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Bush Cuisine
Phew, winter has really creped up on us quickly, there is nothing better than having a hot cup of coffee or tea along with a puffy homemade scone.... They just don't get better than this.....
Out of this world scones
3 cups Cake Flour
125g Marg / butter
1 ½ cups maas or buttermilk
6 tsp Baking Powder
pinch of salt
2 small eggs
Method
Mix all dry ingredients using your fingertips until it resembles bread crumbs
Gently beat the egg into the buttermilk
Mix gently into the flour mixture, ensuring not to over kneed
Flatten out onto a floured surface using a cookie cut out the scones,
Place onto a sprayed baking tray and cook for about 25 min at 180ºc
Served with whipped cream, cheese and jam...... you will have to try them to believe it!
Our Zulu Culture
How precious is your grandmother?
In Zulu tradition, and still today the grandmother plays a very important roll in the family, especially in the chief's family. Their responsibilities grow along with their age.
She has great influence and makes most final decisions, unless they are financial or disciplinary matters. As she is of such high social status she lives in the large hut of the ancestors. Once the grandmother passes away the kraal stays empty, but is used for meetings and rituals.
Men did not usually reach the same age as the woman did, as they usually fell victim to the enemies, which either killed them or wounded them enough to affect their life span. And therefore the grandmothers were seen as the source of wisdom.
Tips from our Tracker
On recent game drives both Johann and Tim came across some Spotted Hyenas, which caused much excitement back at the Lodge, and on a couple of occasions in the past 3 weeks we have been having some wonderful sightings of Caracal. They have been in the same area, so we are hoping that there is a den being developed. There is a total change in the scenery where the Tambotie forests are changing their colour to deep burnt orange.
Our black rhino never seem to let us down, once again we have had another baby from them which, which brings their numbers 23. I have been chatting to Karen, who said that the baby born over the Easter weekend is a male, so it will be fantastic if the new one is a girl.
Plants
Every day there seems to be more sunbirds around, reason being that the Aloes are all opening now. Soon the rocky slopes will be painted with bright orange flowers welcoming all the butterflies and nectar birds – a time of year we always enjoy at Leopard Mountain.
Mountain Aloe (Aloe marlothii)
A single stemmed un-branched leave succulent. The single stem is oddly covered with dried out leaves, found on rock slopes and in the bushveld. The leaves are dark green and covered with hard sharp spikes on both surfaces. The buds are purplish in colour, opening to a bright orange flower. The dried leaves are traditionally used for snuff and the lower leaves (Golden) are used to cure upset stomachs.
Birds
Jackal Buzzard (buter rufofuscus)
A black head and throat and Rufus breast, sometimes even being white. Their legs and feet are bright yellow. In flight a black and white under wing is visible. They enjoy being seated on high perches with an open view below them, to be able to easily catch their prey. Prey consists of small rodents, snakes and sometimes insects. Their preferred areas are in mountain ranges and adjacent grasslands.
Funny Bones
A Corporate Lesson :
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."
"Me first! Me first!" says the admin. clerk.
"I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Poof! She's gone. "Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Poof! He's gone. "OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."
Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.
Brain teaser
Thank you to everyone who responded to our last brainteaser. Congratulations to Cecelia Keersten from George 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:
There is an ancient invention still used in some parts of the world today that allows people to see through walls. What is it?
Answer:
A Window
........You too could be the lucky person to win yourself and a partner a free night including dinner, bed and breakfast at the lodge, so hurry and email us the answer to the riddle below to be entered in our lucky draw (competition closes 15th August 2006):
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
A snail is at the bottom of a well that is 20 meters in depth. Every day the snail climbs 5 meters upwards, but at night it slides 4 meters back downwards. How many days must elapse till the snail reaches the top of the well?
News from the lodge
With the aloes being in blossom the bird watching from the chalets has been wonderful, all the sunbirds and butterflies are coming back to feast on the rich nectar. Another achievement for Leopard Mountain, during the Indaba Toursim Show at the beginning of the month we once again won the A.A. Accommodation Award in the category Game and Nature Reserve. This brought reason for much celebration!! At the Game Auction held in Imfolozi Game Reserve there were 6 white Rhino bought for the Zululand Rhino Reserve, one of there were bought by Leopard Mountain. This is where being joined into a large conservancy show good benefits.
Family News
Thomas and Mathew are doing very well. They have mastered the art of letting me know that their birthday is coming soon. Papa (Grandpa) has introduced them to the Gods Must Be Crazy video, by Jamie Uys where the bushman finds a coke bottle that fell from the sky.
Now when I pick them up after work I spend my afternoon with 2 little bushmen who cant stop copying the bushman's lines in the video Aya yaya yaya yah...... ok, they are 2 very cute little bushmen!!!
Best guest comments of the month
This place rocks!
Rangers are excellent. Excellent service
Thank you Leopard Mountain for looking after us so well! We really enjoyed filming here and we hope to see you again. Best wishes.
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