■ The Orion Observation Group (OOG) is hosting a Mars in Sight stargazing picnic at the Afrikaans Language Monument on Paarl Mountain, on Saturday November 10, at 6pm. There is a guided tour of the monument at 6.30pm, and stargazing with the aid of telescopes takes place from 8pm to 10.30pm. Visitors can take picnic baskets or order one from Volksmond Coffee Shop, which will also be open for coffee and light refreshments as well as pizza. Safe parking is available and entry is controlled. Take binoculars and warm clothes. The picnic series is in aid of “Let’s Read!”, the Language Museum’s reading project for children. Take a new or second-hand children’s book to donate to this project. Entry costs R40 for adults and R10 for children. Tickets from Computicket or the gate, but booking is essential so that enough telescopes can be catered for. Stargazing picnics will be cancelled in the event of bad weather. Call 073 853 3100 for weather inquiries. To book, call 021 863 0543.