Northern Rhodesians Worldwide
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Message Board
Jilly...Craig (the Northern Rhodesian ! )
ThANKS a million times over.............WOW...what a privilage to have had my photo launched over the falls bridge............birngs that little tear to the eye...yes one day I will get back to NR/Zambia...
Looking forward to the tales and photos of the Lark....
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 23:44:08 (UTC)
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Dave,
Thank-you for elevating my status. I am honoured. :)
Someone Looking for Gilchrist
Someone in Livingstone asked me if there were any Gilchrists on the GNR. Unfortunately I forgot who asked me; sorry about that.
We have two Gilchrists:Kitwe Dinner
We had the Kitwe dinner this evening and it was very enjoyable. There were about 15 people there, and pictures will be posted eventually. Tonight Arthur and I are enjoying Kevin's hospitality in Ndola, before that Chalcraft woman wakes us up at oh dark thirty for the long drive up to Shiwa.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 22:41:20 (UTC)
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Heather and Kevin,
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR A WONDERFUL WEEKEND! What can I say?
The African Queen was outstanding - the braai was marvelous - the boerewors was TOTALLY outstanding - and we managed to smuggle the left-overs into Botswana and feast on it Sunday night - and padkos for Chobe yesterday.
My little landy and I just drove over 1200 kms today - Kasane to Joburg in 14 hours (with pitstops)
Ali - your picture also went over with a Zambian girl from Lusaka - I think she kept your picture after I told her your story.
Craig - thank you for riding a big African elephant with me - and the elephant (named Bob - he's a Zimbabwean elephant) actually kissed me! Rest assured folks, Craig didn't kiss me!
Margaret and Steve de Lange - it was wonderful meeting you and Art and Kathy - we bumped into them in Botswana yesterday and had yet another drink together! (Kitwe folk!)
I cried my eyes out Sunday at having to leave, but we had so much fun crossing back on the ferry - no waiting both ways - and then we went fishing on the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers - Arthur - wait till you see what Irene and I caught - pictures coming to you shortly!!
Brian Townsed deserves a medal for surviving two rather over-exuberant Kitwe Buns - well done Brian! Chris, I hope he recovers soon.
There are so many things... Beth it was great meeting you - Fiona - it was wonderful doing the harmonies with the band.
Special memory - the band playing Tiyende Mapdozi for us as a farewell at the braai!
Linda,
I am home safe - thanks for caring!
Love,
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 19:57:45 (UTC)
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Hi campers , I like a lot more of us are crying in our beer tonight thinking of the Larkers devouring Lobster Thermidor in Kitwe, all I can offer you to ease the pain is this little smile
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Two blondes landed at an airport in the states and caught a cab.
"Where would you like to go?" asked the cab driver.
"San Jose" one replied.
The cab driver corrected her pronunciation telling her that
the "J" made an "H" sound.
As time went by he asked how long they were on vacation.
The one blonde replied, "For all of Hune and Huly."
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 17:40:22 (UTC)
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NORTHERNERS
Another one of those quick messages - from Kitwe this time, where Arthur has been showing me the town through his eyes and his memories. What a wonderful childhood you Copperbelters all must have had, so different from us Lusaka farm kids.
Tonight we meet Brian Rowlands and the Knowles/Eldridge clan for dinner and hopefully a few other locals too (7 pm at the Mona Lisa if you are in Kitwe).
Tomorrow we are off early on the next of our travels. And no time to answer all your messages or give you a full report on the Lark - towards the end of next week.
DAWIE
Hang in there, my friend. I'm carrying you with me as Arthur, Craig and I travel around and you will hear all about our experiences when we are back. And I have a very special photo for you!! But I'm keeping you in suspense for the next ten days.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 13:15:49 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
The first plastic money I encountered were the notes from the Isle of Man in the 1980's. Here is an interesting story about the new Canadian-made Zambian plastic bank notes .
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of The Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 07:30:45 (UTC)
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Johnny, just in case you've not seen this one.
A middle aged man bought a brand new Porsche
He took off down the road, pushed it up to 130 kph and was
enjoying the wind blowing through his (thinning) hair. "This is great," he thought and accelerated to 180 kph.
But then he looked in his rear-view mirror, and there was a Police car behind him, blue lights flashing. "I can get away from him no problem" thought the man and he floored it some more, and flew down the road at over 210 kmph to escape being stopped.
Then he thought, "What the hell am I doing? I'm too old for this kind of thing" and pulled over to the side of the road, and waited for the Police car to catch up with him.
The Policeman pulled in behind the Monaro and walked up on the driver's side. "Sir my shift ends in five minutes and today is Friday the 13th.
If you can give me a good reason why you were speeding that I've never heard before, I'll let you go."
The man looked back at the Policeman and said, "Last week my wife ran off with a Policeman, and I thought you were bringing her back!"
The Policeman said, "Have a nice day."
Neil Smith [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Monday, September 29, 2003 at 20:58:08 (UTC)
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Just to cheer us up for those that never made it.
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Snow White received a camera as a gift. She happily took pictures of the Dwarfs and their surroundings. When she finished her first batch she took the film to be developed. After a week or so she went to get the finished photos. The clerk said the photos were not back from the processor.
Needless to say, she was disappointed and started to cry. The clerk, trying to console her, said,
"Don't worry. Someday your prints will come".
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Monday, September 29, 2003 at 20:15:58 (UTC)
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Brasso
Belated greetings.
Hope you had an exceptional Birthday yesterday. Sorry this is late, I had meant to post last week but things got a little hectic. Please give yourself a big kiss from me and hugs to your two wonderful children, Natasha and Scott. It's a shame you had to miss the Lark, but I am sure you had a great day anyway.
I have just become a wicked step-grandmother again (that's twice this year already)!! This one is a little girl though, so now I can indulge myself and buy pink things to my hearts content !!
Keep smiling you old bugger.
Carole
Carole Evans (née Bruce) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Doncaster, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Monday, September 29, 2003 at 13:01:53 (UTC)
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Good morning campers, and congratulations Craig on your Bungee Jump, Your a better man than I am Gunga Craig.
Your little smile for the day (I Hope).
Charlie and Audrey are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Charlie says to Audrey, "Audrey, I was wondering, have you ever cheated on me?"
Audrey replies, "Oh Charlie, why would you ask such a question now? You don't want to ask that question..."
"Yes, Audrey, I really want to know. Please..."
"Well, all right. Yes, 3 times..."
"Three? Well, when were they?" he asked.
"Well, Charlie, remember when you were 35 years old and you really wanted to start the business on your own and no bank would give you a loan? Remember, then one day the bank president himself came over to the house and signed the loan papers, no questions asked?"
"Oh, Audrey, you did that for me! I respect you even more thanever, to do such a thing for me. So,when was number 2?"
