Howick Falls, from above. The vertical drop is approximately 330 feet.
A person can get soaked without it raining
Impressive even though small by the 'big boy' standards
In the days before the freeway linking Durban and Johannesburg, there was a good chance the family might pass Howick Falls, take a quick look and then head for Durbs-by-the Sea. Nowadays, it’s a race to get to the coast only slowed down by the toll-gates that litter the N3 freeway (opinion only). Following a harrowing journey through the Eastern Cape, the roads of Natal are a treat.
In order to hike down to the base of the falls, one has to sign-in and pay a fee. “I have to warn you that although we have not had an attack since January 2007, unemployment is rampant in the area so be on the lookout,” the woman warned. We always find that comforting and reassuring before heading into the bush. The growth in a wet area such as below a falls is obviously lush and bush is an understatement. With our editor holding our hand for comfort, we headed down some 350 feet to view a quite spectacular sight.
Barelling down that cliff
On our return, we spoke to the woman again whom we forgot to ask a name. We noticed she had four dogs and a guinea fowl. It was an odd group looking like quite a tight-knit family. Three dogs looked in fine shape, the fourth had only half a face. Its left jaw and teeth on that side were exposed completely.
“The guinea fowl,” she said, “thinks it too is a dog. We have much confusion in our household. Old face over there,” she said, pointing to the dog, “took on a cobra.” By the way, the dog is a little snapper that is six-inches high and a foot in length. Long story short, the vet said the dog should be ‘put down’. She would hear nothing of it. The dog’s name, she told us, is Chazak, which she explained is the Hebrew word for courage. We knew that but listened instead of interrupting her. How could she do that to the dog, she said? Quite a story.
Sunrays clip the edge of the cliff before disappearing again
“What’s with the fowl?” we asked. She then related a story of our times, the collapse of the rule of law. She reported poachers operating in the valley, to the authorities. The thugs found out she was the informer, arrived one evening and clubbed to death every bird she kept in her yard. Apparently, there were many. However, the fowl escaped and she found it whimpering pathetically. She adopted the bird, converted it to a dog, hence, five dogs.
Looking into the pool from the top of the falls
Powerful sprays of vapor
Following her report of the killings to the police, SPCA, Forestry Board and others, nothing was done. Nobody wishes to take any action except the board, which offered to send a man to sit and observe the valley from above the falls. Her verdict: No-one cares and nothing will be done about it. Funnily enough, two days later, the innkeeper in Champagne Valley mentioned she is intimidated about reporting poachers operating in her area of the Drakensberg—she fears reprisals. Gives one a lot of hope, we’d think. ‘Cry the beloved country’...again.
'5' dogs of an unusual family, the bird was shy at photo. time. ('Chazak' is facing away from camera—he's a little sensitive about his jaw)
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
River flow is strong and wide
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