The Widenham Whisperer

July 2020 Volume 1 Issue 10

Editors : Marilyn Folly Cottage 103A—Ext 0225 email : mfandmb@yahoo.com and Viv Moore Cottage 172 - Ext 0247 email :

moore.viv@gmail.com

Any content used in this newsletter is subject to copyright and permission is needed if anything is copied in any way. Please submit any content

before 8th of the month

Widenham is in the privileged position of having one of the foremost Landscapers in Kwazulu Natal

responsible for our gardens. Her name is Elsa Pooley and this is her story.

Elsa grew up in Johannesburg, Harare and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. In 1965 she married conservationist and

crocodile ecologist Tony Pooley. They had three sons, Simon, Justin and Thomas. She lived in game reserves of

Zululand for 20 years making an extensive collection of the plants of the region, and publishing research papers on

vegetation mapping and traditional plant use by local people. The family moved to Clansthal on the KZN South Coast

and Elsa began work on her wild flower and tree field guides.

Elsa Pooley was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2008. She won the

prestigious Marloth Medal of the Botanical Society of South Africa (2004), and was

awarded the Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Contribution to Botany by the SA

Association of Botanists in 1999. She was the KZN Wildlife and Environment Society’s

Conservationist of the Year in 1996 and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife: Lifetime Achiever

Award, 2015, the John Medley Wood gold medal in 2015 and awards from SALI (SA

Landscape Institute) in 2013, 2014, and from Witness Garden Show, 2015, 2016.

Botanical Artist

Elsa first exhibited her botanical paintings in 1973. She was a founder member of

the Botanical Artists Association of South Africa, and past chairman of the KZN branch.

She has sold her work internationally, including a portfolio of southern African palms

and limited edition handmade prints in association with Caversham Press. She was awarded the Kirstenbosch Bronze Medal at the inaugural

biennale exhibition in 2000.

Since 2004 she has run spring and autumn botanical art courses with Gillian Condy at the Cavern Berg Resort.

Indigenous Landscaping

Elsa Pooley is an indigenous landscaper who specializes in the design and installation of private and public gardens. Elsa is an expert in

rehabilitation, removal of alien invasive plants, and environmental control services. Her work extends to the training of local community groups

with whom she is involved in collaborative projects.

Over the years she has designed and laid out indigenous gardens at various game reserve camps and crocodile

farms including the 17ha Crocworld on the KZN South Coast, as well as establishing two indigenous plant

nurseries.

Botanical Guide

Elsa brings her extensive field knowledge, gardening expertise, and contacts with local experts to her tours to

explore the alpine flora of the Drakensberg and Lesotho, and other botanical ‘hot spots’, including Maputaland

and Pondoland. The eastern region has a remarkable range of landscapes stretching from the subtropical

Indian Ocean coast to the dry Acacia bushveld (savanna) of big game country, to the mistbelt

forests and dramatic peaks of the Drakensberg.

Books

Elsa has researched and written a number of books on the flora of the region, including one illustrated

with her paintings. She is currently working on a large coffee table book, ‘Complete Guide to

Indigenous Garden Plants of South Africa’ with co-authors Geoff Nichols and Andrew Hankey. This is

a slow process, since the authors are all working full time in the gardening world – publication date

2021 or 2022!

Personal

Elsa’s eldest son Simon, an environmental historian, lives in London with his wife Susan and

Alexander (11) and Lara (8). Justin is a social development and environmental specialist currently stationed in Bangkok with

his wife Jo and Tristan (14) and Sophie (12). Thomas is an academic, music historian and ethnomusicologist, married to

Nicole, also a musician and teacher, living in Gauteng.

(This information was provided by Elsa Pooley herself and is reproduced here with her permission. Thank you so much Elsa.)