"Well, Charlie, remember when you had that last heart attack
and you were needing that very tricky operation, and no surgeon would touch you, Then remember how Dr. DeBakey came all the way up here, to do the surgery himself, and then you were in good shape again?"
"I can't believe it! Audrey, you should do such a thing for me, to save my life. I couldn't have a more wonderful wife. To do such a thing, you must really love me darling. I couldn't be more moved. So, all right then, when was number 3?"
"Well, Charlie, remember a few years ago, when you really wanted to be president of the golf club and you were 17 votes short?"
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Monday, September 29, 2003 at 06:28:58 (UTC)
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Craig Hartnett,
Congratulations on your new status!!
Now you know what you've been missing all these years.
Welcome aboard, glad you could join us.
Ray Wright [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Monday, September 29, 2003 at 03:53:44 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
IMPORTANT HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Some years ago, when I tendered for someone to administer The Great North Road website, I was hoping to find a Northern Rhodesian/Zambian to take on the task. But no one with that qualification came forward, or could be found. I had to settle for a Southern Rhodesian.
It was a difficult decision, but I had no other option. As Northerners, you know what I am talking about when you have to turn to Salisbury!
Over the years, we have kept the Great North Road ethnically pure. This has been a difficult and vigilant task. There is a mean's test to get on this site. And we have only had ONE member who has been allowed "honourary" Northern status.
This month, I am happy to announce that Mr. Craig Hartnett is no longer an "honourary" Northerner, but is now, in fact, a bona-fide fully qualified Northerner! He has done his time in Northern Rhodesia/Zambia!
He is finally, one of us! We can now officially retire the Bomba Zonke appellation for our beloved Craig.
Welcome Mr. Craig Hartnett, Northern Rhodesian!
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of The Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 21:59:45 (UTC)
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Livingstone Lark Report
Heather, Arthur and I are back in Lusaka tonight and are leaving early tomorrow for the Copperbelt and Shiwa Ng'andu. My time here is limited, so I will just say a few things:- Thank-you Heather for organising an incredible bash.
- Thank-you Kevin for doing a lot of work on the sidelines in support of Heather.
- Thank-you to all of you who showed up.
- Ali, I took your picture with me when I jumped of the Victoria Falls bridge. It was in my pocket, and it is still clean. I'll post pictures later when I can, which may not be for ten days or two weeks.
- Speaking of pictures, just between Arthur and I we must have hundreds of photographs already, but mine are on film so you won't see them for another couple of weeks.
- If you didn't show up, you missed a great time, even if there doesn't actually appear to be any alcohol in Mosi.
I am actually not leaving Zambia until December 4th, although there will be a few weeks in there during which I will be in South Africa and maybe Zimbabwe too. Since my business is portable, I will be running it from here once Heather, Arthur and I return from our various trips over the next couple of weeks.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 19:08:16 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
Without Tim Berners-Lee you would not have the world wide web. I would not have created the GNR, and you would not be reading this message.
Thank you Tim Berners-Lee!
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of The Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 18:29:42 (UTC)
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I knew it - I'd be the first home and never had Noel Wright as an English teacher so don't have the "wright" words to express our weekend !!!", but here goes:-
I arrived at the Zambezi Sun, put my bags in my FANTABULOUS ROOM, went straight to the MAGNIFICENT pool and ordered a glass of dry white wine - and 35 US dollars later, decided I'd just enjoy the sun shine!!!!!
Come late afternoon, no one "in the entire Zambian universe" had heard of the GNR site. Thank the Lord, I had Heather's mobile no: which Craig answered!!! and was told to be at the African Queen at ...............but, whilst on the phone, was over heard by (Two bungie jumps in succession Francois (Doug Grewar's son) GO FRANCOIS!!!!!), so, we all "mosied" (the name of the Zambian beer) down to the river and joined the "rest of the crew".
I am not even going to try to put into words "our evening" - suffice it to say, that had I died that evening, with the band playing 'Stand By Me', the sun going down over the Zambezi, Jacqui and I reminiscing over our childhood in Broken Hill, I would have said "okey "beam me up Scottie................".
The braai at the boma was "unbelievable" with some of the best boerewors I HAVE NEVER TASTED IN MY LIFE !!! (Same band from "The African Queen" and my daughter Shelly says I'm out of space"...... Bye........
Elspeth Lloyd (née Robertson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blairgowrie, Johannesburg, South Africa
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 17:43:43 (UTC)
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Hi everyone,
Can't seem to get onto the net properly, so can't see whether you have been "updated" on the Livingstone Lark - Des Kenny was going to try and post early this morning - Folks of the GNR - it was THE MOST AMAZING WEEKEND OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!
But ................. have a glass of ice cold wine waiting for me in the lounge, as I have to watch "Going Nowhere Slowly" which I believe tonight is on Livingstone.
Will speak with you later.
Luv,
Beth
Elspeth Lloyd (née Robertson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blairgowrie, Johannesburg, South Africa
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 15:35:39 (UTC)
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BRASSO !!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY
50 YEARS ...WOW.....Hope you have many more.
lots of love and wishes
Ali
LARKERS
Hope you had a wonderful time.was thinking of you all.
was unable to access my pc until tonight..to wish you all the best.it crashed and now with kind and loving help I have win98 and a new outlook on life. (giggles)
Ali
..I hope my photo behaved herself at the Lark ???
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 12:13:53 (UTC)
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Gary
That first message was supposed to read:
50 years old, what a wonderful age to reach. Don't ask me what happened there - I don't know!!!!
Chris said to tell you you are still a young man as he was when he was 50. He is madala now!!!! Just like me, he he he!!!!
Ada Cantrell (née Wienand) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hastings, East Sussex, England
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 11:56:04 (UTC)
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years old today. What a wonderful age to reach
Gary
Have a wonderful day. Chris and I are thinking of you and will raise a glass or two!!!! to you tonight. We will have to get together some time. Love to Tash and Scott.
You share your birthday with another great man, my Uncle, Aubrey Wienand, who is 90 today.
Ada and Chris
All those lucky enough to be in Livinstone I hope you are having a ball. I am so envious but wish you a wonderful time. I am sure you will have a great experience.
Ada Cantrell (née Wienand) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hastings, East Sussex, England
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 11:49:36 (UTC)
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Livingstone Larkers!!
