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Message Board
Chisanga
Gee, I hung about at home in Amsterdam on a Saturday night... now that's a BIG deal for me! But I DID rent KEY LARGO, THE WILD ONE, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY's and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE to keep me occupied!
Nothin' but the best!
Tot straks...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Saturday, May 31, 2003 at 19:59:04 (UTC)
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Chisanga
I received a message on my phone from you, but no, I do not know how to retrieve the number.
I was expecting you to ring today, but there is no message on my phone. It is now 18:50 Amsterdam time.
If you ring back, you need to leave a number (vocally) so that I can ring you back.
Tot straks...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Saturday, May 31, 2003 at 16:52:09 (UTC)
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Lynn Szeftel, Harshad Kamble, Peter Hills
Happy Birthday
Northerners
Have just received this press release in and thought you might be interested:
London based Zambian Film Producer and Actor, Manish Patel and his team interrupted the tranquillity in the playground of the rich and famous last week as they set Cannes ablaze with the premiere of Manish’s first film 'Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees'.
The only film to get an official selection from Britain for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2003, Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees written by and starring 29 year old Manish scooped the Black and Asian Film Academy Award at the recently held Cannes film Festival 2003.
The film won the Best Picture Award beating off competition from ten other entries. 'Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees' is the first film to depict Asians operating in London’s gangland and is based on Manish’s first novel, the Stone Shiva which was published last August.
Until recently in British gangster films like Guy Ritchie’s Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, blacks played comic roles and Indians were only seen behind cash counters in corner shops. In the real world, gun culture is turning to be the biggest problem among Indian and black communities.
The plot of the film follows gangs of all origins operating across London. After its initial screening in the UK Section of the Cannes Festival, the Americans also requested to see it. Manish who stars in the film says, The moral of the story is that crime doesn’t pay. The film received an unbelievable ovation.
The film has also been selected to be judged in Britain at the Bradford Film Festival on 21 June and the Ealing Film Festival in July 2003.
Manish hopes to return to Cannes next year with a film to be shot in September called Prison Bars, Cars and Sitars.
Manish was the only producer from Britain to take home a prize.
Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees will be screened in UK cinemas at the end of August.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, May 31, 2003 at 11:24:19 (UTC)
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Doug Grewar
Our thoughts are with you Doug.
Your Dad was the epitome of rare Northern Rhodesian character.
Best wishes from Pam & me
Bill Hunt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Widenham, Natal, South Africa
Friday, May 30, 2003 at 17:43:51 (UTC)
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Hi,Strangers
yes it is I, back from hibernation.
Just to let you all know that I will be visiting UK mid June and some of you may receive a phone call to meet up and in true Zambian style, have a p....up for old times sake.
Cheers all,
That "other" Lusakan
Lynn Szeftel (née Mayoss) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, May 30, 2003 at 10:49:16 (UTC)
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Hello to you all again,
Doug, sorry to hear of the passing of your father. That news and the subsequent messages of condolences from all over the world almost breached my emotional dam . It was certainly badly cracked and I really had to fight back the tears and stop myself going to pieces. As many of you who have been reading the message board over the last couple of years will know, my father died very suddenly, unexpectedly and I have to add mysteriously, on June 5th 1953 in Mulobezi N R.
He had taken us to Africa after the war, as he believed there was a much better future there for him and his family, Sadly he did not make it for very long. My poor mother woke up on that morning to find a hitherto very fit man, dead in bed beside her, she never got over the shock, and had a very difficult time bringing up my sister and myself without her partner, whom she never stopped loving, and talking about. We never have found out the cause of his death, it will forever remain one of lifes enigmas. Anyway spare him a thought as you go about your business on June 5th(The 50th anniversary of his passing). He did his bit for Northern Rhodesia while he was there.
It is "hot " in the north of England at the moment, we reached the dizzy heights of 23 C yesterday
although two of my sons who are in Gran Canaria at the moment had 44 c a couple of days ago!! Bye Bye for now barribee.
Barrie Braidford [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Friday, May 30, 2003 at 09:59:39 (UTC)
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Brasso is back!!!!! Feeling very guilty too am I.
Hello Northerners. Sincere apolgies for appearing to have disappeared off the face of the earth but as some of U may be aware I have been tied up with family matters Etc.
I have however been a background lurker.
Hope U are all well. Dave, Craig, Sarkyarthur, Heather and soooooo many others - thanks for posting messages, pictures, poems and many other forms of input on the message board. That is what makes this site so unique on the web that special individual touch.
Des, Ade, Mo, Fi, Ada & Chris, Scarscalp & Debs, Graham & Fiona, Brian & Julia, Paudie & Sue and so many others (if I listed them all I'd be here all nite). Common folks get posting again.
Heather ...... only 8 confirmed for Livingstone Lark todate. Common folks show some support please. If the kids & I could make the trip back "home" we'd do so but my circumstances at moment do not permitt and I feel very disappointed. I wish the Zambian Reunion well and hope there will be a big surge in demand between now and September to make it better than the Banbury Bash I put together last year. Good luck Heather & I hope all your hard work repay you with a good attendance.
Gary Brassington [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Banbury, Oxon., United Kingdom
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 22:43:50 (UTC)
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Hi All
www.nrzam.plus.com has been updated
These two issues of the Northern Rhodesia Journal have been made available through the generosity of John Fleming and the thoughtfulness of his brother, Paddy.
Added Northern Rhodesia Journal Volume I - No. 3 - 1951
Fifty Years in Central Africa
The Ndola Experimental Tree Plantation
The Launching of the "Good News"
How the Rhodesian Coppers Were Found - Part III
The Barotse Concessions
A Short History of Boxing in Northern Rhodesia
Bushmen Hunters of the Barotse Forests
The Gaboon Viper
Memories of Abandoned Bomas - No. 1 : Mwengwa
Notes: When did slave trading end? /Jack MerryNew contributors to this number /Willie Lammond /Chirupula on some characters
Correspondence & Book Review: Place names /The Livingstone Memorial /A lonely grave /A pioneer remembers
Northern Rhodesia Society
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Added Northern Rhodesia Journal Volume I - No. 4 - 1951
First Exploration of the Kafue Gorge
Early Days in Kalomo and Livingstone
Some Notes on Northern Rhodesian Birds - Part I
Historic Cannons at Kasama
The Barotse Concessions - Part II
The Death and Burial of Chief Kazembe XIV
The First Issue of Northern Rhodesia Postage Stamps
The Monze Meteorite
The Ila Buffalo Drive, 1934
A Note on the "Makishi"
Notes: More about man-eaters /The Pinkbill association/Chirupula on Journal No. II /New Contributors /Line Decorations
Book Reviews
Correspondence: Native Name of Victoria Falls /A Lacerda Query /More abought the Finaughtys /The age of anthills /A history of drama
Northern Rhodesia Society
Regards Ian
Ian Singer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 21:46:56 (UTC)
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Northeners,
http://www.airtimes.com/cgat/zw/centralafrican.htm
With all that chatter about Zambia Airways, some of you may want to reminisce here. Please remember that CAA broke into 3 parts on January 1, 1964, som many of you will never have seen this livery.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 20:28:31 (UTC)
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My Friends,
Thank you all for your kind words.
Warmest Regards - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 18:53:19 (UTC)
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Doug,
I convey my sincere condolences on the passing of your father. He was an adventurous man and I know you will miss him. Fathers tend to live in us after they die. I am certain he will live in you to eternity.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 13:49:57 (UTC)
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David Gray, Victor Dawson, Katrina Robertson
Happy Birthday
Bob Eglinton
Have you finished yet??? I'm dying to know what it is, so don't keep me in suspense too long.
Doug
Sorry to hear about your dad. He sounds like many of the people who came here - very little education, but through hard work, became successful and contributed greatly to the development of the country. I'm sure it was a life well lived and that he enjoyed it along the way.
Northerners
I'm rather tired today, having been up half the night last night reading
They Served Africa with Wings: 60 Years of Aviation in Central Africa. I haven't finished it yet, but it is full of interesting photographs, stories and anecdotes:
- the Imperial Airways Hercules, which in the 1930's, force landed in a dambo near Broken Hill. It took them three days to find the unharmed but hungry and dirty crew. The advert for Imperial at the time read 'The mail may be lost but not mislaid; the passengers may be delayed but not lost'
- the S45 Solent which punctured one of its keels at Livingstone was repaired by filling it with a mixture of cement and linseed oil.
- the Vickers Viking which was grounded by the Katanga Government for gun-running and was then stolen from Elizabethville Airport by Capt. George Bellamy who 'persuaded UN soldiers to help him inflate the tyres and start the engines for a test run. Before anyone knew what was happening he was gone; later making a successful landing at Ndola ....'
and for Craig, true to Bamba Zonke form, even way back in 1931, when Imperial Airways introduced a weekly return service between Cairo and Cape Town 'The route, as originally projected, excluded Salisbury and only included one landing in Southern Rhodesia, namely Bulawayo. On representation being made of the importance of Salisbury as an airport ..... it was agreed that the latter town should be substituted for Livingstone'. But they (the SR Government) had to pay a bribe for this - an annual subsidy of £ 10,000.
Can't wait to get home this evening to carry on reading.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 09:39:10 (UTC)
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Hello All
I am looking for information on classic, vintage, collectable cars that have been owned in Northern Rhodesia/Zambia. I am currently doing private research on cars owned in Southern Africa and would be most grateful for any information or photographs that any GNR members might be able to forward to me. I am especially interested in Rolls-Royce and Bentley, but info on any makes of car will be appreciated.
Thank you for your assistance.
Regards
Wayne M. Kennerley
Wayne Kennerley [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
New Malden, Surrey, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 09:31:59 (UTC)
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Bob Eglinton
My South African colleague and I spent all our lunch hour reading your school antics. I can't believe Rennie boys behaved like that? We're looking forward to your brush with the authorities, complete with photographic evidence.
Craig
Takes no time at all to open the GNR site here in Perth. It wouldn't matter if it took half an hour. It's a great drawcard.
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 06:05:03 (UTC)
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Doug,
I was really sorry to hear about your father. Your friends on the GNR are thinking of you.
Ron,
What lovely words you wrote. Very thoughtful and touching.
Denise,
Hope you get better soon. We're thinking of you too.
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 05:41:48 (UTC)
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Doug:
My sincerest condolences to you on the loss of your father. Thank you for always having the courage to bare your soul to us and to share the tribute to your father with us. May you remember precious moments that you had with him, with laughter in your heart, and peace in the knowledge that he is in a better place.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 03:06:00 (UTC)
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Doug,
Sincere condolences from China, I will raise a glass to your Dad when the sun crosses the yardarm, and the tears of the Rain God - the first heavy raindrops as they raise the thick brown dust in the wet season with that rich earthy tang that once experienced, like the voice of a loved-one, is never to be forgotten.
"Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room,
I am the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not think of me and and cry,
I am not there.
I did not die."
Ron In Hong Kong, China
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 01:00:02 (UTC)
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Doug.......
My heartfelt Condolences ..thank you for sharing with us your fathers life story...and keep sharing your anecdotes , they are most welcome , especially to the ones that cannot remember their land of birth
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, May 29, 2003 at 00:59:52 (UTC)
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Doug...
My condolences on the passing of your dad.
You are lucky you had him around for a long time. Sounds like he led a fantastic life and like my dad loved wandering all over the world.
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 23:37:27 (UTC)
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DOUG
Condolences on the death of your father and a toast to celebrate a full and interesting life. I applaud his decision to dontate his body because I am sure someone will benefit by it. Best wishes to you and your family.
Fiona
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 22:03:20 (UTC)
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Doug
My heartfelt condolences to you, my friend. As you know, we share the same belief in MAN, and I am happy to see, so did your beloved father. And as you might have taken note in my many references to my own father, so does he.
We have much in common, Doug. Perhaps next time I am in South Africa, we can finally meet.
I too have experienced loss of loved ones, and so I must return to where my father now lives and make sure that he knows how much I love and respect him.
For a close son to loose his role model, his hero, his father, is a very sad thing. My heart goes out to you, mate!
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 21:21:49 (UTC)
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Doug,
Very well written. Your dad sounds like he went with the same conviction in his beliefs as Sandra did, although she battled with the finality of it all towards the end. One day I guess we'll all get to find out if what we believed was true, although if what some of us believe is true we'll never know.
My condolences.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 20:57:04 (UTC)
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A bit of sad news. My Dad, David, passed away last night at 19.15 after being bedridden 9 months following a stroke. He was 92 years old so he had a good innings. He was strong in his non-belief the end; there will be no funeral as he was a body donor. In this way he made his last gift to mankind. Who knows, his eyes may yet give someone sight. He was a humanist who believed in the brotherhood of man, and that everybody's destiny was in their own hands.
He took us to Northern Rhodesia in 1955 and was in the hotel and catering trade. He started at the Ridgeway Hotel, then ran Chibululama Mine Club, Ndola's Savoy Hotel, Mufulira Mine Mess, and Mufulira Country Club before moving south in 1966, where he worked at Miekles, the Jameson and Victoria Falls Hotel. He met many of the famous people of Northern Rhodesia, including Sir Roy Welensky, Harry Nkambula, Kenneth Kaunda, Sir Stewart Gore-Brown. It is a shame he became incapacitated before he could write down his memoirs of those times.
He started his working life in the jute mills of Dundee at 13, but educated himself and moved up to top hotel management. He trained at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin in 1936 where he met most of the Nazi top brass, and saw Jesse Owen win an Olympic medal, much to Hitler's chagrin. He becoming fluent in German and French, and later worked at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
He also served in the merchant navy and during WW2 the Royal Navy. His sport was boxing and once on a cruise ship in a friendly (non-title) fight he beat the reigning Irish welterweight champion. He was dissappointed that none of his sons became professional boxers.
We are happy that his sufferings have ended and hope his freed spirit finds its way to his ancestors among the wild Scottish mountains or at least into the smoke above Mosi-o-Tunya. Slangibar and Hamba Gashle!
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 19:36:32 (UTC)
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Northerners
I also liked the analogy with animals at the pool, although it completely missed the mention of four resident, snappy and obnoxious crocs, occasionally watching the goings on. How well known is it that any animal thrashing about in murky water will perhaps attract unwelcome attention and possibly a large bite?
Joking apart I see no problem in discussing politics on the board, there have been some both good and pathetic points made on both sides of the argument. As long as discussions remain relatively peaceful and without name-calling, or baiting I am sure the crocs won’t be taking much notice.
The reference to the Dag Hammarskjöld stadium in Ndola made me larf, that is nothing compared to the debacle we had in the UK with our Tony’s little white elephant. The discussions on the demise of Zambian Airways also drew a smile, what the Zambians should have done is followed the American way, or perhaps they did after all.
And as far as the Oxford graduate Prime Minister and one time First Lord of the Treasury, Harold Wilson goes, well he wasn’t even going to Blackpool, let alone Rhodesia, he was too busy down on his knees asking the IMF for another bail out after getting his sums wrong again and having to devalue the UK pound.
Everyone has his or her own opinions and these will vary wildly as they will do on other stuff, especially what people find interesting or boring. I have been told there is too much poetry, too much banter, too much mining stuff, it’s like a tea party, too much of us, etc. etc. But what the hell, as long as you, the members contribute in a positive way, the GNR will be able to survive in the longer term and that’s what is important to us all.
As Craig mentioned a while ago the new GNR will have a threaded Message Board and it will be a lot easier for people to choose what they want to see, read and respond to. I know the New GNR has been in the pipeline a long time, perhaps so long it has now become as mythical as the map of Broken Hill, however the New GNR is a reality, is being worked on nearly every day and will be arriving on your monitors very soon.
For the new site I have a mountain of banknotes and coins brought over by Heather on her last visit to the UK, together with more stamps, which will all be scanned and put on display to add to the ones already on the GNR.
Now back to join the animals in the swamp.
Arthur Steevens [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stockport, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 18:31:26 (UTC)
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Northern Rhodesian/Zamvian coins, bills and stamps...
Are available dirt cheap and by the truckload on E-Bay.
Do a search on Rhodesia and Zambia. I have bought quite a few myself for memory sake.
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 17:38:45 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
Please pay attention all you neophytes... this is the Founder speaking! In fact, you can all stand now.
The coins you are describing and their proper names and proper descriptions (bird sitting on a nest, indeed! --- try Zimbabwe Bird?) were some of the first images ever put on the Great North Road website. Way before there was such a modern thing as a message board!
You can find these images on the GNR if you dug around the site a little, instead of just lingering here on the message board.
you can sit down now
oh, and Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 17:26:49 (UTC)
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Ayub,
I wish I had kept some of those Northern Rhodesia coins; big copper pennies with a hole in the middle, “Tiki” small coin with three arrows on it, then there is the one shilling which has a bird sitting on a nest. I can use those coins. Then there is the six pence coin. I wouldn’t mind buying a few. Its amazing what memorable things some of these coins purchased before inflation came to Zambia big time.
Bob,
I went to boarding schools from 1963 to 1976. There are so many memories. One I remember is at Tamanda Boarding Upper School in rural Chipata literally on the boarder with Malawi. We were the first generation of Standard 3 (Grade 5) students who were young about 10 to 12 years old. Many of the boys in Standard 5 and 6 were men who were 19, 20 and sometimes even 22 years old. We all used to take baths in the “Change House” an open grass shelter 50 feet by 50 feet. We would draw water from the well about 200 yards away. Everyone simply took off their clothes and hung them on the fence. The older boys were very proud and confident about their bodies of course. So they walked around, chatted, soaped themselves, took their sweet time to rinse themselves. This was one of the most terrifying time for us young boys. One older boy, I still remember his name, Leyard, used to take delight in teasing us the young boys. We the young boys would undress and discretely face away from everyone taking the bucket bath in the fastest way we could. One day big Leyard walked in, undressed, and pointing at my almost invisible private parts:
“Hey, Mwizenge, Tembo! What type of kadoyo (tiny insect) are you hiding over there!?”
He was laughing and giggling. The whole shelter burst into laughter. I wanted to just disappear from the world out of embarrassment. It was so humiliating. But then some of the older boys warned big Layard to quit picking on small kids. Why didn’t he pick on guys his age? For the whole year, I made sure I took baths only when big Leyard was not in the bath shelter.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 17:11:20 (UTC)
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Lovely long reminisce from Rob. Thanks. Man, you must have been a wierd person to recall all those arcane details.
We, in the world-famous Williams House, of course, never did silly things like that.
Mind you, we did have a period of doing all sorts of hypnosis things. I recall that we had one young person balanced on a bed rail for a time. Seemed like hours. Never did know if he got off it.
Bill
William Knott [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 16:26:37 (UTC)
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Has anyone got any idea about pre-Independence and post Independence coins (Federal and Zambian ones). I seem to have a vast collection of them; many with holes punched away from the centre). Are they worth anything or do we have to wait till they "mature"...ie wait till the 22nd Century! Also have many South African coins dated early 20th Century.
By the way Manchester this afternoon is swamped with Italians. Also the weather is warm for once. Bet an Italian team will win the Cup!!!!!!!!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 14:43:37 (UTC)
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Ali,
Sorry, I've fixed it already. :)
Server Speed
Seems quite a bit faster to me.
Server Time
Possibly nobody noticed, but the server's clock was 12 minutes fast. I've fixed that too.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 11:31:30 (UTC)
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Muizenge, you must have both witch doctor and matriarch in your past. Well put using the pool. In 1964 I was boarding in Denny House at Gilbert Rennie, Lusaka and following is a little taste of our lives then, well for some of us as there were those that did not get into trouble.
One night Doug woke me up around three in the morning and together we went to dorm four where we collected every shoe, tackies, rugby boots and carried into the shower area which was a separate annex and opposite to the toilets. We must have spent two hours tying every lace together in an almighty pile of footwear consisting of hundreds of very tight knots. The morning system was for the duty house master to inspect boarders in dorm one, then two, and so on. Inspection consisted of boarders standing by the foot of their beds and we were checked to ensure that you had made an attempt to wash and comb your hair. That we were correctly dressed for school, that your bed was made properly, not just pulled over with the counterpane hiding a rats nest but made freshly and correctly, shoes clean, tie on etc. In the winter time some of the lads would try to get away without a tie by standing for inspection with a pullover on that had a high neck to it. Once you were released the outside side door located in the feeder passageway would be unlocked and you would make your way to the dinning hall for breakfast. The house master was a saint in my book, he spotted that the dorm four lads were incorrectly dressed, no shoelaces as they had had to cut their shoes free. That morning none of dorm four turned up for breakfast. Our big mistake, Doug and I made, was to confide in our dorm mates that it was us that had got back at the older lads for their strong-arm tactics. I suppose in this day and age it would be considered a form of bullying with the older stronger boys picking on the smaller lads but to us it was the norm and we were having a go back. To this day I never did work out whom the rat was that informed on us but that is another ‘tail’!
It would be a couple of days after the shoelace incident when Doug and I had partaken of our evening meal. We had just left the dining hall and were walking on the road back to the hostel when suddenly we were walking without our feet touching the ground. On either side we had been grabbed by the upper arms and lifted clear of the ground, escape was not an option. In ceremony we were propelled into Dorm Four where one of the dorm inhabitants was sat on top of one of the fourteen wardrobes with a white towel draped over his head and shoulders. A lad sitting on the footlocker attached to the side of the wardrobe leapt up, and in a loud voice cried out,
"Hear Ye, Hear Ye the right Horrible Judge Revenge has declared the court in session". The judge then called out.
"Who is the defendants council?"
"I am" cried out another voice.
"How do the defendants plead"? Roared the judge.
"Guilty as charged my Lord."
"Sentencing to be carried out for the foul and dreadful act of causing the inhabitants of Dorm Four to miss a healthy nutritious breakfast. To cause the inhabitants of dorm four a lost day in learning, as they could not concentrate on lessons for the messages being received all morning from their stomachs. For the financial costs of replacing damaged articles."
Punishment was shear agony. Each of the four dormitories contained fourteen beds, seven on each side. A wardrobe with attached boot locker divided the bed space from each other with the central area from one end to the other as an open corridor. The fourteen beds were pulled out into the centre corridor section creating a hopscotch effect, bed, space, bed, space. A line of seven beds up and a line of seven beds down. The shoe lace owners either removed their pillow from the pillow case and inserted foot ware (mainly rugby boots) or, taking a bath towel and biting on the edge half way down its length carefully roll it into two rolls. This gives a pointed end and a fat end. Holding the fat end turns a normal bath towel into a formidable whip. That in itself simply was not good enough, the tip was now soaked in water! Derek and I had to follow one another crawling underneath the beds and standing or kneeling on top of the beds were the shoelace people delivering their brand of punishment. Time has passed now and I do not recall how long the bruises lasted but before they had fully faded away we had merited out compensation and felt much better for it but that is another event. Up Dorm Two.
Revenge is Sweet
All the beds in the hostel were of a metal frame. The body of the bed made from angle iron whilst the head and foot were tubular steel. The foot of the bed had in addition welded to the tubular steel, a tube strip from one leg to the other thus forming a towel rail. From each end of the bed’s base frame, a row of springs was hooked into equally spaced small drilled holes. These were joined by rows of chain links tied to each other forming diamond shapes to support the thin, kapok filled, lumpy mattress. We waited our chance, mainly for the aches to subside sufficiently and then we attacked, timing was crucial. If you were late for the dinning hall then you had to miss your meal. Before the hall door opened a queue would be forming and once open each student would go to their chosen seating place for the term and stand behind the chair. Once all had taken their places the teaching staff would file then stand behind their chairs. Grace would be given and a very noisy sit down would follow. For our master plan to work out we had to wait for the last of the dorm four inhabitants to leave, do the deed and not miss lunch. Working as a team I would grasp the metal tubular top section at the end of the bed with both hands and kicking off the floor lift myself into a straight handstand. Instead of holding myself at the apex allowed the momentum of my legs to continue whilst releasing my hands and pulling my legs into my chest in a folded position. Wham, straight through the spring and chain section of the bed. Roll out and on to the next bed. In the meantime Doug would pull the mattress out of the hole, smooth straight and square up the counterpane. We bombed all fourteen beds in a couple minutes flat and made our way into the mess hall for lunch without being late. It would have been very obvious had our two places at the table of ten been absent and especially as we sat opposite each other. It must also be born in mind that the prefect at the head of our table was also very closely associated with Dorm Four.
At this point you will have to let your imagination take over as the lads from Dorm Four wonder back from lunch and flopped onto their bunks. No support any more and they would fall through the hole in the middle of the bed. With their bigger and heavier bodies they would themselves increase the hole in the supporting chain links. The best of all, that was not planned or thought through on our part, was the problem Dorm Four had in locating a pair of pliers. Eventually some were located and bed repairs continued well into the night. This time Derek and I kept mum, but conveying to our fellow dorm members when word filtered down of the deed that we wished it was us who had come up with the idea but that we were still too sore to have done it! Must have been someone in Dorm Three that had done it!
