Learning with
Granny!
Treasure Hunters
Hettie and Alex were amazed to see the change in the quiet little rural seaside
village over the holidays. Crowds of holiday makers arrived and filled the
houses, hotel and boarding places. Bringing with them boats, water skis,
microlights, four wheeler bikes, beach buggies and lots of happy faces.
Tion loved having company his own age on the beach, and
as he played in the rock pools he told them all about the planned trip 'up
Africa'. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful fireworks display that began at midnight
to welcome in the new year.
The 'wild coast' was at its sparkling best. The sun
shone like a diamond on the glimmering blue sea most days and the sand varied in
colour from almost white to shimmering black in places.
Our young 'treasure hunters' explained that the black
in the sand was due to oxides of metals such as iron and titanium. Titanium is
used in paint and other materials to strengthen it. They were familiar with the
now dis-used mine where attempts had been abandoned some years ago and enjoyed
giving a guided tour of the old building and the sediment tanks used by the
miners.
Alex, Hettie and Tion followed the children cautiously
as they entered the dense bush alongside the beach. They stayed on the narrow
little path and sometimes had to crawl on their hands and knees to get under the
overhanging bush - up sand-hills and down until they came out in the most
beautiful 'fairy glade'. Here they could stand up and look around at the exotic
tropical plants and trees. The air was damp and hot and the sound of birds very
clear in the overhanging trees.
 "I
bet there's treasure in here" said Tion - "do we have to dig for
it?" 'No "- said Terry smiling, " this place is the treasure -
just look at the enormous tree!" The others had walked up to it and were
touching its huge trunk which had all sorts of things carved on it. Click on
Tree doc for a picture of the Big Tree.
"People shouldn't do that," said Hettie.
"We were taught never to damage a tree - we could cut down a dead one to
use as firewood - but we must not harm anything that grows". "Just
look at some of these dates" said Alex running his hand over some of the
initials that were now old and gnarled, "it's amazing, this tree has been
here for years and years".
"They call it a Banyan Tree - like those that grow
in the Far East," informed Lee, "but this is really a wild fig or 'ficus'
- see how the branches drop down to the ground and re-root themselves like tough
rope." "Monkeys must really enjoy this tree."
"Let's sit quietly on this log in the shade and
maybe some monkeys will show themselves." said Ann.
They sat in the 'mystical forest' and enjoyed their
picnic tea. A little deer appeared but Margie scared it in her excitement. Tion
got restless too, so they decided to move back out to the beach and carry on
with the treasure hunt. (Go back and look under the Big tree
and see if you can spot the little deer, a monkey and a lizzard sunning itself
on a rock - but whatever you do - don't take off your shoes - there are lots of
stinging nettles on the mossy floor of this 'tropical glade)
Vinny took the lead back and shouted to the others as
he crawled out onto the beach, "dolphins - there is a whole school of them
in the sea." Everyone speeded up their pace and crawled out to catch a
glimpse of these beautiful sea creatures swimming north in the shimmering water.
They decided to join them in the water and tried to keep count as the leaping
group sped past. They gave up and just enjoyed watching them from the breakers.
"Where should we go now" asked Ann when the
dolphins had rounded the bend and were out of sight.. "Let's go to the
'Ships Graveyard'" suggested Vinny. "Oh yes, let's go - that's my
favourite place" answered Terry. "Mine too," added Anne,
"It's where the wrecks of ships lie somewhere under the sea - we might find
some 'treasure' there."
 "What's
the treasure you are looking for, Anne" asked Alex. "Beads and bits of
china from the long ago" she replied. Enter the picture to the right to
see what the 'treasure' is.
"It's pieces of Chinese china that are thought to
have been from containers used to carry Carnelian beads from the East to trade
with the people along the African coast - Granny had one bead and a few little
pieces of china. Some people used to find quite a lot in the past, but now not
many are lucky," Lee informed Alex. "Some of the local people find
small amounts and sell them to tourists - but Granny won't buy any and only
enjoys the bits she has found herself."
Alex was very keen to go and see
the area and said he had seen some of these items in a museum in Durban when he
was still at school.  "They
have an excellent display in the East London Museum for anyone who is interested
in doing research on this," added Lee reminded about the museum. Enter the
picture to the right to see what an old sailing ship looked like and also a
modern representation of 'Ming China.'
Nobody found anything at the 'treasure beach' but they
had a lovely time playing in the rock pools and swimming in the river. They saw
lots of birds and identified a Black Oyster Catcher, Sandplovers, sea gulls, and
even a beautiful Fish Eagle.
By this time Tion had begged a
ride on Alex's back, but he soon got off when the others started collecting sea
shells. They all had their little plastic bags folded neatly in their pockets
for this purpose. They took just a few special shells each. Tion preferred
periwinkles, barnacles and mussel shells. The others were more selective and
went  for
the 'piggies, coffee-pots, pagodas and spirals'. Margie said they would study
their shells and find their real names in Granny's shell book when they got
home. Enter the picture to the right to see some pretty things made with pagoda
and spiral shells.
Pretty pieces of coloured 'seaweed' dried cuttlefish as
well as 'babies cradles' ( Chiton mollusk) found their way into the 'treasure
packets' too.
"I'm hungry," wailed Tion. "So am
I," said Lee - copying his tone. "I'm not surprised," said Hetty
- it's nearly 3 o'clock. They hadn't noticed the clouds building up. "Come
on everyone - it looks like rain - we can have a lovely afternoon looking at our
shells."
"We're going to be looking at our pillows - aren't
we Tion," Alex informed them as he lifted the tired, hungry little boy back
on to his shoulders. "Let's go and show Granny our treasures".
A Poem about how YOU can share Treasures.
YOU can be a 'treasure hunter' too
So Granny's giving you something to do.
Choose dolphins or titanium and see what you find.
The search will help to stimulate your mind.
Write a short 'story' just as a test
On each topic we'll print the best.
Dolphins should be easy to find ...
A sea dwelling creature with a well developed mind.
A hint to where you'll source Titanium
In The Table of Elements - before Gold, Silver and Uranium
It's used in strengthening rocket nose cones
And on glass cooking tops in some of our homes.
You don't have to be a 'rocket scientist' to reach
into space
Earth's treasurers lead to many a magical place
So drop us a line and see how you fare
In helping share SCIENCE with others out there.
_________
Science Granny 2004
Next month:
Next month we will be travelling South to visit Frikky
and Shilling, who will be joining the party to make final preparations for the
CyberTrek.
If you would like to e-mail Granny
your questions and ideas please do so at granny@scienceinafrica.co.za
Until Next Month, Happy Reading!
Granny Jenny
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