Stargazing Picnic at the Taalmonument Activities

Sterrekykpiekniek - Feestelike Sterre Affêre by die Taalmonument in Paarl

Kapenaars kan hul sterre dank vir die pragtige lugruim wat eersdaags weer danksy ‘n Sterre Affêre aandbesoekers by die Afrikaanse Taalmonument op Paarlberg sal bekoor. Daarom dat die vriendelike personeel een en almal uitnooi om op Saterdag, 10 Februarie 2018, ‘n feestelike sterrekykpiekniek in ‘n beeldskone omgewing te kom geniet. Besoekers kan die sterrehemel verken met behulp van Orion Observasie Groep (OOG) se lede wat graag hul kennis en teleskope deel. Boonop is ‘n pragtige sonsondergang en ‘n gratis begeleide toer van die ikoniese beeldhouwerk ingesluit én is die aand ten bate van ‘n geletterdheidsprojek.

Dié pieknieks is baie gewild onder plaaslike inwoners en oorsese besoekers, wat veral die mooie naguitsig van die vallei, berge en Kaapse Skiereiland geniet. Die tema is ‘Sterre Affêre’ en die piekniek begin om 18:00. Die begeleide toer van die monument is om 18:30 en besoekers kan van 20:00 tot 22:30 deur die teleskope na die sterre kyk.

Bestel jou piekniekmandjie of jy is welkom om jou eie te bring 

Besoekers is welkom om hul eie piekniekmandjies saam te bring of een (teen R300 vir twee persone, of R400 met ‘n mandjie ingesluit) by Volksmond Koffiewinkel te bestel (021 863 2800). Die onlangs vergrote en verbeterde Volksmond sal ook oop wees vir koffie en ligte verversings. Veilige parkering is beskikbaar en toegang word beheer. Onthou asseblief verkykers en warm klere.

Vir die sterverslaafdes onder ons wat graag briljante foto’s van die buitenste ruim wil neem, is daar boonop op Vrydag, 16 Februarie 2018, ‘n stersirkel-fotografiewerkswinkel by die Taalmonument. Deelnemers sal onder meer maklike en betroubare maniere leer om goeie stersirkel-foto’s te neem, hoe om die Suid-Hemelpool te identifiseer en watter instellings die beste werk om die Melkweg af te neem. [Sien kontakdetails benede vir navrae.

Bring gerus tweedehandse kinderboeke vir 'n goeie doel 

Die piekniekreeks word aangebied ten bate van ‘Laat ons Lees!’, die Taalmuseum se voorleesprojek vir kinders. Piekniekgangers word aangemoedig om ‘n nuwe of tweedehandse kinderboek saam te bring ter ondersteuning van dié projek.

Toegangspryse 

Die toegangsprys is R40 per volwassene en R10 per kind; kaartjies is by Computicket of die hek beskikbaar, maar bespreking (021 863 0543/4809) is noodsaaklik sodat daar vir genoeg teleskope voorsiening gemaak kan word. Sterrekykpieknieks sal helaas gekanselleer word indien die weer sleg is. Skakel 073 853 3100 of 083 544 6510 vir weernavrae. Vir meer inligting oor geleenthede, konserte en kursusse by die Taalmonument, skakel 021 863 0543/4809, besoek www.taalmonument.co.za of volg ons op Facebook.  Die volgende, en laaste, Sterrekykpiekniek van hierdie somerseisoen vind op 10 Maart plaas.

Stargazing Picnic Star Affair at Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl 

Locals can thank their lucky stars to live in a region with an incredible night sky that will once again entertain visitors with a stellar Star Affair at the Afrikaans Language Monument on Paarl Mountain. That's why the friendly staff invites one and all to enjoy a festive stargazing picnic in a beautiful setting on Saturday, 10 February 2018. Guests can explore the starry sky thanks to members of the Orion Observation Group (OOG) who love to share their knowledge and telescopes. In addition, a beautiful sunset and a free guided tour of the iconic sculpture are included, and the evening will be in aid of a literacy project.

These picnics are popular with local residents and overseas visitors, who especially enjoy the beautiful night views of the valley, mountains and Cape Peninsula. The theme is ‘Star Affair’ and the picnic starts at 18:00. The guided tour of the monument is at 18:30 and visitors can watch the stars from 20:00 to 22:30 with the aid of the telescopes. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets or order one (at R300 for two persons, or R400 with a basket included) at Volksmond Coffee Shop (021 863 2800). The recently enlarged and improved Volksmond will also be open for coffee and light refreshments. Safe parking is available and entry is controlled. Please remember binoculars and warm clothes.

For the star addicts among us who would like to take brilliant pictures of the outer space, there is also a shooting star trail photography workshop at the Language Monument on Friday, 16 February 2018. Participants will learn, among other things, easy and reliable ways to take good star trail photographs, how to identify the South Celestial Pole and which settings work best for photographing the Milky Way. [See contact details below for queries.]

Support the project "Let's Read" - Donate second-hand children's books 

The picnic series is in aid of 'Let's Read!', the Language Museum's reading project for children. Picnic-goers are encouraged to bring a new or second-hand children's book to support this project.

Entrance fee 

The entrance fee is R40 per adult and R10 per child; tickets are available at Computicket or the gate, but booking (021 863 0543/4809) is essential so that enough telescopes can be catered for. Stargazing picnics will unfortunately be cancelled due to bad weather. Call 073 853 3100 or 083 544 6510 for weather inquiries. For more information regarding events, concerts and courses at the Language Monument, call 021 863 0543/4809, visit www.taalmonument.co.za or follow us on Facebook.

The next and last Stargazing picnic of this summer season will take place on 10 March.