Page 2 The Widenham Whisperer Volume 1 Issue 10

Continuing the history on our doorstep

Scottburgh is a coastal resort town located on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It situated on the mouth of the Mpambanyoni River (confuser of birds). Neighbouring towns include Pennington, Renishaw, Freeland Park, Umkomaas, Sezela, Bazley, Amahlongwa, Clansthal, Park Rynie and Dududu. Named after Natal Colony Governor John Scott, in 1860 it became the second township at the end of Durban, but was initially known as Devonport. Scottburgh then became a very promising port as well as a new attractive location for sugar farms and sugar mills. In about 1850 the town started to attract immigrants especially from the United Kingdom, known as the Byrne Settlers. They came to take advantage of the good harbours, to export their sugar both internally and externally. Scottburgh became an independent municipality in 1964.

Scottburgh Main beach along with Pennington and Park Rynie have been awarded blue flag status as of the 2014/15 summer season. Scottburgh and Pennington are both very popular for tourists to make their way to the beach. Scottburgh along with the hotels and many B&Bs is also home to an award-winning caravan park and camping ground. The summer season sees many tourists from the inland flock to the beaches of the South Coast. There are many activities that contribute to Scottburgh being a popular destination such as Microlighting, Diving, Shark cage diving, Sea rides, Rock and surf fishing, Surfing, Umdoni Park run, Bicycle trails. There are many more activities that can be inquired at the local South Coast tourism office. Scottburgh is a bay situated on the South Bank of the Mpambanyoni River, a short river that culminates in a lagoon. It is one of the best geographic examples of a bay on the South African coast. Mpambanyoni mouth has fluctuated in surface area and volume dramatically over the years, largely due to the frequent droughts, occasional cyclones, and other extreme weather conditions that can affect KwaZulu-Natal. Scottburgh can be separated into neighbourhoods: Scottburgh Central (north), Scottburgh South, Freeland Park (which is situated on the north side of the Mpambanyoni River). Most notorious of the above-mentioned cyclones was Domoina of 1984 and the floods of 1987, which resulted in widespread flooding and infrastructural damage, including the destruction of the Old Main Road bridge from Umkomaas. Wildlife found regularly inside the township includes snakes, skinks, geckos, numerous insects, millipedes, bushbuck, mongi, and most famously, large numbers of vervet monkeys. Genets have been sighted, and there are occasional unverified spottings of civets and similar small felines and cat-like mammals. Birds are abundant, perhaps the most noticeable being the raucous and much-loved hadeda ibis. The Indian mynah is widespread but regarded as a pest due to its habits of defecating in public restaurants and eating areas and pillaging the nests of native birds. This bird has presented similar problems in other areas in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The sardine run is also visible from the shores of Scottburgh and its surroundings most winters. The umdoni and Strelitzia are the best-known trees specifically associated with Scottburgh and its environs. Well-known people associated with Scottburgh include Dr T.C. Robertson, world-renowned conservationist and author; former Springbok rugby player Joel Stransky the late conservationist Tony Pooley and Dave Bell. Scottburgh is also particularly renowned for its large surfing community. Superior waves are to be found along the coast, especially during the winter months. Popular spots include Green Point, Pennington, Kelso, Scottburgh and Rocky Bay. Many other perfect breaks along this coast can be found. Surfers and bodyboarders from around the world come for surf trips around the south coast, and would visit Scottburgh in particular for its worldwide surfing reputation. However, one appeal of Scottburgh beach is its grass-covered banks leading down to sandy beaches, which have made it a popular holiday resort for holidaymakers for many years. Most Scottburgh residents work for small local businesses or the state sector, while larger industries are located in the nearby towns of Umkomaas, Umzinto, and Sezela. North of the Mpambanyoni lies the suburb of Freeland Park, largely residential but also possessing the Cutty Sark Hotel and a river populated by juvenile and adolescent crocodiles. These crocodiles are also the product of the 1987 cyclone, when infant crocodiles escaped from the nearby Crocworld theme park. South of Scottburgh proper, and separated from it by the Country Club, Golf Course, and a considerable expanse of bush, is Scottburgh South, and a few kilometres inland lies the sugarcane farming hamlet of Renishaw, well known for its chapel.

Tony Charles (Mashesha) Pooley (1938–2004) was a South African naturalist, award- winning conservationist and one of

the world's foremost authorities on the Nile crocodile.