Some of the Dorm Four inhabitants did try to pin it on us but Doug and I whipped off our shirts to display the still disappearing bruisers on our backs and stated that we were too sore and what exactly was it that we was supposed to have done this time tactic. There were those that never lost their suspicion but they had some doubt. If any reading this now, then the mystery for them will be resolved.
There were other incidents and one landing three of us in trouble with the authorities. Will work on this as I have slides to go along with it and one I think Heather may enjoy. There may even be someone who was around and might just recal! Will leave it at that for now,
Happy waterholes,
Bob Eglinton [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lincoln, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 10:26:07 (UTC)
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Craig.......
Hey how much Kwacha does it cost to keep our new birthdate.....I love it........
Tina....
Flutter Flutter..........crash............giggles
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 09:17:58 (UTC)
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Hi All Rhodesians
Every morning I open my PC and go straight to GNR, then onto the Mufulira site & again in the late afternoon. Reading all the letters, to me it is food for my soul...the absolute joy of living, the friendliness and love that we all seem to want to share as one big family, and the memories that one story or another told by one of you bring to mind something in our youth which was forgotten; but the last few days nearly ruined my day. Please no more, we are above all that.
Madeleine Luckin (née Bekker) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Johannesburg, South Africa
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 08:16:58 (UTC)
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Talking of Zambia Airways. Here is a little story.
My interest in Zambian aviation took off very early. I just wasn't aware of it at the time.
In the Botha's Rust farm days whenever my parents wanted some time to themselves they would drop me off at the neighbour's where Caroline Spence (the lovely Caroline of early Zambia T.V. days) would babysit me. I think she earned her money. For instance, her parents and mine went to town one night to the Theater Club leaving me at Caroline's. I still clearly recall her mother Sheila's expression when she came home and found me at her dressing table. This was lavishly embellished, like myself, with her bright blue cream eye shadow. Sadly she didn't seem thrilled with my artistry and spared neither time nor energy in informing Caroline.
But what of the aviation link? Read on!
While this is hillarious in retrospect, one of the highlights of going to Caroline's for me was her brother. To me he was Indiana Jones. He had guns, his Dad was a croc hunter and he was always doing something exciting and interesting. I might be 7 years old but I knew what I liked and I adored him from afar. From his point of view this would not have been nearly far enough. Mostly he just ignored me.
One Saturday my parents dropped me off while they went to a party. I purposefully set of in search of my hero. I didn't have far to go. I ran my quarry to earth leaving the house with his rifle in his hand. "Hi Andy" I said happily. Andy actually grunted an acknowledgement. He paused, and then laconically uttered the magic words: "So, do you want to walk with me to the river?" I couldn't be hearing right. Time stood still. The birds carolled their hearts out in the trees. Somehow I roused myself from the shock to stutter an ecstatic: "Oh yes, Andy!" "Good" he said, matter-of-factly, "I could use some target practice!" My world crashed in little pieces around my feet. I mooched back inside and was no trouble to Caroline for the rest of the visit.
Years later pleasant Andy Spence, then (I think) Chief Pilot of Zambia Airways, was a fellow passenger on a flight to London. We caught up on a lot of interim news and I also reminded him of this incident. He didn't even remember.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 08:16:44 (UTC)
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Mwizenge - very well said, I agree!
Ayub - Loved your poetry, very different from Linda's but just as good.
LINDA - Cheer up my friend. I hope today's a better day.
My son Tristan bought me a water proof and shock proof cell phone. Yesterday I had a blonde moment (what, again?) and somehow the cell phone went for a full wash cycle in the washing machine. After a bit of blow drying - it still works perfectly - and of course is now very clean and fresh!
Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 07:44:54 (UTC)
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Wow, it worked. Will wonders never cease?
Server Speed
I was told by an Australian client that the new server is much faster to download, so I hope that is the case for the GNR too. I presume we've lost Paddy by this point in the month, but I'd be interested to hear a little anecdotal evidence. No need to take over the board like we did at the beginning of the month though.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 07:08:56 (UTC)
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Server Move
This is mostly a test message to see that everything is working following a move to a new server.
There are, as there always are, "issues" with this move:- Access to the old Names Directory and message boards earlier than April 2002 is again suspended. This is because the old method of allowing access to members by checking their credentials against the membership database does not work on this server. I will work on an alternative.
- There is also a problem displaying dates from the database -- almost all birth dates show December 31, 1969. Some of you would like to keep that birth date, I'm sure, but I am working on fixing that too.
For those members-to-be waiting patiently for the form to join the GNR to be resurrected, thank-you for your patience. Right now my priority has to be making sure this server is running properly, not just for the GNR, but also for my paying clients who keep me fed and watered.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 07:03:37 (UTC)
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I was gone for a few days. Then I checked the GNR message board. Lord behold!! The heated politics are acrimonious. The only analogy I could come up with is this: The GNR message board is like a pristine pool of clear cool water in the searing October heat in Zambia. We, the message board readers, are like thirsty animals coming for a drink of water. If a few of us begin stampeding and fighting, the water will become dirty and murky. Some of us will refuse to drink and walk away in disgust, a few of the brave among us will take a few gulps with our eyes closed, the animals that tend to the pool of water may quit. The well will dry out and everyone will loose. Is this what all the readers want? Remember that all of us have very strong beliefs and experience tells me that very little that people will read here however well documented (especially if it is inflammatory and incendiary) will change anyone’s strong views and beliefs on whatever side you are on. Self restraint by everyone is NOT a sign of cowardice but appreciation of the bigger value of the GNR i.e to exchange some creative stuff, communicate, engage in frivolity, humor, share anecdotes, share some small adventures etc. Remember that each time you contribute something positive on the message board, you are adding to the pristine cool drinking water for every member of the GNR.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 23:04:22 (UTC)
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Hi Wilma:
Thanks so much for the compliment on my poetry. I am having a REALLY bad day and that caught me by surprise and lifted my spirits.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 21:12:46 (UTC)
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Chris
I have glanced through the site you recommended. The paper had a lot of relevant points when it was presented over five years ago. Since then the passive public have become less passive and have dumped the corrupt Chiluba and replaced him with Mwanawasa who seems to have a bit more political will to control corruption. At least the paper shows that Zambians are aware that they have a problem.
However if you want to talk about major league corruption look at Enron and the awarding of contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq. People in grass houses shouldn't stow thrones etc.
As to living in Zambia; with the temperature hitting zero in Vryheid tonight I am considering building a winter residence in Zambia. The Mozambique coast is also a lot warmer than here.
Of course Hilo never gets cold and if it does you have always got Goddess Pele in Kiluea to keep you warm. Aren't you scared to live in that place with those volcano's continually erupting? I was so relieved when my plane took off from the Big Island.
Ek is now klaar met die politics! Jy moet probeer om soet te wees!
Almal
Zambia is represented in Big Brother Africa by Cherise Makabale. Big Brother is a really silly brain damaging show but I look at it now and then.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 19:45:50 (UTC)
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Wilma, settle down. When someone posts historically inaccurate assertions here, then that should be brought to light and the authors should either put up, or shut up.
Cheers for now
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 18:27:21 (UTC)
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Good evening all you gnr's
Thank you for your attempt at a bit of poetry, but I am afraid that it does not compare in the least with the beautiful words that our Mrs. Linda Hayes writes.
You should go back in the archieves of the gnr site and read her work when September 11th happend and then you would appreciate the real thing when you read it.
It will be a shame if this site ends up loosing all it has built up over the last couple of years. It has always been a bright spot in my day to go to the gnr site and read what has been going on with everyone. Craig has put a lot of time and effort into this site, and we have weathered many storms, I feel that if you people want to pick political hairs do it privately.
Ok I will get of my soap box.
Bye for now Wilma
Wilma Wall (née Henry) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Almelo, Netherlands
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 18:04:00 (UTC)
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Amazing, according to zumla and puta checkwe, the collapse of the zambia economy was/is/and always will be the fault of others. Now Rhodesia was also responsible? One may ask who it was who closed the Falls bridge in 1966, thus blocking access to the world? And whose decision was it to fly in the national fuel supply, using 44 gallon drums, in old flying machines?
One can go on and on, but there is not much point. When these 2 blokes claim to (have been) an integral part of the zambian middle/upper management class, and both subscribe to such poor theories for zambia's demise, then it should come as no surprise that the country collapsed. KK and his merry band certainly played a key role, but it is the middle/upper management class who really fuelled the collapse.
One zambia, one nation, one helluva case study!
PS - Checkwe, what happened to Meridian, and how were you involved?
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 17:43:05 (UTC)
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Mr. Zumla.
I have been a lurker on this board for some time and this is my first or second post.
You wrote, "It seems quite apparent that if the UK Government had put down the Rebellion in Rhodesia in 1965, the current problems in Zimbabwe would never have got to this stage. It would have had a moderate black Government in 1965 and every country within that region would have thrived economically..radical Governments would not be there as in Zimbabwe today. "
Like you, I delivered a Masters thesis, but on gold and monetary problems, but which included much on African politics. Would you be good enough to explain why you think your statement would have been true? I cannot think of one post-colonial government that has been moderate.
For the rest of the tree-house, rest assured that this will be my last political post.
Robert Huntley [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Carmel, California, United States
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 14:39:47 (UTC)
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Ayub,
An excellent piece. I wish I had read your thesis on Rhodesia/Zimbabwe when I was an international development consultant in Ottawa. I always suggested to the Canadian International Development Agency that early intervention in Zimbabwe would have resulted in a more moderate regime than Mr. Mugabe's. Any reader of Zimbabwe political history will agree that the likes of Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi Sithole, Chinamana, Herbert Chitepo and Dr. Parirenyatwa were neither foold nor radicals.
I don't want to give the impression that I had to perform feats to persuade the Canadians of this view. Fortunately for me, Canadians are rational people and are not generally guided by unadulterated bigotry. The view made sense to them.
Your point on corruption is valid. We cannot be simplistic and assume corruption is unique to Southern Africa. We have allegations right now in Canada that friends of the ruling party benifited from all sorts of gvernment contracts and loans from government financial institutions. I would hope however that we would not excuse corruption in Zambia just because the phenomenon is global in character. It is important we support President Mwanawasa's fight against the scourge.
By the way Lesotho recently cracked down on corruption and charged a number of people in connection with the largest case of graft the country has known. I am referring to the Lesotho Highland Water Project. The interesting thing is all but one of the big players in the scam came from Europe and North America.
Finally, I found your contrast of how the UK responded to Saddam and Smith quite interesting. Food for thought. Please publish your PhD thesis and make sure I have an autographed copy!
Chisanga Puta-Chekwe [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 14:33:35 (UTC)
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OK Wilma, here is one of my own poems:
* I am sat here in this room, alone,
The dark nightness adds a different third dimension to The internally illuminated wimdow in front of me.
And during this time of lonliness, interspread with the Sudden ecstatic interruptions by acquaintances and the Occasional friend,
I have come upon a completely new and gently Inspired experience.
Having lit the incense, I see images true and false, Which are coloured by the reflections of their own light And myself in the window before me.
I actually see anything I wish to see, but its not always So easy.
Naturally, I try to see the things I want to see.
And its not always happiness.
What I actually see is what I imagine I would Experience under Lysergic Acid; only more Comprehensible, relevant and controlled.
Quite often I project myself into my invention of the Future.
But I get nowhere; except older and perhaps a little Wiser"
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 14:05:19 (UTC)
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Well Hello there all you gnr's.
I am sitting here at work in Holland and the weather has finally changed for the better, and I thought I would have a read at the message board.
Where have all the funny, happy, interesting stories about Northern Rhodesia/Zambia gone. We seem to have become a political site all of a sudden.
Come on folks lighten up, and lets enjoy the site. Where are the lovely peoms from Miss Linda, and I find it rather strange that that Main woman has disappeared from the planet. It must have been a very good bash the UK the Mufulira one that is. We have still not heard anything about it.
I am really sorry Heather that I will not be able to make the Zambian bash but I may be moving here in Holland and I do not know exactly when that will be. But I will be thinking about you all.
Okay I will get off my soap box and get some work done.
Bye now Love Wilma
Wilma Wall (née Henry) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Almelo, Netherlands
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 13:41:10 (UTC)
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Hi Chisanga,
Thanks for your support. Perhaps I might refer readers to something called UDI. Remember that and all the misery it caused to Zambia..border closures, sanctions etc. When Harold Wilson said" It will be over in weeks"!....what he meant was.."The Zambian Economy will be over in weeks"!. The chickens came home to roost when it transpired later that British Oil companies were breaking sanctions for years...with the "blessing" of successive UK Governments. The cost of "Rhodesian sanctions "on Zambia ran into the Billions! I refer you to an MSc Thesis "The impact of the Rhodesian UDI on the Zambian Political Economy" by, yes, yours truly (Ayub Zumla).. London School of Economics and Political Science. I am now nearing the completion of a PHD thesis on the same subject from the same LSE. So do wait for it!
It seems quite apparent that if the UK Government had put down the Rebellion in Rhodesia in 1965, the current problems in Zimbabwe would never have got to this stage. It would have had a moderate black Government in 1965 and every country within that region would have thrived economically..radical Governments would not be there as in Zimbabwe today. Funny isn't it that the UK Government walks in blindly and impudently into a Middle Eastern country under the guise of being some sort of saviour and under the pretext of getting rid of weapons of mass destruction..regime change...and a host of baseless reasons while it didn't have the guts to put down a rebellion against its own queen..yes own Queen! Many innocent lives, both black and white, would have been saved had they put down a rebellion by a handful of Rhodesians. See what is happening now in Zimbabwe. Perhaps a case of "you reap what you sow". And what is the UK response..don't play cricket with them..stop the tour. Today the British Government allows over 300 UK companies to trade with Zimbabwe openly and then it has the nerve to to call on cricketers to take a lead. Hypocrites have led UK Governments for years and continue to do so today. And yes ,you are quite right..the Colonial power never educated blacks during their rule. Without an educated elite no country stands a chance. Sadly, today, most African have been "embedded" in so much debt that they will never have any chance of being "independent".
Corruption exists everywhere. It is not confined to African countries. Try doing some research into UK defence contracts obtained in the Middle East over the past 30 years...or contracts being awarded today to companies vying for re-building work in Iraq. Corruption in Zambia is pittance..compared to this. Have you not heard about the huge commission given to a famous son of a UK prime Minister by Middle Eastern Governments in the not too distant past....do I need to say more...
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 13:06:12 (UTC)
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Northerners
If you are planning to stop off in South Africa on your way to or from the Livingstone Lark, please take note of the following which I have just received from the British High Commissions
Dear All,
This is to inform everyone planning to travel to South Africa that a new law was passed a few weeks ago stipulating that all visitors to South Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passport to enable the entry visa to be issued. If there is insufficient space in the passport entry will be denied and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 10:17:44 (UTC)
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Heather......
Wow.......your new site is fantastic....I just love the paintings, and the carvings......a wonderful project, Keep up the good work....
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 00:53:41 (UTC)
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Doug,
Without wishing to upset the applecart any further, please take a look at the following:
www.fiuc.org/iaup/esap/publications/zambia/corrupzamb.php
Seems like a very objective piece which addresses and supports the notion of Zambia's demise due to to corruption at every conceivable level.
And for you Puta Checkwe, perhaps you might enlighten us on the reference in the above article, to the demise of Meridian Bank? and the subsequent violation of the Banking and Finance Act by senior officers working for other banks?
Lekker slaap
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Monday, May 26, 2003 at 20:19:40 (UTC)
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Doug,
There is no need to try to change history. Zambia was destroyed by internal corrup and inefficient management, and I will call anyone who blames the national demise on other outside factors.
And one might ask, with all your wisdom and spirit, why it is that you are no longer in Zambia contributing to the recovery? But then, this is not the forum for that.
No Doug, when someone, anyone, accuses the G8 for Zambia's demise, I will call him/her.
Meantime, I really enjoy many of the postings here, especially Heather's photos.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Monday, May 26, 2003 at 19:36:54 (UTC)
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Pip Freedman, the great comedian who had a show every Saturday morning on Springbok Radio is dead. His impersonations included Hartebee, Philemon, Happy Harry Singh, and Gamat but he was never cruel or nasty with his humour.
Big Brother Africa has started in Joburg with 12 participants from 12 different African countries. This may do more for African Unity than all the politicians. I am always amused by the suspicion with which black South Africans view their compatriots from Africa. Maybe this show will make them realise that makwerekweres are also people.
Chris Tamm,
If a parent lets his child play with a loaded gun and the child shoots himself, who is to blame. A lot of Africa's problems are caused by premature independance. A longer period of self government under British guidance would have allowed Africa to have been better prepared for independance. At Zambian Independance in 1964 there were only about 6 Zambian university graduates. What did you expect? Who forced the colonial powers, starting with the 1956 Suez debacle, to abandon their responsibilities prematurely. Who else but your adopted homeland.
The worst pain in the backside were those British politicians who flew out on VC10's for a 2 day fact finding tour and came up with an instant solution to Africa's problems and then flew away leaving us to sort out the crap. Your short 6 years visit to Zambia hardly qualifies you to comment in a much more informed manner than those 2 day wonders.
People who have invested their lives in Africa are still here and still enjoying life and the biltong and castle. I am sure once that mad man in Zims is replaced the whole Southern African region will forge ahead.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Monday, May 26, 2003 at 19:05:51 (UTC)
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Puta Checkwe writes:
"Zambia Airways was a vcitim of IMF/World Bank orthodoxy. The airline certainly had cashflow problems towards the end but I would not have classified it as irredeemable, especially in light of the fact that its assets exceeded its liabilities."
Here we go again. Your absolute refusal to recognise that the demise of Zambia was of the people, by the people, for the people, is assanine. There are just a few of you who will lay the blame at the feet of the IMF/World Bank.
I will ask you a few simple questions - why is it that when a lender places conditions on a loan, of other peoples money, where such conditions are not only appropriate but fiducially responsible, and when the obligor fails, do people like you come out bashing the lender? Whose money was it in the first place? And since when does a loan become a grant when people like you wish it so?
Zambia Airways, and the country in which it operated out of, had zero fiscal sense. That is the reason why the economy in Zambia tanked, and the currency is now worthless.
Zambia was never a victim of anything, except gross internal mismanagement.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Monday, May 26, 2003 at 18:06:27 (UTC)
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Dear Linda as much as I adore you I dont think the risk of a
6.4" ex marine catching up with me would be worth sharing a tent with you and another 45 people and as for you finishing up in Kapiri Mposhi you will need a ten ton truck to transport your kwacha with you as I note that Heather has lunch in one of the restaurants in Livingstone quoted at 40.000 kwacha could this be a printing error? when I left in 76 it was two kwacha to the £, I am afraid that you would be on Sadsa and Capenta if you managed to abscond wih my Joburg pension as I am living on in the UK at the moment,are you going to make it, Jill has said I can ride up from Joburg with her if I can make it there. Regards to all Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Monday, May 26, 2003 at 06:06:20 (UTC)
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Hi
having had a spell in hospital followed by a hard disc loss - and yes the two are are connected - the only thnig I did not have backed up was my emails.
I cannot get into the names directory and am not sure if it is because of the new programmeor just me. If Hans Matson and Peter Dielson could contact me directly I would be grateful
Amanda
Amanda McIntosh (née Wiggins) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Auckland, New Zealand
Monday, May 26, 2003 at 04:13:36 (UTC)
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Ayub,
I have not been on the GNR site for quite a while. I see you have been making some interesting postings. I have enjoyed reading them, albeit belatedly.
Zambia Airways was a vcitim of IMF/World Bank orthodoxy. The airline certainly had cashflow problems towards the end but I would not have classified it as irredeemable, especially in light of the fact that its assets exceeded its liabilities.
When we lived in England I always preferred travelling to Lusaka on Zambia Airways. I know that I disappointed many of Zambia perrenial critics by my failure to tell a Zambia Airways horror story. That is not to say I had none, just to draw a distinction between the local service and the international service.
Chisanga Puta-Chekwe [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Monday, May 26, 2003 at 01:01:13 (UTC)
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Dearest Johnny:
You sound so disappointed. How about if I clean out my old man's bank account, and you and I take off for a Lark in Livingstone together. By the time he catches up with us, I will have swindled you out of the rest of your pension and high tailed it to Kapiri Mposhi. He! He!
Alternatively, you could send me a ticket and we could bunk in Jill Aplin's tent. I hear she only has 45 people in it so far...
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Sunday, May 25, 2003 at 20:12:24 (UTC)
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For anyone interested here is the latest quotes from Virgin Airways UK Joburg, but the news that Zim wants $65 dollars US for a visa and then Zam wants the same, that in rand is near enough another R1000 .00, the air fare from the UK will be another R4433 to Joburg, expenses in Livingstone after you arive there after paying another R250 from Joburg to The Falls will be at least another R200 per day say R600, most people will want to travel on to there old haunts on the Copperbelt and elsewhere at least another R2000 for a couple of weeks total around R9000 based on exchange rates of R13 to £1 and R8 to the US $,that will be little excessive for a guy whose pension is paid out from Joburg monthly in Rands to the UK and should be £800 per month and over the last 15 years has deteriated to at one stage last year to £124 per month and I note today it is on the decline again from R10.7 a week ago to R12.23 today I dont think I am going to make it unless I win the lottery.
Flights under £400
Seattle from £328
Lagos from £356
Bangkok from £366
Barbados from £381
Johannesburg from £391********
Antigua from £394
St Lucia from £395
Regards to all Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 25, 2003 at 08:01:22 (UTC)
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Sorry, bit slow today and obviously unable to type properly. the link should be
Zambian Art On The Web.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, May 24, 2003 at 12:22:22 (UTC)
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There was a letter in the Natal Mercury on Wednesday from a Nick Green of Umhlanga Rocks about the common form of malaria (Plasmodium Falciparum) found in Southern Africa.
He states that Larium with its side effects is only 60% effective. This is better than the old Chloroquin / Dequadin combination which is now only 20% effective.
However Glaxo Smith Kline has a new product called Malarone that is 98% effective. See www.malarone.com.
Malarone has been approved by the UK the US and 35 other countries. In South Africa it is still awaiting approval so you guys are lucky. Nick believes some pressure should be put on the Medicines Control Council to speed things up.
I don't know if this amounts to plagiarism but he published the information in a letter to a newspaper to inform people; I am extending his audience to people to whom it may well be of interest, so I should not think it is a problem.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, May 24, 2003 at 11:40:54 (UTC)
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Richard Potts, Nevin Scott, Barry Anderson
Happy Birthday
Ayub
Melvin also writes a column every month for the Lowdown which appears in the printed and web version. May's column can be read here
Linda
I use paintings either from the schools or from different artists.Some of the paintings I buy from the artists and sometimes I borrow the paintings, do the cover and then return the painting.
Some of the paintings that I've used (and some which I may or may not use) are available for sale at Zambian Art On The Web.
There are also other things available - wooden carvings, soapstone, marble, malachite, baskets, wire bicycles, jewellery - but I just haven't finished completing the web page yet. I'm hope to do that this weekend.
The page will also be updated every week - the artists come in every Wednesday with new work and to see what I have sold. This week someone brought me some carvings from jacaranda. It really is lovely and I think an excellent use for jacarandas. I have a love-hate relationship with jacarandas - they only looked decent when they're flowering, but then they make suce a mess of everything. And nothing grows under them. A bit like my relationship with gum trees (eucalyptus). As I drive around Zambia, I can tell, from a distance, when I am approaching somewhere that existed in colonial days, either a town or an old farm, because of the gum trees.
Craig
Thanks for updating the Livingstone Lark page - it was deadline time so everything else goes on the back burner until my magazine is at the printers. IT IS AT THE PRINTERS!!
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, May 24, 2003 at 09:14:43 (UTC)
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Heather Who does the art work for the Lowdown covers. It is lovely.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Friday, May 23, 2003 at 22:33:35 (UTC)
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Chris (Cantrell, that is),
Thanks. Glad to hear that Scarscalp seems to be fine and is close to a pub.
You can recover your mislaid user ID and password using the password-recovery form.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Friday, May 23, 2003 at 18:26:58 (UTC)
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Zumla seems to have a singular lack of understanding that economics rule the world. Zambia Airways crashed precisely due to inept corporate management in a country which was also run into the ground, yet Zumla focuses only on the friendly chick at the check in counter, and beefs about BA making hay whilst the sun shines.
Vuka Zumla, there is coffee in the pot.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Friday, May 23, 2003 at 17:11:26 (UTC)
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Craig
Scarscalp alive and well and now living in Cumbria spoke to him on wednesday. Working hard on the new house. Appears to be about 200 yds from nearest pub so will try to visit soon!
