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News from Zululand
Sounds have shifted out here in Zululand. The orchestrated sound of the frogs gathering for their twilight session in the lodge pond has been replaced with the call of the Nightjar and the handsome grunt of the male Impala as the rutting season begins. Vying for the attention of the female antelope who seems to be more concerned with keeping warm then watching the sports and games. The fleeting of time is made more visible by the young Impala, just a few months ago wobbly and uncertain with their oversized ears - now gangly in their pre-adult phase...still clustered together but soon to divide up into herds of their own. Thus beckoning the process of planning for new life again due once winter chills have disappeared.
As news changes and coastlines along the South Coast lie scarred, this simple cycle in the heart of Zululand remains unchanged. A predictable comfort, reassuring us that nature continues with her tenacious and melodic effort to survive given the space and protection necessary. Isn't that what conservation is all about? Creating something lasting and protected. We count ourselves so privileged to be a part of this effort in any way possible.
Bush Cuisine
Biltong Springrolls
Filling
3 tablespoons chopped Mushroom
200g finely sliced Biltong
50g sliced Red Pepper
50g finely chopped Spring Onion
2 tablespoons of Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon of Oil
1 teaspoon Corn Flour
Pastry
275g Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
1 Egg
1 Egg White
Method
Fry up the ingredients for the filling in the oil. Add the soy sauce and thicken with corn flour. Cool. Sieve flour and salt and mix with 7 tablespoons of boiling water. Add the egg and knead to form a dough. Roll out very thinly and cut into 8 squares. Put some of the filling into each square and fold into parcels sealing with the egg white. Heat oil in a pan and fry until golden.
Drain and serve hot!
Tales from Africa
The people of Africa are renowned the world over for there unusual tales explaining life and the creatures that inhabit this beautiful continent. As we have shared the Zulu customs with you, allow us now to share their imagery...
Why the Warthog Kneels
Warthog was a proud little creature. He had built himself a spacious home in an old anthill with a very wide entrance. So proud was he, that he would stand in the entrance with his snout in the air. "I have the best home in all of Africa!" he would brag.
One day, he was standing haughtily in his entrance, a fierce lion pounced right up to him. Now there was no point in retreating into his burrow as the entrance was so big the lion could come in and devour him in his own home. There was no escape! The lion roared his ferocious roar which terrified the warthog so that he dropped to his knees and buried his face in the sand. "Please, oh mighty Bhubesi, do not eat me, I will do anything to make you happy!" The lion sneered at the pathetic creature whose bum was raised to the sky, "You shall stay on your knees, your snout in the dirt with your bottom in the air. And if I see otherwise, I will make a meal out of you!" And for fear of the lions threat the warthog had obeyed his command to this day!"
News from our Tracker
(Rudolph – Head Ranger)
This month we made history again on Leopard Mountain...
We took the evening game drive out, stopping for sundowners at the Hide overlooking a water hole. In the midst of enjoying the wonderful peace and tranquility the silence was suddenly broken by the distinct sound of the Francolins babbling away. As these particular birds are noisy by nature we did not pay too much attention. We sat in anticipation watch the various animals coming down for their evening drink when suddenly she appeared... a lovely female Leopard. Absolutely amazing. With regal ease she had a quick drink of water and slowly slunk back into the bushes, where her camouflage once again rendered her invisible whilst the shouts of the Vervet Monkeys warned the world of her presence.
Whilst sitting down to dessert at one of our bush braais an elephant bull made a very unexpected appearance. We heard him walking through the bushes, pushing over a tree about 30 meters away. In the glow of the spotlight we watched as he moved on past unperturbed.
Trees
The Kudulily
(Ranger – Claire)
The very rare Kudulily, known for growing only 3mm per year and responsible for Leopard Mountain being classified as a natural heritage site, are currently flowering with beautiful white and pink flowers. The Kudulily is one of the few plants that seems to be unaffected by the scorching hot and dry weather which we have just been through, this is due to the large base of the plant which stores moisture for times like the present.
The Small 5
So you've heard about the Big 5? But what about the Small 5?
Ladies and Gents, we present to you...