I am sitting here on a cool overcast UK Sunday morning preparing to get ready to join my family (Brasso clan) for my 50th birthday celebrations at a Greek Resturant in Oxford .......... thinking nay! Kids and I should be doing this or similar in Livingstone!!!! Hope Lark Braai went well for U all last night and expect that copi
uous amounts of Mosi, Rhino, Castle & Lion were consumed and now U are all tending to huge Zam style hangovers!!!! With one exception ...... probably Sarkyarthur whom will have been up at sunrise with the Fish Eagles out looking for his lunch on the river. Only problem is that he cannot fly and does not have talons with which to snatch the fish (probably bream)! Heather - am sure last night was a terrific success for U. I have 1 bottle of Mosi beer left out of my personal mini stock that Cookie & Teresa bought me back from Zambia last year and later this evening I will open that at "sundowner" time here in the UK and toast U all! The koeksisters were taken out of the freezer last night to accompany my Mosi! Only thing I cannot replicate are the sunshine, temperatures, mosquitoes, smell of burning charcoal cooking fires, sounds of the crickets and frogs, roars of the lions and evening calls of the fish eagles. Sob!
To Ada & Chris, Brian & Julia, Oto, Scarscalp & Debs, Johnny G and all those others that were kind enough to send/post best wishes for my 50th today! Thank U one and all. To my kids ......... WAIT TILL I GET U HOME as they say! Nahhh love em too much.
Scarscalp ...... Tiger Fishing in Zambia next year! Mmmmm sounds tempting ...... mebbe for my 51st birthday huh.
TO IAN FORBES ........ thanks for the Quality Street choccies! Happy 50th for Monday 29th September. See am still 24 hours older than U mate! Compacts like me always tended to come off the production line before the bigger models like U. Hee hee. Hope to see U in the next few weeks mebbe for a braai here when I get my garden clear of all the conifers I have recently had felled!
Gary Brassington [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Banbury Oxon, United Kingdom
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 08:04:28 (UTC)
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Northerners,
I forgot to mention to Washington area TV viewers that we also receive "Africa This Week," a half hour weekly news program covering news events on the African continent by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. It is screened on Saturday's at 6.00 pm and Monday at 11.30 am by Mhz Networks (channel 98 on Comcast Cable). Part of today's program showed the recent Kasungula tragedy.
Larkers, I could smell the fragrances wafting from your braii. Did you save some choice pieces for me?
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 01:35:59 (UTC)
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Rybicki
Meg I don't know if we can connect but I am sure that I knew your grandparents in Livingstone many years ago. My grandmother was asked by the Northern Rhodesian government in 1940 to take over and operate the Inverlieth House in Livingstone. This was a refuge for the Polish people that escaped Germany and Poland at the beginning of World War 2. There was a family of Rybicki's that stayed there when they first arrived in Livingstone around 1940. As well as I can remember there was a mother, father and 2 sons, although I am not certain of that. Mrs Rybicki I believe went to work for Sutherlands in Livingstone and worked in the travel section. Every time I went into the store she would start to cry and say how much she loved my grandmother and how much my Grandmother had helped the family settling into life in Northern Rhodesia . As far as I can remember I believe that Mr Rybicki had had some connection with the law in Poland before the War. I don't know what Mr Rybicki did in Livingstone but I remember him riding a bycyle all the time around the town. Although my memory is vague I believe that the sons were in their late teens at that time. Maybe one of these boys was your father. Let me know if any bells ring with this information. Allan
Heather
Again let me say congrats for the arranging of the Livingstone Lark. Unfortunately the timing is not the best for us, My wife and I are going to spend our 4th winter in South Africa next January. We will be staying at Shelly Beach again. We did visit Livingstone last year 2002 and really enjoyed our stay at the Zambesi Sun. We may be making another trip up to Zambia next Feb-Mar. Don't know the details yet.
Let me say that Livingstone had changed a lot since my family lived there. My parents house looked as though it had not seen a paint brush in 35 years. Oh well I guess that is called progress.
Athal Jones [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 01:00:56 (UTC)
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Dear Mr. Hogg:
I am sorry I have been remiss in maintaining contact with you, but after what Mr. Maxwell has been telling me about you, I am afraid to continue emailing with you. All I can say is keep taking the tablets and perhaps it will be okay. If not, send for the police... he! he!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 00:59:28 (UTC)
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Hello all you Gnr's
Just a very quick message to with all you Larkers have a great time.
I would love to have made it, but I am afraid that I am in the proccess of moving to the South of Holland as place called Maastricht.
It is a lovely place with so many bars and resteraunts that you will need at least 5 years to try them. Plus we are only down the road from Belgium ( So Mr. Dave Cooper let me know where you will be in hosital and maybe I can make the trip to see you.
DEAR Mr. Brasso congratulations on the 50th birthday, you do of course realise this is the beginning of a great time in your life.
Well I will end now and here from you peole soon.
Have a love time and a delightful weekend.\
Dave contact me and maybe we could meet up
Bye for now Wilma
Wilma Wall (née Henry) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Almelo, Netherlands
Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 23:08:28 (UTC)
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Hope you all have a grand time on the LARK, leave some Mosi for me please, would hate to have to settle for a Lion or a Castle, hey Brian?
David Russel thanks for the photo of the Rhokana swimming club. What a memory! I have a vague recollection of most of the names you mentioned but have no idea who the rest are. I showed the photo to my Mother but still no help with the question marks. Brian Rowlands may be able to help but with 35 years of being Zambia’s leading Mosi connoisseur I wouldn’t count on it.
Dave Cooper et al, what a great site!! I have regained contact with about a dozen old friends through GNR. They are however to a man (and woman) completely hopeless at any correspondence through normal channels so; Brian, Bets, Linda, Ali how are y’all ? George you’re ok but it is your round when I get back.
Alan Hogg
Alan Hogg [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 21:45:55 (UTC)
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Jammy buggers! I hope a lion bites your bum! He! He! No, seriously. We are all waiting anxiously for the details and photos. Have a great time tonight!!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 14:29:56 (UTC)
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NORTHERNERS
Hello from a very hot Livingstone.
I've lost Arthur, temporarily. I've lost Craig, temporarily. In fact, I've lost everybody. But they're all around Livingstone doing something, many just recovering from last night.
Photos will follow as soon as we have a few minutes to catch our breaths.
Heather
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 12:01:20 (UTC)
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Larkers.....
Its a beautiful sunny day at home. Not jealous really!
For any of you going through Lusaka, will you post some photos of the town centre, Gilbert Rennie and Woodlands Primary School?
Enjoy the braai tonight! Over boiled cabbage and steroid enhanced beef for us at home.... yum yum!
John Evans [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Chester, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 11:49:12 (UTC)
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Hi All at home and those in Livingstone,
To those at the lark I hope everyone has arrived safe and sound and I also hope you have you have a barbie like we have. Ian Jameson, Bruce Henley, Charlie Dates (Also ex N.R. Broken Hill) and I decided to have a few toasts to all you lucky people. Funny how many things you can to toast when in good company and the beers are ice cold. Lynne thinks we have a few screws loose (How can you explain to someone who has never had the experence of growing up in Eden?)
To all at the Lark have the time of your life. We will be with you all in spirit...... HIC!
Cheers
PS. Must go and find where Lynne hid the Grand-Pa headache powders.