Regards to everyone Chris.
sorry about using the Wifes ID mine has been mislaid
Ada Cantrell (née Wienand) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hastings, East Sussex, England
Friday, May 23, 2003 at 14:03:26 (UTC)
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Hey guys I didn't mean bring back the original Zambia Airways administration! Surely with all the priviatisation that has happened since those days, a new Zambia Airways would surely compete with British Airways. But then would it be given landing rights at Heathrow! I know Virgin Airlines have been trying to obtain bid for the Zambian route for years; in vain! Some of the fares quoted by BA are ridiculous! Surely it will be in our interests if some competition is allowed! Monopolies breed inflated prices..competition results in lower prices! Just ask British Telecom. Phone calls to Zambia via BTcan cost you up to 90 pence( plus VAT) a minute while if you purchase a Savers card (or Unity, Cheers Africa, Rose and others that are available in the UK from any newsagent) you can talk to any landline/or mobile phone in Zambia at less than 10p a minute! I use a Rose card which I obtained from a local newsagent for £4 and It shows 48 minutes talktime to Zambia and 72 minutes to South Africa!!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Friday, May 23, 2003 at 10:39:03 (UTC)
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Mark,
Good luck with your move to Brisbane. And if you hear from Scarscalp, let me know -- he's gone AWOL. Probably using his daughter as an excuse too.
Ayub,
Melvin has actually been in our links page for a couple of years now.
Heather,
I'll add that flight information to the "Livingstone Lark" page.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Friday, May 23, 2003 at 06:10:39 (UTC)
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Yo umla
My last brush with zambia scareways was just before I left the country for "good" I promised my wife and daughter that I would take them to Luangwa the first class way, all inclusive on z airways and 5 days at a lodge. We arrived at the airport 1 hour early and waited in vain for 6 hours when finaly the z airway staff said, 'Buty the plane is not coming because the president has taken it somewhere else" Thanks a bunch dude. I borrowed a pickup from a friend at the Nags Head and drove through the night to catch at least some of the "all inclusive trip for my family" Oh such fond memories. Chris Tamm, I see you passed up on the dag stadium rebuild bate. I am proud of you.
cheers Gordon
Gordon Garlick [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Aberdeen, New Jersey, United States
Friday, May 23, 2003 at 00:22:47 (UTC)
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Loha hris amm,
Wassup? You so far awaii you forgeting the first letters?
heers
oug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 21:07:28 (UTC)
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umla writes:
Bring back Zambia Airways with all those lovely smiling and helpful staff!!
Would that be the same people who ran Zambia Airways into the ground? The inconsistency is very unfortunate, but might be understandable if the check in clerk allowed someone to board who was not properly documented and was turned back at Lusaka and then had to board the same aircraft on the return to UK, at BA's expense.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 18:38:48 (UTC)
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Members might be interested to know that an ex-pupil of Kamwala Secondary School, Lusaka (Mr. Melvin Durai), is now a world renowned Columnist. His humour can be read at:
http://MelvinDurai.com
Wonderful stuff!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 12:35:23 (UTC)
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Just a word of warning to fellow travellers from the UK to Zambia. Recently I went to see off my brother at Manchester Airport. He was booked on a shuttle flight to Heathrow and from there to Lusaka. Upon arrival at the check-in desk, a rather rude and ill-informed lady insisted that she would not check him in to Lusaka as he had no visa. We explained to her that British passport holders can obtain a visa upon arrival at Lusaka Airport. She became very impatient as this dragged on. We then requested her to see previous visa stamps (brother having travelled to Lusaka four times in the past few years) in his passport obtained at Lusaka which were clearly marked. When I suggested that she phone the embassy..she reluvctantly did that..visa section was closed! The person at the Zambian Embassy did tell her that visas were available at port of entry. "No, I need clarification from the visa officer!" she retorted. She then told me to stop interfering as I was not the passenger! My brother then asked for the Manager and lord behold! he turned out to be just as ignorant and refused to check him to Lusaka. I finally suggested to my brother that he catch the shuttle and then check in at Heathrow. He did that and heavans behold! no questions asked there about visas and he boarded the flight. There are many lessons to be learnt.
1) Ignorance exists here in the UK too! Don't assume it exists in Africa alone.
2) Incompetence exists on a large scale here too!
3) We are so blessed with mannerisms is Zambia. Shame we haven't been able to pass it on to some British Airways staff here!
4) British Airways staff need to be trained about visa requirements. Even my 6 year old nephew has enough brains to find out about visa requirements from the Zambian Embassy web page. Pity some British Airways staff haven't got the intellegence to do that!
5) It is a pity that British Airways have a monpoly to fly direct to Lusaka.
The moral of the story is that if you decide to arrive at a British Airport without a Zambian Visa...do so at your own risk!
Bring back Zambia Airways with all those lovely smiling and helpful staff!!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 12:15:41 (UTC)
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Northerners
I have received an email from Barbara Torrance regarding airfares to Zambia. This is what she has said:
Sorry for not getting in touch sooner, you think you have problems in Zambia with your computer I've been off line now for a month and I am supposed to live in an organized country. Anyway I have got some fares to offer for the Zambian Reunion.
Airfare London - Lusaka - London £515( inclusive of taxes)
CONDITIONS:
- Minimum passengers 20 passengers to travel on same flight to and from Lusaka
- To guarantee this fare I need 10% of the fare (£51.50x20 =£1030.00)
- 5 weeks prior to departure need final commitment i.e. balance of fare plus full names
- Deposits are non refundable with numbers less than 16
I don't want to sound too pushy, BUT to guarantee seats on the flight I need some commitment asap.
If you are interested, please email me and I'll pass your email on to Barbara (her address in the names directory needs updating).
I can then arrange a bus from Lusaka to Livingstone. The return fare on this would be US$ 116 (Flights right now are US$ 185 return)
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 07:22:21 (UTC)
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George Tokarczyk, Eddy Stern
Happy Birthday
Mark Powell
Sorry you can't make it, but once you get there, YOU can organise something in Brisbane. I might even make it over there, even if it is only to hear what happens to your accent!!!
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 06:51:53 (UTC)
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Heather et al
Sorry we will not be able to attend the Livingstone Lark as we were granted our visas to emmigrate to Australia 2 weeks ago. We are flying out on 26th October. we won't have the time or finances to do both. Perhaps someone in the Brisbane area will have a do later on.
Scarscalp,
is that right you have moved up to the lake district, I know Bath had a poor season but thats a bit drastic isn't it.
I will be in touch before we go.
Cheers
Mark
Mark Powell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 21:22:12 (UTC)
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Oops - that should read "Zambian Party", not Zambian part.
Mwizenge, thanks for explaining about Basic Schools.
Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 14:06:40 (UTC)
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Heather,
Even though you only have eight confirmed so far, I am sure that there will be more. It's such a superb place to have a reunion and it is back in the mother land - come on folks! We need to see you all in LIvingstone to have a proper Zambian part - in Zambia!!
All
I still have space for passengers in my safari-mobile, but please let me know soonest so that we can discuss route and timing. I have a mobile fridge (for the mosis) and a big trailer, plus any camping gear anybody requires. Come on, don't be old farts - let's go to Zambia and have a real 'jol' as they say in this neck of the woods. For Brian there's also Taita Falcons to find in the valley.
Mwizenge,
Thankfully Heather isn't a traditional Zambian - snakes are an important part of the ecology - and keep down the rodent population, thus more mealies and groundnuts for us humans! (I love snakesssssss!)Glad you like the excerpt from our journey from Nairobi to Cape Town. I thought it an interesting little piece of history - and it has been great to learn about the Bailey Bridge. One thing that I found interesting about it was that we were there for the Livingstone Centenary - very apt at this time when we are doing the Livingstone Lark this year.
Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 14:04:12 (UTC)
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Craig,
I can't get updated versions of the GNR unless I post a message to bring it up to real time. What am I doing wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 13:50:19 (UTC)
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VISAS FOR ZAMBIA
Unless there has been a change in the last few days, South Africans do NOT need visas for Zambia. British subjects do need visas and the cost is £33 if obtained from one of our Embassis or £35 if you get it at the border. I suggest that you carry Sterling cash because they won't have the right change to give you. You can also pay in US Dollars.
Des Kenny
Only have eight people confirmed so far, but there is still time. And I'm going ahead with arrangements whether I have eight or eighty!
Ron Clibborn-Dyer
I had a dog, a Boxer with a pedigree longer than both my legs, and he was twice bitten by a puffadder - the first time on his leg and the second time on his neck. He survived both because of a cortizone injection given to him as soon as we discovered the bites. Apparently this is the best thing to do as it deals with the shock. Of course we also had to keep the wounds clean as the flesh rotted away.
The black stones - I have two and although I have never used them for snake bites, I have used them for many others things, mostly tsetse bites. I'm severely allergic to tsetses and the bite swells up enormously. The black stones work wonders - you press them on and they adhere to your skin until all the poison has been drawn out or until the stone is 'full' (I now there's another word for that but I can't think what it is now). Then the stone falls off, you rinse it out with water and reapply. Unfortunately they are not as easily available as they used to be.
The original road bridge over the Kafue, south of Lusaka, was erected in 1949 from funds bequeathed by the Late Alfred Beit (as was the bridge over the Zambezi at Chirundu and the bridge over the Luangwa River). The engineer in charge was Sir Ralph Freeman At the opening of the bridge, on 8 September 1949, Sir Gilbert Rennie, KCMG, MC said 'It is fitting also that this bridge, with its valiant war service behind it, should have its sphere of usefulness transferred from the Thames to the Kafue, from the ancient centre of the British Commonwealth, where it is no longer required, to this young territory on the threshold of great developments, where it is badly needed'.
In 1968 the bridge was raise 6'6", in preparation for the rise in water levels that would result from the construction of the Kafue Hydro Scheme. The consulting engineers on this were Freeman, Fox and Partners.
The current bridge was donated to Zambia by the people of Japan and is a 4 span continuous steel girder, 162.1 metres long and 10.7 metres wide. Construction was completed in July 1993.
Mwizenge
Yes, I actually let that snake go. Just imagine!!! I try not to have to kill snakes and do, from time to time, catch them and take them to the reptile park where at least I know they will not be killed. But I have to admit that it is usually only puffadders that I try catching. The others all move too fast for me
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 06:00:22 (UTC)
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NORTHERNERS
Re: Trish and Kamthibi: a Transoceanic Love Story
An African man with his freshly broken arm in a hospital sling is riding in a taxi North of Belfast on a gravel road in Northern Ireland with great urgency. A middle-aged Irish woman is driving south, on the same gravel road, from her small Irish village. The unlikely couple finally meets on the rural road under the most inauspicious circumstances. Their romantic first encounter is very vividly described in the first pages of the novel. A Police Squad car and an ambulance soon arrive on the scene and the African man is arrested.
This is the dramatic beginning of the intriguing transoceanic love story between Trish and Kamthibi. Because of compelling circumstances beyond their control, (Trish is diagnosed with early cancer and Kamthibi is very disillusioned and despondent with his marriage and life circumstances in the United States) Kamthibi agrees to take Trish with him to visit his boyhood village in Zambia in Africa. Trish had neither flown in a plane before nor been outside her small rural Irish village of Gandy. But since her childhood, she had always dreamt of adventure to foreign lands. Kamthibi immigrated to and lives in the US. But inspite his being very educated, he still cherishes and yearns for his African cultural traditions. Kamthibi and Trish develop a deep passionate romantic love for each other that transcends their different geographical, cultural, and racial background.
The novel has seventy thousand words. It has vivid descriptions of the couple’s travels, romantic escapades, experiences in Africa and encounter with Africans in Zambia in the city and the village. The romantic love scenes are intense but not gratuitous. The reader ravels in the romantic glow of the couple, but is still curious, a little on edge, but wanting and expecting more.
The novel is likely to become a favorite for all readers as perhaps for the first time, they go deep into Africa with a character, Kamthibi, who genuinely loves his African cultural roots and Trish who has nothing to lose but everything to gain in what may perhaps be the last few days of her life.
The author was born and raised in an African village in Zambia. He is an avid story teller. He has his Bachelors from University of Zambia in 1976, M.A , Ph. D. at Michigan State University in Sociology in 1987. He was a Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Institute of African Studies of the University of Zambia from 1977 to 1990. During that time, he conducted extensive research and field work in rural Zambia in the Eastern and Southern Provinces of the country. He has published 2 books, 15 scholarly articles, 21 book reviews, and 28 journalistic articles. He is currently Associate Professor of Sociology at Bridgewater College in Virginia in the United States of America.
The manuscript is ready and will be submitted as soon as you request for it.
{Does anyone know someone who would publish this novel in Zambia or Southern Africa? I looked at the Bookworld in Lusaka at Manda hill and Lusaka International Airport boutiques last Auguist, and many other bookstores. I couldn't find something that looks like this manuscript. Contact me if you know someone. I am convinced some good money could also be made selling this novel in Zambia."
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 01:32:29 (UTC)
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Jill and Linda,
Thanks for the interesting and fascinating story of your father traveling from Nairobi to South Africa. The story about the Kafue Bridge impressed me as I am often intrigued by the changes that have taken place in our part of the world. The ZADOVATE organization for which I am President wants to encourage all Zambians to document these changes.
Someone may correct me if I am wrong about this. Grade one to seven was the basic primary education in Zambia from 1965 to the late 1980s. Secondary schools were very few from Grade 8 up 12 or Form One to Five.. Most of them were few costly boarding schools. Few Zambian children were getting a secondary education. The government decided to implement Basic schools that included grades one up to nine or ten in many remote rural areas.. Depending on how many previously “secondary” school grades were included in a particular school, it could be called a “Basic School” or “Middle Basic School”. Once a student passed 9 grade at their basic school , they could then go to one of the Secondary Boarding Schools which have Grades 8 up 12. My niece from my home village just finished her 12th Grade at Lundazi Secondary School. She attended Hoya Basic school near our village before she qualified to go to the Secondary School. She is a bright, curious, and articulate young woman who wants to be a journalist. But opportunities are not there. I frustrated as I can’t afford to help her to get an education here. I met so many young people desperate for some type of college education last August.
Heather,
Good pictures. The signs reminded me of the many signs that I see when I am riding the bus in the rural areas. Did you actually let that snake go? If you are a traditional Zambian you would kill it.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 00:59:07 (UTC)
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Heather
Great Photo of a Puff Adder [Bitis arictans]
If you observed it carefully you would have noticed how it moves in a straight line walking on its ribs like a Chongololo [Milipede] - some have black edges to the scales that meet the ground and as they move these look just like the legs of the Chongololo. Puff Adders strike very fast if disturbed and the long fangs penetrate deeply. Early treatment can save life, but as with Kuki Gallman's son "I Dreamed of Africa" in Kenya, this is not always readily available. I have long wondered if the shiny black stones that the White Fathers used to carry in a little box or pouch wrapped in cotton wool, would be very effective with the bite of a Puff Adder.
Does anybody have any experience of these magic stones and their efficacy ?
I would love to get hold of one as I have lots of snakes here in the hills of South China - venomous and non venomous. I have caught and relocated more than 40 different pythons in the past five years - that have been eating my livestock including adult goats. I think my
garden is known as Ronald MacDonalds to all the predators around here. The Burmese Python, the Leopard Cat & all raptors are protected by law - my livestock is not !!!
The Cobras eat my chicken eggs & I had a narrow escape from one of these when collecting the eggs at
dusk one night - only a sixth sense or guardian angel of the temple [Kwun Yam - the Goddess of Mercy] saved me from a potentially fatal bite. I caught the egg thief and released it far away. I have learned over time that it pays to "do unto others as I would be done by"
I was bitten by an Adder in England when ten years old, - have been fascinated by snakes ever since.
I loved the story of the drive from Kenya to SA - I never knew the history of the Kafue bridge - fascinating.
I ran away from an elephant at the Chirundu sugar estates with one leg in plaster after a game of Bok Bok in Lusaka Central Police Mess during Angus Rufus' stag night. I very quickly developed a hinge in the plaster at the ankle, whilst escaping from the elephant.
What wonderful memories our time in Africa brings us !
Best wishes to all
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 00:45:51 (UTC)
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Doug,
We have just been up to Vic Falls/Livingstone - I with my British Passport needed a visa - $65 US, Otto with his SA passport did NOT need a visa, so I don't know where her travel agent gets that. Visa also required for Brits in Zimbabwe - $60 US.
Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 20:54:46 (UTC)
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Heather,
Once again - wonderful photos. I wonder what a Basic School is?
Thank you for posting images of Zambia nowadays, I for one, really appreciate them.
JIll
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 20:50:36 (UTC)
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Hi everyone,
Have we got any body in Gran Ganaria??
My second son, Anthony, sold his house last week, made a vast profit, bought a new mountain bike, £3000,booked a flight and he and the bike (a "GIANT" NSR AIR DAMPED REAR SUSPENSION For those of you who know about these things, are now in cheap digs some where near Playa Des Englis, he is not sure when or even if he is coming home, he doesnt know why anyone lives in England, it is hot and you can buy a farm for £40,000 where he is now. As they say "youth is wasted on the young".
Regards to all of you and yours,
barribee.
Barrie Braidford [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 18:40:32 (UTC)
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Beth Lloyd is also having problems connecting to the new board. She tells me her travel agent says a visa is required for South Africans to visit Zambia. First time for me to hear of this. Can it be true?
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 18:25:50 (UTC)
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Heather,
How many EX ZAMS have you got attending the reunion in Livingstone ??
Hopefully some of the slackers have responded to your wonderful oppurtunity.
Arthur,
Great photo`s, keep them coming.
Des Kenny (formerly Crouch) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wallasey, England
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 16:50:52 (UTC)
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Linda,
Thanks for posting my Dad's story - it would have taken me ages!
Dave,
Interesting stuff about that bridge - I actually have the whole journey on video, with footage of us crossing that bridge. It's amazing that we did it in just eight days from Nairobi to Cape Town - and seven days back - on all those dirt roads with only one puncture being the highlight!
When you think of all those people who freak when you say you are going to Zimbabwe or Zambia for a holiday - have you got long-range tanks, 4 X 4, GPS, tracks, chains. spare spare wheels? Etc Etc! It's wonderful.
But I have my late father to blame for my addiction to overlanding in Africa - apparently I loved it then - I am passionate about it now. Just wish I had the money to do more stuff - like Cape to Cairos - and back - BUT - watch this space!
Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 21:11:54 (UTC)
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Craig,
I am so glad it wasn't me! I thought I was being thick again - even after I have changed my blonde look back to red-head.
Thanks, Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 09:22:02 (UTC)
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Arthur,
Great photos. I was really pleased to see one of my dad.
The Sturgeons looked really cute in their snow white and dwarf outfits and my guess is you'll owe a few beers for years to come! Thank you, as always.
Heather,
Fabulous photos and enjoyed by all in my office and my family too.
Thank you very much. We look forward to your updates.
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 09:14:28 (UTC)
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James Tregay, Nigel Pepperell, Tim Ashworth
Happy Birthday
NORTHERNERS
I was looking at the photos that Arthur posted last week and saw the one of the school sign in Chingola. Just after our change of government in 1991, all the schools built concrete plinths on which they painted a motto. As I drive around the country, I take photos of these signs, so here are a selection of them for you. The only thing I can't understand is that the most common motto seems to be 'No sweet without sweat' and I don't have a single photo of one of these.
I also take photos of signs which amuse me at the time, usually because they are in the middle of nowwhere . Here are a few:
and this one outside the railway station in Kabwe:
On Saturday afternoon, driving home, my daughter and I stopped to pick some wild flowers that we wanted to try pressing. My daughter jumped out of the car, picked them and had just got back in when we noticed this friendly fellow just a few yards down the road. Since I didn't have a box to capture him in, we chased him back into the bush.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 08:09:00 (UTC)
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Jill/Linda
Thanks for your interesting posting re the trip through NR in 1955. The part that really caught my attention concerned the Bailey Bridge across the Kafue south of Lusaka. Built as 'insurance' during the 2nd World War it became redundant after hostilities ceased and was put up for sale. Meanwhile in 1947, the fledgling South African Consulting Engineering firm Van Niekerk, Kleyn and Edwards had received its first major appointment, to upgrade the road to Lusaka and to replace the old pontoon across the Kafue with a bridge. The width of the Thames at Westminster is roughly the same as that of the Kafue at that point and the deal was struck. The 'Bill of Quantities' attached to the tender document and specification, which is normally very detailed, read simply "One Bridge."
I well remember the old pontoon which crossed close to the spot where my Uncle Jack was killed by a crocodile in the early '30s. My Mom and I always watched from the side lines as my Dad drove our old '39 Chev vanette on to the pontoon. My Dad never allowed us in the cab at that time lest the brakes failed ! I also recall marvelling at the new bridge when it was first opened and the fact that the half hour (or more depending on the queue of vehicles) the pontoon crossing could take was now a thing of the past. Little did I realise that some 35 years later I would join the firm of Van Niekerk, Kleyn and Edwards to assist with the design of the Huguenot Tunnel near Paarl. At that stage VKE was probably the largest multi-disciplinary consultancy in South Africa. I worked for them for 10 years and for the past 11 have been in the position to employ them as consultants!
Cheers
David Gray [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 07:32:52 (UTC)
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Hi Arthur
Thanks yet again for the great photos - especially the one of Margaret Henrichsen's party. Yours truly is in the back row - 2nd from the right, with Shirley Naude 3rd from the right. In the 2nd row from the front, I think it's Shirley's brother Terence 3rd from the left, while my brother Graham is 1st from the left in that row. Having just lost him, it really brought a lump to my throat to see him looking so young again, even more so because it was posted on his birthday - 16 May - he would have been 56.
And yes, I did get your e-mail but have not had a single response to my various phone calls and e-mails to the local paper. I will keep on trying though.
Marilyn Noall
Thank you for your message of condolence - it was lovely to hear from you.
'til next time ............
Lynthia Nadauld (née Eldridge) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Krugersdorp, South Africa
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 06:53:21 (UTC)
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Northerners:
I am posting this on behalf of Jill (Aplin) Masterton
South Down The Great North Road
An except from an article in the Ford Times circa 1955 written by my father George Aplin about an eight day journey in a Ford Consul from Nairobi to Cape Town with two drivers and a two-year-old daughter -- me. This is the story of part of the journey through Zambia.
"We arrived at the Border Post at about 12.30 p.m. In front of us, across the Customs barrier, as far as the eye could see was a beautiful stretch of road, although still dirt, it was about 60 ft. wide and obviously regularly graded.
The road certainly came up to expectations. It was quite easy to keep up a good average speed, there were no steep gradients and most welcome of all, no corrugations or potholes. We had decided whilst waiting at the Border Post at Tunduma to endeavour to make Mpika 250 miles south and halt for the night. However, it became obvious after travelling for three hours that we should be able to get much farther as we were averaging over 50 m.p.h. We arrived at Mpika at about 6.00 p.m., roughly five hours after leaving the border and considering that we had stopped to eat and also given someone a lift who had unfortunately put his car "in the ditch" that’s good going and a tribute to both our Ford and the Roads Department of Northern Rhodesia. We refuelled and pressed on to the next hotel at Kanona some 100 miles farther on, arriving around 8.30 p.m. very tired and hungry but too late for dinner.
Up early the next morning we ate a hearty breakfast, and with the prospect of a good road in front of us, were in high spirits.
A further 160 miles to Kapiri Mposhi and we struck tarmac, wonderful, wonderful tarmac! I could have kissed it, and real tarmac too, not our Kenya variety with potholes, corrugations, loose stones and any other hazard one can think of. Now we were able to increase our average speed to over 55 m.p.h. and were soon passing through Lusaka, the Capital of Northern Rhodesia.
Forty miles south of Lusaka we came to the Kafue River, over which is the Bailey Bridge that spanned the Thames at Westminster during the war. It was an odd experience to come all the way to Africa to cross a bridge I had never crossed when in London, my home.
Just south of the bridge was the road fork to Salisbury, but we carried on straight to go via Victoria Falls. We had not gone very far after the fork when the tarmac petered out and we were back on Mother Earth again, not the wide, well graded type we had encountered farther north but really bad road, due mainly to the fact that a new tar road was being laid along the line of the existing road and temporary diversions, or deviations as they called them here, had been constructed. We had hoped to reach Livingstone that night but our hopes were dashed now and it was a very fatigued and miserable party that eventually arrived at Kalomo, 80 miles short of our goal. The hotel was full owing to an influx of visitors to that area for the Livingstone Centenary, but the kindly hotel manager fitted us in somehow, and we were able to restore our faith in our ability to reach the Union with a couple of bottles of South African beer.
We were approaching the half-way mark of our journey and were determined not to be defeated by any kind of road now. So we set off on the fifth day with more determination than ever. After another 50 miles we bumped up on to tarmac again and enjoyed this phenomenon until Victoria Falls.
Leaving the falls we crossed over the Zambesi and into Southern Rhodesia, crossing the river by the cantilever road and rail bridge just below the Falls."
