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Pinkie, the brain and grandmother
Written By Hendrik Marais
Around 5 million years ago global cooling changed the landscape of Africa irrevocably. Apes at the edges of the shrinking rain forests moved into the savannah, where those who had already learnt to walk on two legs and using their hands had a far better chance of survival.
Apemen gradually became that much handier, started to walk with ease and exercised their "grey matter". They realised, for example, that a sharp stone cuts better than a round stone and that there was a potential axe in every pebble! So homo habilis "handy man" evolved - the first specie of our genus homo.
More attuned brains meant better toolmaking, talking, planning, singing and hunting. Intelligence was recognised as an attribute - but the downside was that brains were bigger - and giving birth became more of an ordeal for a bi-pedal mother with a small pelvis!
Nature's solution was to "have them smaller" i.e. less developed - but helpless babies require far more intensive care for much longer. Support came from the grandmothers of the family, who helped to bring food or look after the babies. This resulted in a better survival rate of babies, which in turn, encouraged the "caring gene". More of a good thing is wonderful - the more caring a grandmother, the longer she lived beyond her own childbearing age. And in turn, the more surviving grandchildren she had!
This is how we think the long life expectancy of women came about - no other mammal female can expect to live beyond her reproductive years.
The fact that men also live longer could just be a freebie - we share those long life genes with our mothers, without obviously good genetic reasons .......... only because some apes played with stones!
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July Events
Wine Tasting with Gourmet dinner: Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Cellar
Wednesday: 4 July 2007
Yuletide: "Christmas in July"
Friday: 27 July 2007
July in Detail
Wine Tasting with Gourmet dinner: Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Cellar
Wednesday: 4 July 2007
Time: 19:00
Dinner: R300pp (including wine option)
Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Cellar have named their cellar and brand after the original name given in 1855 to Hermanus in Walker Bay, South Africa. The winemaker, Bartho Eksteen, lives his dream to obtain high quality grapes from a single farm to produce world-class wines in a state of the art cellar. He controls the entire process in this 250 ton cellar, from the earliest vineyard budding, to the bottling and laying down of the wine. Under these seamless conditions he can live out his passion and guide each harvest to become wines of distinctive style and character.
Experience Forum Homini Yuletide 2007
Ho ho ho ! "The Christmas In July" is here !
While cold winds blow and the occasional snow falls, experience warm 'roots' hospitality with log fires and Shiraz & Shanks.
We celebrate "Christmas in July" on 27 July 2007
Time: 19:00
Cost: 6 course Christmas menu with Shiraz & Shanks
R350.00 per person
Bookings essential.
Spoil Packages
Over the top Package:
Enjoy a day of relaxation for body, mind & soul. Start your day with relaxation Tai Chi followed by a 5 course Gourmet Brunch complimented with a glass of Moreson Cap Classique. Continue the spoil session with Sound Therapy conducted by Classical Guitarist Paul Wellock, Massage Session (head, neck & back) followed by a cooking class led by Chef Patron Philippe "A perfect Brunch".
R800 per person
This is a perfect group package (minimum 6 - 20 people)
Engagement Night Package:
Need to spoil your partner and pop the big question. Ran out of ideas? We've put together a memorable package that will guarantee a YES. Exclusivity of a private dining area, bunch of red roses, 6 course gourmet dinner with wine teasers, use of your own waiter & a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne on ice.
R1800 all inclusive (per couple)
Also Remember
Saturday brunch
After a well deserved sleep-in on a Saturday morning you can treat yourself to a laidback 5 course brunch and a glass of sparkling wine, served from 10:00 - 14:30 every Saturday. Cost R150.00 per person.
Sunday Jazz
Enjoy live Jazz music with a gastronomic 6 course Sunday lunch, served from 12:00pm - 16:00pm. This event is very popular so PLEASE book in advance. Cost R245.00 per person.
August at a Glance Wine Tasting with gourmet dinner:
Wednesday 1 August 2007
Woman's Day High Tea
Hats & Frocks essential
Saturday: Saturday 11 August 2007
French Gastronomic dinner: Alsace
Wednesday: 15 August 2007
We are entering the very cold months and might even have snow in the area like last year! We hope you snuggle up and have a wonderful winter. Hope to see you and maybe even entice you with our delicious warm bush tea (with a bit of a kick).
Hominid Regards,
Juanita Marais
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