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Don't have Bryden's book...

Seem to remember that there was a section ranger who was a part-time goldsmith, and would have helped share Bryden's "burden", as the latter was Chief Ranger at one stage, although don't know about 35 years ago?!

RP- You got Letaba and .... YES, Rodger Moore in Man With A Golden Gun is spot on part-time "goldsmith" as the fourth man is in charge of the plot

Rosie - YES! movie is spot on as well, although not about Kruger's millions

1975 - Bruce Bryden, Rodger Moore, ... Marvin? Will...?





(Sorry for slow response, busy with Xmas preparations)

The plot thickens

So, now I have ......



The movie - "Shout At the Devil" which was written by Will a parttime goldsmith = Wilbur Smith
starring Roger Moore and Lee Marvin. Lee Marvin's character was an elephant hunter...

Bruce Bryden in all of this ???? I'll be back Spotted Cat

Forgot to mention. I also read that the first case of Elephant Poaching recorded in KNP was in 1975

Rosie, Yes!!! The movie "Shout At The Devil"



Very sad indeed!

Explanation following shortly .... Bruce Bryden

There is a twist to this tale, but unfortunately you’ll have to unravel the next riddle if you want to know more about this extra-ordinary event Different, but very entertaining!

The story I’ve been told happened many, many years ago
35 or so, that much I know!
1975

Once upon a time there were three men
a ranger named Bruce, (who acted very strange)
Ranger Bruce Bryden in a totally different role
He acted as a stunt man in the film
a hunter named Marvin, and a man called Rodger (both acted equally strange)
actors Lee Marvin and Rodger Moore

Rodger, the most dangerous of them all,
Rodger Moore as 007
Had a friend who was caught with a gold nugget in his hand.
Sean Connery – the film Goldfinger


Part of the plot, Rodger had to find a gun of pure gold
“Man With a Golden Gun” (film)
Both of them, a sight to behold

(I used 3 movie stars to highlight the fact that a “film” is of great importance in finding the answer)

Behind the scenes however, a fourth man was at work …
Will, a part-time goldsmith, salt of the earth
Will … Smith
carried half of the burden with Bruce at his side
bur ...den (Bur/den)
Wilbur and Bryden
Together they shouted at the apex of evil,
“Shout(ed) at the Devil”
Never flinched but stood their ground with honour and pride

The movie "Shout At The Devil" - Book written by Wilbur Smith




********



Actors Lee Marvin and Rodger Moore stayed at Letaba during the filming of Wilbur Smith’s novel “Shout at the Devil” in 1975

Ranger Bruce Bryden was a stunt man in the movie. He recalled that Marvin didn’t really have to act much to be convincing in his role as a hard-drinking American hunter, as he was a naturally wild man who was “sloshed most of the time.”
Marvin and fellow actor Rodger Moore set up a long-running poker game at Letaba, trading chips for R10 apiece, drinking Grand Mousseaux, smoking Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey cigars and listening to the sounds of the bush at night.

No wonder Hollywood loves Africa!

(Exploring Kruger -Brett Hilton-Barber & Professor Lee R Berger)

I would never have known that Bruce Bryden was a stuntman in this movie or that Roger Moore and Lee Marvin stayed at Letaba

Well thought out SC Pretty interesting facts. I had gone in all directions with this one Learnt so much along the way

Here's one to play with. We are looking for a place.

Thanks Rosie


I don't know where to start Google does not help!!!
Totally different! You have me






Will tackle this one next year, off to visit family

I'm guessing that part of the answer is Gezantfombi waterhole near Croc Bridge, which may be another part of the answer. But then my map fails me, so remembering an Elizabethan conversation*, I'll not try to climb further out of this one.

*Said to be scratched on a window pane somewhere.
Raleigh: Fain would I climb/ yet fear I to fall.
Eliz. I: If thy heart fail thee/ then climb not at all.

SC - you don't need Google for this one - you are right it might not help much!

hfglen - Hi and welcome - nice to have you here You are using the correct search engine but why do you say it has failed you? Care to explain?

Maybe it's the user rather than the map, but after Gezantfombi and Croc Bridge I was having problems getting to the next clue. Many thanks for the welcome.

hfglen you have done well I am interested in how you got to Gezantombi or as some maps state, Gezantfombi ?

Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 contain clues to confirm that you are in the correct area.

Explain what you can I will explain the rest

Using the 2009 Jacana map, the 1974 AA Road Atlas and a spot of inspiration.

I am now certain that you are referring to the viewpoint just off the H4-2 where you look down on the Gezantombi / Gezantfombi (latter spelling in Jacana) dam. The dam is on the Vurhami River about 4 km above the confluence with the Crocodile. The first two words are, of course, Gezantombi spelt backwards, hence the mirror. The second verse seems to point to the Crocodile River / Croc Bridge. Three and 4 still sail straight over my head. Then, sorting pictures from right there from about 3 weeks ago, it dawned on me that the last verse invites the reader to sit and watch at the aforementioned viewpoint (where the bank of the river is fairly steep). And to think I was there 3 weeks ago -- can I plead that a car temperature of some 40°C brought on the fried brain syndrome?

The "drunken man " may refer to Malelane, from where the Croc River comes...

Lala Palms are used to make wine of sorts, and SOME say Malelane is named after the Mlala business!

Maybe the other great river is the Komati...?

hfglen Well Done Absolutely spot on!!!

Apologies for taking so long to reply! Silly season, thunderstorms, flash floods and power failures....... It's been such fun!

Ibmot Nazeg looked in the mirror so sad
Knowing now that she was definately mad
Looking in a mirror would give you Gezantombi Dam
Allowing all to openly view her girls
As they wash themselves and their curls.
Gezantombi is derived from Swazi, the name meaning “Where the girls wash”

Paragraph 2 - to confirm the area you need to be in
“who crosses” - Crocodile Bridge – “stays” - Camp and “swims” River

The two GREAT ones – are two elephants (Clue in the picture)
Two elephants seen in that area are Zambhala which is also the name of a waterhole - Vurhami River and the name is of Tsonga origin and is said to mean potato. The other great is Nhlowa and of course the Short 28 is also known as Nhlowa Road. Nhlowa meaning Marula juice. It is a loop which brings you back onto the road you need to be on. Back to your goal post (H) with a score of four to two (4-2) = H4-2. You get back onto the H4-2 at Lower Sabie (the river below) This is the road you would have found the place on.
Mention of crocodiles confirming the area.
Suggesting that you go around the back and overlook the spot from the dam wall.

The main clues were in the first two lines with Gezantombi Dam being spelt backwards.