Howdie folks... and mates and friends, etc

It's been a while now that I keep getting requests from South Africans to do an organized photo weekend for Renderosity members in South Africa.

Personally I think it's a bad idea because the previous times we had such a lot of fun. We did day shoots, hikes in the mountains, evening photography (sunsets), night time photography  and sunrises. We exchanged info on cameras, techniques and we learned to know each other. Harry did an upside down stunt with his tripod and Vera caught a black mamba with her bare hands. The snake survived! We had braais (BBQ's for the Americans) and we hardly slept AT ALL! I am not willing to risk such an event again! :blink: ...or am I? :wub:

Read more here about the previous event.

Oh and before I forget, there was the Bona Bona weekend where some of the photographers needed dry pants after a lion charge but I am not going to mention any names and any reference to Este and/or Zeldie is purely coincidental. See photos...

See? I am not for this weekend, BUT if you insist, let's get the ball rolling: :woot:

Most ideas up to know were for visiting some nature reserve or any place presenting lots of opportunities for photography in the wild. It should be affordable and the weekend should include the Friday too. It should be fairly central in the country if at all possible...

What about November 2008?

Places like Madikwe and Pilanberg were mentioned. Any other ideas and places/venues? I think Carin (meisiekind)  will help organizing, I hope, I haven't asked her yet. I can be contacted via sitemail or cell phone nr +27832931944

Oh and don't forget to order your Renderwear long in advance! I will make sure I supply the link to the site in this forum soon.

Oh and if any of our overseas members really want to risk having such fun, just sign my indemnity forms for splitting your sides and you are welcome to join in! (Kidding, you are welcome either way!)

COME ON FOLKS, WHAT DO YOU SAY?  :b_cool:

Post your thoughts here...

I can be there !!!   (In spirit)   :wub:

I'll be there.  Whoever is arranging this weekend, please keep me up to date?  Oom Piet, please provide my e-mail addy to whoever is arranging this weekend?

Oh and Harry, I heard you're going to kick my butt?????  Bring it on buddy!  ;)

Attached Link: Order your Renderwear

"Oh and Harry, I heard you're going to kick my butt?????  Bring it on buddy!  ;)"

AAAAAAAAAAAAI Zeldie You can MOS not believe everything Piet tells You and even less wat he shows You. :lol:

But if A Challenge is wat you want Consider  “ it  “ kicked  :glare:

I am in for it
(Just have to ask Vroulief)     :scared:

Keep us posted pls so we who can not go have a glimps of the real thing. Thanks Piet.

seeya  Tunde

LOL!  Harry, jou mond is groot ne Boet?  ;)  Consider "it" kicked nogal!  Windgat mannetjie! 

Oom Piet,

I don't know who of you guys do the camping thing, but why not consider Koro-Koro?  I have to go there sometime anyway to check out the place because I'm arranging the next WegSleep get together there for March next year.  They have a website too and there's accommodation for non-campers too ;)

Oh, and Koro-Koro is near Bela-Bela.  So really not that far.

@ Tunde: We will keep you posted but please ignore all the silliness, half of us are not this way. Not always at least, lol.

@ Shari: Thanks for your visit. Let us know your expected time of arrival. :)

@ Zeldie: You are taking on the big league. Last time you were in sack cloth and ashes about the Glued Bulls losing a match, this is much bigger!
@ Harry: Remember, cowboys don't cry!

Here are the places/regions mentioned so far:
Madikwe site one and two
Pilansberg
Koro-Koro

@ Carin: Where are you?  Sampled too much Mampoer lately? :m_fit:

Piet, sillines is part of the good time, you guys/girls a cool bunch, pls be silly. ( I don't think I have to ask for that )

seeya  Tunde

Agge nee Oom - if its gonna be in November you'll have to count me and Vern out! :(
My tummy will be way too big to fly or drive to the Transvaal! (due date is 30 November)

Next year maybe, but Evie will still be VERY small...

I will come and visit now and again in the forum to what you guys are going to do...