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 05:44:17 (UTC)
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Pardon me, Otto, but could you repeat the question, please? (grin) sorry... couldn't resist.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 22:39:35 (UTC)
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to all my friends who has been writing to me please let me have your e mail addresses thanks Otto
Otto Bousema [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Port Elizabeth, E.Cape, South Africa
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 18:37:47 (UTC)
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to all my friends who has been writing to me please let me have your e mail addresses thanks Otto
Otto Bousema [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Port Elizabeth, E.Cape, South Africa
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 18:37:44 (UTC)
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to all my friends who has been writing to me please let me have your e mail addresses thanks Otto
Otto Bousema [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Port Elizabeth, E.Cape, South Africa
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 18:37:40 (UTC)
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The age of miracles has not yet passed, Scarscalp has ressurected himself its about time buddy.
Happy Birth Day Brasso may you have many more, give my love to the kids Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 17:34:07 (UTC)
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George
I sympathize with your predicament. I remember my father complaining about the cold and dark weather in Glasgow where he attended university. Part of the reason why we were raised in warmer places.
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 17:06:43 (UTC)
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Chandru et al
Out here in The World, we get good reliable regular news on Africa on BBC World... "Africa Direct". There is also Europe Direct, Asia Today and I am sure others.
I saw BBC America whilst in the States. But it has adverts!!!!!!!! Good grief. Also, few people watch it or even know about it! One complaint from one person who had seen BBC America was this: "Too much foreign news, and I don't get those comedy shows... what's funny about 'em?"
Whatever.
Dave Cooper
Founder of The Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 13:31:52 (UTC)
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Northerners,
Television viewers in the Washington, DC area might be interested to know that Channel 32 (Howard University Television station) has a program every Thursday at 8.00 pm called "On Africa." It shows African movies, documentaries and interviews (I viewed one done with the Botswanan President by the show's producer yesterday, and with the Mozambiquan President a few weeks ago). Many of the episodes are repeats, so if you miss one there is a good chance that you will see it again in the future.
Larkers, have a great river cruise this evening!
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 13:15:42 (UTC)
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Meg Rybicki
I have not met your brother - Ed - yet! I looked up his name in the directory, and he lives less than a K away from me. In the small suburb of Pinelands the following NR names spring to mind : Peter Erasmus, Peter Arton-Powell, Joy Green (her maiden name escapes me at the moment - she's from Chingola, and went to DSG in Grahamstown), John Pickering, John Mules-Berry, James Tregay. What does that make? 8 of us in such a small area? Amazing!
Regards
CJ
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 10:13:45 (UTC)
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Good morning campers here is your smile I hope for today I liked it hope you do.
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> > An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered
> > his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which
> > required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers
> > exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying United." He said
> > that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the
> > passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment.
> > Finally everyone had got off except for an old lady walking with a
> > cane. She said, "Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?" "Why no ma'am,"said the pilot. "What is it?"
The little old lady said, "Did we land or were we shot down?"
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 06:59:23 (UTC)
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Central heating is on full blast, I am sitting here in the gloom of a cool autumn morning, why, oh why, did I decide not to attend the lark?
George Maxwell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Edinburgh, Scotland
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 05:00:34 (UTC)
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To the happy Larkers
By the Vic Falls you will find them
And the lonely Lurkers
By their keyboards you will find them
The Rhyme of the Restless Ones
We couldn't sit and study for the law;
The stagnation of a bank we couldn't stand;
For our riot blood was surging, and we didn't need much urging
To excitements and excesses that are banned.
So we took to wine and drink and other things,
And the devil in us struggled to be free;
Till our friends rose up in wrath, and they pointed out the path,
And they paid our debts and packed us o'er the sea.
Oh, they shook us off and shipped us o'er the foam,
To the larger lands that lure a man to roam;
And we took the chance they gave
Of a far and foreign grave,
And we bade good-by for evermore to home.
And some of us are climbing on the peak,
And some of us are camping on the plain;
By pine and palm you'll find us, with never claim to bind us,
By track and trail you'll meet us once again.
We are the fated serfs to freedom -- sky and sea;
We have failed where slummy cities overflow;
But the stranger ways of earth know our pride and know our worth,
And we go into the dark as fighters go.
Yes, we go into the night as brave men go,
Though our faces they be often streaked with woe;
Yet we're hard as cats to kill,
And our hearts are reckless still,
And we've danced with death a dozen times or so.
And you'll find us in Alaska after gold,
And you'll find us herding cattle in the South.
We like strong drink and fun, and, when the race is run,
We often die with curses in our mouth.
We are wild as colts unbroke, but never mean.
Of our sins we've shoulders broad to bear the blame;
But we'll never stay in town and we'll never settle down,
And we'll never have an object or an aim.
No, there's that in us that time can never tame;
And life will always seem a careless game;
And they'd better far forget --
Those who say they love us yet --
Forget, blot out with bitterness our name.
Robert Service
Although time could never tame
Our lifetimes careless game
They never could forget
And without bitterness they love us yet
They never could blot out our GNR name
So Happy Larkers please be kind
And remind us Lurkers to those you find
Amongst the throng who wine & dine
On the banks of the Zambezi
At the Vic Falls Rainbow Bridge
In particular Ron & Veronica send fond regards
To Jill Hewitt [nee' Kirby] and her sister Constan
Who raise cattle at Mazabuka.
Veronica & Jill were at the Lusaka Convent
So Many Moons ago
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 00:56:06 (UTC)
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Yep, happy birthday to our Brasso who never tarnishes with age!
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 22:51:58 (UTC)
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CHARLES DO YOU KNOW my brother Ed Rybicki, he lives in Pinelands too, he is in microbiology at UCT, he was best friends with Heathers brother Charles when they lived next door to my family in woodlands many moons ago, to the ELDRIDGES my grandparents Stefan and Vera Rybicki arrived in Livingstone 63 years ago, would your folks have known of them? also my mom got married in the RC church in livingstone in 1954, could someone take a pic of the church for me, you could scan it direct to my email, why I am doing my mom favours when she is living it up in Capetown and I am stuck in dreary Leitrim I dont know. have a great time y'all, I will get to the next lark, (revenge of the lark, Lark II, Son of the Lark, ) if it means pawning my wedding ring ! Go well, Meg (ARTHUR catch one for me)
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 20:48:36 (UTC)
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Brasso,
U n me book a little Tiger fishing trip next year? Upper reaches of the Zambezi sound good?
Cheersnbeersworsnbiltong
Scarscalp [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Cumbria, United Kingdom
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 20:48:21 (UTC)
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To all of you who are there and those of you still making the journey, have a wonderful weekend.
Am soooo peeeed off that Debs and I cannot join you in body, but we will be lifting glasses of a suitable beverage to you though.
