Mountain streams of Africa

He was born
in the summer of his 27th year
Coming home to a place
he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him
you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door
He climbed cathedral mountains
he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
I know you'd be a poor man
if you never saw an eagle fly
I've seen it raining fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight
is softer than a lullaby

~ ~ o ~ ~

JD

Mpumalanga, the North-Eastern province of South Africa

a – Apparently the name is “Kasteelkop” or Castle Cliffs  we know it as Lion's Head you have a “Witkruisarend” or a black white-cross eagle here they have become scarce. They nest in those cliffs they are very big a sight to see. Gliding majestically slowly dancing the winds. And the wonderful refreshing merrily cobbling streams – the grass here is a bit long though!

b – The farm house “Jakkalsdraai” is small and just basics but we get by it is always very clean and neat. From behind the house is on a mountainside, the hill showing on the right is behind the house. Just as well hills I want to call them mountains they are big enough. The Landrover is my uncle's you must have 4x4 and high road clearance the road is in terrible condition.

 
c – African sun, here are thorn trees it looks very dry. See the mountain it is on the other side, also the river comes from down those cliffs, down a canyon there is a waterfall it is stunning, but hard to get there. The grass is long the road is overgrown it happens if there aren't cattle often neighbouring farmers pay for grazing. The photo was taken from the farm house.

d – A mountain stream us kids' favourite place merrily splashing jumping from stone to stone and sitting with your feet in the cold water, catching tadpoles small frogs and little fishes and tiny crabs looking for pretty stones and skipping the round flat ones on the clear cool water carefree days and smoking reed bamboo pipes like real men. When there was rain the stream can be formidable you shouldn't try crossing. You see it is getting dark it is late in the day sunset is behind the mountain behind the house the shadow falls early sudden and quickly. And I think that would be that same Kasteelkop you see.

e – It is like paradise everything is green, the thorn trees green now everything is green and it is misty. We had good rain. You can see part of another mountain the photo is looking to the front. The farm is on a valley and on the escarpment. The photo was taken from the farmhouse porch the “stoep”.

The farm is not big, it belonged to my grandparents it is in a trust now and part of a wildlife conservatory. They took down the fences between the farms so the animals can move freely.

 
All photos courtesy of Rina d.K
~ ~ o ~ ~