Now Im sad... :(

Shoot that sounds like a lot of fun!  Wish I could come!   Well maybe I can live the experience with your images and stories!  Have a safe and delightful time!

shakes head  Oom Piet, you've got it all backwards!!!  I'm still HUGE on the BLUE BULLS thank you very much!  I'll wear my WegSleep cap this time though, to spare you the pain.  Your team is WHO again???  dux  ;)

I vote for Koro-Koro.  But wherever we go is fine with me.  I just don't want to spend half a day on the road again Oom Piet.  This time it has to be not that far from home.  I contacted Vera and sent her the link so let's see if she's up for some fun.

Andy is in the UK at the moment but I think he just might fly up to Gauteng for the weekend - if we ask nicely enough that is ;)

Attached Link: http://www.goldengate.co.za

Count me in!!! And in November I'll be part of a package - so please count Bruce in too. I am already teaching him Afrikaans and thus far he has mastered the following words: Braai, Poephol, Ouma, K*k - as you can see - the most important ones to help him get along...

I have also had a look at Golden Gate for a possible venue for the weekend. The link is below. The only concern might be that there are only buck and no big five material to photograph. There are however wonderful landscape photo opportunities as well as great birds and flora... Have a look in any event... It is nice and central.

Anyway... have to lie down again..
I'll keep an eye on the forum and will check out Pilansberg and Madikwe!

Hugzzzzzz, Carin

I'm in, i'm in! smile 

Ahhhh!! You guys are so lucky. November (here in MN) is the start of the bitter cold and snowy roads season! Anybody wanna pick me up on your way? LOL. grin

Hello all

@Santa - Yeahhhhh - I'm so glad you're in!!!

@Jodie - I'll ask Bruce to pick you up on his way from Canada. Are you ok to sit on the wing??? lol....

@all - I'm with Zeldie - I like Koro-Koro....

I'm feeling better tonight!! Let's hope the antibiotics is starting to win the battle!!!

Hugs, Carin xx

Attached Link: Bakgatla

I am thinking it is not that sore. Ahhh! I stopped! I was wrong. But Bela Bela is have days drive from Leeudoring, and I am interested in Pelansberg I have never been there and you can stay in a tent for the price of cheap cheap. Live like a Voortreker (frontpuller) fore the weekend.  I looked at Koro-Koro's page, can’t find that they have tent accommodation, unless I need glasses and looked like my ...  But Madikwe i understand have camping site around the Park. Madikwe and pelansberg is about 250km from Leeudoring. Fore instance Bakgatla as Camping site and chalets and even Executive Safari Tents if you can afford a 1D

@Meisiekind  -  A braai sounds Lekker!!

Oom Piet I like Pilansberg ,but i dont know if that is to far for Zeldie and i will only be able to be there for a day or 2 becauise my wife is working now and she is only off on weekends.
So keep us update Oom Piet.

Regards,
Christo.

I'm in for Pilanesberg too.  And Harry, camping is not necessarily like living like a Voortrekker, Boet!  We do it in style!!  ;) 

So Pilanesberg it is then?  But which Resort?  Manyane or Bakgatla?  Go check it out and let me know what you guys have decided.  As I've said - we're good to go as long as it's not too far to drive.  And I'm bringing a new friend along and an amature photographer.  And we'll be camping, we won't do the chalet thing.  Oh by the way - we prefer Bakgatla (just a thought).

Oh and Carin, I like the language you're teaching Bruce!  He's going to fit in reeeeaaaalllll nice between the bunch of us!

Oom Piet, is there a rugby game scheduled for that weekend?  Just wondering - I'll bring the television with giggle

Ok ok, enough babbling.  I'm off to a Stork Tea (yeah, I'm the photographer).  Now first of all I'm not one for "tea's" whether it's a Stork Tea or a Kitchen Tea.  I just HATE that type of thing!  At least I'm hiding behind the camera and don't have to participate in all the verbal communication (YUCK!!!)

So I'm going to shurrup now and leave the decision making up to the bunch of you.  Ag Oom Piet, as die spulletjie nou uiteindelik besluit het waarheen hulle wil gaan, drop my 'n e-possie toe seblief?