W.G. Aplin
Submitted by Jill Masterton
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Sunday, May 18, 2003 at 22:06:05 (UTC)
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Dawid,
Where's your spirit of adventure? You plug it in and switch on. If smoke comes out of the MacHine - you've got a problem (like - go buy yourself a new MacHine) - otherwise it will work!!!! Just make sure that you flick the dip switch to 220 volts. There again, why don't you wait to 5 November before you give it a bash!
regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa
Sunday, May 18, 2003 at 16:19:06 (UTC)
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N. Kenward,
Soba – is a Nyanja verb that means “to be lost”. “Sobela” is a Nyanja word for “play” Kusobela is a verb which means “to play”. “Kasobela” may then have double meaning: It means singular for “to play” referring to a child playing but is disrespectful when referred to an adult. It could also mean “something was lost.” Was someone accusing you of “playing” with them in a joking or threatening manner or did something get lost? Let me know if I can help any further.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Sunday, May 18, 2003 at 03:30:15 (UTC)
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Jill,
I'm guessing you didn't have any luck posting a couple of days ago. That was my fault -- sorry. I forgot to make a change in a setting after fixing some problems with Arthur's images, and that meant that nobody could post.
Mea culpa, mea culpa.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Saturday, May 17, 2003 at 21:05:10 (UTC)
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Just testing if I can get a message on the board.
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Saturday, May 17, 2003 at 20:44:11 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
Not only is my dad a National Hero for getting into the scrap with the Nazis hot and heavy and before ANYONE in the Royal Navy (HMS Exeter, Rio de la Plata, Admiral Graf Spee, 1939)... BUT he is also my best mate and the best electrician that EVER worked on the Copperbelt in Northern Rhodesia.
I love my dad. He is a total stud and smart enough to go to Oxford and Cambridge... unfortunately in the 1930's, Grandad said no to the headmaster, "he's got t'go down pit!" Said Leonard Cooper. Effectively writing off my father's elevation to academia in one fell swoop. I never forgave my grandfather in Yorkshire. Pit or not pit. Dad's examination results were good enough to see him through the best universities in the world. But there was coal to dig. And a War looming...
So I would ask him this electrical question... but there is another little thing with dad these days... he is now 88, and only now is he beginning to feel his age. Never been sick. Never been in a hospital. Never any problems. What a man!
But he is beginning to forget things now. It makes me sad. I am going to see him soon... it might be time to say "My old man is a decent chap who taught me the fundamentals of what I hold dear, and he enthralled the buggery out of me with tales of cruisers, battleships, the Falkland Islands, The South Georgie Islands!, the Antarctic, Tierra del Fuego, helping out with the 1939 earthquake at Valparaiso, the beautiful lights of Victoria, BC shining on my dad's proud ship, the HMS Exeter!
SO IS THERE AN ELECTRICIAN IN THE HOUSE? Some of my American DJ equipment (DATs, Reel to reel, Dual CD pitch controlled turntables, Technics 1200 platters, mixers, CD recorder (standalone, not computer for audio only), receivers, and all the accoutrements of a private studio is a mix of some American equipment that will only run on 110/120 volts. Some of the more recent modern equipment, like the DAT and maybe the Dual CD pitch turntables, will do the automatic "dual voltage". But I WILL need to get a transformer to two for the older equipment, like the Pioneer RT 707 Disco Club Boogie Booty Dancin' Machine reel-to-reel stacked tape recorder will need to use a transformer.
I have a question that reveals my electrical naiveté... if Nederland is 220 volts AC 50hz, and if some of this equipment says it will dual voltage on the following text: 'AC INPUT 115/230V. Fuse 0.5A F. 250V"--- as my Numark mixer does... Does this mean that I can use the Dutch current without a transformer? Is 230V close enough 220v? Also what is all the other stuff on the mixer about the fuse... must I pay attention to that?
In other words, is there a range... a buffer of sorts... on the conversion to step up the voltage intake on the Netherlands side of the Voltage Curtan?
And why is everything in the USA always completely different from anywhere else. Pain in the arse!
Anyone who can answer my questions, please send me a private email.
I appreciate any help... but I know I can always get a quick an authorative answer from dad, with a Yorkshire bit of sarkiness thrown in for measure... he thinks i am living in Poland... HOLLAND, dad, HOLLAND! Holland? What the bloody hell are you doing there lad!
Hartelijke groeten...
Dawie die Verskriklike...
lil' ol' founding father of this here web site....
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Saturday, May 17, 2003 at 16:28:34 (UTC)
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Craig,
Great pictures. The Northern Rhodesia soccer team intrigued me. I know that during the era of racial segregation before 1964, whites and blacks had parallel soccer teams. Do you know who were the stars on the white soccer teams and what happened to them after independence? The African teams had such famous players as Ginger Pensulo, Captain “Minzi” or Mizzyawo Mkandawire. I know that during the period of racial segregation in the USA, baseball had the Negro league and the white league. It’s a shame that the evil that is racism robs human beings of realizing their best potential as nations. For true soccer fansor officionados, how good would the Zambian national team have been in the 1950s combining the best of the white and black players? i.e just playing the best 11 players without regard to race. I have just been reading “Soccer in Zambia” by Dennis Liwewe. I have sent you pictures of The Roan Mine soccer team in the 1950s. I have also sent a picture of the legendary Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu. I can still hear Dennis Liwewe in his feverish loud voice on the radio: “Chitalu beats his man..Chitalu beats two.. three defenders ……Chitalu is gone!!!….commotion in the D-zone…it’s a G-O-A l!!!!!” The book “The Zambian Soccer Scene” by Ridgeway Liwena shows a picture of the first soccer game between whites and blacks at Old Kabwata in Lusaka in 1953.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Friday, May 16, 2003 at 17:55:28 (UTC)
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Northerners !
Slowly progressing with the Rhokana Reviews, below are a few selected snippets taken from the 1956 issues. Hopefully some of you will recognise the places and some of the people.
A nice colour photo of the 1956 Northern Rhodesia Soccer Team
A couple of shots for Steve de Lange
Some old buildings in Bwana Mkubwa
Married quarters 1929 - Nkana
Some Dad's in these shots - anyone recognise mine?
Another kid's party - anyone from the GNR here?
Kitwe Primary - Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Mark Sturgeon, sorry I just had to post it.
Bamboo was mentioned on the Message Board a little while back - here's the lowdown on this shrubbery.
Well that's it from me until next time - a Photo CD Rom arrived today from Bob Eglington, and as well as the cow shots for the farming community, there are some other very interesting photos which I'm sure will interest those of us not from the Copperbelt.
Lynthia - did you get my e-mail?
Arthur
Hi Arthur
Herewith a quick update on the kids.Lotta's home schooling teacher had to leave very suddenly after continuous malaria and she has enrolled them at Simba School in Ndola.
This picture was taken today as they got up at 04.50 to make the bus trip over.
Lotta has bought a small plot of land near the old house where she is renovating a very run down building in to a house.She hopes to move in by end of June this year.
The support from members all over the world has been heartening and we thank each and every one of you for all the moral and financial support you gave Lotta Dennis and Nicky. God Bless all of you.
Chris and Lisa
Sorry about my delay
Attached are photos of the school, the class room is or was the chemistry lab.
Ted Mills
Posted by Craig for Arthur.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 22:34:04 (UTC)
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Ah, Dennis Liwewe, the fastest talking radio commentator in history. Remember him well.
Neil Smith [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 20:13:27 (UTC)
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Chisanga,
I am glad you clarified the isuue of the toll roads. I don't know where I heard the original story. It may have arisen out of public debate and concern about how to secure a toll road when there are so many bush paths in rural Zambia. The same thing applies to maintaining the intergrity of our national borders. My home Lundazi district is only fiften kilometers from the Malawi border. People there use numerous bush paths to conduct transactions, trade, visit relatives etc. etc. I know Chililabombwe is your home town which is barely a few miles from the Zaire border.
I never knew that the Dag Hammarskjold stadium was destroyed. What a shame. I had one of my most memorable experiences there in early 1977 when Zambia played Uganda I believe in an Africa Cup of Nationas regional soccer game elimination. The soccer game was on Sunday at 3:30 pm. My secondary school friend and I caught a train in Lusaka at 6:00 pm on Saturday evening to go to the game in Ndola. But we wanted to first visit my friend's sister in Kitwe before going to the game. We rode the train all night and arrived in Ndola at about midnight. The train was packed.
After so many delays, the train left for Kitwe travelling very slowly. At some point between Ndola and Kiwe the train came to a full stop in the middle of knowhere. We waited. As it is often the case among Zambians, conversation broke out. My friend and I were in our early twenties at the time. Conversation turned to love and romance. A woman in the corner of the coach asked why "many Zambian young women tend to marry older white men?" Here is how some of the conversation went: Another Zambian man said: "What business is it who she marries? Aren't we free?" Another Zambian in the corner said: "Atleast these women can choose some younger white man, why settle for old men". Another Zambian woman said "But if he is good to her, what does it matter? He might be good in bed!" There was laughter. Then someone cautioned everyone that these young women might be just after the man's money. There was loud disagreement. I hope you get the drift of how the ocnversation went. My friend and I had never laughed so hard. We laughed until our stamachs ached. The converstaion then drifted to politics. There were criticisms of leaders, scandals, etc. But all of this was discussed with incredible humor and candidness that I am convinced is only possibel among Zambians.
Finally the train moved. We arrived in Kiwe at sunrise and we got a taxi to Cimwemwe Compound. We slept at my friend's sister's house all morning. At noon we left for the Dag Hammarskjold stadium in Ndola. The soccer game was the most memorable ever. We stood throughout the game in the part of the stadium that had cheap seats and had standing room only. The legendary Chitalu scored 3 goals in a spate of 5 minutes in over time to beat Uganda. Dennis Liwewe's commentary of that game is on an LP called "It's Goal!!!!" I listen to it and my kids think I am crazy. When the game ended, I was drenched in sweat because of all the excitement, screaming and sheer tension for hours. Later, my friend and I met 5 of our Chizongwe Seconadry school class mates. We were so excited to catch up on what everyone was doing. We walked to Coppersmith arms and chatted over a couple of mosi beers. My friend and I caught the train that Sunday evening. We arrived in Lusaka at 7:00 am just in time to go to work. What a memorable trip.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 13:16:26 (UTC)
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Mwizenge,
I just saw your posting about Zambia's attempt to introduce road tolls. Although the legislation was passed, the system never came into being. The sheds were built but the barriers were never erected. These toll stations were never staffed so there was no need for any driver to avoid them by driving in the bush.
In the end the sheds were destroyed (at some cost) because some of them were used by highway robbers who harassed motorists.
The whole thing reminded me of Zambia's attempt to host the Africa Games in Ndola. Some blighter offered Ndola as a venue for these very important games. It soon became clear that the Dag Hammarskjold stadium in Itawa, the intended venue, was not large enough to host the games. So, the stadium was demolished with the intent of building a larger one in its place.
The demolition was done very efficiently by Minestone, a Chibote owned company. Shortly after this not inexpensive exercise, it was discovered that Zambia did not have the money after all to build a new stadium.
That was fifteen years ago. I understand there are new plans to rebuild Dag.
Chisanga Puta-Chekwe [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 15:45:24 (UTC)
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Hi all,
Sorry - I thought you would have been over loaded with stories of the Muf bash! As it happens a good time was had by all and there was a HUGE turnout of all ages. The eldest was 86 and the youngest just a few months!
We all sipped iced tea for three days and nights and were in bed by 10.00 pm!! (as if!)
It was fabulous to see so many old friends again and all you could hear was the sound of laughter all round. We are all very grateful to the GNR and Muf website for bringing us all together again. Norman Kenwood was taking loads of photos so hopefully he'll post some of those in due course.
Johnny
Don't believe a word of Miss Main's excuse about her computer!! She had such a good time that she came to my house on Sunday and crashed out in bed for 6 hours!! Hope she's recovered now!
Bridget
Bridget Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 10:49:33 (UTC)
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Wayne Milward,
Monday evening saw an old acquaintance and I enjoying sundowners at Devon Vale (outside of Stellenbosch) At a nearby table sat 3 men who appeared to be eavesdropping our conversation. Imagine my surprise when one of the men approached us and, with a faint Irish brogue, asked me if I was from either Broken Hill or Lusaka! His name - Ian McGlinchey. Although we'd never met before, it was great chatting about the 'auld days'. Hiis father was with the Brit. Army in Zambia - does the name ring a bell? Ian is chairman of The Dubliner Group that have a string of Irish pubs in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Copenhagen.
It really is a small world.
Regards
CJ
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa
Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 09:27:44 (UTC)
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Craig that pillar of the Mufilira society GILL MAIN rang me just before she left to tell me that her PC had crashed, one of the reasons we have not heard yet how the bash went but I am sure that we will hear when they have sobered up.
Regards to all Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 07:10:46 (UTC)
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My Getaway got away before I could even see it . Vanished like the a rat up an aqueduct in Life Of Brian .
My shower took 2min 53 secs before the hot water ran out .
New site is great though , very professional
Doug
Doug Waybush [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Maryland, USA, and London, England
Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 00:30:37 (UTC)
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So are the Mufulirans too hung over to tell us how their bash went?
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 22:19:53 (UTC)
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George McIntosh, Tony Butcher
Happy Birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 06:34:26 (UTC)
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Getaway just took me 41 seconds to load. It's quick today. :)
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 01:00:08 (UTC)
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Post was instant and return to start loading the message board was instant. Loading the message board again took 27 seconds.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 00:57:41 (UTC)
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I'm on dial-up right now because my ADSL connection is down. (Thank-you Telus.) The message board took 31 seconds to load, log-in was instant, and other pages on the site load in a couple of seconds or less.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 00:55:23 (UTC)
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Craig
I fully opened getaway in 37 seconds.
As you say when I press the stop button on the 'wait a sec' window the GNR board displays without the menu on the right. For day to day use that's good enough for me.
Jill
When posting a message also zap the 'wait a sec' window with the stop button.
Barry
Mbl took me 2mins 50secs to fully open. Now there's a new language for Dawie to learn! Ruv took 3mins 43secs.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 20:46:06 (UTC)
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Fiona
Thanks, but I know what I have on my computer, I just don't know what processes everything. All I'm interested in is that it does process it.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 15:43:56 (UTC)
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HEATHER (OR ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED)
There is a very clever little program you can download to find out exactly what is in your computer You can download it from www.belarc.com. I found stuff in mine I didn't know was there. Belarc say The Belarc Advisor creates a local Web page and does not send up your PC profile to a Web server or anywhere else. I have had no problems at all since installing it and have found it very useful.
CRAIG
My page takes about 35 seconds to load with a 600 megahertz Intel Pentium III, run on Window XP with 256 MB of memory. Doug's tip on clicking on the stop icon works a treat though. Thanks Doug.
PROSPECTIVE LIVINGSTONE LARKERS
On the Freeserve homepage (www.freeserve.co.uk) there is a travel section where you can see that British Airways is having a ticket sale until 15th May. The price of a ticket direct from Heathrow to Lusaka is considerably less than when I investigated it in March £528 (inclusive of taxes) as opposed to £617. Might be worth having a look if you are thinking of going to Livingstone in September
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 12:37:00 (UTC)
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Craig,
I got slightly faster results than Linda down-loading Getaway - BTW - next month's issue has something in it from me in the Overlander's Forum.
Maybe my computer isn't as useless as my eldest son says it is?
Jill
PS It takes quite long - I didn't time it, to get back to message page after posting a message.
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 11:37:19 (UTC)
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Brian Townsend, Sue Mans, Tom Guthrie and Clara Chanda
Happy Birthday
Craig,
You wanted to hear from the Zambians, so here's the lowdown:
I'm using Windows 2 Pin Professional, IE5, have 256 k memory and who knows what processor I have, but it was the latest edition about 18 months ago, Pentium something??
And just imagine - our wireless link is working fine, except when I want to log onto the GNR - something to do with the routing and Zamnet manage to screw it up each time they work on our system, which they did last week. So whilst I wait for them to sort it out, I am like most other people in Zambia and using the telephone (landline) and a 56k modem.
Message board - 34 seconds
About Us - 11 seconds
Getaway - gave up after 2 minutes and 11 seconds.
Barry's two sites loaded in 11 seconds and 18 seconds respectively.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 09:10:58 (UTC)
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Barry,
Thanks again. I sent you my results for the two Icelandic sites via e-mail.
Barrie,
There's lots more good links on the links page.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 08:06:37 (UTC)
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Craig
With a DSL connection my lap top (AMD Athlon 1800+ 256K XP-SP1 IE6) loaded the "Getaway" page in 43 secs.
Clearly there is some bottleneck for me - either my lap-top configuration or Iceland's Internet connections in general - I wouldn't think it's the ISP as my home and work ISP's are entirely different.
At the risk of being "non-germane" I'd appreciate it if one or two of you could check out the speed of two Icelandic links for me - this might give me a better idea of where the problem lies - probably best to message me through the GNR Contacts list rather than clog up this Board. Complete down-load (using DSL) of www.mbl.is www.mbl.is takes less than 2 seconds and of www.ruv.is takes 5 seconds.
Barry Woodrow [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Reykjavik, Iceland
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 07:44:43 (UTC)
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CRAIG, Getaway link loaded fully in 25 seconds, an interesting site which I will visit again.
Regards,
barribee.
Barrie Braidford [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 07:00:47 (UTC)
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Craig:
Getaway link displayed top banner in about 4 seconds, but full download took 27 second the first time. Tried it again and only 17 seconds for the full download. Third attempt resulted in a "voetsek" error message...
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 03:04:31 (UTC)
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Doug,
That's good news, and I don't know why I didn't suggest it in the first place. It probably displays without the menu on the right, but at least it displays the important information. As I've said before, this is reason enough to display the latest messages at the top of the page rather than the bottom.
I was going to say that I was (and still am) really suspecting a problem with your ISP, however. Although others have made varying comments about how the site is either fine, or a bit slower or noticeably slower, none of them seem to have it as bad as you.
As an interesting experiment, how fast or slow does the "Getaway" magazine site load for you (and other people)? It is, without a doubt, one of the slowests sites I know of, and has been ever since I started visiting it several years ago. However, it is hosted in South Africa, so maybe it loads quickly for you. Does it?
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 22:17:56 (UTC)
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When loading the previous message I hit the stop button after a few seconds on the 'wait a sec' screen and I was immediately back on the b/board with my message loaded instead of several minutes wait. Works for me! Hurray!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 19:51:53 (UTC)
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I have found that pressing the stop button soon after you see the 'wait a sec' sign also works on Windows as well as Mozilla. This got me on in 45 seconds.
Jill
Sounds good! At least if we are in a convoy, if one has problems other can help. When you say you can book me in, do you mean at Nata or at Vic Falls. I will email you direct to avoid cluttering the board. Come on other people in RSA, let's make a convoy. It worked for Smokey and the Bandit!
Doug the Bandit
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 19:45:54 (UTC)
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Hi Doug,
It is very do-able in one day if one leaves early, but I prefer to stop over at Nata as I have a Land Rover - plus gear, so it's a bit slower that my hubby's car for eg. I really think we could have a real 'jol' driving up - especially in convoy - but remember sometimes the ferry is broken (usually fixed same day) and it's good to get there before the trucks arrive.
I can also do bookings for people, if need be - I think Heather has enouh on her plate.
Jill
PS - I am also allergic to flying, so overlanding is trés cool!
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 18:14:32 (UTC)
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A VERY HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS ON THE GNR..........
Lots of love
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 12:04:44 (UTC)
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Craig
I get to the 'about us' page in 20 seconds and today I got to the 'post a message' board in 28 seconds both of which I am happy with. The only problem the initial load up is slow. I think I must have a talk with my ISP. Thanks for your help.
Barry
I have a Windows 98 and am using IE ver. 6.
Jill
Maybe the best thing is to drive up and ask Heather to book us into one of the lodges. Do you make it in one day or where do you stop over? Maybe we can make a convoy. I will contact you.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 11:13:02 (UTC)
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Doug,
That should read 30 seconds - sorry. Hope that helps.
Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 11:06:48 (UTC)
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Hi Doug,
My computer takes exactly 3 seconds to load GNR, but don't ask me anything technical. It's not a very fast one, so I think my time's quite speedy.
Also - diesel return from Livingstone is about R800,00 - I have tents and all the equipment, I get to go across the river on the Kazangula Ferry and enjoy seeing the flamingos and pelicans at Nata Pans on the way up. Chobe is also en route.
ALL
I have space for two passengers - and camping equipment for all - if anyone's interested - and I don't charge extra overseas visitors rates! Just share travel costs.
HEATHER
Wonderful pictures - thank you so much for the polo club and the Kitwe showgrounds - so many good memories - AND the anthill at the memorial! AND the lechwe - lekker.
Stay well, all.
Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 09:01:02 (UTC)
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Craig
At 56K connected 44K, my lap top (AMD Athlon 1800+ 256K XP-SP1 IE6) loads the "About Us" page in 3 secs.
It may be helpful to compare other sites? For instance, on this same lap-top, news.bbc.co.uk loads in 6 secs.
As you noted, Mozilla does display whilst still loading. But .... with IE you can hit the "stop" button whenever you want, when the page will stop loading (not necessarily logical, after all this is Microsoft!!) and will display what you have downloaded thus far. This not only saves time, but for those of us with expensive dial-up connections allows us to disconnect and save money - unless, such as here in Iceland, the "connect" charge equates to 5 minutes on line.
Nevertheless, Craig (and the rest of the Politburo), I do like the new Site layout and look forward to the completely new Site in due course. As always, my sincere thanks for giving us all this possibility to keep in touch with old friends and to make new ones.
Doug
Are you using Win95? And IE5.5 (or earlier?). If so, could it be that you don't have the most recent upgrades installed? Microsoft doesn't support Win95 any more, but they still have upgrades available. I appreciate that this may be a Catch-22 for you - with a slow connection they might just be impossible to download. Contact me directly - I might be able to help.
Barry Woodrow [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Reykjavik, Iceland
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 08:24:17 (UTC)
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Mwizenge Tembo
Trevor Baylis the inventor of the clockwork radio also invented a clockwork mechanism for computers. I know that some of this was trialed in Botswana but I am not sure whether or not it went any further.
George Maxwell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Edinburgh, Scotland
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 06:30:54 (UTC)
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Craig:
The "About Us' page downloads, in the blink of an eye.
June Bohl (née Walker, formerly McCarthy) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Los Angeles County, California, United States
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 23:08:13 (UTC)
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Craig:
Just checked with Mike to see what we have here. We have 3 computers hooked up to one DSL connection, which allows all 3 of us to be on the internet at the same time, as well as receive or make phone calls.
One is a Pentium II, 350 Mhz, 172Mb of memory, Windows 2000 SP 2.
The second one is a laptop Compaq Armada Pentium II 366, 384Mb memory, Windows XP Professional SP 2.
The third one is an Athelon 1600+, 512Mb memory, Windows XP Professional SP 2.
We have no problem on any of them. Board plus all links open in less than 3 seconds, I would imagine. (I can't count that quickly... he! he! ) The "wait a sec" band is a flash before my eyes, but then so is everything else in life when you hit 50.
Seems I have come a long way from typing messages on the little tape of paper and feeding them through the Siemens telex machine. Those were the days.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 22:21:52 (UTC)
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Hi All
www.nrzam.plus.com has been upfdated
Added Northern Rhodesia Journal Volume I - No. 2- 1950
This issue has been made available through the generosity of John Fleming and the thoughtfulness of his brother, Paddy.
Editorial
Lake Mweru - Its Fish and Fishing Industry
The Angoni Rebellion and Mpeseni
Elephants in the Eastern Province
How the Rhodesian Coppers Were Found - Part II
A Note on the Tonga and Ndebele
A Note on the Pre-Bantu Inhabitants
Overlanding Cattle from Barotse to Angola
European Place Names of Major Geographical Features
Man-eaters at Mporokoso
Correspondence: The Livingstone Memorial / Carried ahorse-back?
Notes: Geographical names / An unusual "mortar" / Puns / "Anzac" Mills / Other new contributors / Bwana Mkubwa / First British on the Zambezi? / Anthills
Book Review
Regards Ian
-------------------------------------------------
Arthur - yes nearly there with all 30 NRJs - 6 left to scan I think - and planning the celebrations thanks to the Fleming brothers, the GNR and Angus MacDonald! I estimate 3000 pages will have been scanned for the NRJs! - Ian
Ian Singer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 22:08:30 (UTC)
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And I can vouch for Artie.... in my dreams he! he!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 22:02:47 (UTC)
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Craig:
The "about us" displayed faster than a speeding bullet for me, or at least as quickly as a Kitwe guy can down a beer.
Will check with hubby to see exactly what we are operating on down here deep in the heart of Texas. I would not be surprised if my system is powered by horse manure. The Texans are mighty clever that way, you know....
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 22:01:09 (UTC)
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Craig
I'm on cable and although the Message Board loads within 3 seconds or so the other parts of the site load instantly and without any lag at all.
I tried a loading other sites to compare, they all had either instant hits or sometimes took several seconds to open. I have always put the speed of my broadband connection down to my ISP, I've been told that although they say you get 526kb you in reality get a lot less than this mostly.
