Tag: rainy day

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Ring making workshop

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Workshop Wednesday! I don’t know about you, but during these time, I have been trying to come up with other hobbies that I could get into that would mean I would have more to do during this pandemic. This is a throwback to a workshop i did a while ago. I want to share with you guys.

In Winchester there is an opportunity to do a ring making workshop – a lovely girl named Marion runs them – she is a jewellery maker by trade. Check out her stuff on instagram: Marionlebouteillerjewellery

Upon arrival, we were given tea, of course, a shown how to use some of the mysterious tools that were on the bench in front of us. You could use hammers and etchers and all sort to see what effects you liked and what you would like to put on our ring during the process. Obviously doing it on copper to test first, but be aware how it turns out on copper is not always how it turns out on the ring – warning.

You have to admit some of the effects are really cool – you want to put all of them on the ring. but best to chose a top 3 – I did more than that and although I am pleased with the result in hindsight less is more.

Once we have had a test, and a drawing of what we would like, we were given a strip of metal to make our ring out of. Careful to not put our ‘patterns’ to the end of the metal as to not impact the joining of the two ends, we set about imprinting our mark.

Once completed, we were trusted to heat up the strip to make it into a ring – usually this is not something that is done by the individuals. It can get quite technical and if children are involved not always the safest.

I was so pleased to have Marion there, as having the advice to make slightly more complex designs and understanding each step of the process was incredible. She really helped us, especially when it came to the acid, and then the buffering it all out. Even helping us to edit the rings when they came out a bit small. With only two of us there it meant we had her undivided attention, and all of the time to be able to make exactly what we wanted.

Okay so the end result is nothing to sell in a shop – but it was a really fun workshop . The value for money was great. I think it was £50 for the day, and you get to play with the tools and create something you actually would want to wear. It was a great time to spend with my mum, a great rainy day activity. I tell you what, I have a greater appreciation for jewellery makers now!

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Two Oceans Aquarium

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Location: Waterfront

Price: R175

Okay I know Aquarium’s are much of a muchness, all are very similar however I had heard some wonderful things about this place. So one a cloudy day I decided it was the perfect opportunity. It is one of the more expensive places to go. There is a massive range of fish and sea creatures to be enjoyed and learnt about. It is very accessible for families, wheelchairs and prams included.

Surrounded by Nemos and Dorys – hard feeling to beat according to this childs face. Bless him. This is right in the start of the Aquarium, and you walk through there are a few smaller tanks to see the stranger of the fish. As you work through there are sea horses and crabs and eels. The explanations are very easy to understand and read. The only challenge is then trying to see the different creatures, in the different tanks.

As you turn a corner there is darkened corridor – normally I would be the last person to go into this voluntarily but curiosity killed the cat. The photo below is what i was greeted with.

So I turned the corner and I am welcomed by Jellyfish , tubes of Jellyfish, and surrounded by mirrors so it made it look like there were hundred of them. It was a very cool affect – no pictures can really do it justice. Another ‘exhibition’ that could not be photographed well was a darkened one too, where you press lights and it lights up the tank in certain areas to see if the fish and crabs of that prefer the dark. This was just incredible. I loved it.

Just beyond here was a touching pool, the lady was in the know, showing me what could be eaten and not eaten. I got to feel all sorts of kelp and sea weed, starfish and other plants too…the woman tending it was very chatty and happy to explain everything. I love the hands-on learning in places like this. They really do help the whole process.

The big tanks for me are always the best part about Aquariums, either being able to walk through it and see everything going on around you, or just sitting and watching their world from a distance. Seeing the Kelp forest you start to appreciate the underwater world, the different sizes and colours. I must have sat here for a good 10-15 mins just watching penguins dart around and the fish avoid one another. All the big tanks have somewhere to sit nearby so you can just relax and take it all it.

There are to penguin ‘exhibits’ in the Two Oceans Aquarium. I happened upon them during feeding time, so I could see them in their element as above. It was very interesting to hear the explanations of how they distinguish between the different animals and how they all have name . They have to keep track of what each penguin eats and ensure everyone gets something. – What a job…

Just behind this part of the Aquarium, there was a section that helps you realise about the plastics used in daily life along side an interactive learning space to make sure people make the right choices with packaging and products. The ids seemed to love it.

If you get there at the right times you can change various feeding points. As I mentioned earlier I saw the penguins being fed but also the Stingrays. This Tank I watched for maybe 30 mins. It has so many fish and rays it was hard not to be fascinated by them. The divers explained everything so well, everyone was mesmerised by the experience. The lady on dry land helping to guide the conversation had to come up with a lot of the questions herself – i think we were all a bit dumb struck.

All in all, this place is a lovely stop on a rainy day or somewhere when it is too hot to be outside. As anywhere gets its busy and quiet periods. There i wifi throughout the Aquarium and it is easy to navigate, there is a cafe half way around and play pens for children too.

Until next time

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Mojo Market

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Location: Sea Point

Times open: 10 – 10 every day !

This is an indoor market – not the most popular in town during the weekend, but i can imagine during the week at lunchtimes it would be manic!

Mojo market has food galore, again from a range of cuisines, the ice cream is exceptionally good here as well. There are a number of bar too, which have good floor space, so a cold beer with your food, this would be the place to go. I have not seem alcohol freely available at other markets.

Not only food and drink available here as well guys, amongst the labyrinth of corridors there are boutique shops with less of your usual souvenirs, and more African print t-shirt and children’s clothes. Ordinary clothes and jewellery. It is a nice space to walk around with two ATMs at either end of the market and the stalls seem mostly permanent and therefore card is more widely accepted.

Live music is definitely a theme for Cape Town Markets, these places seem to be just ready for these up and coming artists. The audience is quite large and with decent set times – its a gig you would want.

As you can see from the picture above, there is ample places to sit and watch the world go by, there is free wifi here for those who want or need to work. Their is upstairs seating for those that want to get away from the hub bub of below. The cricket was on in the background, no sound but enough to keep an eye on the score if that was your thing. I saw so many families here, relaxing with pizzas and groups of friends enjoying a bit of everything.

It is a good market and to be available everyday – one that I know I will be visiting again.