A ‘foefie slide’ is the South African term for a cable supported between two points, one end higher than the other, and with a pulley and some form of suspending device by means of which one can slide down at speed. A ‘zip line’, ‘flying fox’, ‘commando slide’ or ‘rope slide’ are some of the alternative names. In my youth such devices often crossed stretches of water, and one had the choice of making the crossing or (often more fun) letting go in the middle. It was also a handy way of going to-and-fro across a ravine. Ideally, for these forms, one has to have two side-by-side – one there and one back – and one needs to attach something to pull each slider back to the starting point. A fishing pole, reel and line serve quite well for this. Otherwise the whole pulley arrangement has to be transferable.
There were two fairly basic ones (not of the there-and-back variety) at the Linton Animal Farm we visited on 16th – young R is seen sampling the shorter journey.
Then we have J with a new friend.
Two more friends awaiting snacks.
Another attraction – a very slow but fun form of travel on water.
© Colonialist June 2013 (WordPress)
They sure get to have some fun ;-).
I’ve never been on one, I will have to add that to my bucket list.
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The best ones have some water at the end of the experience! 🙂
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My two just loved those foefie slides, Col. I’ve really missed out, because I’ve never been on one. 😦
Gorgeous pics of kiddies having fun, and the horses are really beautiful.
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Add that to your bucket list – after the para-thing it’ll be a breeze!
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I’m sure you’re right. 🙂
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I saw one of those zip lines in a playground for junior children, last week and wanted to be six all over again!
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You get them designed for all ages, actually!
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I love foefie slides! I went to do the canopy tours by the Tsitsikama and it was amazing
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Those are slow motion for the sighseeing, aren’t they?
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Looks fab, Col. Did the kids get wet sleeves? My meories of punting are having the water cascade up my arms and soaking sleeves on the way!
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All messing about in floaty fings involves gettting wet, one way or the other. I decided to use the pole as a paddle. More effective, but definitely a way to get water on oneself.
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Looks like they had lots of fun Col. Haven’t hear the word “foefie slide” in quite a while. We used to have lots of fun with ours. Great shot as well. 😀 *hugs*
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You had one of your own? Wow! (These privileged people!)
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I lived on a farm in Harrismith my dear. We even had a horse. LOL!
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Foefie slides are just the best fun ever 😉
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Especially the ones over nice deep water!
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‘Foefie’ – such a great word! I haven’t heard it in years.
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I’ve never heard the word ‘foefie’ used in its origial Afrikaans form of ‘trick’ or ‘stunt’ and wondered where it had come from.
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These animal farms are an excellent way to introduce children to animals
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They are definitely high on the list of our grandchildren’s favourite things to do.
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That foefie slide brought back many memories.
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I bet! Actually, soome of the ones of our youth were downright dangerous, but all the more fun for that reason!
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Looks like a FUN place for an outing . . . the zip line that R is on is probably about the right speed for me.
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Apart from getting chomped by uppity geese, it is FUN indeed.
R’s line was quite scarily fast, actually!
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Lots of fun…I love the buzz of a flying fox…so much fun!
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They are fun indeed! I really like that alternative name. It is so descriptive of the flit from tree to tree.
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