Using BT broadband at work with a low spec computer the Message Board loads almost instantly.
I'm not putting down my personal specifications, other than to say they're bigger than Dave's and all the others of course, but not as quick, which I believe is a good thing.
Naatjes
Arthur Steevens [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stockport, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 21:58:42 (UTC)
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By the way, in case anyone wonders if I even pay attention to page-load times, the site seems about as fast to me as it was before, maybe a few fractions of a second slower. The noticeable difference for me is the same as for everyone else though, and that's on the message board. However, even here it seems to load about as quickly but, as many people have pointed out, the messages don't display right away but rather you have to wait until the whole page is loaded -- unless you are using Mozilla, as both Barry and I have noticed. I do agree that this is a less-than-ideal situation, and will do what I can to improve it between now and the time the new site comes to pass.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 21:23:27 (UTC)
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Thank-you all of you who replied with information about the speed of the GNR. Nice to see that Barry and June are still lurking in the background. :)
Doug, I too would like to hear from more South Africans and Zambians on this, and also others on dial-up connections.
What about the other pages on the site? All of the other pages are a reasonable size and should download very quickly -- at least as quickly as any other site on the Web. Knowing whether or not there are problems there would help me determine whether the problem is only on the message board where the page is huge, or if it is site wide and so probably caused by the basic structure of the template.
Here's a page to test. Go to the "About Us" page and see how fast it loads and report back here. Thanks.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 21:04:30 (UTC)
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Craig,
The message board downloads on my computer at a speed of 0.52 seconds and probably less. I have an X86 Family 6 model 5 stepping 2, AT/AT Caompatible. 130,616 KB RAM. Of course my work computer is upgraded and sooped up more frequently than I would ever dream of doing. Our 3 home computers might be slower. This does not help those of you who are taking up to 1 hour to download the message board. You are the lukcy ones if you are in Zambia. When I was in Lundazi last August, for two days I tried in the whole small town to get access to my e-mail. The two bazungu people who owned e-mail facilties were out of town. The German guy was on leave and had taken the modem with him. When I asked one of the employees that I wanted to send an e-mail, he looked at me and asked: "Do you already have a stamp on it?" I would have laughed but I realize that millions of Zambias and espcially school going children have no idea what a computer is. I wonder if someone could invent a computer that could use either a car battery or flash light batteries or may be solar powered. Boyole Primary school would be the first one to get it. This is the school I attended Sub A or grade one in 1960 near my home village.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 20:18:41 (UTC)
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Thanks Craig and everyone who responded. We look forward to the new server whenever you can manage it and realy appreciate your efforts.
What about a reply from other people in South Africa? Maybe its our Telkom again. Although even through Telkom the old board was faster.
Linda my youngster does use Kazaa but I make sure it's off when I go on line. I know it realy slows things down.
Jimmy you use windows XP but maybe you have a ISDN or ADSL connection.
June you are in a country where things work (technical things at least). I would love to visit and surf the board in seconds. What a pleasure! Must be like driving a Maseratti instead of my diesel bakkie.
Barrie in England, same thing as June.
Barry you realy make me jealous; in the frozen north with a set up no better than mine and receiving much faster.
Heather thanks for yet another lovely set of photos, which funny enough opened up faster than usual on my screen.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 20:02:22 (UTC)
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Heather,
Great pictures! They are so good they make me very home sick. The beautiful blue skies and the mutondo trees along the road. I have a picture of a baobab tree by the road on the Great East Road just after the Luangwa bridge. I once went to Lochinvar National back to observe Black Lenchwe just outside Kafue for a comparative psychology class when I was a senior undergradute student at University of Zambia. We were observing the territoriarity of the black Lechwe. There must have been thousands of them grazing and stretching into the horizon. It was a beautiful sight. We spent a night in one of the bungalows in the park. We had a wonderful bar B que and downed a few mosi lager when I used to really enjoy mosi. I don't drink much any more. Is the Ndola-Kitwe road a 4 lane highway like the American Interstate? I have never been on that highway since it was built; i guess I just don't remember. Because I once lived and taught at the University Zambia Ndola Campus in Kitwe. My kids think its really funny that the government tried to put a toll on the Ndola-Kitwe road. But the idea was abandoned when motorists simply drove through the bushes to evade the toll.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 19:54:55 (UTC)
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Craig
And I run IE 6
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 19:07:41 (UTC)
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Craig
Broadband connexion.
MS XP Profession 2002, Service Pack 1
Intel Pentium 4
CPU 2.40 ghz
1,00 GB RAM
Current message board loads completely in less than 3 seconds
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 19:04:23 (UTC)
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Craig
A few variations on loading times for the Board, all here in Iceland.
56K dial-up, connecting at 44K:
Laptop AMN Athlon 1800+ 256MB RAM XP(SP-1) / IE6 23 secs
Laptop AMN Athlon 1800+ 256MB RAM XP(SP-1) / Mozilla latest build 3 secs display / 21 secs complete
Desktop Pentium II 233MHz 128MB RAM Win 95 / IE5.5 1min 40 secs
Desktop Pentium II 233MHz 128MB RAM Win 95 / Mozilla latest build 1min 58 secs complete
DSL at office:
Laptop AMN Athlon 1800+ 256MB RAM XP(SP-1) / IE6 about 8 secs
Laptop AMN Athlon 1800+ 256MB RAM XP(SP-1) / Mozilla latest build 3 secs display / about 8 secs complete
In all cases I see the "Wait a sec" text.
To me, the Board seems slower since the change.
Barry Woodrow [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Reykjavik, Iceland
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 18:49:47 (UTC)
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CRAIG, in response to your request for feed back on systems etc., I am running windows XP proffesional, Intel pentium celron 333Mhz, 16Mb graphics card, 128M of Ram, 576 Kbs ASDL internet connection. I have no problems at all, every thing loads up very quickly. Thank you for all of your hard work in making the site what it is. You know where I am.
REgards
barribee.
Barrie Braidford [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 18:45:15 (UTC)
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This may be way out in left field - and I usually am - but whenever we have had slow down problems with our internet downloads in the past, including the GNR, it has usually been because our kids have also had other stuff downloaded that we are unaware of. The music sites are typical culprits here. Kazaa (may not be correctly spelled) is a prime example. With Kazaa, they have a built in "thingey" (see I am also computer illiterate), that allows other people to randomly download music from your system without you knowing it, unless you do whatever it is my husband had to do, to block their access. Because Mike is very knowledgeable on computers, we have had people come to us with slow down problems, asking Mike if he can help them, and in almost all cases, it has been Kazaa or something similar. Whether that helps or not, I thought I would throw it out. It probably does not apply if you have a dial up system, but then again, what do I know. He! He! When someone is downloading from us, the activity light blinks furiously, and that is always a sign.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 18:32:11 (UTC)
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Craig:
You asked for some feedback regarding the speed of the site, you are currently working on.
I am using Gateway Intel 500MHz Celeron Processor,128MB. 56K, Dial Up connection,operating Windows98.. I Have no problems, almost instantly, half a second and I am there..hope this helps. Thanks for all your hard work, to keep the GNR running, so efficiently.
I am in the Los Angeles area, USA.
June
June Bohl (née Walker, formerly McCarthy) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Los Angeles County, California, United States
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 17:23:12 (UTC)
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Doug,
I am not computer literate, but I have a windows XP [ courtesy of the company] and I can get anywhere on the GNR in a couple of seconds. hope this helps any.
Jimmy.
Jimmy Churchil [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 13:04:49 (UTC)
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Doug,
I don't know what to say. Other than my ADSL connection, your computer is way better than the one I use to surf the Web. The two minutes to log in doesn't make any sense to me at all.
The message regarding a "standards-compliant browser" only applies if the page finishes loading and the green GNR banner appears under that message. As you say, you are fine.
To be honest, I am working very long hours at the moment (it's almost 5:30 am here and I'm only just about to go to bed) and almost nothing that I am working on right now is going right. I just can't put any more time into the GNR right now than I am already giving it, and it's probably better that I direct that time into the next version of the site.
Actually, I will give you a little bit of hope. The major project I am working on right now is migrating all of the accounts on the server on which the GNR is hosted to a new server with far more resources than the current server. I have had some complaints in the last couple of days from clients with respect to the speed of the database on this server, and the database is involved in the log-in procedure. Maybe when the GNR is moved to the new server (hopefully this coming week) there will be an improvement. I hope so.
If anyone else has some feedback (good or bad) about the speed of the site, please contact me or post a message here and give me as much detail as possible -- e.g., where you are connecting from, what type of connection you have (dial-up, ISDN, ADSL, etc.), information about your hardware and software along the lines of what Doug presented, your impression of the speed the board loads, etc. I don't promise to respond with any brilliant ideas or suggestions, but hopefully the feedback will result in a pattern that might be useful.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 12:28:13 (UTC)
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Thanks Craig.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 12:21:27 (UTC)
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Northerners,
Sorry - big screw up but I think Craig is online now, so I'm begging and pleading again
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 11:24:31 (UTC)
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John Beringerand Brian Bedford-Shaw
Happy Birthday
NORTHERNERS
On Tuesday I went up to the Copperbelt for a very quick visit. Time was short, but I didn't forget you:
Kitwe Showgrounds
Nkana Polo Club
Copperfields Cold Storage (although it seems as though it is no longer in use)
your beloved slagheap,
some general photos
and the Kitwe Boma
Then it was a quick stop to buy some wire bicycles
Back down the road to Ndola,
with a quick stop at the Dag Hammarskjöld Memorial
and a few photos of Ndola
I had arranged a trip around Bwana Mkubwa Mine and the Polish cemetery there, but unfortunately the person who was to show me around had to cancel because of some 'crisis.'
and then it was back to Lusaka,
past all the wildflowers which are in bloom
and past the roadside vendors selling their gourds
Yesterday, I had to make an unexpected trip to Blue Lagoon National Park. Again, it was a very quick trip so I didn't have much time to look around and since it is still very wet there, didn't venture off the beaten tracks. But I did see one lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis), who turned his back on me before I could a decent photo. The Kafue lechwe is only found in Zambia, on the Kafue flats,
and I could see herds in the distance, across the flats
I also went to Nakenda House which was the home of Ronnie and Erica Critchley (Erica was Mopani Clark's daughter)
Work on restoring the house is to start soon.
On the way back, I stopped at the Mwembeshi River
and I also took these photos along what turned out to be a very busy road:
Arthur
This is an acacia tree:
and this is a Flamboyant tree:
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 11:22:24 (UTC)
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Craig
I hear you, that this board is a work in progress, but it's only the 10th of the month and already the message board is taking 7 minutes to load up whereas with the old one it was readable within a minute. To get into post a message takes another 2 minutes which is maybe why there is a drought of postings.
I am using a P4 1.7 with 256 MB Ram, 40GB hard drive (about 70% available), Internet Explorer ver.6, on a 56K dial up modem. I am operating with windows 98 2nd edition. I could upgrade to windows XP but have been advised to wait for Windows 2004 by friends who have installed XP.
On starting I get the 'hang on a sec' message without the banner below so my browser must be 'modern- standards compliant'.
Other people in South Africa on dial up connections, are you doing any better? I could go onto ISDN but it is a bit expensive.
Craig, any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 10:35:59 (UTC)
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Johnny
The time for changing the old driving licence in the ID book to the new credit card type has just expired. The only way now is to resit the driving test, quite a horrific thing.
When I stayed in UK for about 15 months in 1977/78 after 6 months I had to take a test for a British driving licence. Despite having had a Rhodesian and then Zambian heavy duty licence for the previous 20 years and having driven 22 wheeler low beds with D9's Caterpillar bulldozers loaded on, from the Congo right through Zambia, Botswana, Rhodesia, South Africa and South West Africa to Swakopmund, I failed the British test twice before finally passing on 3rd try. Then I only passed because I took a few beers first to steady my nerves.
As for the ID (book of life) the newer ones have got a bar code in them without which you cannot vote but otherwise as far as I know the old ones still work.
Maybe next time you visit it might be an idea to update yours. It takes about 3 months for a new one to be issued. It's always good to keep things up to date and not burn bridges behind you.
When I left Zambia in 1976 they asked if I was emigrating or going on holiday. Stupidly I told them I was emigrating so they made me surrender my Zambian ID card, which I did, and told them to stick it where the sun never shines. Within 6 months I realized this was a big mistake as the grass wasn't greener on the other side of the Zambezi.
Keeping fingers crossed and holding thumbs for you to win the lottery and come to the Lark.
Cheers - Doug - the bridge burner.
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Friday, May 09, 2003 at 21:34:34 (UTC)
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Mike Wilson
Hi mike, I was very pleased to see the photograph you posted showing my uncle Dave Liebenberg and Rene Padkin. Dave was a hunting fishing camping kind of man and dedicated a lot of his time and energy to the Kitwe cubs and scouting groups. Dave has passed on now but his influence on my life was huge and we have lost a real character from the north.
I enjoy looking at pictures of the Rhokhana Hotel and the mine mess as both my grandparents, Maria and Giovanni Ferraris were caterers at some of these places. I look forward to a lot more of your photographs in the future. I guess that Tony looks a lot different to his picture as a member of Dave and Rene's cub pack .
Best regards
Greg
Gregory Crawford [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Port Edward, Natal, South Africa
Friday, May 09, 2003 at 20:56:39 (UTC)
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Doug those of us that still have our book of life should be ok there is no time limit on it, but I believe that your driving licence is not valid in it any more, what do we have to do to get a new license? we would still be residents if we return.
Regards Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, May 09, 2003 at 20:32:15 (UTC)
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Update on travel to Livingstone Lark. Hartley please note.
I have contacted Sun International Dreams 011 217 5555 about their advert and unfortunately there are a few snags.
Firstly the offer, contrary to what I previously said, is restricted to citizens and residents of South Africa and surrounding states. Overseas visitors can get the same offer for roughly R200 extra, but the snag is they must be in RSA before their booking will be accepted. By the time the OV's arrive in RSA en route to Livingstone there may be no vacancies left. Maybe some of the lateral thinkers can scheme a plan or think of a way to fork a widdle. Johnny, maybe you could tell them you are the South African Ambassador to Scarborough. Good luck with the lottery, I am also trying our one.
Secondly the previously mentioned offer expires at the end of July and prices increase by about 10%. The plane leaves Jo'burg at 11.00 hours daily, reaches Livingstone at around 12.30 hours and takes off again at 13.00 hours to return to Joburg. So a person could fly up on Friday morning, take in the Cruise on Friday night plus the Braai on Saturday night and return on Sunday, a 2 night stay at Zambezi Sun.
In September this will cost us Hairybacks and Rooineks of the last outpost (Natal) and other assorted Southern African Natives, R3315 per person sharing a double room or R4455 for a single room. Poms, Kanucks, Kong Hongers, Icecubelanders, Double Dutchmen, Yankees, Hilili Hilos, Baa Baa Bruces, and KiKiwis etc. will have to pay R3358 pps double or R4615 single.
Airport departure taxes are, so I have been informed, at present in Joburg R354 and Zambia $20.
As for group bookings; a minimum of 10 rooms (single or double) must be booked for them to give a quote for group discount. As there has not been too much response to previous posting I have not gone further with this.
For people coming in though Joburg there are quite nice self catering holiday flats close to the airport for R189 per night. There is a double bedroom, a 2nd bedroom with 2 single beds, a lounge with TV, plus an equiped kitchen. If anyone is interested I can email them details.
Linda, Dawie and other Nkana-Kitwe folk,
I have found a new Northerner in Vryheid. We are now 5. Just now we can have our own reunion without going anywhere.
Does anybody remember Ann Buchner nee Corkill who was born in Kitwe and only left in 1977. Her Dad was Doug Corkill, who was a foreman moulder on the mines and a keen golfer. He was the longest serving employee on the Nkana mines. Unfortunately he passed away some 2 years ago. Ann has also lived in Chingola. She doesn't have a computer but if anyone posts a reply I will print it out and hand it too her. It would be great if we can find an old friend or schoolmate for her.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Friday, May 09, 2003 at 18:03:31 (UTC)
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Thought for today.
If you think you're too small to make a difference, you've
obviously never been in bed with a mosquito."
Regards Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, May 09, 2003 at 18:00:07 (UTC)
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Dougy your package sounds great from Joburg to Livingstone and if I was there I would take advantage of it but it is R 5000 that is required to get there and unless I win the lottery some time before the time to go I am afraid I will not make it, but the age of miracles is not yet passed and all I can do is keep my fingers crossed. Regards Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, May 09, 2003 at 17:01:13 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
African debates on BBCi.
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Friday, May 09, 2003 at 00:20:02 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
Could a woman be the next president of Zambia?
There was also a series of debates therein on African topics in general. But now I can't find the page on the BBCi suite. You try.
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 15:30:20 (UTC)
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Craig
I'm told that 'closing your strong tag' can be quite painful. That's probably why people leave them open.
Apologies on the bouquets for the revamped site. I was concerned about Arthur's level of depression and got confused.
Ali
Welcome back. Great painting and thank you.
Arthur
I don't know who is the coolest group. The Obnoxious Puppets or The Stupids. Why not market them both?
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 06:05:20 (UTC)
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Arthur,
You are hilarious. :)
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 00:37:00 (UTC)
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Northerners
Fantastic news for the chosen from the Metropolis of the North !
Dave Gray in Capetown, he has discovered a long lost collection of Rhokana Reviews, which combined with Guy Hobbs and Peter Hills collection will give us an almost complete collection, from the very first edition in 1951 to the last issue in 1962 (Volume 11).
The only gaps to be filled now are some from Volume 10, so if anyone has access to any of these magazine No's 4 through to 12, and would be willing to loan them to be scanned, I would really be appreciative.
This project is still a long way off completion, but once full volumes are ready on CD Rom I will let you all know.
Ian Singer
Ian, I see you have gained access to the remaining set of the NR Journals to complete your project!
Well done Ian, I am really pleased for you.
Keep up the fantastic work you do.
Linda
Thanks for the offer, too bad about the crumpet.
Mwizenge
My first car was an Austin Morris 1300, it invoked memories for me too, clonking CV joints, hydrolastic suspension (no springs, when the car leaned you pumped up the leaning side with an airline), leaking boot (trunk to you in the USA I s'pose), continual gearbox and engine failure, 30 miles to the pint of oil, maximum range 5 miles, and about as reliable as some of my friends here on the GNR, only fit for the scrapyard.
Can you get me some photo's of the legendary Kabwe Warriors? Or are they just legendary like the BH of the GNR?
Ali
Thanks for the details on the shrubbery, as for the map of BH, well that is a flatliner.
Heather
Thanks, just pass me the gun instead.
Bill
How do you know?
Craig
Thanks,
And now I see where you got your ideas on designing the new site.
Marilyn
It was Craig who revamped the current GNR, not I, and all credit should go to him for this, including the scrawl right over the David Livingstone link image. Another thing, Southerners always like fiddling, so the finished job may take a while longer yet. This revamp is not the New GNR by the way, which is being worked on every day now.
As for the character I would use on the link for a Perth Bash? Well that would depend on what name the bash was given, Perth Python springs to mind, but as you always ran away, perhaps the Road Runner.
Dawie,
Here are the Obnoxious Puppets or the Stupids.
Naatjes
Arthur
Flounder of the Great North Road
Arthur Steevens [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stockport, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 00:05:07 (UTC)
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Hold it! Hang abart! Gashi bitchan! Stadig Jong!
I have just seen an offer by Sun International Dreams for a 3 night package at the Zambezi Sun for only R3669. This includes flights, transfers, accomodation, breakfast & unlimited access to the Falls. Their number in Joburg is 011 217 5555.
You can also stay 3 nights at the Royal Livingstone for R5979. I'll leave that for you hard currency wallahs.
I am going to call them and ask if we can get a discount if we can get a group of say 10 for a group booking prepaid in May.
Jill (Aplin), at this price its hardly worth the slep of driving there and back. The flight time is 1.5 hours.
Cheers for the beers and applause for the Ladies.
Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 20:34:48 (UTC)
|
A member of the Gnr emailed me to ask if the pentravel offer I mentioned previously was only open to South Africans. This is my reply.
I am sure the offer is open to anyone, I only mentioned South Africans because even with the Rand improved to around R7.50 to the US$ it works out 7.5 times more expensive for us than for the Americans. The offer is from pentravel in Durban. I dealt with a lady called
Hayley. Her email is
hayley.palsenberger@pentravel.co.za
The package was for Joburg / Livingstone / Joburg flight and 3 days bed and breakfast in the Zambezi Sun for R4507. I am sure she could organize that you catch the return flight from Lusaka for very little or no extra charge. You should be able to get a lift from Livingstone to Lusaka but if you prefer to fly it will cost about R1400 which I feel is a rip off.
The alternative is to fly Joburg to Lusaka return for about R2000 and either hire a car or go on the bus that Heather hopes to organize. In this case you will be able to ask Heather to book you into one of the cheaper but still nice lodges for around $40 double per night; so 3 nights would cost around R900 + the R2000 airfare. This would save about R1600 per person. As you have a relative in Lusaka you could stay with him on the way in and on the way out.
As a matter of interest pentravel is also offering a similar flight + 3 days package on the Zimbabwe side in good hotels for as little as R2480. Call it the Mugabe discount. The best views of the Falls are on the southern side, but it would be a bit treasonable for Northern Rhodesians to go there. Heather would probably hang us by the Balubas.
Hope this is of some help.
Best Regards - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 20:18:17 (UTC)
|
Mufulira Bash at Bury UK
Hope everyone enjoys the reunion. Looks like a lot of the Muf crowd that were at Gary Brassington's Banbury Bash last year will be there.
Sue Forde and I were hoping to be able to make it but events have conspired. We have had delays in getting Sue's book published ("Hidden Capacity.. a poet's journey", under her pen name Frances Macaulay Forde, available end of May), but now all is coming together so we need to be here to deal with the printers and other logistics.
Hopefully will be able to catch up with Muf people (and other ex-Zams of course) at the next GNR Bash, whenever that will be.
Craig Hartnett
Thanks for the new, improved, super deluxe GNR - looks good, works well.
Paudie Coughlan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Midleton Co Cork, Ireland
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 18:56:40 (UTC)
|
N O R T H E R N E R S!
There are about one of two Afrikaans-speakers who used to live in NR/ZAM before beating a hasty retreat down the Great North Road back to civilisation... you lot might find Afrikaans in Europa an interesting site, and also Geschiedenis van het Nederlands (on the latter, use the table of contents to find the write-up on the history of Afrikaans. Very interesting!
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 18:28:33 (UTC)
|
Marilyn,
It's impossible to tell exactly who is making what searches, but I assume that people who find the GNR for the first time using a search term such as "kitwe expatriates" end up joining the GNR (assuming they are themselves Kitwe expatriates) unless, for some reason, they don't like what they see.
On the other hand, people who find the GNR through search terms such as "capturing guinea fowl" or "volcano kettle" probably find the information they are looking for and move on.
People who find the site through search terms such as "contacts in the uk adults who wear nappies for fun" probably move on pretty quickly when they realise they've found the wrong site. (I am tempted to make a sarcastic remark here, in conjunction with a search reference to Scotland, but I'll restrain myself.)
People searching for "craig hartnett" work for the CIA.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 16:46:10 (UTC)
|
Ali,
When certain members forget to close their "strong" tags. :)
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 16:28:05 (UTC)
|
Hi to all,
I have just been informed that the Northern Rhodesia Reunion is to be held at Hartebeespoortdam Pleasure Resort, near Pretoria, this year. It is the same place as the year before. It is the first week in October ie. 4/10/03.
Should you need any further information feel free to contact me
Annette Greeff : anetg@hotmail.com
cell : 083 725 6730 work : 011.740.2421
or
Sophie Knoesen : cell: 082 744 2750 work: 011.629 3418
Please tell all your / our friends !
Regards,
Annette
Annette Greeff (née Thuynsma) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 13:52:52 (UTC)
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The GNR Management under Stress......When........??????............ :)
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 09:43:50 (UTC)
|
Craig,
Carpark pants? Who visits this site apart from us?
I had a real chuckle at some of the queries.
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 09:30:28 (UTC)
|
Marilyn......
Note taken.....just a lull in the works......back very soon !!!
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 09:27:23 (UTC)
|
Craig
The list of strings that result in a GNR hit reads like the list of some of my favourite modern music artists!
But I still dont see one of my favourite made-up names for a band: the Obnoxious Puppets or the Stupids. But maybe now I will see them!
I reckon you copyright the lot for futures investments.
Tot straks...
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 09:25:59 (UTC)
|
N O R T H E R N E R S!
Almost every major country represented in the GNR has now had some kind of GREAT NORTH ROAD
reunion: the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, and Australia! And
now Zambia and New Zealand are about to join the club as well!
This is heartwarming. Not only because it is heartwarming to see the
growth of the GNR, but also because it encourages something that time
and again, I hear about... the story of people reunited after a long
separation, all because of this website.