Born in Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal, Tony was a keen ornithologist as a youth. He began his training as a game ranger for the (then)

Natal Parks Board in Maputaland (now northern KwaZulu-Natal, also formerly known as Tongaland) in 1957, receiving much of

his training as a naturalist from Zulu and Thonga game guards. The guards showed him a crocodile egg and asked him to identify

which bird had laid it, to general amusement, which started his interest in crocodiles. His pioneering work on crocodile ecology

and conservation is recorded, with his customary humour, in his first book, Discoveries of a Crocodile Man (Collins, 1982).

He travelled to Italy, Australia, America, Papua New Guinea, Zambia and Zimbabwe advising on crocodile conservation and

farming. Several films were made about his work, including The Ndumu Story, and the BBC's award-winning Gently Smiling

Jaws, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. He set up two crocodile research facilities, one at Ndumo Game Reserve, and the St

Lucia Crocodile Research Centre, where he also set about educating visitors about crocodiles and their place in the ecosystem. He

earned his MSc degree, on the "Ecology of the Nile Crocodile in Zululand", from the University of Natal in 1982, despite never having completed high

school.

After leaving the Natal Parks Board, he set up southern Africa's largest private crocodile farm, Crocworld, near Scottburgh on the south coast of KwaZulu-

Natal, which combined commercial farming with education. Thereafter he worked as a wildlife consultant and lectured at the Mangosuthu Technikon. As a

consultant, Tony worked with numerous film crews from the US, UK, France, Germany, South Africa and elsewhere, including the BBC Natural History

Unit and the Discovery Channel. These programmes and films included special features on crocodiles, a film on the interaction of humans and vervet

monkeys, and documentaries on conservation issues. His last film for the BBC was Missing - Presumed Eaten, documenting his successful defence of the

reputation of the Nile crocodile against a life-insurance scam. He also made and published records of wildlife sounds, and an album of Thonga music.

Tony Pooley is widely credited as being one of the leading defenders of the dunes at Lake St. Lucia, now part of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park,

a UNESCO World Heritage Park. He was chairman of the Campaign for St Lucia, which helped to defend the park against proposed open-cast dune mining

and get it proclaimed as a heritage park, and later co-ordinated a campaign preventing the deproclamation of part of the Ndumo Game Reserve. This

campaign is ongoing. Tony's efforts as a conservationist were recognised by awards from The Wildlife Society and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (formerly the

Natal Parks Board).

His best-known publication is probably Mashesha - The Making of a Game Ranger, first published by Southern Book Publishers in 1992. "Mashesha" can

be basically translated from Zulu as "He who hurries and takes", a reference to Pooley's work in pursuing poachers, in his early years in the Natal Parks

Board.

Tony died in late 2004. He is survived by three sons and his wife, Elsa, an artist who illustrated Mashesha and has published definitive guides on South

African plant life.

(This article is also reproduced with permission from Elsa Pooley)

WIDENHAM WANDERERS

Greetings to all. Today, 11th July is a dull day, with forecasts of rain and wind for KZN;

fortunately we are far enough away from the Cape to avoid the cold front and bad weather

being experienced there. Remember to keep a check on the safety and protection covers of

your caravans; unfortunately our caravans currently stand in a very unprotected area and

are buffeted by the wind.

There is very little to say this month - other than we are disappointed in that the Caravan

Resorts are still closed! There was a lot of confusion, and there still is about whether the

Parks can/are open or not. Some Parks advertised that they would be open from the 1st

July and advertised great discounted rates. We personally spoke to Scottburgh Park on the

30th June, to be told that they would be open on the 1st July. - late that afternoon that

'opening' was retracted, while other Parks have said that they are open for 'business

accommodation'; not for leisure. We sit and wait, hopefully and patiently; but must

appreciate that meanwhile we are safe and well at home, doing social distancing and

keeping, as best as possible, to the Regulations. It is difficult to understand, however, how

we can go with friends to a coffee shop, but not go to a Resort.

