OUT AND ABOUT WITH U3A

     Tour Organiser and Leader: Gill Sagar         Bookings: Elaine Trouw

We welcome all U3A members on the tours below.

A few notes for those who participate

It would be appreciated if you would 

¨       arrive at the specified meeting place 15 minutes before the tour begins,

¨       wear your membership badge to assist with easy identification of the U3A Group, and

¨       note that refreshments will be for your own account.

Booking and payment

¨       Complete the Booking Form in block capitals, whether in handwriting or on your computer.  

¨       Deposit the total amount due into the following account:   

Account holder:  THE U3A JOHANNESBURG      Bank:  FNB, Rosebank    

Br.Code:  253305      A/c :  62036135706        Reference:  (Name of tour)

¨       Fax or e-mail booking forms, with proof of payment, to Elaine by the last booking date for each tour. (Her fax no. and e-mail address are on the booking forms.)

>        If paid by direct deposit:   Fax the deposit slip with the completed booking form.

>        If paid by Internet Banking:   Save the online payment receipt in a file called Payment. 

    Send Booking Form and Payment file as separate attachments in an e-mail message to Elaine.  

¨       Ensure that she receives all documents by the last booking date for each tour.

¨       Bookings will be confirmed when the required number of participants has been reached.

¨       Cancellation  Please advise Elaine as soon as possible of any change in your plans

                    (Tel 011-706-8145). Unfortunately there can be no refunds.

U3A does not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or injury suffered by participants in its tours.

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NORTHWARDS

21 Rockridge Road, Parktown

The 40-roomed mansion on Parktown Ridge, built by Sir Herbert Baker and now a National Monument, is a symbol of the wealth of early Johannesburg's Randlords and the grand style in which they lived.

This guided tour, lasting about 2½ hours, will commence with the viewing of the interior and exterior of the house and a resumè of the history of the house and exquisite gardens - the background of the Dale Lace and Albu families.  A walk down Rockridge Road (easy and suitable for older people) will give a view of other historic homes from the exterior, including Sir Herbert Baker’s own house.

There is safe, guarded parking in the large Northwards parking area. Gill will meet you at the front door at 09h45.

    Date  23 January 2008                             Time:   09h45 for 10h00  

    Last date for bookings: 16 January 2008          Cost per person   R60.00

CONSTITUTION HILL

Constitution Hill is the home of the Constitutional Court, the highest court in the country in the interpretation, protection and enforcement of the Constitution. It is a masterpiece of architectural design and houses a collection of more than 200 works of art.

The Court is situated on the site of the Old Fort where many of South Africa’s leading political activists, including Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, were detained. The old prison cells have been converted into an interactive museum, with an audiovisual presentation which captures the memories inherent in the site. Artefacts of prison life are on display, including re-creations of the blank    et and soap sculptures made by the inmates.

This will be a guided tour lasting about 2½ hours.

To get there: Go south along Jan Smuts Ave towards town, turn left into Empire Rd, turn right into Joubert St, cross a set of robots with a BP garage on the right. Pass a short street on the left. At the second street turn into the entrance to a basement which leads to a parking area. A security guard will direct you to Level C parking area. A guard will direct you onwards to the Tour Office where Gill and resident guide David will meet you at 09h15.  

There is a Coffee shop near the Tour Office where refreshments can be taken at the end of the tour.

Date  20 February 2008                                  Time:   09h15 for 09h30

              Last date for bookings:  13 February 2008         Cost per person   R40.00

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THE ORIGINS CENTRE

‘We are who we are because of who we were’

A special 2-hour guided tour of the Origins Centre on the Wits Campus has been arranged for U3A members. This is an experience not to be missed.

The Centre aims to help visitors to understand their personal genealogy and identity by revealing their hominid heritage. Displays focus on the four billion-year-old fossil record of South Africa and include the oldest evidence of life, the oldest multi-cellular animals, leading on to the evolution of fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and the story of the ancestry of humans.

To get there: Drive south up Yale Road from Empire Road. At a security barrier you will be given an access card (to be returned on leaving). Pass a tunnel and a robot. Near the top of the hill turn right into the Origins Centre parking ground.  Meet Gill at the entrance to the Centre at 09h15. 

There are an excellent coffee shop, a bookshop and a curio shop on the premises.

Date  19 March 2008                                       Time:   09h15 for 09h30  

Last date for bookings: 12 March 2008                    Cost per person   R35.00

Payment by bank deposit: fax the deposit slip with the completed Booking Form.

If you pay by Internet banking, save your Bank’s online payment confirmation, and email it as an Attachment in the same message with the Booking Form completed on your PC.

¨       Fax or e-mail the Booking Form, with proof of payment (copy of Bank Deposit slip or Internet Banking receipt), to Elaine. (Her fax no. and e-mail address are on the booking forms.)

Wakkerstroom Tour

A separate tour, not part of the above programme, has also been organised for keen birders, to Wakkerstroom on 18 to 21st February. Click on the heading above.