Hi all

I'm not camping like no Voortrekker.

(Dis klaar gedoen! Verby! Oor! Hoekom moet ek die wiel re-invent!!! Ek sal in 'n luxury tent kamp (met sy eie badkamer)... daar is ek saam met Zeldie!) Ek doen nie gemeenskaplike badkamers nie!!!!! (Executive safari tents sounds good!)

Bakgatla sounds ok although it is a HUGE camp. I just find Pilansberg so terribly boring, but maybe I was just unlucky everytime I went there.... If the decision falls on Pilansberg, I'll still be in!! If we go to Bakgatla, I can even get a chalet as I think some other RR members of my family might also go. BrightSideUp is my one son's girlfriend and Raydekker is my other son. The 5 of us can then get a chalet... Sooooo... maybe not such a bad idea after all...

Piet - about time you get your behind on the forum again and give us your thoughts. It's about time we start making a decision on where and when and get some bookings going!!!
The General has spoken!!! Str face

Hugs all
xx

Hi Mama Africa, at last you showed up! I hope you are well.

How do you all feel we give it another 10 days or 2 weeks just for broader participation. Hopefully I will have notified most SA photographers.  Will 2 weeks still leave us enough time to make reservations?

Do you know we have a list of 28 people registered on Rosity who i know of? This means we can almost take over Renderosity and move its headquarters, lol. Very important request: If you have the contact details of a cherished (or not so cherished) photographer, please contact him/her and let him drop us a line here in the forum, please. Thanks Zeldie, I see you contacted some of the renegades in the UK.

I don't regard a Free State reserve as far fetched. The only thing is they don't feature any of the big five - except for one reserve catering for Buffaloes. However, they are hard to beat on versatility: nature scenes, vulture sightings and abundance of plains game.

@ Zeldie: Run, go blabber at the Stork tea for the day. We will keep you posted. :sneaky:

@ Carin: I need a hand letting all the Rosity members know and supply a link. Do you think you can handle half of the site mails?

@ Bruce: Please my friend, I need to talk to you urgent. All these Afrikaans chatting in here needs to be brought to your attention...  :blink:

Here my Afrikaans needs to set the record straight: HIER KOM 'N DING! :ohmy:

Hey guys! I'm glad to see you guys are planning something like this again!

I would have loved to join you guys, but things are so freakin' hectic for me at the moment that I barely get a weekend for myself anymore.  I've been doing studio shoots for the last 3 months, every weekend, non-stop. This weekend was the first time I got to relax a bit.

I also had something amazing happen to me two weeks ago. I got a call from a local gay lifestyle magazine and was asked if they could do a feature on me and my photography for their next issue! I almost fell off my chair! LOL!  It started out as a two-page feature, but when I sent them the shots I did, they were so impressed that they are contemplating doing a four page feature! Woohoo!

Anyway, I'll keep an eye on this thread and, just maybe, Shane (my hubby) and I might be able to make it, you never know!

If not, you guys must have a wonderful time!

Also, my gallery here at rosity is a bit outdated, because of the whole one-a-day upload thing. Feel free to check out my homepage for links to my website etc, if you're interested in seeing more of my stuff.

Cheers,
Johann.

Johann you woke up! :rolleyes: Thanks for the update, we will keep this updated as we go along. Congratulations on the article/feature in the magazine! I am proud to know you belong to this community.

Today Carin and I will send out site mail to the list of 28 photographers in South Africa we have on record, inviting them to report in this forum.

LOL! Well, I've been away the whole weekend. Hence the quietness :)  We took a well-deserved break and spent the weekend at a friend of our's farm in Mpumalanga. It was a great, relaxing weekend.

Oh, I wish I wish I wish I could get in on this funfest!  I guess I'll be joining with Shari and be there in spirit.... unless I win the lottery before then.....   :(

If you win the lottery PLEASE consider picking me up.  I'd really rather NOT sit on the wing (thanks for the offer Carin!)!  I watched the planning and shenanigans of the last trip with envy.  The only difference this time is I've not seen much (if any) mention of Mampoer.  Did I miss it??  Isn't it an essential backpack item?  Hmmmm...  I'd better go re-read.  :-P 

Lol i will pass the Mampoer session.Did have enough of that.