For those of us who subscribe to magazines, it appears that we are going to be losing

'printed copies' of such, or in some cases the magazine has discontinued publication. For

those magazines still ongoing, many are moving to digital versions, of which 'Caravan &

Outdoor Life' is one.

Best wishes and good health.

Ronald & Rose King – Cottage 146 WRV, ext 4001; 082-9246106; kingrdl@mweb.co.za

Page 3 Volume 1 Issue 10 The Widenham Whisperer

Volume 1 Issue 10 The Widenham Whisperer Page 4

Our beautiful village

Our resident buck is reproduced here as Claude Leroy

Of Umdoni Village pointed out that it is in fact a Grey

Duiker - the black blaze on the face and black on the

front legs are diagnostic. Thanks so much Claude.

A wave breaking on Aliwal Shoal, this only seems to happen

if there are very big swells or an exceptionally low tide.

Photo taken by Angus Pyke from his garden.

Angus Pyke had a great paddle on

the Umkomaas River and found

this interesting scene playing out

on a sandbank under the freeway

bridge with a herd of Nguni cattle

trapped on an island and a very

concerned non-swimmer on the

bank.

PLEASE DO NOT FEED ANY WILDLIFE

Page 5 The Widenham Whisperer Volume 1 Issue 10

Bible Study

Rosemary Combes Cottage 136—Ext 0230—Wednesday Evenings at 18.45

Carolyn Perkin Cottage 129—Ext 0267—Tuesdays at 13.30

BIBLE STUDY- As I write this we have been in lockdown for 101 days. Who would have thought on March 26th that this far down the line the end would still not be in sight. Although we have enjoyed more time for prayer and study many of us now face a new dilemma. Taking into account our age and maybe also health issues, is it safe for us to return to services in our church buildings? In a questionnaire from our church my husband put NO. I felt devastated but realised he was right. If nothing else this lockdown has shown us how badly we need people. People to hug and laugh with, to chat to and have meals with, to discuss with and yes, even disagree with. God made the human race to need each other and no where more so than on our Christian journey. Bible study is not quite the same on Zoom. Services are not quite the same on Zoom. We now have to prayerfully make our own individual decisions asking for God’s guidance. Whatever you decide may God keep you safe and bless you. ROSEMARY COMBES

Nigel Combes Our Weather Man

May Rainfall 22.8 mm.

Max gust wind 33.7 kph 12th June

Highest Temperature 28.3⁰ 1st June

Rosemary and Nigel’s Grandson Dylan wrote the following on the Covid19 Lockdown

Isolation. Nothing but misery. Nothing but loneliness. The roads silent just like the sky. No planes, no cars. The world locked up. People fighting against invisibility. People fighting against a virus. Families at the side lines. Doctors at the front. Charities and challenges keeping the country on its feet. The world fighting as one. The world is waiting for freedom. The world is waiting for justice.

A thought for the day.....

I don’t know who the author was........ but powerful thoughts.

A while back I read a story of a visiting pastor who attended a men's breakfast in the middle of a rural farming area of

the country. The group had asked an older farmer, decked out in bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast.

"Lord, I hate buttermilk", the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder

where this was going.

The farmer loudly proclaimed, "Lord, I hate lard." Now the pastor was growing concerned.

Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, "And Lord, you know I don't much care for raw white flour". The pastor

once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn't the only one feeling uncomfortable.

Then the farmer added, "But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So

Lord, when things come up that we don't like, when life gets hard, when we don't understand what you're saying to us,

help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen."

Stay safe and know that Covid 19 will end and who knows the mixture may just come out better than we ever imagined.

HEATERS

The use of paraffin, oil burning, gas or open element heaters are NOT permitted. Wall heater panels only (no asbestos)

Page 6 The Widenham Whisperer Volume 1 Issue 10 S

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Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier.

Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

You do not have to walk for hours. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.

Before you start

Any shoes or trainers that are comfortable, provide adequate support and do not cause blisters will do.

For long walks, you may want to take some water, healthy snacks, a spare top, sunscreen and a sun hat in a small backpack.

