Foefie Slide, Friends and Floating

 

 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 16^th – 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)