Regards,
Christo.

Ok, now first of all - I don't camp in a tent.  Second of all, we actually do the camping thing in a Jurgent Penta, Carin ;)

I still don't like the Pilanesberg idea to be honest.  We've been there about 6 weeks ago and I'm honestly not interested to go again this year.  I still feel that Koro-Koro is the better idea.  But that's just my opinion.

Hello all :-)

Well... I would love to come to wherever you have it, but will have to see what the budget is like!!! 

I'm afraid, as far as input is concerned, I lived in Namibia for almost ten years until last year, and prior to that I was strictly bound to the Western Province, so I'm pretty useless with knowing of anything anywhere else in SA!!!  Please forgive this Capie!! haha

But I'll watch the thread and hope and pray wherever you guys decide won't be toooo far from Welkom!!

Piet & Carin - thanks for letting me know about this, though - I hugely appreciate it!!

Dankie Meisiekind en Piet for the info.

Ok maaikies, ek van Bloem die kant, maar ek neem nie foto's nie. Ek net 2D/3D artist.
Ek sal like om te join as ek mag en dalk 'n paar foto pelle bring wat nie op Rendo is nie.

For info I added Nature Reserves around Bloem, etc. and FS area. Might give an idea what you are looking for. Don't know what animals u wanna kiki. I visited some of these places and loved them. So enjoy:

Hugs
Antoinette

http://www.southafrica-travel.net/kalahari/e6ofs03.htm
http://www.sa-venues.com/game-reserves/fs_sterkfontein.htm
http://www.sa-venues.com/game-reserves/fs_gariepdam.htm
http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/Free_State_Nature_Reserve.html
http://www.travelandstayinsa.co.za/jakstrydom
http://www.akdonline.co.za/kalkfonteindamnaturereserve_freestate.phtml
http://www.places.co.za/html/tweenat.html
http://www.mtbroutes.co.za/route.php?route_id=228

Hey! Our friends are waking up! GOOD.

@ Kathleen: Don't you worry about a thing. We will keep you posted but please participate here, you are an equal member. Please supply either me or Carin with a cell phone number to contact you.

@ Antoinette: Don't you dare try and convince me you are no photographer! LOL. Thanks for the links.

It will be a good idea if everybody could start sending a contact cell phone number to me or Carin. Don't post it in here though, for your own safety.

Ok Piet sal jou my details stuur...LOL
En dit was 'n groot pleister.
Hugs

Hi One and All,

This sounds like a great idea, one that I missed out on a few years back too.  It is great to see some of the responses, given that I was not even aware that some of the members are from the good old RSA!  Carin and Piet are doing sterling work.

Sadly a negative leave balance due to a nasty accident which had me of work for 9 months, means that I would be unlikely to be able to participate, unless the event is held in Cape Town over a weekend.  Sniff.

I would still like to be kept up to speed on events.

Cheers,
Clive Fulton

Thanks for the invitation Carin. Please keep me posted. It sounds like allot of fun and I dont want to miss out..

SusiQ stretches awake after being woken from her winter hibernation

Good morning to all you fine render folk
How are you now that I have woke?
My slumber has been disturbed I see
So tell me now, what's it to be?

A gathering of the renderosity crew
With animals and hilarity to view?
Such a wild and wooley weekend..
Oh I'm so glad to be your friend.

Just let me know the when and where
I'll bring my tent and food to share
But please, Sir Piet please don't forget
Pack extra pants that might get wet..........
 

Sue! :woot: The poet is requested not to reminisce on past misdemeanors !

A special welcome to the "new" photographers joining in on the silliness for the first time.

Hey, I see people are slow (except for Zeldie) to favor any possible venue from the places mentioned up to now. Please feel free to speak you mind. I am fine because right after the weekend I am going to disappear into the tall grass of the Kruger...