The Rhinoceros Beetle
(Ranger – Claire)
Similar to the Rhinoceros the Rhino Beetle is characterized by the large horn from which it's name is derived. The horn is strong, used for protections and defense, enabling the beetle to forage through thickets and dig burrows. On the rare occasion the horn is used to battle with another beetle for territory. Merely resembling a large land mammal is not this insects claim to fame however... the rhino beetle is one of the strongest creature on earth, weighing 20 grams and 150mm in length (56mm of which is horn) this beetle can carry 3 times there own weight. Unquestionably, this tiny bug is a remarkably strong little critter.
Can you guess which of the Small 5 will be next? Stayed tuned!
Funny Bones
As we all know cattle egrets always follow herds of elephants eating the insects disturbed whilst the elephant walks and feeds. One day Ethan the elephant was talking to his trusted confidant Koos the cattle egret about a personal crisis. It went something like this:
"You have followed me for so many years Koos, you know everything about me good and bad. For instance you know that I have a nervous twitch in my back left leg that causes me to kick out uncontrollably every five minutes. You know about my dribbling habit and my weepy eye. I spit when I talk and wet myself when I am in Musth. I also suffer from an embarrassing loud noisy grumbling stomach. You know about my violent temper which has resulted in the death of 5 endangered black rhinoceros and more than one nosey lion.
Well my feathered friend, in fact, my only good trait is that I am always honest. As you know Nelly elephant and I have started dating and I think I have to come clean with her about my most embarrassing trait of all. Even worse than the smelly body odor. Yes Koos its true, I am going to tell her ... that I support the South African Cricket Team.
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Feel free to drop us an email with your favorite jokes to add into future newsletters. You can send them to The Lodge - Leopard Mountain - do not simply reply to this newsletter.
Brain Teaser
Thank you to everyone who responded to our last brainteaser. Congratulations Sally Chetty of Durban (It seems the 'Durbanites' are way ahead of the pack!) who sent in the correct answer to the riddle. You have won yourself and a partner one free night at our award winning lodge; dinner, bed and breakfast.
Last Month's brain teaser was:
A sundial is a timepiece that has the fewest number of moving parts. Which timepiece has the most moving parts?
The answer was:
The Hourglass!
........You too could be the lucky person to win yourself and a partner a free night including dinner, bed and breakfast at the lodge. Simply solve the riddle below to be entered in our lucky draw and email us the answer to our competition mail address (click here) - do not simply reply to this newsletter (competition closes 15th March 2007)
(Here's a toughie for you...!)
Before I came confusion abounded, 'Im late', 'Im late' was frequently sounded.
Im not average, but was based on a mean. My size, in theory, is constant: fifteen.
I'm two dozen steps, again in theory, but walk my length and you'd get weary.
I take half and a quarter steps at a time. In reality, I don't follow the lines.
I shrink to nothing in two cold extremes, whilst over a thousand miles wide in the betweens.
What am I?
News from the Lodge
Snow has fallen on the Drakensberg and surrounding areas and for some reason we are denied this privilege of a crisp white country side but nevertheless have to go through the cold as the wind blows the chilly air down to our usually toasty part of the country. Winter feels as though it has officially begun... a little late but it seems to be making up for it's tardiness with intensity and as we sit wrapped up in layers, with that umpteenth cup of coffee peals of laughter are evoked from our European guests as they go out in shorts to the pool.
Zulu Landers were not meant for the cold. ..and we are okay with that!
The winter chill is about to become a little colder as a different beam of sunshine is also leaving in a few weeks. Claire, one of our rangers, is moving on after her 6 month prac with us. Visitors who have popped into the lodge in the last half a year would have been privileged to have been informed and entertained by our delightful Claire. We wish her all the best with her future endeavors and many more brilliant starts to every sunny day. Hopefully your early morning cheerfulness has been contagious!! Best wishes.
MySpace Profile
Leopard Mountain has set up a MySpace profile - www.myspace.com/leopardmountainlodge. This site will be updated regularly with news from the lodge. If your a currently a MySpace user add us as a friend and automatically be entered into the monthly competition for a night for two at the lodge.
Best guests comments of the month
Wonderful place with an outstanding view and perfect hospitality.
Quite the most relaxing place I have been to in 30 yrs!
A perfect stay. Thank you!
The best view in the southern hemisphere! Staffs were fantastic. Thanks for a great break! |