If you start going for longer walks regularly, you may want to invest in a waterproof jacket and some specialist walking shoes for more challenging routes.

How do I know if I'm walking fast enough?

A brisk walk is about 3 miles an hour, which is faster than a stroll.

You can tell you're walking briskly if you can still talk but cannot sing the words to a song.

What if I'm not very active?

If you're not very active but are able to walk, increase your walking distance gradually.

If your joints are a problem, check whether your local swimming pool holds exercise classes.

The water helps to support your joints while you move and can help you strengthen your muscles.

Stay motivated

Make it a habit

The easiest way to walk more is to make walking a habit.

Think of ways to include walking in your daily routine.

Examples include:

walking to the shops

doing a regular walk with a friend

going for a stroll with family or friends after dinner

Listen to music

Walking while listening to music or a podcast can take your mind off the effort.

It can also get you into a rhythm and help you walk faster.

You'll be surprised at how fast the time goes when you're walking to your favourite tunes.

Mix it up

Add variety to your walks. You do not have to travel to the countryside to find a rewarding walk.

Towns and cities offer interesting walks, including parks, heritage trails, canal towpaths, riverside paths, commons, woodlands, heaths and nature reserves.

Join a walking group

Walking in a group is a great way to start walking, make new friends and stay motivated.

With acknowledgement to the NHS UK.

Volume 1 Issue 10

The Widenham Whisperer Page 7

For safety in cottages, try to invest in an inexpensive fire extinguisher and / or a fire blanket

Page 8 The Widenham Whisperer Volume 1 Issue 10

Beauty Products

NaturCare Aloe Products

Skin Care, Sun Care, Health Care, Body Care,

Hand Care, Foot Care, Hair Care, Home Care

Jenny Sneedon Cottage 138 - Ext 0258

CAJUN PORK FILLET WITH SWEET POTATOES Submitted by Sandra Redman

450g lean pork fillet

30ml Cajun spice rub

900g sweet potatoes

2 spring onions

30ml cream cheese (Philadelphia) (I use normal cottage cheese)

1 fresh pineapple cut into rings (tinned can be used)

Honey Black Pepper

Preheat Oven to 180 degrees C.

Place whole fully trimmed lean pork fillet on baking sheet

Sprinkle over Cajun spice rub all over fillet

Cook in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile peel sweet potatoes and boil in large pan of water for 10-15 minutes until soft

Drain and mash then stir through chopped spring onions and cream cheese. Season with black pepper.

During the last 15 minutes of cooking time place the pineapple rings onto a baking tray and drizzle over the honey.

Place into oven alongside pork fillet and cook for remaining 15 of cooking time.

Serve with extra steamed green veg or salad.

Milk Tart - Made in Microwave Submitted by Christine Dowie

1-liter Full Cream Milk 2 ½ Tablespoons Flour

1 Tablespoon Margarine or butter Vanilla

2 Eggs Marie Biscuits

1 cup sugar Cinnamon

2 ½ Tablespoons mazina (Corn Flour)

METHOD

Line a large dish with Marie Biscuits. Microwave milk and Marg for approx. 6 minutes on high. Mix other ingredients in 2 litre jug.

Add hot milk mixture to egg mixture, stir. Microwave on high until thick. (This takes about 15 minutes). Pour into dish lined with Marie

biscuits. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Avon Representatives

Lisa Cottage 137—Ext 0235

And

Elaine Daker—Cottage 109—

Ext 4033—084 245 7245.

Elaine also has a number of

items in stock for gifts.

Page 9 Volume 1 Issue 10

The Widenham Whisperer

News from the Bowling Front

Whilst we are not yet back on the greens WRVBC has not been idle. The greens mower that was being used belonged to the Contractor and we must thank him for loaning it to us.

The Greens Mower being tested and the workbench complete with age appropriate fittings

The good news is our very own greens mower was delivered and tested and with the completion of the workshop there is now a lovely workbench installed thanks to the carpentry skills of Rex ‘Mower Man’ Parsons who proved that caring for grass is not his only talent. Thank you Rex !! You will also have noticed the clearing and levelling of the surrounding area and the initial preparation for the Clubhouse.