If you can get to Livingstone, I encourage you to do this. It is a very
special gathering, and Heather has thought long about this and been more
than generous with her time in organising it.
Patsy, in New Zealand, it would be wonderful to hear about your reunion
in your terrific country (I visited it in the early 1970's, hitchhiking
from Auckland to Queenstown, and later I attempted immigration, but
alas, I was escorted by armed military guards to the frontier [sic]...
watch the emails come in... )
I often get thanks, but I would like to thank ALL of you, the members of
this website for making it a great success over the last seven years.
Dank u wel!
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper
Founder of The Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 09:19:27 (UTC)
|
How do people find the GNR?
Occasionally I look closely at the search terms people use to find the GNR, and there are a few gems. Here, without much editorial comment (although I was so tempted by several that I have put them in italics), spelling correction or censorship, for your amusement or otherwise, are a few from last month and this month:
"great north road"
"volcano kettle"
"great northern road"
"south african breweries lion lager"
"1939 packard argentina"
"were i can find a car to maje payments on"
"arthur steevens"
"stripper pics"
"freemasons astronaut pic"
"great north road from cairo to cape town"
"cyril richard rescorla"
"how to smuggle biltong"
"anal sex aberdeen scotland"
"al capone boys school donation"
"sexy pics for the saudi royal family women"
"rhodesian prime minister ian d smith images"
"fredericton escorts"
"the undertaker his wife and his baby"
"under his kilt"
"2003 email contacts and guest book o farmers in sweden"
"cookie monster auckland"
"sex change operation before after photos"
"contacts in the uk adults who wear nappies for fun"
"bill knott"
"broke off wisdom tooth"
"lusaka news"
"biltong sjambok"
"what is the name of the cape at eh southern tip of africa?"
"peter dielissen"
"koeksusters"
"sudsa"
"biltong uk"
"kitwe expatriates"
"photo gallery of people who are under stress"
"pictures of saddams yacht"
"ronnie gordon north rd rhodesia"
"ronnie and sha gordon"
"mufulira reunion at village hotel bury"
"castle lager adverts"
"looking for ex zimbabweans"
"craig hartnett"
"judy drew"
"wallasey"
"barbie's photoes"
"gamblers people e_mail addresses"
"kevin shone rhodesia"
"freemasonary handshake"
"linda burns east london"
"vancouver sexy overnight accommodation"
"greek i scuba dive"
"diesel camouflage miniskirt"
"pics of poisonous snake bite victims"
"luanshya girls"
"moonrings scam"
"wedding chris forde"
"the road code of conduct"
"microsoft word bolds everything"
"who made the zambian flag ?"
"2003 mail address of lark"
"perth to joburg flights"
"skydiving barefoot pics -watersky -water sky"
"rhodesian ridgebacks in newcastle upon tyne"
"capturing guinea fowl"
"sars virus lusaka zambia"
"nigerianscams"
"does a rhodesian ridgeback moult"
"richard rescorla new yorker"
"updated email contacts of missionaries in america guest book 2002"
"www email address chippies company in uganda"
"lyrics of rhodesians never die"
"foofee slide"
"people standing in a row picture"
"pictures of sadaam doubles"
"bishops email contacts in belguim 2003"
"saudi arabia public execution photo"
"maps for wallesy"
"2003 email contact of management heand in uk"
"shambok injuries"
"lusaka call girls phone directory"
"ossie osborne arrested in usa"
"scanning pictures sizes"
"contact e_mail address of fire arms company australia"
"used campers fredericton"
"2003 email of farmers guest book in virgin island"
"hippo mouth"
"does emma watson have a boyfreind"
"how to grow marula trees from seeds"
"prison london abandon hope all ye who enter here"
"seady girls"
"sadamn humour"
"xxxx of teenage pic"
"ag pleez daddy"
"mrs ball's chutney nsw australia"
"reducing size of scanned pictures"
"zambia ex pats website"
"boobo for mayor san"
"director and email address for weed company in saudi arabia"
"strange pictures of pommies"
"flats for sale romiley"
"why bushmen women have backsides pictures"
"dave mcconnachie"
"2003 current email addresses of guess book of precious stone in america"
"mervyn blumberg"
"how to cook sudsa"
"nigerian scams amsterdam"
"ashley whittemore zambia"
"fredericton new brunswick and porn sex"
"congo mercenary colonel mike hoare"
"photographs of people swimming"
"2003 e mail address of heather"
"2003 contact e mail address in canada"
"monaco grand prix fashion ladies fashion"
"crack licence autodesk viz 4"
"mrs ball's chutney san francisco"
"sheik of araby no pants on"
"sars vancouver designer masks"
"circumcision rites pics"
"misjudged or catered or beneficiary or refract or precipitateness"
"gives them full access to your phone"
"overbalance or oligometochia or scapigerous or idyllic or unladylike"
"carpark pants"
"patrick sampson"
"wendy crowe email address she works for british airways in london"
"pictures not shown in word"
"bomas ladies photos"
"dave cooper kzn parks board"
"smit farm lusaka"
"childbirth pics labour"
"free turkeys ladies free love picture & email 18 25 year"
"bob mugabe naughty songs"
"catholic rules of divorice"
"amarula distributor"
"bunnies on a parachut that you can play with"
"this bottle is the property of the south african"
"bitter cherry eulogy"
"zambian space"
"vasectomy auckland zealand -calveley"
"comparison face mask sars"
"chris tamm pilot"
"chikabanga"
"sars mask elephant"
"wolf and irish wolfhound cross jpg"
"road names in ottawa"
"cheap tyres north shields ?"
"picture of eighteen wheeler spewing black smoke"
"using maths in html documents to display something different each time"
"whats the youngest puta?"
"wisdom tooth extract pieces"
"4 foot 9 hubby"
"phto sex"
"sadamn's cars crushed"
"saddams family"
"distributor amarula uk"
"goodbye message for a colleague who is joining new job"
"chitukutuku"
"sjambok canada"
"a pretty place in united kingdom"
"picture of broken road"
"monastery vocals with a disco beat"
"nuns who need room and board on message board"
"escort message board vancouver"
"zonke wrex tarr"
"do lemons shrink gallstones"
"edmund glazer"
"shorts even in winter"
"lusaka 2003 contacts list email addresses"
"e_mail contact of gamblers"
"tips for painfree intercourse"
"pajama party sexy jpg"
"animals amarula dvd"
"tony's tattoos in stockport"
"2003 email contact addresses of top class businessmen in st lucia"
"alien photographs"
"arabic baldy women pics"
"bruised tongue remedy"
"knickers message board"
The searches for e-mail addresses, by the way, are the perpetrators of Nigerian 419 scams trolling for e-mail addresses. Pity for them that they come up empty when they get to the GNR.
For those with less prurient interests, you can see the full list in the site's statistics.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 09:18:40 (UTC)
|
Peter Hills re Rhokana Reviews.
Arthur tells me you are on holiday in Cape Town at present. Please contact me on one of the following numbers: Work - 021 957 4600
Home - 021 976 4219
Mobile - 082 809 5150
Cheers
David Gray [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 08:01:16 (UTC)
|
Arthur,
You may rant and rave as much as you wish after the great job you've just done on the web site. It really is a first class site and you, Craig and Heather are to be congratulated. Dave, the Founder, of course as well.
Did you fall asleep at work? That was probably because Linda did in fact make it over with tea and crumpet!
I like the David Livingstone link to the Livingstone reunion. One day, when John Milton, Denise Horton and others, including myself, get together to arrange a Perth reunion, what character will you use to create that link, Arthur?
Ali
What's happened to your artwork? Are you getting lazy, girl?
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 04:49:34 (UTC)
|
CALLING ALL ZAM-KIWIS
I am hoping to organise a Zambian Reunion in Auckland on 25 & or 26 October (Labour Weekend). I haven't yet secured a venue but will get that organised once I see how many people we can gather together.
I've posted a note on the 'Events' page, so please get in touch. Lets show the Aussies how to organise a REAL party!!
Patsy Davies (née Rosson, formerly Rixom) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Auckland, New Zealand
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 04:00:21 (UTC)
|
Dave said "By the way, I heard last year while taking the National IQ test that Madonna is one of the highest scorers with a hefty 140"
Unfortunately that was her weight ......
Doug
Doug Waybush [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Maryland, USA, and London, England
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 00:46:07 (UTC)
|
Craig:
Thank goodness for the explanation. I was having visions of you flashing yourself from a yellow mac or something equally horrific to contemplate :)
Vivienne and the Eldridge family:
My sincerest condolences on the sad loss of your brother.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 11:47:51 (UTC)
|
Hello All
Having just returned from three weeks on the Natal South Coast, I haven't had a chance to catch up on the Message Board, but must congratulate the Politburo on what I've seen of the new website. I'm looking forward to exploring it all soon.
The purpose of this posting is a very sad one for me - it's to record the passing of my very special older brother, Graham Eldridge, on 19 April, in Gonubie, East London. He died suddenly of a heart attack at age 55.
Lynthia Nadauld (née Eldridge) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Krugersdorp, South Africa
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 08:27:20 (UTC)
|
Mervyn Blumberg, Jacqui Milward, Heather Gretton, Michael Page and Jenny Crowe
Happy Birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 05:31:12 (UTC)
|
Craig......
I must be one of the lucky ones that can read that message....what with my antiquated setup.....though I must say at least it works.....!!!!! :0)
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 04:36:32 (UTC)
|
It also tells me that not everyone hangs on every word I write. :) The May 1st update included this information:
"To keep those with slow connections entertained, there is some explanatory text behind the page that you will only see if the page is loading slowly. Unfortunately this text shows up if you print the page -- I will work on fixing this."
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 03:03:36 (UTC)
|
Curious Linda,
It says:
Loading... hang on a sec.
The message board may take a bit longer to load towards the end of the month. Watch the progress indicator in your browser's status bar.
If this text appears above the GNR banner below, then you are not using a modern, standards-compliant browser. We strongly recommend the latest version of either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla.
Paddy would have been able to answer this question. :) The fact that it goes by too quick for you to read it is a good thing.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 03:00:45 (UTC)
|
Just what exactly IS that quick message that flashes before the page downloads?? All I can catch is part of it which says "hang on a sec" before it disappears. That's what I get for having high speed cable DSL...
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 02:47:23 (UTC)
|
Jislaaike! Another long diatribe by that guy.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 00:41:55 (UTC)
|
Northerners,
I just want to back up what Arthur said about the time it takes to prepare material for posting on the message board or other places on the site. Some of these issues will remain even on the new site where we will have a content-management system, which is why I feel the need to reiterate what he has said. Some of the older members will remember that Arthur has been doing this chore on the GNR for a couple of years now. He offered to take it on because I was overwhelmed by the task and so the GNR pretty much ground to a halt for a while until Arthur came along.
The first thing to note is that we go to a lot of trouble to make sure that this site doesn't look and work like something someone has thrown together on Geocities (a free hosting provider, for those that don't know who they are). You've all seen those sites -- full of flashing, blinking images, broken images, broken links, graphics that are so huge you don't bother waiting to download them, pages that go on forever, text that is unreadable because it is almost the same colour as the garish background... and on and on the list goes. (If you don't know what I mean, look at the example on the parody site "Bud Uglly Design" at budugllydesign.com/archivebud/bud9607/bud.htm.) Going to this trouble means taking the time to do things right and not relinquishing responsibility for the integrity of the site to a programme like FrontPage, or someone else's idea of a one-size-fits-all Web-based design system, that just ends up causing long-term problems even if it's easier to use in the short term.
Second, it's only reasonable for us to expect people submitting material to read Arthur's notes and the "Contributing to this Site" page, both of which are prominently linked to from all over the site. If you are sending Arthur files with names like "!cid_002f01c30b57$f7c72670$2e494d51@xxxxx.gif" (as in his example), then you are obviously not reading this information.
Third, if you are harassing Arthur five minutes after sending him your material, then you're just not being very considerate. Arthur does this work in the evenings and on weekends. If you send him something on Monday and are asking him on Thursday when your stuff is going to be posted, then you need to look up "patience" in the dictionary. I guarantee you that Arthur is working on the GNR seven days a week -- even when we release him to go fishing for a day, he is still thinking about issues pertaining to the GNR. If he makes at least one posting of a group of images (not just a single image he might post that is germane to current discussion) that does not include your submission at least two full weeks after you have sent material to him, then you can consider asking him what the hold up might be. Any sooner than that and you'll just make him rabid. :)
Finally, believe it or not, we are sympathetic to those who were not born with a mouse in one hand and a keyboard in the other. We don't want to scare you off just because you might not follow our guidelines to the letter. We do want your stuff, and we are obviously willing to work to get it otherwise this site wouldn't exist in the first place. All we ask is that you also take a bit of time to try making our job a little less time-consuming, and if this means engaging the services of your 14-year-old child/grandchild/neighbour who can operate a computer with his/her eyes closed, then so much the better. Even Arthur had to learn all of this stuff, and now he does a better job with graphics than people with formal training.
As always, thank-you to those who take the time to send us stuff. As you can see by reading the message board after Arthur posts a bunch of pictures, it is very much appreciated.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 00:27:03 (UTC)
|
N O R T H E R N E R S!
I know some of you will scoff at the fact that I watch MTV and The Box, but these sources play a big role in one of my major hobbies (DJ-ing)... anyway, in Madonna's new video clip: AMERICAN LIFE, the Zambian flag is featured, along with many other African flags. I was nice to see them.
By the way, I heard last year while taking the National IQ test that Madonna is one of the highest scorers with a hefty 140.
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Monday, May 05, 2003 at 22:31:54 (UTC)
|
Do not believe what you read, except for the kudos to Arthur.... Linda Hayes IS a crumpet.
Bill
William Knott [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Monday, May 05, 2003 at 19:56:45 (UTC)
|
Hi
I have just spent a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend with two old school friends that I located through the "looking for" section on the GNR.
Pene Nudds, who I haven't seen for 28 years, was a day scholar at Chisipite in Salisbury, and her family became my adpoptive family in the last couple of years I was there. She's been living in the UK for the past 25 years and at one stage even went out with a guy who lived a couple of miles down the road from me in Oxfordshire!
The other friend, Lilian van Iersel, was from Ndola and was a close friend for many years. Sadly due to her travels and my moves with my job we lost touch in the early 80's. She's now living in Amsterdam and flew over for the weekend. We spent a precious 48 hours pouring over old photos and letters, and recounting stories of our youth. We laughed, cried and all felt 16 again! (My 15 year old daughter was very bemused by the whole thing!)
Thanks to the GNR I am now in touch with at least a dozen old friends which I think is very important as you enter middle age! So thank you to all who put so much time and effort into the running of the site, and thanks also to all who use her and make her so compulsive!
I now have four days to recover before the Mufulira Bury reunion!!
Bridget
ps..... where is KEN MILLAR? I miss your entries and hope you are OK after the very sad death of your wife.
Bridget Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Monday, May 05, 2003 at 17:38:51 (UTC)
|
Arthur
I've made an appointment for you on Friday morning 8 am at the Boma.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, May 05, 2003 at 11:22:14 (UTC)
|
Artie........
Your question regarding ...the Flamboyant and the Acacia are they the same plant ? .....the answer is no, The Flamboyant is the Poinciana tree Or Delinox Regia....I must say one of my Favourite trees and flowers
The Acacia is the genus.....there are over 1200 species of Acacia eg wattle.....etc
Hope that answers your question.
As for your work on the GNR....you are greatly appreciated......thanks......just hurry up and find a map of Broken hill.....(giggles)
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Monday, May 05, 2003 at 11:00:43 (UTC)
|
Arthur,
Thanks for the great pictures! They invoke so many memories for me. I could have sworn the Austin Morris is the one my uncle drove from Kitwe to Chipata in 1969. The pictures of soccer games remind me of so many legendary soccer players from 1961 to 1967; Ginger Pensulo, Zoom Ndlovu, the late Godfrey Chitalu who first played with Kitwe United before going to join the legendary Kabwe Warriors .... Thaks for a job well done.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Monday, May 05, 2003 at 04:39:16 (UTC)
|
Arthur:
Let me be the first to tell you how much you are appreciated, even when you act like a rabbid dog .
Getting those photos on the GNR for us to enjoy is obviously time consuming, but we look forward to the weekly posting so much. You are a super star and thanks so much to the people who keep sending them in.
If it helps, I would gladly come over and make you a cup of tea when you wake up. Don't have any crumpet to go with it, unfortunately
When you nod off in front of your computer at work tomorrow, just remember that you have over 1002 members who think you are mahvellous, darlink!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Monday, May 05, 2003 at 03:20:46 (UTC)
|
Northerners !
A little rant before I hit the submit button.
The photos below have taken me over five hours to prepare for the Message Board and this is basically because some of you are not reading the guidelines we requested you to follow when submitting your photographs for the site.
I started off at around 9.00pm to do a couple of hours work and have eventually finished at 2.00am so I feel particularly sarcastic and bad tempered, but this is not unusual.
1/ Please take the time to name your images properly, having loads of images dumped in my e-mail box with names like !cid_002f01c30b57$f7c72670$2e494d51@xxxxx.gif does not help me identify them easily and then having to take the time to name them myself and convert them into jpeg format is also time wasting. It isn't rocket science to convert your images to jpeg format and name them correctly - for example arthur-steevens.jpg (note all lower case lettering and no spaces).
2/ Many of you also assume I know where the places are or who the people are. Please explain what you are sending and where the photos were taken. To add insult to injury the very same person that sends me his submission then starts sending e-mail asking why has his stuff not been posted yet. Jissus !
3/ I am also getting many photos embedded in Microsoft Word documents, these are particularly troublesome if you attach them to several e-mails with the same document name. When I go to save them I have to download them one by one and rename them to stop my computer overwriting what it thinks is the same document. Another pain in the bum is that images embedded in Word Documents have to be converted by into a webpage so I can extract the image file from the sub folders. So in words of one syllable DONT SEND STUFF LIKE THIS - PLEASE. Write out your e-mail and attach the photos to that.
4/ Lastly, I would appreciate that you do not use your talents and overwrite titles onto the photos you submit. To me this is like graffiti and images spoiled in this way are useless for archiving purposes. Please leave the photos as they are in their original state and write the captions underneath if you really have to.
End of rant.
And having built myself up into a mad-dog mood.
Another pic of a place I remember too
Now I need to go kill something
Arthur
Hi Arthur
Lusaka Convent reunion Perth 2003
(Northerners - This is a PDF document file and you will need Adobe Acrobat or similar to open it - approx size 350kb - Arthur)
Angela Dowling
Hi Arthur,
Taken in 1961 this was the Zambezi Pack of the Nkana Cubs. Starting from the back row the cubs are David Williams, Robert Rogerson, Trevor Burns, Graham Odell, Keith Parkinson and Dannie Shepperson. 3rd Row - Andrew Millar, George Psaltis, Bart Weeting, Quentin Webb, Paul Thomson, Allan Rogerson, Michael Pym. 2nd Row - Kyle Jones, Rory Jones, Kevin Dennis, Neil Parkinson, Mark Smith, Martin Fordred, Lonny Shepperson. Front Row - Tony Wilson, Ian Maxwell, Stephen Edwards, Peter Campbell, Brian Gibson, Allan Denovan and Martin Robbins. The Cubmasters are Rene Padkin and Dave Liebenberg. A happy bunch.
And another pic
Regards,
Mike Wilson
Mike - Thanks for the photos - as you know we had a discussion about the lightie standing in the back of the photo which at first I thought could be moi. Unfortunatley it cannot be.
Thanks for the loan of the negative of the Astra Bioscope - I could not really improve on the photo you sent in a little while ago, but I have included it here again as the photo now shows the car park we were discussing previously.
I will post the neg back on Tuesday - Arthur
does any one reconize this place,"halfway house " 1955 on the way to durban,from Mufulira.
photo taken on the golf club steps,,joe morton 3rd from right back row, circa early 1950s
Barry Morton
Arthur,
Here's some b/w pics of actual Independence Day, 1964. Regrettably they're small, black and white and a bit faded.
I've enhanced them with Paint Shop Pro and they're scanned at 75dpi.
Other pics are as annotated.
Hope they're ok!
Zambia 3, Ghana 4 - Independence Stadium, Lusaka, 24/10/1964
Same soccer match as above
High Court roundabout, Lusaka, Independence Day 1964
The famous Billy Cotton (Billy Cotton's All American Brass Band, from USA) himself -
Independence Day 1964, Church Road, Lusaka. The Cenotaph is arrowed
Neil Harvey, Boys Brigade camp, Lusaka farm, July '64
Taken in about 1985:
...self - explanatory - a piece of the furniture, although I went there in 1996 and the place was literally
falling apart with age and desperately needed capital injection and restoration work!
Official opening of the statue of Physical Energy, 1960, Lusaka, by HM The Queen Mother:
The LAST ONE... Andrew Cox (a GNR Member in Jo'burg now) and Roger Peplow, Lusaka, 1961
Regards
Alister Watson
Rugby, UK
Hi there Aurthur
Great to hear from you, great news that you found the folder as well, tee hee.........I find these safe places as well.
Yes we have heard from Graham and Debs, they have moved up to the Lake District area now, bought a place up there, he actually phoned us today. Place called Distington.
I have quite a few photo's of the Get together that we had (good braai vleis) at Hazel and Barry Sturrock, along with Val and Tommy Laird and Jame Coogan and his wife (whose name escapes me at the moment).
From the left, Graham Wall, James Coogan, Tommy Laird, Willie (cannot remember his surname (what can I say) Barry Sturrock, Hazel Sturrock, Fiona Wall and Val Laird.
Fiona and Graham Wall
Fiona - looks like you'll have to head for the headmasters office and join the queue of those who do not spell my name correctly, which did not escape me.
You also forgot in your excitement to send me your postal address - Arthur
Northerners
More photos from the Cd sent to me by Steve and Marge de Lange
The road that had just been built from the Chingola Road to Chibuluma.
Kansanji headgear - 1966
One of the abandoned houses at Kansanji -- 1966
A small village on the side of the Solwezi Road.
Kansangi Store on Solwezi Road, stopped especially for the Coke sign.
Steven was particularly interested in the Hillman.
Kansangi Store.
Another village further down the road, the kitchen area.
One of the huts.
The chicken coop.
Making mealie meal.
On the road leading out of Nkana, going through Wusikili -- June 1966.
1410 level Central Shaft -- copper sulfate leaching out with the water.
These shops were the Central Shaft maintenance buildings, the Riggers shop, the Electrical shop and the Mechanical Shop. In the background there are two headgears. I was on the headgear in the front when I took the following pictures.
Mindola from Central Shaft headgear.
Rhokana Cinema and the mine mess with the mine club in the foreground.
Looking at the smelters with the concentrators in the foreground.
The winding engine room for the head gear at Central. Next to it can be seen the bird aviary where they kept canaries which they used for checking the quality of air underground during rescue operations. Behind that is the parking lot and change rooms.
The receiver tank for the water distribution system. The water was pumped from the 2410 level and used as garden water in the Mine Township.
The salvage yard at Central Shaft with the diesel electric train that went to Mindola Mine. Mr. McPherson ran the yard and I can remember he had a son called Roy and they lived on Central Street just up from 1st Avenue.
Looking towards Mindola.
Looking towards the slimes dam. In the foreground are the new African change house facilities, which had just been built.
Eban Mulder with the welding helmet on and Paul who were working with me on the hand rails. To some Eban was better known as Tarzan and Paul was an ardent rugby fan.
This is out of order it should have been with the Kansanji pictures; it is looking across the Solwezi plains.
This picture was taken just off of Westminster Drive looking down onto Kitwe Stream with the Slimes Dam behind it. At the top of the hill there is the new road that went from Parklands and linked up with about 22nd Street. Anyway it linked up with the bottom half of Central Street.
This is the Paw Paw tree that grew at Steve’s Mum and Dad’s place, Plot 194 Garneton. They were huge.
The same Paw Paw tree, it grew up right through a flamboyant tree.
Steve and Marge de Lange
Steve, Marge
Brilliant photos - and nice pawpaws - would love to eat one right now !
Is a Flamboyant tree the same as an Acacia?
I got these shots from Peter Hills - Arthur
Thanks to you all for your contributions
Arthur
Arthur Steevens [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stockport, United Kingdom
Monday, May 05, 2003 at 01:41:39 (UTC)
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Now here is a laugh... I think. I just did the on-line BBC quiz and randomly picked the answers. Did not look at the thing at all. I scored 94. Does that mean there are pockets of randomly intelligent people in Texas.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Monday, May 05, 2003 at 00:59:08 (UTC)
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Oops! I didn't do well in the IQ test either! Oh well probably best not to have a few glasses of wine while you're going it. Never mind, better luck next year.
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 23:45:51 (UTC)
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Oh I nearly forgot! The most important thing - to prove to my family that the termite hills REALLY are HUMUNGOUS!!!