Well done that old Chalcraft woman.
Next point, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha BRASSO u old git
Scarscalp [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Cumbria, United Kingdom
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 20:43:23 (UTC)
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Hi Beth (and Jacqui),
here's hoping you have a safe and super journey. Thanks for the call this evening - I'm well along the road to recovery and it has been an education to me in 'take your time - what's the hurry'. I had the stitches removed on Tuesday - and managed to look at the surgeon's handiwork, using a mirror, this evening. Hell! He was neat. 2-3 years from now I won't even have a scar! When in Livingstone, you must take a photo of the tree with D Livingstone's initials carved IN it (if they're still discernible). W.r.t. bungee jumping - take a bottle of champagne with you. Just before you jump, take the foil and wire off, then jump (making sure you have a firm grip on said item). You can then twist yourself up to a (sort of) standing position and pop the cork while you wait for them to hoist you up again. There again - you mentioned you've injured your back - PLEASE don't jump - just enjoy everyone elses fear!
PS Please look after Sarky - I think, deep down, he has fond memories of Broken Hill - despite the fact that he can only recall a petrol pump. He probably received poor service at Proctor's Garage (you can see I've just read 'The Africa House' - which brought back memories of a really great Grande Dame Bertie Proctor who Tess and I had drinks with, in Durban, in the late '70's)
Dawid v Amsterdam .....
What's the story about 'The day of the big knifes'? Another op? What's wrong with us IT okes? Are we into pain (jokes aside - not me!) What are they going to do to U? Please drop me a line.
Heather C....
I've got a VERY strong feeling (it must be that Irish fey) that we are going to meet in the not too distant future - and Tess and I am looking forward to it! After all the work and preparation you have put into the LL - I know it's going to a great sucess.
Broken Hillians RULE - OK!
Regards
CJ
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 19:42:14 (UTC)
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TO ALL RETURNING EX-PATS...
Have fun everyone. Enjoy yourselves! Of course I am very, very, depressed that I cannot join in. But perhaps I can make it next year... I have a big appointment coming up in October, so I cannot be away... I must prepare carefully for my day under the knife.
Thanks Heather for your diligence and your humour and stoicism in the fate of my unstoppable pessimism.
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of the Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 18:40:14 (UTC)
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Hi everyone,
Have just finished packing and leave tomorrow on the 11:20a.m. flight for Livingstone. I can't believe I'm actually going - having not been "home" for thirty four years. Heaven knows how I'm going to get to sleep tonight - I feel like a child on Christmas Eve!
To all of you who can't join us, rest assured, we'll certainly have a few ales for you. Charlie C. - won't be jumping off the bridge with a photo of you clutched in hand, but will certainly think of you with a glass of dry white, watching the sun go down over the mighty Zambezi.
BROKEN HILLIANS RULE!!!!!!!
Hamba kahle everyone, till next week.
Luv,
Beth
Elspeth Lloyd (née Robertson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blairgowrie, Johannesburg, South Africa
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 18:18:24 (UTC)
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As the two Eldridge Girls make their way through Botswana on this beautiful September day, the other two Eldridge Girls' hearts are going with them (although Shirley hasn't posted for a while, I know her thoughts are also on The Road).
When they spot the first baobab reaching out to the African sky, as they catch the first glimpse of the 'smoke that thunders', and as they stand again on the warm soil of home, I hope they think of us.
I hope they think too of the young couple who arrived there about 70 years ago - filled with anticipation and youthful dreams. May they remember those children who grew up in that special place and eventually raised families of their own, allowing us to build our dreams and live our lives of wonder in our very own "Promised Land'.
Although so many of our family have gone now, I hope the Eldridge Girls' hearts swell with gratitude and pride in the realisation of how privileged we all were. And I know all the other Eldridges will be watching over the Livingstone Lark and smiling ............
PS: By the way, I became a Granny again on Tuesday - my fabulous son and daughter-in-law produced another addition to the next generation of Eldridge Girls !!
Lynthia Nadauld (née Eldridge) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Krugersdorp, South Africa
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 10:12:00 (UTC)
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Vivienne!
You forgot, you just forgot, you should have soaked your canvas water bag first. Then the canvas would have nicely 'shrunk' and the stitching not leaked. Then you fill your bag with water (boiled of course!) and hang it over the front side mirror. It would then develop a cool mist over its skin, somehow repel the dust, and the water inside would be cool and delicious. The best tasting water ever!
Those in Livingstone: Have a wonderful time! How could you not!
If anyone gets any photos of Hillcrest High School, please post them. It is my alma mater!
Cathrine Nelson [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Washington, DC, United States
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 10:05:02 (UTC)
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Dear Viv, (loved the diary entry) Heather, Craig, Arthur and all the Larkers,
We're with you all the way - hearts in our mouths too, you lucky buggers!
Take care and drink thirstily, eat hungrily, feast your eyes and your ears!
We can't be there to take part in this special adventure but we will be thinking of you...
Yours
enviously
Loads of Lonely Lurkers Left behind.
Sue Forde [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Midleton, Co. Cork, Ireland
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 07:05:26 (UTC)
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Morning campers this made me smile I hope it does you especially those of us who are in mourning because we ain't going to be there, Johnny.
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Two ladies talking and one said my dog is smarter than your dog, the other lady say's I dont think so, the other lady continues my dog meets the post man at my gate every morning collects the mail and brings it to me where ever I am in the house at the time,the other lady says yes I know, how do you know says the other lady, she replied my dog told me.
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 06:49:02 (UTC)
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To all who have birthdays
to the Larkers
and the Lurkers
and to those who cannot decide
just where they fit in.
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids?
If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
" How old are you?"
"I'm four and a half!"
You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
"How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16!
And then the greatest day of your life . . . you become 21.
Even the words sound like a ceremony . . . YOU BECOME 21.
YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk.
He/she TURNED; we had to throw him/her out. There's no fun now, you're just a sour-dumpling.
What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40.
Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away.
Before you know it, you REACH 50 . . . and your dreams are gone.
But wait!!!
You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.
You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70!
After that it's a day-by-day thing;
you HIT Wednesday!
You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle;
you HITlunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime.
And it doesn't end there.
Into the 90s, you start going backwards;
"I was JUST 92."
Then a strange thing happens.
If you make it over 100, you become alittle kid again.
"I'm 100 and a half!"
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
____________________________________
Source: George Carlin's View on Aging
____________________________________
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 03:07:14 (UTC)
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Great html job Paudie - it worked!!!!
Jilly There, all fixed. You feel better about jumping now? Don't drop our friend in the drink (although she has always liked to travel and might enjoy a trip down the Zambezi).
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 22:07:57 (UTC)
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Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 21:43:58 (UTC)
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I can’t quite believe that we are almost on our way.
