Ashleigh Whaley
October Adventures and Activities.
October Activities:
Homeschooling.
In early October we had the most adventurous trip to the Zambezi River. It is always a mammoth task getting ready for such trips, but the children are learning how to get organized for big camping adventures. With great family team work, we were able to get everything done on time.
Although our trip was a family holiday, it was also an educational one for the children. Murray John loves learning how vehicles and boats operate, so he works with Douglas, organizing that side of the trip. Paula Joy works with me, planning and packing meals, tents, linen etc. With a trailer breakdown, on the way to our destination, the children also learnt how to ‘make a plan’ when things go wrong. All this activity certainly helps reinforce our family motto. “The family is the team and the team is the family.”
‘Good Parenting Requires Godly Leadership.’ is my latest post on tips of how to bring up children God’s way. Enjoy!
My ‘Trinity Rock’ trips.
With the new farm up and running, I have to be there at least one day a week. The children are now able to get on with their school work during my absence, whilst Douglas keeps an eye on them. Once back, I then help the children with any work they may be struggling with. However, most of the time, they are more than capable of getting their daily school goals achieved. This is a good example of us having got all our school basics into place, so that everything can now run smoothly.
Homeschooling Friends.
Murray John’s cat ‘Seb’ is often found lying on his school desk, whilst Paula Joy’s cat frequents the school room less frequently. The rabbits and guinea pigs continue to be the most enjoyable pets.
Homeschooling Art.
This month was dance month… The children spent most of their evenings teaching the farm children the ‘Jerusalema Dance Challenge’. The children had such fun and there were many discussions about how hard it is to teach children who do not have great listening skills! This activity turned out to be a great way for Paula Joy and Murray John to exercise their leadership skills. The end result was a wonderful video, filmed out in the field, amongst the annual wheat harvesting operations.
Horses.
Dancing on their ponies 
Riding with no hands.
October is pony club show month. This meant that the ponies needed to be ridden daily, in preparation for the show. Dressage tests had to be learnt, as well as an understanding of what is required for the showing classes. With two horses each, the children spent most of their afternoons riding and preparing. This was an opportunity for Mum to give them riding lessons and to work on developing their all-round horsemanship skills.
The show was an enjoyable and busy weekend. It was also a good learning experience for the children. They both came away with rosettes and some great memories.
Murray John got the trophy for the best turned out horse of the show and he certainly makes sure that he is dressed for the part!
Murray John and ‘Monty’ dressed in the Ghost Busters movie theme. They came fourth in the fancy dress.
Paula Joy enjoyed her showing experience and looked beautiful on ‘Poppy Long Stockings’ in the showing class.
Paula Joy and ‘Poppy Long Stockings’ dressed in the Fame movie theme for the fancy dress.
Well done children! -Now it is time to build on what has been learnt, as preparation for the next show.
Homeschooling Sport.
We had little time for other sport this month. However, we did manage the odd cricket, music and ballet lesson, whenever we were in Harare.
October Adventures:
Farm Life.
Dalston Farm.
Wheat harvesting. 
Grain Carting.
October is wheat harvesting month at Dalston. Murray John spent every spare minute, either with the grain carting lorry, the combine harvester, or the tractors, as they carried out land preparation. One day, he even started school at 5am, in order to be finished before the combine harvester went into the lands. Murray John really did have a wonderful harvest time!
Trinity Rock Farm.
With the irrigated tobacco crop at Trinity Rock, the children continue to learn the husbandry behind growing a tobacco crop. We also erected a lovely sign on a post at the farm entrance. Also, one aged tractor has now been repaired and returned to the farm. We have certainly been kept busy, as we continue to enjoy our trips to the new farm.
Zimbabwe Economy.
We visited a friend’s farm and went to see their cattle. Cattle farming is very difficult in Zimbabwe, as stock theft is huge. Cattle need to be herded and guarded all day long and then guarded again all night! This makes stock management extremely challenging.
Environmental Awareness.
Sitting in a boat on the Zambezi River is a wonderful place to see, learn and chat about the environment. Whilst fishing we studied the birds and animals, as well as discussing the river water levels. We also discussed the environmental reasons behind the Tiger Fish ‘catch and release’ method of fishing. What a wonderful learning experience this has been!
Our collective bird knowledge has greatly improved. However, we are still looking for a Narina Trogon and an African Skimmer. Both are rather difficult to find, but we shall continue to search… -Please drop us a message should you spot these two rare birds.
Travel.
Our adventurous trip to the Chewore Campsite on the Zambezi River was a
wonderful family time! We certainly enjoyed our ten days spent with nature and the children did so love camping and fishing.
My last post “Our Amazing Adventure to the Zambezi River, Zimbabwe,” is a detailed account of this truly memorable experience.
Please continue to keep safe and do keep praying…
“The Lord refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
Please write your comment below…..
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Ashleigh, you continue to inspire and entertain us with your posts! Marvellous to see Zimbabwean farm children growing up with such enthusiasm and joy…
We have see African Skimmers on the Chobe River in Kasane. A Narina Trogan was also spotted in Pandamatenga, Botswana, by your brother, Dean, who has logged it with the bird watchers RSA. It had never been seen in that area before.
Hopefully, they will hop over the border and visit Zimbabwe!
Thanks for that and we shall find the birds on our next visit to Botswana.