JP
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 21:02:08 (UTC)
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Des, Right on! I too am going back to see Kitwe - for me Helen Kaunda (Kitwe Girls High), both the houses I lived in - definitely the Polo Club where I spent most of my time with my beloved horses, Glacier and Moon River. I believe the slag heap no longer operates - but I hope you can still get up that slimes dam from where we used to watch the tipping - oh so many things to show my husband - and oh so many fond memories. And all with the added bonus of putting GNR names to faces - I do hope that folks make the effort - it will be so wonderful!
Dawie - what's the web address for the brainbox test? I will probably score about 45! Ha! Ha!
Stay well all!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 21:00:42 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
Take the National IQ Test on BBC1 tonight. For those misfortunate enough to live in countries which don't get BBC1, you can do the test online on BBCi.
I took the test last year. I will take it again this year to see if I have improved or become even "stommer" than I am.
The national average was around 120, if I remember correctly. My IQ is 91---well below the national average.
How about you?
Groetjes...
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 19:05:05 (UTC)
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I was one of the fortunate people who attended Gary`s great bash in Banbury. How times change though.
When I was there, numerous people were telling me that they were definitely going to Livingstone. Now 8 months on Heather has only received a few definite replies.
Where has everyone got to ?
For many people, me included, this may be our last chance of going HOME. I for one am not going to miss it.
Being from Kitwe, means I`m off to see, Riverain, Kitwe Boys High, Mindolo Dam,and also the house where I used to live, The Strand, plus many other places that are close to our hearts and at the forefront of our memories.
Can you honestly say that you wouldn`t relish the oppurtunity of going back to our heritage.
I hope I will see many of the friendly faces in Livingstone that I saw in Banbury.
Des Kenny (formerly Crouch) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wallasey, England
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 12:33:32 (UTC)
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Craig,
Can I see you in my office, please?
Thank you.
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 09:29:45 (UTC)
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OK, I added a small graphic next to new links on the links page. I just couldn't live without it. Now hopefully I'll do what 99% of other people don't do and make sure I maintain the page properly so that the image is actually useful.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 06:49:22 (UTC)
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Hi all,
I have finally fixed the problem with accessing the old Names Directory and the archived message boards that are password-protected. In the process the message board was up and down a bit this afternoon as well. I also managed to fix some of Dave's sloppy HTML coding that has managed to survive for seven years and confound me for the last four. Happy are those who use Mozilla/Netscape to view the now-fixed old Names Directory.
I think I also fixed something else, but I can't remember what now.
By the way, the Mozilla Web browser (which is free and displays no advertising like another free, alternative browser [Opera] does), is an excellent browser. I'm not driven by rabid anti-Microsoft sentiment, but if a different browser is something that appeals to you, you should consider Mozilla. I did happen to notice that it will start displaying the messages on the message board right away, which Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) doesn't do. This is interesting, actually, as the behaviour was the opposite a few years ago -- i.e., MSIE used to display messages right away while Netscape (which is now based on Mozilla) used to wait and load the whole page before displaying anything.
This message may or may not have been sponsored by Mozilla -- you decide. By the way, don't download Netscape unless you want your computer filled with crap -- just use Mozilla.
End of non-germane content.
Oh, I also added a few links to the links page. See if you can find them. :) Maybe one of these days I'll add those little, animated "new" icons next to links that have been added recently. I also shuffled a few pages to new locations, but you shouldn't even notice.
I think that's it.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 05:10:32 (UTC)
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Doug.....et al.....
You ask the question "why are we so nostalgic about
NR/Zam......" That is a question I ask myself quite often, and the only answer I come up with is...... once you have been there it is in your blood forever, I was only very young when I left NR/Zam..no real recollections of the place,but I can assure you I have that special feeling about the place ,I have had it all my life.......just one of those mysteries of life I suppose......
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 04:46:34 (UTC)
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Hi Barrie,
It was great meeting up with you in the Old George in the Bigg Market for the first time, sorry I could not make The Flying Scotsman when I got back from Scotland, weather was brill. had a few games of golf when I was in Troon and Edinburgh, got back last Wednesday. Will meet up again the next time I am home.
Regards,
Jimmy
Jimmy Churchil [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia
Sunday, May 04, 2003 at 03:18:12 (UTC)
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Patrick
I am glad you enjoyed my latest entry on GNR. What are you doing in San Francisco. I am often intrigued by Zambians being in many parts of the world. Hope all is well. Mwadyera? as Lusaka Zambians would ask.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 23:05:56 (UTC)
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Well done - like the NEW LOOK GNR site. Keep up the good work. Hope all Ex Zams are well.
Brasso.
Gary Brassington [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Banbury, Oxon., United Kingdom
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 21:00:56 (UTC)
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Hi All
www.nrzam.plus.com has been updated
Added Northern Rhodesia Journal Volume I - No. 1 - 1950
This issue has been made available through the generosity of John Fleming and the thoughtfulness of his brother, Paddy.
Foreword
Editorial
Slave Raiders in North-Eastern Rhodesia
I Knew Lewanika
David Livingstone's Memorial at Chitambo's
Some Mammals With Northern Rhodesia Associations
How the Northern Rhodesia Coppers Were Found
The Mumbatuta Falls
Some Cases of Witchcraft
Native Timber
Correspondence: A Moffat writes about the Livingstone Memorial / Early Travellers
Notes: Articles and notes we want / A great character Russell Johnston Parker / A bibliography / Government Aid / Contributors to this number
Regards Ian
Ian Singer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 20:55:19 (UTC)
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Hartley
I spent sometime in banking and worked on the Zambian pipeline, doing mostly debt equity conversions. The pipeline ceased to exist in 1992 when exchange control was abolished. If my memory serves me well the rate in 1992 was about K400 to $1.
As for the current rate of exchange, I believe the Kwacha is undervalued. Thanks to the policies of the government the Kwacha is subjected to pressure that is not economically sound. But perhaps that's a topic for another time.
Chisanga Puta-Chekwe [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 20:33:27 (UTC)
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Yurrah ou Dawie,
Wat is dit nou? 'N toets vir ons? You want us to help you with your homework?
At first glance I can see it is a history of the Dutch settlements in the Cape and development of the Afrikaans language. It compares the various grammatical differences between Dutch and Afrikaans which is today spoken by over 6 million people, half of them coloured people. ensovoort.
Pambile mena kuluma futi yena funeka mena funda lo mwati kawena mushle. Howzat?
Craig
Thanks for all your effort to improve the site.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 19:54:24 (UTC)
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Zikomo Gwabiri Mwizenge,
Your letter was thought provoking. I have in past postings asked exactly what it was that made people nostalgic about Zambia, probably more so than other places.
For me it was the real or maybe perceived freedom life on the farms and in the bush where we were much closer to the original Garden of Eden lifestyle than people in developed countries, with all their better facilities, could imagine.
I always imagine those people who have grown up in cities to be like the characterless broiler chickens crushed together in windowless sheds on factory farms. Most of us, the people of the Great North Road, thanks to our time in Northern Rhodesia / Zambia, are more like those village or farmyard hens and cockerels, who full of character, strut around, lords and ladies of all they survey, disturbing everybody with their crowing at the crack of dawn. We are like the wildebeeste free to roam the endless veld not confined in a paddock like our bovine over civilized western friends who are only grease on the financial machine of the establishment. At least if you are a couch potato like me your imagination roams sometimes. In NRZam everybody was somebody, whether you liked them or not, unlike the faceless bland masses of the west and the east.
Most people from Europe unfortunately have lost their roots. Mine must be somewhere in the wild mountains of Scotland, God knows where, but I have some small roots in Zambia, Swaziland, and South Africa, but nowhere in this world can I say, "This is my home". I realy appreciate what you feel by having your family living close around you in your home village. Most of ours are scattered to the 4 corners of the earth. Also what is good in African Tradition is to be close to the spirits of your ancestors, which is a comfort that we Westerners have mostly lost.
What you have touched on is spirituality (nothing to do with commercial religion). I wish somebody with more eloquence and soul than me could expand on this.
Regards - Doug the eternal Uitlander.
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 19:28:02 (UTC)
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Paddy,
I guess I don't have a Zambian sense of humour. Thanks for letting me know after the fact that your original diatribe was "tongue-in-cheek". Next time you post a message complaining about having to download "birthday greetings, school girl's re-unions and self=congratulatory messages" I will just ignore it rather than waste my time giving you a considered reply.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 19:04:02 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
This is a test...
De ontwikkeling van het Afrikaans
Het Afrikaans heeft zich ontwikkeld uit het zeventiende-eeuwse Hollands: De Oost-Indische compagnie (VOC) koos in de 17e eeuw de Kaap de Goede Hoop als rustplaats op haar weg naar Indië. Op de lange zeereizen had men behoefte aan een vast station, waar vers eten en drinken aan boord kon worden gehaald, zieken konden worden achtergelaten enz.
De eerste kolonisten aan de Kaap kwamen uit het zuiden van de Nederlanden, wat aan bepaalde details in het huidige Afrikaans nog te merken is. Het waren matrozen en boeren, allebei groepen met heel verschillende woordenschatten en dialecten. De inheemse bewoners van het zuidelijke Afrika waren toen voor het grootste deel zogenaamde Hottentotten en Bosjesmannen.
Vanaf 1740 was de voertaal in Zuid-Afrika niet meer zuiver Nederlands. Een van de meest plausibele theorieën over het ontstaan van de nieuwe taal is, dat de belangrijkste veranderingen in het Afrikaans teruggaan op interferenties.
De Franse hugenoten die in de 16e/17e eeuw naar Zuid-Afrika kwamen, hadden geen grote invloed op de taal, alleen de Franse namen herinneren er nog aan. De Franse woorden die in het Afrikaans overgenomen zijn, kwamen uit het Nederlands van de 17e en 18e eeuw.
Ook de "Maleise slaven" uit Indonesië, Angola en andere gebieden, meestal Portugese kolonieën, die in de 18e eeuw naar Zuid-Afrika gebracht werden, hadden maar beperkte invloed op de taal. De Maleise en Portugese woorden in het Afrikaans werden al vroeger door het Nederlands ontleend (zeemanstaal).
In het midden van de 18e eeuw was het proces van deflexie (vereenvoudiging en reductie van de nominale en verbale paradigma; vgl. ook het flexieverlies in het Middelnederlands) al zo ver, dat een eigen variant van de taal was ontstaan, het "Kaap-Nederlands". Vanaf de 2e helft van de 18e eeuw was een eigen taalsysteem gevestigd. Door analyse van de bronnen is een ontwikkeling van het Nederlands via het Kaapnederlands naar het Afrikaans te zien.
Rond 1800 kwamen de Engelsen naar Zuid-Afrika. Hun komst had echter geen grote invloed op de taal. Maar de Engelsen bleven hun eigen taal spreken, het bestuur en het onderwijs werden Engelstalig. De Kaap werd Britse kolonie. Het Engels had toen een veel hogere sociale status dan het Afrikaans; de bovenlaag, het bestuur en de intellectuelen praatten Engels, het Afrikaans werd als "kombuistaal" beschouwd.
De opvolgers van de Nederlanders en de Vlamingen ("conservatieve boeren") werden meer en meer ontevreden over het Engelse bestuur (slavenbevrijding) en trokken in de zogenaamde. "Grote Trek" (1836-44) naar het noorden, weg van de kust. In verschillende gebieden vond men nu ook verschillende varianten van het Afrikaans. De ruzies met de Engelsen gingen door.
Het opkomende nationalisme in de 19e eeuw vroeg ook om de verdediging van de taal door de Afrikaans-taligen. Voor het eerst begon men nu de Afrikaanse taal op te schrijven. Er werd een spelling ontworpen, men gebruikte de taal in het onderwijs en er werd een Afrikaanse bijbelvertaling geschreven. Deze vertaling was vanwege het gezag van de bijbel belangrijk voor de ontwikkeling van het Afrikaans (vgl. hierbij ook de "Statenvertaling" en de gotische bijbelvertaling).
In 1875 werd het Genootschap van de Regte Afrikaners (GRA) opgericht. Zij streden voor de erkenning van het Afrikaans als cultuurtaal. Na de tweede vrijheidsoorlog tegen de Engelsen (1899-1902) kregen de "boeren" zelfbestuur, Nederlands werd de officiële taal. Een nieuw nationalisme had ook een nieuw taalbewustzijn tot gevolg. In 1905 werden het Afrikaanse Taalgenootschap en de Afrikaanse Taalvereniging opgericht, die successen konden boeken.
In 1910 kreeg de Zuid-Afrikaanse Unie de status van een dominion (binnen de "Commonwealth of Nations"). In de jaren 20 werd het Afrikaans als tweede officiële taal naast het Engels erkend.
In de jaren 60 bereikte de ontwikkeling van het Afrikaans een voorlopig eindpunt. Het Afrikaans was van een "taal met lagere functies" tot een "taal met hogere functies" (rechtstaal, taal van de politiek,...) gegroeid.
Afrikaans wordt vandaag door ca. 6 miljoen mensen gesproken, de helft ervan zijn kleurlingen. Behalve Afrikaans en Engels wordt in Zuid-Afrika een aantal niet-Europese talen gesproken, die grotendeels horen bij de Bantoetalen. Afrikaans is ook de meest verspreide taal in Zuid-Afrika, het wordt als "lingua franca" tussen anderstaligen gebruikt.
Een paar opvallende kenmerken van het Afrikaans
De spelling van het Afrikaans berust op de zgn. vereenvoudigde Nederlandse spelling. Ze is fonetischer dan de Nederlandse, meer gericht op de uitspraak.
Belangrijke veranderingen in het Afrikaans (ten opzichte van het Nederlands) zijn:
apocope van de t na stemloze medeklinker (Afr. lig - Ndl. licht, Afr. produk - Ndl. product)
syncope van intervocalische d (Afr. skouer - Ndl. schouder, Afr. koue - Ndl. koude) en g (Afr. spieël - Ndl. spiegel, Afr. teen - Ndl. tegen)
sk in plaats van sch in de Anlaut (Afr. skool - Ndl. school, Afr. vriendskap - Ndl. vriendschap)
stemloos worden van frikatieven (Afr. so - Ndl. zo, Afr. suid - Ndl. zuid)
het Nederlandse klanksegment aar vindt men in het Afrikaans vaak terug als er (Afr. perd en kers - Ndl. paard en kaars)
een opvallend spellingverschil betreft de diftong [ei] die in het Nederlands gespeld wordt als ij; deze wordt in het Afrikaans y (krijgen - kry, mij - my)
De flexie van het werkwoord is in het Afrikaans betrekkelijk eenvoudig. Ze is gekenmerkt door een verlies van uitgangen (deflexie; vgl. ook het flexieverlies in het Middelnederlands). Zo kent het werkwoord in de tegenwoordige tijd maar één vorm: ek werk, jy werk, hy werk, ons werk, julle werk, hulle werk. Ook de infinitief is zijn uitgang kwijt geraakt: Afr. werk, kry - Ndl. werken, krijgen. Een verdere vereenvoudiging kwam tot stand doordat het Afrikaans twee tijden verloren heeft: de verleden tijd en de voltooid verleden tijd. Voor het verleden is er dus maar één uitdrukkingsmogelijkheid, namelijk de onvoltooid verleden tijd (perfectum).
Ndl. Afr.
ik werkte ek het gewerk
hij heeft gezongen hy het gesing
wij waren vertrokken ons het vertrek
De twee laatste vormen (gesing, vertrek) illustreren bovendien een andere belangrijke vernieuwing van het Afrikaans, namelijk het verdwijnen van de sterke werkwoorden.
Een zeer opvallend kenmerk van de zelfstandige naamwoorden betreft de genera. Terwijl er in het Nederlands twee categorieën zijn, de de-woorden en de het-woorden, heeft het Afrikaans maar één categorie. Alle zelfstandige naamwoorden worden gecombineerd met het bepaalde lidwoord die (Ndl. de vrouw, het huis - Afr. die vrou, die huis). Bij de meervoudsvorming valt op dat de uitgang -s in het Afrikaans veel frequenter gebruikt wordt dan in het Nederlands (bijvoorbeeld bewegings, vorms). Het Afrikaans heeft een aantal diminutiefsuffixen, waarbij opvalt dat het Nederlandse -je vervangen is door -ie (koppie, briefie).
Opvallende vormen van de voornaamwoorden zijn de aanwijzende voornaamwoorden hierdie (Ndl. deze) en daardie (Ndl. die). Het onbepaalde Nederlandse men komt in het Afrikaans niet voor: Ndl. men moet voorzichtig zijn - Afr. 'n mens moet versigtig wees. De vorm zich (reflexiefpronomen) kent het Afrikaans niet: Ndl. hij schaamt zich - Afr. hy skaam hom.
Op het terrein van de syntaxis valt vooral de zogenaamde 'dubbele negatie' op. De negatie wordt door twee elementen uitgedrukt: het eerste element nie (of niemand, nooit, niks, geen enz.) staat na de persoonsvorm, het tweede element (altijd nie) staat altijd aan het einde van de zin: hij kan nie slaap nie; sy hou nooit op met werk nie. (vgl. hierbij ook de negatie in het Middelnederlands)
Een typisch Nederlandse constructie vindt men in een zin als: ik zat te schrijven. Deze constructie bestaat in het Afrikaans niet. Ze wordt weergegeven door een combinatie van twee werkwoorden die door en met elkaar verbonden zijn: ek het gesit en slaap. Een ander voorbeeld: Ndl. hij loopt te lezen - Afr. hy loop en lees.
Tenslotte een eigenaardigheid op het gebied van de woordvorming, de reduplicatie. In de gesproken taal komt men frequent verdubbelde woorden tegen, zoals gou-gou, vroeg-vroeg of kort-kort. Meestal werkt deze verdubbeling intensiverend en/of iteratief. Niet alleen bijwoorden kunnen worden verdubbeld, ook bij substantieven of werkwoorden vindt men wel eens reduplicatie: alles kom stuk-stuk en nuut tot hom ('stuksgewijs') en: toe het die seun huil-huil van ontsteltenis daan aangekom ('in tranen'). De geredupliceerde woorden krijgen in dergelijke zinnen een bijwoordelijke functie.
Literatuur: Vergelijk voor het Afrikaans Brinkman & Uys (z.j.) en vooral ook Raidt (1983), waaraan ook veel van de voorbeelden ontleend zijn.
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[Bibliografie]
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Laatste wijziging op 28-4-99 -- Matthias Hüning
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 18:17:31 (UTC)
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Hartley,
The subject of the fundamentals for the decline in the Zambian economy is a good one to discuss. But do not try it here. Better to bury your head in the sand.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 17:42:01 (UTC)
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I was looking at a currency conversion site today and looked up the exchange rate for the Zambian Kwacha, it is quoted as 7,946.67 to £1.
Intrigued I decide to do a calculation on what we left behind when leaving Zambia in 1978. We left about K20,000 ‘in the pipeline’ and I think that we got about K800 in about 1979. I think that the exchange rate when we left was about K1.54 to the £1, which equated to about £13,000 sterling. At today’s rate it would be worth £2.52.
I have often wondered what happened to the monies that were ‘in the pipeline’ but never got to the end. I am sure that like us most people got fed up with writing to the bank asking for details and not getting a sensible answer. We kept it up for about 2 years and then mentally wrote it all off.
I don’t think I want it now, as I will probably owe them more than K20,000 in costs to get my £2.52.
Hartley Heaton [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Binfield, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 11:17:34 (UTC)
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Craig, Heather,
Thanks for your condolences at the near loss of one of your members - snuffed out by the remorseless advance of technology. I say near loss because, look, it’s day two of the month and I still managed to get the message board downloaded. At least, like life, ‘it’s only temporary’.
Craig, thanks for your critical and highly technical observations on my obviously stone-aged software. Actually, I asked my son about upgrading it when he was last here and he replied, ‘Dad, just stick with what you've got -- at least you’ll never get any nasty viruses with that software.’ So, you see, my software is not fast and modern but at least it’s bullet-proof. Anything that’s bullet-proof in Zambia can only be good news.
Heather, thanks for your offer of e-mailing the message board. That will not be necessary. My original message was mostly tongue-in-cheek. Like the true Zambian that you are, you were able to diagnose my problem instantly -- a (Wills) radio phone, a long, snaking co-axial cable, a 130 foot high aerial tower with crows nesting on it, and twenty-five kilometers of ether between me and the exchange. At the exchange there are only 20 lines for 150 users to connect into the wired telephone grid in town, and at our local internet server there are only two numbers catering for slow connections. There are hundreds of us in Zambia with that set-up, including most of the old commercial farming community, who would dearly love to see GNR. The slowing of access into the message board was just ‘the straw that broke the camels back’ as far as I was concerned.
However, we must count our little blessings as well. Long, long ago when we all had copper wires snaking through the bush to our homes and farms we could have connected very quickly with the Internet, if such a thing had existed. But, before the Internet was invented, tens of thousands of little boys invented ways of making (and selling) the most exquisite little toys out of copper wire. We all bought the toys until our phones went dead. Now we have the ether to communicate through and that can’t be stolen -- another little step in bullet-proofing Zambian communications.
Paddy Fleming [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 10:52:15 (UTC)
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Northerners,
I added a link recently to the Art and Entertainment category of the links page to the African Imagery photography Web site run by Philip Cartland. He sent me the following note:By the way if you come across anyone in your communications who have a series of photographs which are revealing or significant in some way, please let them know about me. I'm always looking for new and varied content from all the various angles of view and time periods. If this interests you, please contact Philip though his Web site. Thanks.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 07:56:49 (UTC)
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Craig
Paddy is probably connecting from home on a radio telephone and the maximum speed, if you're lucky, is about 9600 bps and in addition to that, it is likely that the line keeps cutting and you have to dial again (now you know why I don't even have a modem on my computer at home). Perhaps, since this is only temporary, I could download everything everyday and email the text of the latest messages to Paddy. What do you think Paddy? Except that when I disappear from Lusaka for a few days, you'll have to wait until I get back. Of course that doesn't help if you want to post a message, but then perhaps you could pop into my office and do it - I have a spare computer which you can always use.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 05:46:42 (UTC)
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Why am I drawn to this remote African village so often? Why am I in this place in Lundazi many times? What is it that draws me here? The bus journey from the Capital City of Lusaka to the remote Lundazi district was no piece of cake. It is always over five hundred miles long a two lane road that was pave more than twenty to thirty years ago. Its challenging to drive or ride on a bus as the road is badly damaged in many places. Why don’t I forget this place and enjoy my life in the United States which has so much food, cable TV, medicine, automobiles, cell phones, computer communication, best schools in the world for one’s children, and one can generally expect to live to be in the eighties. Afterall the cost and hassle of traveling to this remote place I call my home village are overwhelming. But the ten thousand mile flight from the US and the five hundred mile bus journey to my home village has a special place in my heart. I pass places such as Rufunsa, Kacholola, Nyimba, Petauke, Kazimule, Mgubudu Stores, Chipata, Katete, Madzimoyo. Every desolate looking village hut, rural shopping center, the endless farm fields, the wilderness, hills, roaming goats, and thousands of mango trees all hold special meanings for me. They evoke pleasant memories and rekindle the now ancient excitement of travel away from one’s childhood familiar village. This excitement continues for me to this day.
During the early evening night, I sit on the front of my small thatched house along the narrow edge known as chiwundo by the thin closed wooden door. The yellow glow of the candle light is visible along the edge of the rectangular door frame. The bright half moon is sparkling just above my forehead in the Western side of the star-studded sky. The moonlight creates mesmerizing shapes out of the village huts and the tree. It is serene and calm except for the soft chirps of crickets. The serenity of this place is intoxicating. This must be heaven on earth. This is another evening in my home village. I am savoring every moment like a death row inmate who has been given just an hour to enjoy total freedom before execution.
This is the place where my mom and dad’s house is literally less than eighty yards away from my house. My brother and his two wives’ houses are sixty yards away. My other brother and his wife and their children are less than twenty yards away. The air I breathe in the morning is fresh and crisp. When I wake up in the morning and open my front door, I can see all these people I love at once a t a glance. We greet each other every morning. I am overwhelmed when I realize how much I miss this precious human intimacy.
If ever there is such a place that was close to being heaven on earth, it must be Zibalwe Village. The village grass roofed houses are perched on a small elevation in a gorgeous valley ensuring the capturing of cool breezes. The sun shines in the clear cloudless blue sky everyday. My small beautiful house has a well-manicured dirt yard. My brother’s wives collected the dirt paints of light, red, and black stripes from the tinny creek nearby. As I sit relaxing in the shade in my small structure known as Mphungu enjoying the bright sunshine and the cool breeze, I begin to understand something ancient. I can appreciate why people all over the world love home; a place that appeals to your deepest memories and dreams. A place where the world and things just feel right.
My five, seven, and nine year old nephews and nieces roam long distances around the village fields and bushes playing with incredible freedom within the security of all adults in the six villages knowing and protecting all the children. I appreciate this security and the innocence the children enjoy because I grew up here as a child in the village.