It is 10:40 pm in Boksburg, South Africa and I am trying to finish the 101 little things that need to be done before I can climb wearily into bed and try to get some much needed sleep before Grant and Heather arrive at 04:30 tomorrow to collect me! My youngest daughter, Shona, is in her room across the hallway studying for her last two exams and feeling very sorry for herself as she is unable to join us, I needless to say am feeling extremely guilty at having to leave her behind.
My mounting excitement over the last few weeks has bubbled up and finally boiled over leaving me with so many conflicting emotions that I’m not at all sure how I am going to feel once I finally get home. Twenty-nine years and yet in many ways just yesterday! So much love and laughter and so many tears separate that young girl who left her heart behind her from this middle aged women I find myself lumbered with. So many memories…
On a lighter note – I managed to find two of those canvas bottles that we used to fill with water and hang on the outside of the car for our journeys down “South” and I had visions of stopping by the roadside and being able to quench our thirst with an ice cold cup of water when the heat got too much (those were the days). Heather has burst that bubble as she informed me earlier in the evening that the water poured out of both of them and they would have been bone dry by the time we made out first pit stop. Oh well although a flask of cold water will do the job, it certainly won’t seem quite the same!!!
To those of you who are going, see you in Livingstone and to those of you staying at home, wish you could all be coming along, wouldn’t that be something.
Lots of love
Vivienne
Vivienne Jeannette Buitendag (née Eldridge) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Boksburg, South Africa
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 21:16:09 (UTC)
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To all the Larkers traveling North i would like to make some suggestions. Make photostats copies of all your papers and keep them seperate. I had a lot of trouble traveling in Zim 2 years ago, Zim officials travelling in a Landrover +- 8 of them armed stopping you and demanding to see your papers for the import of your car, you have to be very polite. Times have changed. ENJOY THE LARK I WILL BE ON MY WAY TO N>Z CHEERS ENJOU THE BEER AND THE SUN Otto
Otto Bousema [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Port Elizabeth, E.Cape, South Africa
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 17:20:43 (UTC)
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JOHN COSTOPOLOUS
If I can arrange to get them up here (which should not be difficult) we would dearly love to have your Mufulira Magazines for scanning and eventual display on this site.
I will contact you once I have got this Lark over and done.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 13:37:18 (UTC)
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BRASSO/DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! SAT 28.09.03!!!!!!!
We snuck onto GNR while "old man" not about! Hee hee! DAD OUR LOVE AND VERY BEST WISHES FOR YOUR COMMING SPECIAL DAY ...... SUNDAY 28TH SEPT! HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY .... WE LOVE U AND THANKS FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT DAD AND FRIEND! We know that your greatest desire would have been to have flown to Zambia to spend your 50th at the Livingstone Lark ..... other matters have had to keep U here in the UK but we appreciate the sacrifice U have made!
Love and thanks for being there for us - Natasha & Scott.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Gary Brassington [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Banbury Oxon, United Kingdom
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 07:03:01 (UTC)
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MUFULIRA MAGAZINE
I have Volumes 1 to 7 (1952 to 1958) of the Mufulira Magazine. The 12 magazines of each year are bound together in a cover to make a volume.
We are about to move and I don’t really want to cart them off again. As I never look at them, is there anyone out there who would like to have them?
John Costopoulos [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Durban, KZN, South Africa
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 07:00:45 (UTC)
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Tian,
Now that's really put me off jumping!
Ali,
Your photo is packed and ready for the rubber band.
See you at the Lark.
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 04:43:10 (UTC)
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Well that worked like a brick! It was supposed to read
Have funnnnnn all you bungeeeeeeeeeeee jumpers
(like a bungee cord going down and up and down) but alas my html
went to - Well - it looks like flotsam over the Devil's Cataract.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 03:52:23 (UTC)
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Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 03:46:13 (UTC)
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Tina
Thanks for the invitation, I had considered visiting my New Jersey cousin during the blackout, but erred on the side of optimism that the power would be restored quickly.
Looks like a fun job for you, although I'd be careful of the rhinos, I remember one chasing our Landrover when we got too close to it in the Serengeti back in 71'.
On a different note, the electricity came back on yesterday evening. Back to civilization now.
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 22:17:40 (UTC)
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Bags packed, waiting for the car to take us to Heathrow on the first leg to Livingstone. Joburg tomorrow, Livingstone on Friday. See you there Larkers.
Hartley
Hartley Heaton [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Binfield, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 17:49:41 (UTC)
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Alix,
I don't think Craig is Bungee jumping, maybe - but he is going on an elephant back safari with me - I am leaving tomorrow morning - if you want him to take your photo on ellie-back - please send one tonight. We can laways ask somebody to carry it for you - I am sure we will meet some jumpers at the falls.
Northerners,
Land Rover back in action - leaving tomorrow morning - so you won't be able to contact me until the 1st of October.
Linda,
Thanks for big talk with Bwana Makubwa.
Bye!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 17:22:12 (UTC)
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CRAIG...
If you are going to bungy jump over the falls....could you please do a favour...can you take my photo with you......it is a little wish of mine if I ever went bungy jumping the best place in the world would be Victoria Falls......PRETTY PLEASE......
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 13:25:56 (UTC)
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Grant Knowles, Glenda Freeland, Hilary Tyson-Woodcock, Luanne Massoline
Best Wishes on your Birthday
NORTHERNERS
May I echo Philip Pain's message over the weekend. If you want us to take your photo with you, please email them to me within the next 24 hours when I shall be printing them.
TINA MAGEE
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I seem to remember that Kathryn Mwondela who is now PRO for Hotel Intercontinental was also a convent girl. Can you remind me after 10 October and I will get in touch with her for you.
ALIX
You need to ask Craig - he's the nutter that's going bungy jumping. I shall only be taking photos of him, thank you.
CHANDRU
Yes, we do still have lions wandering around the farming areas just outside Lusaka. Sadly, this is not as frequent an occurrence as it used to be.
BOB ALLAN
I have received the photos, thanks
RAY WRIGHT
Don't let your imagination go too wild because we'd probably both end up on the floor laughing at the sight of me with a whip (and don't forget the stiletto heels.) Plus I'd probably get myself tangled up with the whip and land flat on my face.
LARKERS
Many of you will shortly be leaving on your way to Livingstone. Travel well and I look forward to meeting you on Friday. I have already sent you my phone number should you have any problems and from about mid-afternoon on Thursday, you can contact me on +260 97 891 413 - there is coverage all the way down from Lusaka I think.
TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR LIVINGSTONE
The telephone number I shall be using whilst in Livingstone is +260 97 891 413 should you wish to phone.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 06:43:58 (UTC)
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Poor Chandru!
There are some great things in most countries.
