Woodrock Sterilisation Clinic - a good news story!

 Co-founders Nicholas Meldau and Estelle Meldau cut the ribbon to open the Woodrock Sterlisation Clinic with Deborah Blane and the lovely Rosabella Catherine Merle Blane the 2nd from Schnauzer Friends South Africa.

We love to hear stories with a positive outcomes. Especially when there are animals involved. Woodrock Animal Rescue in Hennops River was able to the raise their goal of R1-million to build a state-of-the-art animal sterilisation clinic. It was a dream because their mission states that they are pro-life and want to better the lives of all the animals they rescue and take care of.

The celebration for the sterilisation clinic was held this past weekend. We could unfortunately not attend, but I send a few questions to the co-founders of the rescue centre, husband and wife team, Estelle and Nicholas Meldau. They unveiled the initiative that will go far in helping Woodrock to make a difference to the lives of so many animals. The centre works to educate the surrounding communities about pet care, health and sterilisation, as well as medically treating rescue animals.

Had a good laugh about the anecdotal stories, Woodrock... (see below)

Wordless Wednesday #223 - Blowing bubbles at cattle

Going to the zoo Is a good second best

We were planning a camping weekend, but it did not pan out.
The Johannesburg Zoo was a good alternative for getting in touch with nature.

The giraffes were a firm favourite 

Quality time with my big sister

Posing in front of the gorillas

The lion right next to the window

We could not pass the rides at Joburg Zoo
with the inquisitive eyes of a toddler!

Related post:

The two-year old's first day at the zoo

Posted with Blogsy

Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve - first bee sting

This afternoon we had the most glorious time at the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve near Muldersdrift on the West Rand. The weather played along very nicely for Hubby's end-of-year function.

The toddler got her first bee sting. She handled it very bravely when the teen came running with her with the stinger still attached to her foot. She just got a little bit excited, as the rest of us, when a bee landed on her face as well. Luckily her Dad sorted that bee, and got rid of the stinger very quickly. She was happily occupied for about half an hour when I gave her Rescue Cream to put on the swollen bite area. (Nothing that gets the toddler in one-track mode than a little bit of cream...)

I have not been to this Nature Reserve for many years, but it is definitely a place well worth visiting more than once. Not only can you drive around and watch animals like rhinos and bucks, but there is also lots of fun stuff for the kids to do!

Mieka and Dad had a swim, which she enjoyed very much.

There is a baby animal center, as well as reptiles to look at.
We got there when the baby lions were being fed, which was a huge bonus. They usually close the area at 4pm, but they let us stay to watch.

The bird wanted a piece of that snake, but no luck! Really funny to watch!

There is a restaurant as well on the premises, and the children all got an ice-cream at the end of the function.

I can definitely recommend it as a place to take the kids! Mieka could not get enough of seeing the rhinos, the hippos, baby lions, as well as the snakes. I wish we had more time than just this afternoon!

The best of all; she fell asleep almost at her usual time, and not a peep from her since...

Weekend withdrawal kicking in

Sunday evenings are the worst. Following a perfect relaxing weekend with the family; who wants to jump back into the rat race on Monday? Aaaargh!


May your Monday be a good one!

I am busy watching the last of the World Cup! My vote goes to the Orange Team, the Dutch. It promises to be a good game... Vu-vu-vu-ze-la!

Picture update:

Looking at the ducks with my friend, CP
Tres Jolie

Chasing the chickens
Tres Jolie

Not cautious about sitting on the donkey
Tres Jolie

Enjoying the jumping castle with Dad

Visit to uShaka Marine World in Durban

We took the toddler to uShaka Marine World in Durban on Friday. She had an absolute ball! We did not think that she would enjoy it as much, but she enjoyed everything.


At 18 months there is response and reaction to especially all animals! Now it is an absolute delight for us to show her how nature works. It is quite amazing at how they respond to all kinds of animals (or fishes)!

My teen can’t remember the places we took her to when she was small. Before the age of five years! We were joking and saying that maybe we are wasting our time, money and effort showing them the stuff! But of course it is not true. The more we expose them to nature and how it works, the more they will be interested in it and the more they will have empathy towards it. My thinking, but I am sure it is correct in saying this?

The dolphin show went down very well, and the toddler was clapping each time a dolphin jumped out of the water. When they played the World Cup song of Shakira Waka Waka with the dolphins, she was dancing and singing along, and we had to pull her back from the railing a couple of times.

She loved looking at the fishes and sharks and turtles in the big tanks!

uShaka Marine World is a great place to take the kids! A bit expensive, but well worth it! We enjoyed it just as much!