Victoria and Albert Waterfront

After a dinner of lasagne, sausage rolls, salad, watermelon, and ice cream, we headed over to the Waterfront. Lynne had arranged for a shuttle to take us back and forth, so in two trips, everyone had been dropped off. The Waterfront is a haven of activity which would appeal to just about anyone who likes to shop, or eat, or listen to live music outside while sitting near the ocean, or just mill around and see what's going on.

There were numerous restaurants, shops featuring South African crafts, and the ubiquitous World Cup Soccer t-shirts, caps, flags, soccer balls, stickers, water bottles, dog outfits...you name and it has "World Cup Soccer 2010" embroidered, or printed, or stuck, or glued to it.

The Waterfront was a nice diversion from the hard work of the afternoon. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed their showers and a chance to put on clothing that a) they had not worn for the 28 hours of travel or b) that was not covered in compost in various stages of decomposition.

Now, I was sad to realize that I had left out one crucial aspect of of compost work at Soil for Life, which I must address now. And that would be our up close and personal contact with more indigenous wildlife. As we were covering our huge mound (again, 3 meters long by 1.5 meters wide by 1 meter high) of compost in order to let it bake with a very large blanket, screams erupted as a mouse jumped out of the first blanket that we used. The mouse got away and someone made the agreed upon by all statement that "At least it was not a rat." A little while later, we encountered a few cute little frogs and several extra-large grubs. The great thing about grubs is that they do not jump or spring or run. They just kind of lie there looking grubby. After lunch, as we unblanketed the compost to turn it, a rat ran out of the pile, right at me and then turned and ran between Charlotte and me. The rat did get away and we were okay with that, and I was just as glad that no one made any more "Well, at least it wasn't a ..." as when we began to sift the ready compost, a green snake (variously described as "cute," "green," and "icky," and met with sounds such as "Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!" and "Eeeeewwwww," as well as the sound of feet hitting the ground really quickly and moving in the opposite direction) slithered out of the pile, and after transferring my gloves to Tony, he picked up the snake and tossed it over the fence.

Tomorrow, we leave the hotel at 8:30 to head to a town nearby to make compost. I'll attach a few more photos from today for your viewing pleasure! More tomorrow!

Kathleen and Charlotte enjoy the view. Lunch at Soil for Life - black tubs in left rear are worm beds.

Akeila and Prince cover the new compost pile with "wet, green." "Wet, green" is the smelly stuff.

On right, Emily, Christina, Arlene, Stephanie, and Akeila enjoy Table Mountain.