Next time it's all bleak up there hop on a plane to Dallas. We'll fill you up with some good wors, and introduce you to the flame lilies in the garden. Then we'll drive you through some nice African-like Savannah to this place and introduce you to the cheetahs and the black and white rhino at this place where I will be beginning work as a volunteer.
http://www.fossilrim.com/index.php
The lights will stay on. The sun will shine under blue cumulous filled skies. You'll meet some lovely Americans and the ex director of the Joburg Zoo who is now the Fossil Rim Director. We'll even forgive them their safari tents ;-) for the wonderful work they are doing with captive breeding of endangered species with well crossed stock. Nope, before you even ask, although its Texas, they are not breeding anything here to hunt, folks.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 05:36:08 (UTC)
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Just a look back on the days of floaters, besides suffering the normal floaters that were caused by the empty returned bottles being stored on there return to the brewery outside in the direct sunshine which baked the particles on to the inside of the bottles, and when eventually steamed cleaned resisted and clung on inside until refilled and when soaked again for a period of time detatched themselves and hey presto floaters, I personally was driving out to our shooting area one night and my buddy opened two beers and passed one to me, i took a swig and after an initial trickle the flow ceased, I stopped and went to examine the cause for the stoppage in the headlights of the landrover, it was not difficult to accetain the cause a baby vole had inserted its long nose into the neck of the bottle of course restricting the flow, the second time was a simple one to see a piece of copper wire which thankfully was to long to have been swallowed with out some discomfort, the mystery to me that still remains today what happened around 1965 in the brewry to cause these catastrophy's? can any one answer that one?
Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 04:09:05 (UTC)
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Arthur and Heather:
you may recall that a couple of months ago you posted on the GNR for me a photo I took at Victoria Falls Station of loco no 204, and we were wondering what class it was.
Well my copy of Rev. E.D. Hamer's book has finally arrived and I can now tell you loco 204 was handed over to Zambia Railways in 1967 by Rhodesian Railways (see "stats" image , from p 87).
It formed part of the 3rd batch of 12th Class locos (the Gloroius 12th!) ,being 4-8-2 wheels, built at North British Loco Co Park Works, Glasgow in 1928. Supplied to RR the same year, 1928
I enclose a few pictures of the class (incl. no 203), but I guess copyright law will preclude posting on the GNR website, unfortunately.
However, Heather might care to print same for brief display among photos at the Livingstone Lark - I can't make it sad to say.
Cheers
Bob Allan
Melbourne
Robert Allan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Melbourne, Australia
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 03:29:42 (UTC)
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Ooooooh!!! Heather.
The very thought of you chasing after me with that whip has me imagining all sorts of things - most of which are probably better left unsaid!
But at the end of the day I do have a choice; I could simply grin and bare it (spelling was never my strong point) or I could be awkward and refuse to write up my account in order to see what it might lead to.
However, I do feel it's necessary to point out that if you were to start belabouring me with your whip, or anything similar for that matter, you might find a certain Hilry not far behind with an axe to grind, so to speak, and she might be vying with you for the privilege.
It's so nice to feel wanted!!!
Enjoy the Lark. You deserve it after all the hard work you've put into its organisation. Wish I could join you.
Best Wishes
Ray Wright [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 01:11:27 (UTC)
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I will be off line untill after the Lark. Tomorrow I am handing in my computer for upgrading and safekeeping until I return to RSA.
Tot Siens - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 20:08:29 (UTC)
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TO BOB GILLIES, I read your letter, i can remember the beer bottle with the toothbrush in it, it caused a stink with the beer drinkers.I worked at the refinery , and some Fridays we used to go and drink at the EDINBurgh Hotel.You are right about no glasses.The floors was covered with saw dust .I see you mentioned Harold Wenman I new him very well,Old Mac i cannot remember his Surname, can you help? and where they worked.It is a bind when you get old. My e mail address otto@aerosat.co.za Regards Otto Bousema.
Otto Bousema [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Port Elizabeth, E.Cape, South Africa
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 17:00:15 (UTC)
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Jane, The Mosi & Muchinga story reminded me of the beer situation around 1973. We called it Zambian Brown Label as we never saw a label on any bottle at all. We assumed it was Mosi at the time. I know we arrived home in a bad state sometimes and blamed it on being nailed by a few mozzies. Old Mac and Harold Wenman used to check the beer delivery at Rhokana Bowling Club by taking a few bottles out of each crate and holding them up to the light to check for debris. A few were opened and tested as well. The bowling Club was the safest place to have a beer due to their QC. I think one of the causes of the floaters was that the breweries used an old locomotive's boiler to produce steam to hopefully clean the bottles. Unfortunately some bottles were collected by picannins on their wanderings through the bush and the loco couldn't produce hot enough steam to clean some of them out. The best was to pour slowly into a beer glass and watch for any change of colour. This proved difficult at the Edinburg Hotel in Kitwe as in the later days you only got a bottle, no glass. I am sure there was a report of a toothbrush being found in a beer in the Times of Zambia , I know we saw various wierd things coming out of the odd beer and drank with great caution if we did'nt have a glass.
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 15:17:59 (UTC)
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LARKER NO. 5 HAS CHECKED IN
John Steers, one of the Aussie contingent, has arrived in Lusaka. I have not met him yet, but we did manage to speak on the phone briefly. We will meet on Thursday.
CHANDRU
Perhaps you should ask ZESCO to take over your power company. I cannot remember when the last time was that we had a power failure that lasted for longer than about 7 hours.
RAY WRIGHT
You have no choice - YOU WILL BE WRITING THAT STORY - otherwise that Chalcraft woman will be after you with her whip. I'll email you privately once I've got this Lark out of the way (oh, and don't forget the magazine that I'm still trying to put together.) No time even to look at the pages that Dawie is ferreting out.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 14:50:13 (UTC)
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Ray
Your use of the word safari reminds me of the time I was at south Kruger a few years ago... it was a daytrip from Blyderivierspoort. We stopped at a café inside the park... you know, one of those espresso bars with the pizzettas served under Cinzano umbrellas on the manicured lawns with fountains and stuff. Very elegant.
Sitting under some umbrellas, all decked out in khaki, sipping on lattés were some Americans. We overheard them: "Well you'rrrrrrre getting a betterrrrrr exchange rate than me! And we arrrrrrre on safarrrrrri you know!"
We blurted out larfing as we retreated to the car to leave as quickly as possible!
Hmmmm... wild Africa, I reckon. Now where's my safari " OUTFIT "?
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of the Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 13:43:17 (UTC)
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David,
Thank you for the gracious, or should that be gratuitous, comments!!
And by searching a little more diligently I did find the link to Inchi-Yetu. What an amazing site - no fewer than 11000 odd pics of the glorious country that was the Belgian Congo.