But all this security and tranquility is under severe threat of being undone because of the AIDS pandemic. I have followed the AIDS epidemic since 1983. After two weeks of being in my home country and just a few days in several villages conducting research, I have come to a now alarming and predictable observation: too many men and women have died and are dying of AIDS. Unfortunately for the vast majority of the world, the answer will not be as easy as just seeking HIV-AIDS prevention or a vaccine. No doubt this will and would help. There something that is much more fundamental that developed perhaps over the last thirty to forty years that will have to be acknowledged if the AIDS epidemic will be halted in these villages and perhaps cities: This is the near total breakdown of most of the biological, social, and institutional constraints and organization that traditionally kept a lid on the emergence and spreading out of serious diseases and epidemics. But Zambians and Africans are resilient. My grandfather was mauled by a lion and killed in 1941 trying to defend the people of Zibalwe – my home sweet home village. I contemplate that I am his grandson who lives in America. What would my grandfather have thought of this?
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 03:39:38 (UTC)
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Thanks for the new design. I know this takes a lot of time and dedication.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 03:19:52 (UTC)
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A plane is on its way to Victoria Falls when a woman in Economy Class gets up and moves to the First Class section and sits down.
The flight attendant watches her do this and asks to see her ticket.
She then tells the wonan that she paid for Economy and that she will have to sit in the back.
The woman replies "I used to be blonde, I used to be beautiful, I'm going to the GNR Vic Falls Bash and I'm staying right here!"
The flight attendant goes into the cockpit and tells the pilot and co-pilot that there is some old woman sitting in First Class that belongs in Economy and won't move back to her seat.
The co-pilot goes back to the woman and tries to explain that because she only paid for Economy, she will have to leave and return to her seat.
The woman replies, "I' used to be blonde, I used to be beautiful, I'm going to the GNR Vic Falls Bash and I'm staying right here!"
The co-pilot tells the pilot that he probably should have the police waiting when they land to arrest this woman that won't listen to reason.
The pilot says, "You say she used to be blonde?, I'll handle this, I used to be married to a blonde, I used to have to speak blonde!"
He goes back to the woman, whispers in her ear, and she says "Oh, I'm sorry," gets up and moves back to her seat in the economy section.
The flight attendant and co-pilot are amazed and asked him what he said to make her move without any fuss.
"I told her that the First Class compartment isn't going all the way to Vic Falls."
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Friday, May 02, 2003 at 01:57:28 (UTC)
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Gill,
Thanks for pointing out that the event Rod was talking about is the same one on our event page.
To the person who contacted me about this, please see the above link for contact information about this event. Thanks.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 23:22:28 (UTC)
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Dear Rod
You must be getting old - the people you listed for the Muf Bash in Bury are just the people who are staying in the Staff of Life B&B, I booked in six and four more friends followed suit. As you know, Joyce Ritchie and Davina Powell decided to host the event and Bridget Billany and Freddie Good both live in the area. The main venue, The Village Hotel, has had 45 bookings so I guess your list is sadly lacking. I do not know how many other people are staying in different B&B's, I know you are staying in the "Old White Lion" but can only assume there are other people that have booked into different ones.
TTFN
Gill Main
Gill Main [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Aberdeen, Scotland
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 23:08:31 (UTC)
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Bob,
That is great news and an excellent story. That was Paudie Coughlan who posted the link last month.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 22:33:50 (UTC)
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Thanks for the work on the Board, it's one big improvement, just wish I had that much knowhow.
Next, thanks to the person who posted the link to the RSA phone numbers, and here's a short tale to prove how great some people are.
I've been trying to find a lost friend withot any success. Then I looked up his name and called what I thought was his number.
A lady answered and regretted I had a wrong number and a wasted call from the US to Jo'burg. She then said she would call around and try to locate my friend. If I would call back in 30 minutes she may have some news. This complete stranger then called people with the same name and got my friend's sister. He had remarried and moved to Natal. She had his number for me, so after 35 years we had a long chat and exchanged E-mail addresses.
Just how great was this lady, and how I enjoyed hearing that accent again. I just had to share this as this is what the Board is. Needless to say, we will have a new member soon as I told my friend about the GNR.
Robert Summers [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Dayton, Ohio, United States
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 22:26:30 (UTC)
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Ian, Jill, Linda...
You're all welcome.
Ian,
If Paddy is on a radio link then the speed (or lack thereof) of his experience makes sense. I will see about making available a text-only version of the GNR, but it's not going to be anytime soon and it may not be possible with the new message board anyway.
I sympathise with him -- I truly do. Take my ADSL connection away from me and I'm a quivering wreck within a day. However, if we design a site that someone on a radio connection will love, the other 99% will hate it, so it's difficult to please everyone.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 21:59:27 (UTC)
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Rod,
The e-mail address in your entry is not working, so nobody can contact you about your bash. I tried forwarding a request for information to you, but it was returned.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 21:52:55 (UTC)
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Hi All
www.nrzam.plus.com has been updated
This number, and the previous one, have been made available through the kindness and generosity of the GNR Management team.
Added Northern Rhodesia Journal Volume IV - No. 3 - 1960
The Story of Sumbu
Leopold Moore versus the Chartered Company
Some Congo Basin Fishes of Northern Rhodesia
Officials I Have Known
Lewanika's Country Part II
"Cattle-herd": E A Copeman
First European Church in North-Western Rhodesia
Recollections of Mrs Walter Harvey
Lake Lusiwashi
Notes: How Mpulungu was founded. / Death by lion / Gordon Lancaster's Library / New contributors to this number / Kalomo in 1923 / Murray's Column reunions / Hunting adventures of Ejnar Orne Glieman / David Livingston: the naruralist
Lusaka Natural History Club
Correspondence: First motor trips to Abercorn / Mr B L Hunt comments on Journal No. 2 Vol. IV, 1959 / Two stories / Cattle in the Northern Province
Book Reviews
The Publication Fund
Errata
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Sorry Paddy - this is making it even longer!
Craig - I think Paddy is on a radio link. Notwithstanding any initial problems, I'd like to record my appreciation of all the hard work you put in on the site.
Regards Ian
Ian Singer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 21:34:38 (UTC)
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Paddy,
Thanks for posting your thoughts. It's not our intention to disenfranchise anybody. As I said in the "recent site updates" message below:"The redesign has had a small negative impact on the message board. Because the whole page is now contained within a table, the whole page has to load before anything is displayed. The page still loads as quickly (or slowly depending on the time of the month) as before, but on the old site it started displaying messages right away so you could read the newest messages while the rest of the page loaded. The good news is that the new site will not use this message-board format and so this is a temporary situation." Let me address a few issues here. It's not my intention to pass the buck, but in explaining a few things I probably will:- The size of this page after you posted your message was 41 kB -- 50 kB is the standard maximum size used as a guideline when creating pages. I note that you are in Lusaka so I assume you are using a land-line connection and not a radio connection that is used solely for e-mail by at least one of our members out in the sticks of Zambia. Even using a 14.4 kbps modem (which I don't think are even made anymore as the standard modem speed now is 56 kbps) it should only have taken you 25 seconds to download this page. If it took you 43 times longer (18 minutes or 1080 seconds) then I can only assume there must be a serious problem with your connection, or you are using a 300 bps (not kbps) modem -- something from the dark ages. It would have taken less time for someone to read the whole message board to you over the phone.
- Despite my caveat quoted above, the entire page should still take the same amount of time to download -- it's just that, as you say, the messages don't start displaying immediately. No matter how the page is formatted, 41 kB of data is still 41 kB of data.
- I notice that you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 (the latest version is 6) on a Windows 95 machine. Windows 95 was designed before most people even knew the Web existed, and so lacks some of the niceties of the versions of Windows that have been published since -- NT, 98, ME, 2000 and XP. I would certainly not go so far as to suggest that someone buy a nice, shiny, new computer just so that they can have a better experience viewing the GNR, but our reality is that the site's design has to keep up with the times even if a very small percentage (the 5% who use Windows 95) of our visitors can't.
- On the new site that we have been talking about for a long time now we will not be using this single-page message board. One of the reasons I have resisted changing the format of the message board was so that people like you would not be adversely affected. The advantage to this format, as large as it gets towards the end of the month, is that you can download it once (or at least as much of it as you want if you only want to see the newer messages, another reason for having the messages in reverse-chronological order, or upside-down as some people have complained) and then disconnect while you read so that you are not paying for connection time while you are just reading. However, the times again are forcing us to move along and the new threaded version will require you to load different pages for different message threads -- therefore you will have to remain connected while you read. The advantage to you is that you will be able to skip the "birthday greetings, school girl's re-unions and self=congratulatory messages" without downloading them.
- Finally, I would like to implement a text-only version of the site if I can do it in an automated fashion, but this will not happen for this version of the site. Actually, this site is mostly text anyway -- it doesn't rely on graphics for formatting or conveying information, and in the few cases it does we use standard methods to ensure redundancy by conveying the same information in text. So you could set your browser to skip the downloading of images and you would not lose much, unless you were actually trying to look at the pictures on the site of course.
To summarise, I think you must have just had a really bad connection today, as 18 minutes to download 41 kB is ridiculous even for those in the "electronic stone age", as you put it. Far from forgetting about our members in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, they are in the forefront of my mind when looking at the size of the site. Additionally we have Heather in Lusaka on our team, so if I was to consider doing something detrimental to those in Zambia she would come down on me like a tonne of bricks.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 20:55:59 (UTC)
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Hi All
www.nrzam.plus.com has been updated
Added Northern Rhodesia Journal Volume IV - No. 2 - 1959
Lewanika's Country
Notes on Target Rifle Shooting, Part II
Early Days of Flying in Northern Rhodesia
Statesmen: Coryndon and Lewanika in North-Western Rhodesia
Indigenous Iron Smelters at Kalabo
Notes on the Distribution of Game, 1904-13
"Mist" Forests of the Bwingimfumu Hills
Mankoya in 1925-27
Recollections of Piet Erasmus
Memories of the 1914-18 Campaign, Part IV
Notes: The First Session of the First Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia, 23rd May, 1924/ Flight From the Past: The Story of An Old Photograph/ New Contributors to this Number/ R H Palmer/ Travelling on Duty/ The Late Duncan Gordon Lancaster/ Paramount Chief Sir Mwanawina III KBE
Lusaka Natural History Club
Correspondence: Mala/ Old Timers No. 6: Ronald and Lionel Smith/ The Chikunda/ Traction Engines/ Philip Jelf Comments/ Errata
Book Reviews
Regards Ian
Ian Singer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 20:52:44 (UTC)
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Hi Craig!
Fantastic - and it didn't take anything like 18 minutes to download - even though I really do have a Stone Age computer! It looks luverly - and really user-friendly - even to a compuphobiac like me.
All on the GNR - see you at the Livingstone Lark - any SA people who want to drive up - please contact me - I did it last month - up via Zim, back via Bots - so any questions - please ask!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 20:50:03 (UTC)
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Oh No,
What have you done? You've just disenfranchised half, if not most, of those of your members who still live in Zambia.
It has just taken me 18 minutes to download the message board. Not bad at all - but it's the first day of the month. At the end of the month it takes between two and three hours to downlod the whole message board - something anybody living here would never dream of doing. With the old scrolling arrangement, that didn't matter, we could read the latest messages and move on in ten minutres or so without having to download a whole month's worth of birthday greetings, school girl's re-unions and self=congratulatory messages. Having just discovered the site, this is a catastrophe!
You forget that we, in Zambia, are still living in the electronic stone age although we are catching up fast. Please give us a chance.
Bye-bye, Great North Road,
Paddy Fleming
Paddy Fleming [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 19:10:24 (UTC)
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WOW!!!! Great new site guys! Thank you so much for all the hard work that has obviously been going on behind the scens to bring us this. I have just logged on now and am already late for work. Something to look forward to when I get home. I have not had the chance to do anything but see its new appearance. You guys, especially Craig, are absolute SUPER STARS!!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 12:54:00 (UTC)
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A FEW IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE- In case I haven't mentioned it enough times yet, please look at the "Livingstone Lark" page for details on the reunion that Heather is organising in Zambia this September. That may be four months away, but that's only four months! Unless you live in Zambia, this is not something you can decide the week before to attend, so please have a look at the details as soon as possible and let Heather know if you are even thinking of going.
- The forms for joining the GNR and editing your Names Directory entry are down at the moment. They will be back next week. I promise they won't be down for four months like last time -- the changes needed are quite minor, but I have other more important things to attend to at the moment.
- I will also have the improved browsing feature of the Names Directory working as soon as I can, but that probably won't happen for another couple of weeks at least.
- With the mix of the old and new pages, broken links abound. This will be addressed over the next couple of weeks, and there will also be automated procedures put in place to seamlessly redirect requests for old pages to the new addresses.
- For some stupid reason that I can't figure out at this hour of the morning, the areas of the site that usually require you to enter your user ID and password in a pop-up box (the old Names Directory and all archived message boards prior to April 2002) are not working properly -- you are not asked for your user ID and password, but instead are told immediately that you cannot access them. The page that tells you that is also messed up. I will fix this as soon as I can.
- I am going to bed now.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 10:41:04 (UTC)
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Heather,
Thanks! But you had better check with your daughter on the attribution of that quote. :)
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 10:32:42 (UTC)
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BURY BASH MUFULIRA Re-union 8/9/10 MAY
The event is getting closer and am trying to get an idea of how many are going to enjoy a trip down memory lane.
here is a list of who i know will be there
rod crowe
joyce,tom and steve ritchie
davina powell
mike acheson
bridget billany
freeddie goode
barbara mcloughlin (a nd possibly graham )
tony spencer
sue holmes
gill main
the mcleans
shaun frankham
leonard hall
claire hall
carole surgeoner
a few ideas for the weekend
friday night catch the metro into mancheter
saturday a braai by the river purchase a few disposaple barebeques and food from the local supermarket
if you have any other ideas then let us know
enjoy the bank holiday weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rod Crowe [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Staines, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 10:32:00 (UTC)
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Craig, Craig, A work of art
You really are ever so smart.
All that fiddling and twiddling in the dead of night
All for the World's Best Web Site.
You really are one of a kind
Although in the process you were losing your mind.
But we didn't mind the delay
Cause it's up and running on the first day of May
To almost quote Shania Twain
'Oops ... you've done it again'
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 10:28:55 (UTC)
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Lusaka,
Ah, thanks for the reminder. Sorry eh? At least it's only my memory that's short. ;->
Ali,
Oh sorry. I should have figured that out from your e-mail.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 10:04:12 (UTC)
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Well done.
Peter Nel [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Quinns Rock, Western Australia, Australia
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 10:00:35 (UTC)
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Craig ............OOOOPS
Sorry Craig, I meant I have been away 5 days .....nice to come home to a nice change.......thanks
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 09:59:40 (UTC)
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Salisbury, Salisbury .....
Your memory is short!!
"Don't disturb the artist at work. Do you think the Pope harassed Michelangelo like this?"
Remember??
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 09:55:13 (UTC)
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Recent Site Updates:
May 1st, 2003:- Completely redesigned the look of the site. This is not the much-ballyhoo'd "new GNR" that has been talked about for eons now. This was the result of a quick redesign of the home page that got way out of hand. The "new GNR" is still on the way -- it has been designed, but the technical bits (the "back end") are still being worked on.
- In order to get the site back on-line after being off-line for 48 hours, I have not finished converting some parts of the site to the new look. Therefore the site has a bit of a split personality at the moment, with a few sections still using the old look. These will be converted next week... without taking down the entire site!
- Three new features on every page allow you to monitor the GNR at a glance: 1) The total number of members is displayed in the top, right-hand corner of every page. 2) New members and existing members who have updated their entries in the last 24 hours are noted at the bottom of every page. 3) You can easily see when the site was last updated by looking for the "updated" date under the total number of members in the column on the right. Clicking on the date will take you to the site updates page where you can see the details of all site updates.
- The links on the links page have been categorised to make them easier to browse. Additionally, if you have included the address of your own Web site in your Names Directory entry, then you will find it included under Members' Sites.
- The Names Directory has been redesigned without frames and to be easier to use. No longer do those with slow connections have to wait for the whole membership list to download. However, some of the browse features will not be in place for a couple of weeks.
- Keeping with the Names Directory, the Web-based member-contact system has been changed. Members now have to log in to send one another messages, and therefore the restriction on message length has been removed. This will also stop even the most moronic Nigerians from sending you the first 250 characters of their spams. The script has also been updated so that hopefully the few people who had problems with the old system will be able to send messages.
- The redesign has had a small negative impact on the message board. Because the whole page is now contained within a table, the whole page has to load before anything is displayed. The page still loads as quickly (or slowly depending on the time of the month) as before, but on the old site it started displaying messages right away so you could read the newest messages while the rest of the page loaded. The good news is that the new site will not use this message-board format and so this is a temporary situation.
- To keep those with slow connections entertained, there is some explanatory text behind the page that you will only see if the page is loading slowly. Unfortunately this text shows up if you print the page -- I will work on fixing this.
- As part of the move of the whole site from one technology (server-side includes) to another (PHP), all file names outside of the old Names Directory have changed -- with the exception of most of the files in the current Names Directory which were already using PHP. If a file name used to end in ".shtml" it now most likely ends in ".php". A small detail, but a useful one if you get one of those dreaded "file not found" errors.
- A stand-alone page has been created to welcome those expats who used to live in the Belgian Congo.
- A stand-alone page has been created to keep everyone up-to-date on the "Livingstone Lark". Heather has gone to a lot of trouble to ensure that there are as many details there as possible, and she will be updating that page as and when information becomes available. Please have a look, and if you are at all considering going let Heather know as soon as possible. (This page has actually been up since April 6th, but I didn't get around to pointing it out until now.)
- A stand-alone section has been created for maps of Northern Rhodesia. There are some really good maps in there that Arthur has posted on the message board recently.
- The site updates page has been archived by year. You can see the history of the site since September 3rd, 1999.
- We have set up a new contact form so that it is easier to contact the site management. You don't need to log in to use this form and neither is there a restriction on message length.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 09:50:02 (UTC)
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Fiona,
Thanks for pointing out the new "Livingstone Lark" page. I hope it's generates more interest too.
Peter,
Either you were up later than I was, or you were up earlier than I ever am.
Ali,
Come on, it was only down for 48 hours. About 46 hours longer than I intended, but not five days. :)
Heather,
The Pope?
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 09:43:46 (UTC)
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This is Lusaka calling Salisbury
Well done. The Pope will be very happy now.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 09:34:44 (UTC)
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Craig
Wonderful surprise after 5 days away.....thanks for all your hard work, love the new site
John and Rosemary Milton
THANK YOU VERY MUCH...........
XXXX
Dawie......... and the GNR.....
A belated happy birthday......
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 08:29:17 (UTC)
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Hi Craig...
Great job with the new board!!!!!!!!
Go and get some sleep....
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 08:23:36 (UTC)
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Hi Craig. The site looks great and thanks so much for all the hard work on it. It was well worth it. Nice to see the Livingstone Reunion has a permanent place. Maybe we'll get a few more takers now. Well done!
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 08:15:05 (UTC)
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Well, it's a belated birthday present for the GNR, but it's finally working.
My apologies for the extended downtime. I really should have had the bugs worked out before I took the site down.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 07:55:02 (UTC)
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A NEW MONTH, A NEW MESSAGE BOARD
The message board is archived at 23:58 (GMT, aka UTC) on the last day of every month. This message is just a reminder that the messages from last month have not disappeared into the bit bucket. They can still be found in the archives. On the archives page you will find links to every message board since its inception.
Following are some tips and suggestions for using this message board and the rest of the site. These notes were last updated on March 17th, 2005.
Important Notes
- All posts to this message board are logged.
- You must log in with your user ID and password to post a message.
- Lost your password? Get it through the password-retrieval form.
- If you don't see your post after you have submitted it, try clicking your browser's reload or refresh button.
- Spam will be deleted immediately and the offending member suspended.
- The small images of the fish eagle's head are a clue that you will see a photograph if you click on it. Pictures will open in a new window.
- To have your pictures displayed on the message board, please read the submission instructions.
- The Great North Road is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse the contents of messages posted here.
- You can read some more notes and helpful hints on the tips page.
Posting Messages
Only members in good standing may post messages, and a user ID and password are required to post. If the e-mail address in your Names Directory entry no longer works, you will not be able to post; please log in to rectify this situation. To apply for membership, please add your information to the Names Directory.
Lost Passwords
If you have lost your user ID and/or password, you can have them sent to you through the password-retrieval form.
Responding to Messages
To make responding to old (or any) messages easier, you can open a previous message board in a new browser window by right-clicking (assuming you're using a Windows-based PC) the link to the appropriate month on the archives page, and then selecting "Open in New Window", "Open Link in New Window", "Open Link in New Tab", or something similar from the pop-up menu that appears. (You can also just hold down the "Shift" key while you click the link to do the same thing.) That way you can refer to the message to which you are replying while you are typing your reply in the original browser window.
Preserving Threading in Message Replies
The message board includes the ability to "reply" to messages. If you are going to reply to a message (as opposed to starting a new message), please keep your reply on the topic of the message to which you are replying. If you are going to address multiple topics in a single message or are not going to reply on the topic of a particular message, then you should start a new message.
Finding Text on the Message Board
Considering each message board can get quite large, it can be quite a challenge to find a particular word or name, especially if you're sure that you saw that word or name somewhere before. There's a much easier way to search the page than scrolling through hundreds of messages until you're cross-eyed. On Windows-based computers, you can just hit Ctrl+F; in Internet Explorer a small search box will appear on top of the message board (assuming that you already have the message board open) and in Mozilla Firefox a search box will appear at the bottom of the browser window. Just type the word or words for which you are searching into the box, then hit the Enter key (in Internet Explorer) or follow the highlighting (in Firefox) to see where your browser stops as it searches for the word. Repeat as often as necessary to find all instances of your search term.
Getting Your Browser to Remember Passwords
Most (if not all) modern Web browsers have some sort of mechanism for remembering the user IDs and passwords required for some Web sites. To get the latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer (used by about 90% of GNR visitors) to remember the passwords you have to enter into a Web page:
- Click on Tools then Internet Options.
- Click on the Content tab.
- Click on the AutoComplete button.
- Click to put a check mark in the "User names and passwords on forms" field.
- Click OK, then click OK again.
To get Mozilla Firefox (upon which Netscape Navigator is based, so the instructions are probably about the same) to remember your user IDs and passwords, do the following:
- Click on Tools then Options.
- Click the Privacy icon.
- Click Saved Passwords.
- Click to put a check mark in the "Remember Passwords" field.
- Click OK.
You should still keep a record of your passwords somewhere, as your passwords will all be lost if you have to do something like reinstall Windows.
Submitting Images for Posting
If you would like to have an image posted here, but do not have a server on which to post the image, please read the submission instructions and the "Contributing to this Site" page for some important tips on scanning pictures.
Contacting Posters
In an attempt to defeat spammers who would like to collect e-mail addresses from this message board, e-mail addresses of posters are not shown; instead, a link to the poster's Names Directory entry (or a contact form for non-members) is added at the end of each message, through which members can contact the poster should they so desire. (Message boards prior to April 2002, accessible only to members once logged in, do show "broken" e-mail addresses.) E-mail addresses are not shown in the Names Directory either; instead, a Web-based form is used to initiate contact. If you already know the e-mail address of the person you would like to contact, we suggest that you use regular e-mail rather than using the Names Directory system. Only members may use the Web-based contact system.
Complaints
The Great North Road is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse the contents of messages posted on the message board. If you have a complaint about a poster's message, complain directly to that poster. Do not contact the GNR with complaints about a message posted unless you are quite certain that the message in question contravenes either criminal or civil legislation. In your complaint, ensure that you quote the legislation and the jurisdiction in question and (preferably) provide a link to a copy of the legislation on the Web, published on an authoritative (i.e., government) Web site. Threats of a general nature will be ignored; death threats will be (and have been) reported to the appropriate law-enforcement authorities.
Contacting Someone Responsible for the GNR
Several people are responsible for keeping this site operational; each is responsible for different areas of the site. While each of us reads this message board to a differing extent, you should use e-mail if you want to contact one of us for a specific reason and require a response. We may miss your message if you post it on the message board.
Have fun!
The Great North Road -- Northern Rhodesians Worldwide [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
1st of the Month, 2003 at 00:00:00 (GMT, aka UTC)
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Important Notes:
- All posts to this message board are logged.
- You must log in with your user ID and password to post a message.
- Lost your password? Get it through the password-retrieval form.
- If you don't see your post after you have submitted it, try clicking your browser's reload or refresh button.
- Spam will be deleted immediately and the offending member suspended.
- The small images of the fish eagle's head are a clue that you will see a photograph if you click on it. Pictures will open in a new window.
- To have your pictures displayed on the message board, please read the submission instructions.
- The Great North Road is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse the contents of messages posted here.
- You can read some more notes and helpful hints on the tips page.
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