The Rockshop at Harties

Take an early morning walk with me through Manyane Lodge at Pilanesberg Nature Reserve as I explore the devastation left by a fire that destroyed 40 chalets in September 2023. The intense heat melted glass into fascinating shapes, a haunting reminder of the blaze’s power. I share my thoughts on the scene and the future of the lodge. Back at the chalet, the mischievous baboon made another visit. Determined to find it, I follow its trail, only to have it bark at me and dash away—likely mistaking my camera and gimbal for something threatening. Along the way, I meet security guards who share tips for staying safe from the opportunistic baboons. They explain how these clever animals break windows and doors to access food, emphasizing the importance of precautions like keeping windows closed and food out of sight. On a brighter note, the guards assure me that restoration efforts at Manyane Lodge are set to begin soon. To wrap up, I include footage of the majestic elephants we encountered...

Welcome to Manyane Lodge in Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, where our goal was simple: treat the grandchildren and introduce them to the beauty of birdwatching. Armed with a bag of garden bird seed and a bit of papaya, we turned our stay into a haven for some of South Africa's most stunning bird species. On day one, the first visitors to the feast were the guineafowl and Natal francolin. Soon after, the Grey Lourie (Go-away bird) arrived, drawn to the fruit, followed by the striking crested barbet. The "bospatrys" made its territorial presence known, chasing away larger birds, but it couldn’t stop the Cape starling or the vibrant Crimson-Breasted Shrike from joining the gathering. The star of the show? The Southern yellow-billed hornbill, whose antics included an amusing battle with its reflection in the windscreen. Over three days, I photographed an incredible variety of species—70 in total! Captured with my Akaso wide-angle camera to bring you up close to the birds' wor...

Join us on our midweek visit to Manyane Lodge in Pilanesberg, a place rich in natural beauty but marred by the remnants of devastating fires. Over 40 chalets were destroyed in a blaze over a year ago, and the damage remains largely untouched. The scene feels abandoned, with melted windows, hoses left in the grass, and decay all around. Earlier this year, the main reception area also fell victim to flames, adding to the sense of neglect. Despite the challenges, we made the most of our time with family. From chasing a cheeky baboon that boldly stole cheese buns from our chalet, to tracking impala footprints and examining their droppings, every moment became a teachable and memorable adventure. Follow us as we explore the lodge's grounds, encounter the notorious baboons on their morning raids, and enjoy the serenity of the abundant birdlife that calls this place home. We end the video with stunning shots of the local avian residents. Leave your thoughts and comments below—have you vis...

 I cut some stunning Botswana agates with my grandchildren. We start by cleaning the saw and selecting a few promising agates to cut. Along the way, we encounter a centipede (known as a duisendpoot in Afrikaans) in a sad state, its back crushed—not by us, of course! As we cut through these agates, we marvel at their unique beauty and variety. Did you know that agates, although a type of microcrystalline quartz, are harder than regular quartz? These Botswana agates, renowned as the "kings of agates," don’t disappoint, revealing incredible patterns and colors. The most charming part? Listening to my Afrikaans-speaking grandchildren try their hand at English—it’s absolutely adorable! If you enjoyed this video, let me know in the comments if you'd like to see more agate cutting. I still have about 50 kg of these beauties waiting to be discovered! Want to own your own piece of Botswana agate? Visit our online store at www.bronnrocks.co.za to explore our latest stock. We ship...

In this video, we dive into the unique process of acquiring and preparing crystals from Malawi. Join me on the journey as I navigate sending payment across borders, starting with finding a Mukuru agent (who, as always, can be a bit elusive!) to book the transfer, then heading to the local mall to finalize payment. Once our contact in Malawi receives the funds, the real work begins. I start with a closer look at an extraordinary geode with Richelle, appreciating its natural beauty and distinct features before launching into the process of prepping the crystals. From washing and sawing bases to capturing photos for our online store, it’s all hands-on! The first phase wraps up with an African-style crystal cleaning—boiling in oxalic acid over an open wood fire. If you enjoy the art and adventure of working with crystals, stay tuned as we transform raw gems into display-worthy pieces.

In this video, we take you through the unique process of cleaning beautiful, rare quartz crystals from Mozambique! These quartz plates include stunning goethite-included quartz, smoky quartz, and amethyst. We start by carefully cleaning off the dirt from the crystals before packing them gently into a 100-liter drum to avoid any damage. The drum is filled with water, then we add about one and a half cups of granulated oxalic acid, which will help dissolve the iron oxide stains. Once the crystals are packed and submerged, we secure the lid and place the drum over an open fire. As the water heats, the oxalic acid works to transform the iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) into a more soluble form (FeO₄). After several hours of boiling, we pressure-wash the crystals to reveal their natural, vibrant colors. This video captures how we prepared and packed the drum, and heated it to boiling. Stay tuned for the final reveal of these brilliantly cleaned crystals!

Never encountered this before, the spirit of infirmity that bound up Grace for the past ten years left through her hand. It travelled from the shoulder down the arm and left though her hand. God is amazing I just stopped this elderly lady before she could get to her car. Why did I stop her. She was walking with a cane and this was the day of her miracle. I then asked permission to pray for her and she got instant relief after Jesus healed her from pain that has kept her bound for ten years. I give God all the glory.