight and were fat and fresh, when we returned.

As the children now have the knowledge and experience to ride most of the horses and ponies in our stable block, they continued to train and school them.

After our camping trip, it was time to get all the horses and ponies ready for another month of polo. This took up the children’s afternoons, leaving me free to catch up on my work.

Farm polo practice.

We so love our weekend farm polo practice, so we continued with this, whilst we all wait for Covid lockdowns to be lifted.

Homeschooling Sport.

No other sports this month however, if lockdown does ease up, the children’s sports will begin next month.

August Adventures:

Farm Life.

Dalston Farm.

The irrigation of the Winter wheat crop continues. The children check the irrigation every evening with their father. We also had to plan for the tobacco planting in September and we had thousands of banana seedlings arrive from South Africa.

It is always very busy on Dalston!.

Zimbabwe Economy.

Electricity load shedding increased this month, as the country’s economics continues to struggle.

The road network is now particularly bad, especially along the main highway from Harare to Chirundu (where we travelled on our camping trip), which is now pitted with enormous pot holes! This is the major road up into neighbouring Zambia and is in desperate need of repair.

We travelled 400km from the farm to the Zambezi River, which took us 10 hours to complete, due to the very poor condition of the roads.

Environmental Awareness.

Camping in Chewore, along the banks of the Zambezi River, is a wonderful place to learn about nature and to observe the many different species of birds.

This year, the children had the privilege to see the Pel’s Fishing Owl. We all enjoyed watching the numerous birds, whilst fishing on the Zambezi, and our bird knowledge is steadily growing.

Wildlife, along the banks of the Zambezi, never disappoints. However, every year the crocodiles seem to get bigger and bigger and one needs to be constantly aware!

Back home we discovered that a Giant Eagle Owl/Verreaux’s Eagle Owl is nesting in our hay shed. She is currently sitting on two eggs. We observe her every day and look forward to seeing the chicks hatch.

Travel.

Chewore Camping and Fishing Trip.

The children loved the camping at Chewore, along the Zambezi River. We used to do the long drive in one day but this year we broke the drive up and spent a night on route. This worked out to be much better for all and less tiring for us parents.

Once at the river, we met the rest of the people in camp. We all had a lovely week of fun, laughter, fishing and family time.

Taking a week away from the Wi-Fi and the world news is very good for the soul. Each day turned out to be a great adventure and Douglas and Paula Joy both caught 14 pound tiger fish.

Poor Murray John is still looking for his tiger fish! He did manage to hook a few but they all got away. Hopefully next year Murray John will succeed in the tiger fishing department.

The bream fish were around but proved to be hard to catch. We found one place where we caught a number of nice sized bream and, after a few days of fishing, we had enough for a lovely, fresh bream dinner.

Daily lunch on the sand bars proved to be superb fun, with games from rounders to open gates played by both children and adults alike. Loads of fun and most certainly great exercise!

My latest post is about our day trip to Chikwenya Island, which was the highlight of our camping trip. This was certainly a trip to be remembered…and cherished.

No doubt we will venture back to Chewore next year, with the dream of catching a bigger tiger fish.