The New Bridge

One of my favourite places to walk is the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve.  I live in a big town, but a twelve minute drive from my home takes me to hectares of unspoilt African bushveld. If you click here,  you can access a wealth of photos which will give you some idea of the beauty of the reserve. I'm posting a few of my own photos below to whet your appetite to visit the website.

On my last visit there with a group of friends, we were greeted by brightly coloured bishop birds which had built nests among the bullrushes. On previous walks we had the thrill of seeing their babies inside the nests.

Southern Bishop Bird

We saw several of the wild animals which live in the reserve, including the blesbok below.

Blesbok

Later in the walk we saw springbok and a wildebeest in the distance, but the highlight of the day was several zebra who watched us as they enjoyed the lush grass a few feet away from us.

A zebra watching us as he eats the lush grass

There are also several sites of historical interest in the reserve, including the ruins of a nineteenth century farmhouse and outbuildings. We stopped to take photos through the windows of the old dairy.

View from the old dairy

A picturesque river, the Bloubosspruit, runs through the reserve. There were two bridges to cross the river, but one was washed away in a flood, so for several years there was only one. If we wanted to cross higher upriver it was a case of balancing on wobbly stones and getting wet feet.

Bloubosspruit

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that, since our last visit, a new bridge had been been installed. It was not visible until we were within in a few yards of it and it made crossing the river a breeze.

It was constructed in two sections and then transported to the nature reserve. Four men carried each section to the river and then put it in place.

The new bridge

What fascinated me was that it was only anchored at one end, which was on a pivot securely bolted to a rock. The other end rested free on the other bank. Next time the river floods, the water will swing the bridge sideways on its pivot, so that it offers less resistance to the flood waters but the strong anchor will prevent it from being washed away. After the storm, the bridge can be returned to its original position and once again provide a way across the river.

The new bridge reminds me of a verse I read in the Griefshare workshop I attend:

 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; 

my hope comes from him.

He alone is my rock, and my salvation; 

He is my fortress and I will not be shaken." (Psalm 62:5-6 )

I am like the new bridge. Storm waters of grief, trouble and worries  buffet and threaten me , but I am anchored tight to God and will not be swept away. He is my rock, and nothing can separate me from His love.