Visit to Nylsvlei - 28 - 31 May 1999
Many months ago Ed Finlay mentioned that he had been approached to give a talk on astronomy, and would I bring my telescope along! It was all very vague, and we understood that we were to be going to Nelspruit to talk to a group of bird-watchers. When Ed confirmed the event some weeks ago, we were still uncertain as to where we were going, and to whom we would be talking. Then Ed received the navigation data, and we realised we had been somewhat off the mark, and were going to Nylstroom.
A friend and I had spent many hours looking for the "Nile's Eye" in the area between Warmbaths & Nylstroom without success, notwithstanding the many signboards. Our error was in expecting a single spring-like source, being unaware of the marshy area north of Nylstroom known as "Nylsvlei". This wetland is a long strip with the motorway running parallel to it, is a nature reserve formerly administered by the Transvaal Province, now run by the Northern Province.
The accommodation is comfortably basic. The building that Ed & I were in contains eleven bedrooms, each with two beds; and two bathrooms (showers). There is another "sleeping" building, about which I know nothing, and a third building containing a kitchen and dining room. The dining room doubles as a lecture hall and has a projection screen..
These buildings are in good repair, and the grounds neat & tidy, thanks to the efforts of our hosts - The Friends of Nylsvlei. This group of people have taken it upon themselves to maintain the facilities in the reserve. I think that they are all members of the Wildlife Society, mostly from Pretoria, who have adopted this reserve, and are doing a splendid job of keeping it up to Parks Board standards.
The driving force and guiding light of this group is Marion Dunkeld, and it was she who had been in contact with ED. The week-end event was not for the members, but for the general public who had responded to an advertisement to attend a course on "Rock Art and Stars".
Our job was to deliver lectures on astronomical subjects (Ed), and to provide an opportunity to view some of the wonders of our universe ( Bill Lockhart, who brought his ten inch LX200, and I ). Unfortunately, no thought had been given to the moon, and on this week-end it was almost full, so we were unable to do much more than view the brighter objects. However the moon is always a good subject for newcomers to astronomy.
Both Ed and Bill agree with me that this site provides a better alternative to Swinburne for our annual Star Party, as there are no bright lights in view, it is closer to Jhb, and the weather is possibly more stable, and would cost much less. The down side is the absence of supplied meals, and a pub, neither of which is a serious loss.
Marion came up with a very attractive idea for a "Millennium Party" - to go into the bush to watch the Last Sunset and the First Sunrise. As the moon will be ten days past full, the night could be used for viewing (weather permitting). The fact that the millennium only changes twelve months later , could be a good reason to repeat the exercise! (six day old moon)
"Rock Art and Stars" was a very pleasant and happy week-end, and I hope that the other participants had an equally enjoyable time. I feel that an association with the Friends of Nylsvlei would be mutually beneficial.
Melvyn Hannibal