The rubber matting is being installed on the edges of the greens and other equipment required is slowly being accumulated. Residents who have the necessary artisan skills in the woodwork and steel industries and who wish to volunteer their services are welcome to contact Trevor Spring at ext 4010 or Rex Parsons at Ext 0245.We have a number of sponsors for this equipment and by next months Whisperer we will be in a position to name and thank them. All that’s needed now is for the Government to give us the go ahead to allow us to play.

What : 100 Board Cost : R50.00 per number Commencement date : 1 June with the first draw taking place at the end of June 2020 Draw Frequency : Monthly on the last day of the month Who can participate : All residents of WRV Prizes : 1st = R1 200.00; 2nd = R800.00; 3rd = R500.00 To choose an available number contact Johan Buys, Cottage 130, Ext 0228, cell 082 444 3141

Page 10 The Widenham Whisperer Volume 1 Issue 10

LETTER TO DAD

A father passing by his teenage daughter's bedroom was astonished to see the bed was nicely made and everything was neat and tidy. Then he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the center of the pillow. It was addressed "Dad". With the worst premonition, he opened the

envelope

and read the letter with trembling hands:-

Dear Dad,

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you, but I'm leaving home.

I had to elope with my new boyfriend Randy because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you. I've been finding real passion with Randy and he is so nice to me. I know when you meet him you'll like him too

- even with all his piercing, tattoos, and motorcycle clothes.

But it's not only the passion Dad, I'm pregnant and Randy said that he wants me to have the kid and that we can be very happy together. Even though Randy is much older than me (anyway, 42 isn't so old these days is it?), and has no money, really these things shouldn't stand in the way of our relationship, don't you agree? Randy has a

great CD collection; he already owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. It's true he has other girlfriends as well but I know he'll be faithful to me in his

own way. He wants to have many more children with me and that's now one of my dreams too. Randy taught me that marijuana doesn't really hurt

anyone and he'll be growing it for us and we'll trade it with our friends for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want. In the meantime,

we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Randy can get better; he sure deserves it!! Don't worry Dad, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure we'll be back to visit so

you can get to know your grandchildren.

Your loving daughter, Rosie.

At the bottom of the page were the letters "PTO". Hands still trembling, her father turned the sheet, and read

PS: Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at the neighbour's house.

I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than my

Report card that's in my desk centre drawer. Please sign it and call

when it is safe for me to come home.

I love you!

The Monique James Page

Page 11 The Widenham Whisperer Volume 1 Issue 10

Deliveries can be arranged if necessary

Page 12 Volume 1 Issue 10 The Widenham Whisperer

All Club Activities have been suspended and will resume once the Lockdown is over

Clubs and Contacts

Activity Contact Person / s Cottage No. Telephone No. When

Bible Study Carolyn Perkin 129 0267 Tuesdays at 13.30

Rosemary Combes 136 0230 Wednesdays at 18.45

Book Club Brigid Rounce 184 0252 1st Friday of the month at 14.00

Bowls Club Trevor Spring Hilary Holmes

166 170

4010 4002

Bridge Marion Wales 182 0251 Friday mornings at 09.00

Sandra Redman 174 0259

Elizabeth Caine 177 0246

Crafty Chicks Tina Diener 113 0207 In the Barn every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 14.00

Entertainment Group

Mari Webster 169 0250

Model Radio Controlled Yachts and Model Rail-ways

Mike Wilkinson 106 0232 Contact Mike for further details

Rummikub and Coffee Group

Elaine Daker 109 4033 Rummykub Mondays at 14.00 Coffee Group Friday mornings – venue to be advised by Elaine

Striders and Strollers

Angus Pyke 116 0210 Every Tuesday and Thursday at 16.00 (subject to change depending on the weather)

Widenham Wanderers Caravan Club

Ronald or Rose King

146 4001

Tjops and Dop Braai Club

John Cloete Ivan Malan

115 111

0209 0236

Last Friday of the month (subject to change)