Excuse my ignorance
Tho' ignorance is bliss
What's the trip's date...?
Perhaps I did miss?

I know in November
May I know on what date?
Cause during November
I've a lot on my plate....

So I'm checking my budget
To see what to do
I'm tweaking and pulling
To be there with you

I've checked out the sites
and the one that appeals
Is the Koro² lodge
and it's welcoming feel

As to past misdemeanors
I do sympathise
So as not to cause trouble
I'll shut up and be wise......

And please dear Sir Piet..
Could you do me a favour?
bring a taste of your Mampoer
For me to there savour???

How many votes do we get for the second weekend in November?

It is Friday 7th to Sunday 9th? Votes?

It seems we have 2 votes already for Koro Koro!

Ordering fresh supplies of Mampoer...  :rolleyes: (Hier kom moeilikheid!)

Does Koro Koro have camping facilities tho?  I checked their site and they said there's a caravan park, but no mention of tents as made. 

If we do go, we'll have to "rough" it - but that's the fun part!!

:b_unbelievable:

I mean... check what happened last time we went camping!!!
The tent burnt down!

OK, will have to talk abnormally here for a minute
(sorry, I'm used to rhyming on this website... lol)
I've emailed Koro Koro for prices and camping facilites for my own info and will share if anyone would like to know.
Those dates sound great...

Ouch about the tent!!! That sounds like an interesting tale to tell over the braai one of the nights hey? I'm used to having my air mattress deflate under me & not my tent from burning up over me.... lol

Eutopia,

They do have camping facilities.  If we do decide to go to Koro-Koro, let me know.  I'll phone Adele and confirm our weekend and the details with her, so that she can put the whole lot of us together - that is the rough campers giggle

The rest who are too afraid to rough it a bit, you can stay in chalets dux

I hate ants and other crawlies and flies and sand... :ohmy:

@ Zeldie: The concern was raised that Koro Koro was a bit small and may lack diversity of wildlife. Put our minds to rest because you have been there. I do see they mention game drives (sporting big five) are on adjacent reserves at extra cost. Please tell us a little.

About a date: It is Friday 7th to Sunday 9th? Final votes?

Oh, a last thing: no smokers will be allowed to drink Mampoer, I have seen enough tent arson evidence in this forum... :crying:

AGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sooooooooo @$#@ angry..... (excuse the temper)
My 1 boss has decided that he is going overseas in November so BANG goes my plans to attend again!!!!

AGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS I haven't heard from Kora² yet...

No Sue! Get a new boss! Tell him he is meddling in the affairs of big fry now!

I once had a boss
be not gentle to the soul
no different than a horse
no wonder the kid of a foal
better brief him soon
i may send him a load full of manure...

Thanks Zeldie - I'll definitely let you know if that's the venue we all decide on.  I'm still pretty much going with the flow, as my knowledge of anything worth going to is basically zip-zero!!  As long as wherever we go has camping facilities we should be able to make it :-)

Susie - what a blow!!  I can well imagine how miffed you must be!!!!

Piet - as far as dates are concerned, those are still good for us.

Next time it'll have to be closer to my side of the country so I can be there for the weekend only and to $#%@ with the bosses... lol..

I wish I could go but I need 2 days 'worktime' travelling (one there and one back)

Hey did you guys here about the fuel increase due in September? You'd better budget that into your cash flow.....

Ag nee Oom Piet - is it the age thing or your memory that's lacking?  I have not been to Koro-Koro as yet.  I'm arranging a huge camping weekend for a Magazine during March next year when we will be camping there though.

Oom Piet, you can phone Adele at 082 908 4448 and ask her about the Game Drives.  Feel free to confirm that I referred you. 

I've done a bit of browsing... and found this little gem.
Anyone interested?

http://www.places.co.za/html/wpretorius_gr.html

Willem Pretorius Game Reserve - populated with three of the "Big Five"

"About a date: It is Friday 7th to Sunday 9th? **Final votes" date sounds good 4 me

Can we deside on a short list with prices and then vote on it?**