Hilry and I have pondered whether to write up the Congo Safari which was a wonderful adventure, as was our overland journey the following year (1971) from Kitwe to England passing through no less than 17 countries en-route - certainly accounts of the two journeys together would make fairly interesting reading. Maybe if you and enough others are keen we could make a start, and we do have some photos of both trips to add some historical spice - along with somewhat more conventional safaris to Malawi and East Africa. In fact our travelling companions on the overland trip actually kept a diary on a daily basis if they can be persuaded to part with it!!!
In any event thanks for the kind thoughts.
Larkers
Along with all the other jealous Lurkers, I just want to add my best wishes for a marvellous and enjoyable return to the country that gave so many beautiful memories to me - and all the rest of us. Enjoy. And remember!! Be happy, and a safe journey to you all.
Regards
Ray Wright [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 13:30:44 (UTC)
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Dave,
It was sad reading that BBC article about the state of the African lion. I remember that as late as the 1970's an occasional lion would venture into the outskirts of Lusaka and unfortunately be shot and displayed on the front page of one of the newspapers. I don't know if it still happens these days.
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 13:17:57 (UTC)
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Good morning Northerners!
Now would certainly be an opportune time to be at the Livingstome Lark rather than the Washington area.
The morning of Thursday, Sept. 18 dawned with grey skies. Slowly a steady rain began falling and the wind began blowing. Looking up at the skies in the afternoon I could see the clouds traveling at a high rate of speed. By evening the wind was gusting and it was raining hard. At 6.30 pm I heard a big "boom" sound from outside and the electricity went off. Fortunately I had finished cooking and ate dinner by candle light while listening to my battery powered radio (which I found to be very essential). Peering out the window late at night I could see the trees being blown in a circular motion by the strong wind of Hurricane (now tropical storm) Isabel. The brunt of the storm was between 10 pm and 2 am.
Next morning I got up to find the outside ground covered with leaves and small branches. Walking in a nearby park I saw many huge trees that had been uprooted and that had fallen down on and brought down power lines and poles. Fortunately the storm had caused relatively low loss of life and property damage, but it had disrupted extensively the electricity transmission system in the Washington area. Calling our automated utility power outage response system, I was informed that the estimated restoral time would be September 25.
As of today I still do not have electricity service. I spent the past few days cleaning (especially the refrigerator since I had to throw everything out-this being the second time since a thunderstorm a few weeks ago), reading and listening to the radio. So the past few days have been spent in the 19th century and I look forward to being back in the 21st.
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 13:09:46 (UTC)
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Ray
What an INCREDIBLE journey you made! You're a stud, dude! It makes all these so-called "Africans" worrying about the journey to Livingstone via Botswana, Zim, and the ferry over the Zambesi sound like a bunch of wimps, hey? [stupid little smiley face here for the humour-impaired]
Thanks for the kind words... I was hoping to share those incredible shots of African specialness, (wink wink) but sometimes, I doubt very many people follow my links... not everyone shares the same passion about Africa outside of Zambia.
Your trip sounds brilliant---the stuff novels and good films are made of! You should write this up sometime. Really! Any photos of the trip? What really adds spice is that you did this all in the midst of the chaos and danger of rebellious Congo! I am truly impressed!
The Congo websites are a trip, man. You should check the others out too. The Belgians had a fantastic African adventureland... and they managed to merge their European lifestyle into the harsh and cruel nature of Congo: Heart of Darkness. Our style in NR/Zambia was quite different, yet we both shared such similarities.
To find any linked site on the GNR, go to the Links page. If you look to the right in the margin, you will see a link to the Links page. Peruse the links there, you will see quite a few to the Congo, also Kenya, and oher places. I even found an ex-pat site for Guinea (but have not put it up on our links site yet).
Do not be put off by the look and feel (with all the sound files and garishness) of other sites. Go for the content... that is what counts.
Glad you enjoyed this... I love feedback like yours. Thanks for posting about your trip... you have certainly experienced the REAL AFRICA.
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of the Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 12:09:00 (UTC)
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*************LIVINGSTONE LARKERS !!!************
HAVE A WONDERFUL , WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL TIME
I WILL BE THINKING OF YOU, YOU VERY LUCKY PEOPLE,
......OH JUST BY CHANCE ANYONE OF YOU GOES BUNGY JUMPING OVER THE FALLS, HEATHER HAS MY PHOTO...COULD YOU TAKE IT WITH YOU ?...........
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 11:59:46 (UTC)
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Dave,
Great links to those Katanga sites. However where do I find the link on GNR to Inchi-Yetu, as I'd like to see a bit more of it at my leisure without scrolling down the message board to your post each time!
I loved that series of 11 pics of the strange ways of Africa - so typical and bring back so many fond memories. In particular I thought the guy taking his ease in the little motor boat whilst chatting to his mate on the phone was a gem! And the Garage Pegot one and your mention elsewhere of Albertville on Lake Tanganyika also took me back over 30 years to a trip that my then new wife Hilry and I made back in 1970 in a Peugot 404, up from Kitwe through Katanga and Kivu Provinces of the Congo. This was not long after all the troubles in Katanga and the place was still in a mess, and the roads were atrocious outside of the main cities. So bad in fact that it took us four days of difficult driving to get to Albertville, at which we arrived late one evening making a dreadful din because the exhaust had been knocked off the car by the rough roads. The noise drew us, unfortunately, to the attention of a somewhat over-zealous police officer who promptly arrested us for, amongst other things, not having a Congolese drivers licence. Not to put too fine a point on it we were scared shitless, and imagined being imprisoned indefinitely and without trace in a stinking Congolese gaol - until by pure good fortune a Belgian commercial fisherman bribed the cop with some fresh fish and we were released forthwith. Anyway, we could not drive north from Albertville because there were still rebels about and the local army commander wouldn't give us permission, so we booked ourselves and the car on a ferry on Lake Tanganyika which, eventually and ever so slowly, took us from Albertville via Kigoma in Tanzania and Bujumbura in Burundi to the port of Uvira at the very top (north) of the lake, arriving so late in the day that we had to off-load the car ourselves because all the port workers had knocked off. From there we were able to continue our drive north through Bukavu and on into Uganda and then Kenya before returning to Zambia by the 'normal' route along the Great North Road through Tanzania. But that's all another story!!!
On reflection the trip was a little bit reckless perhaps but what the hell - you're only young once aren't you?
Regards
Ray Wright [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 11:40:24 (UTC)
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IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS AND CONTACTING THE GNR
Any messages relating to the GNR sent to me, either direct to my e-mail address or through the contact form on the GNR Web site, on or after September 18th will not receive a reply from me until around the middle of October.
Additionally, any new membership applications made between now and mid-October will not be vetted and activated until then as well.
Normally when I go away, Heather or Arthur would take over the job of dealing with GNR e-mail. However, since all three of us will be away at the same time, GNR business will have to be postponed until we are back at our desks.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but hang in there until we sober up. :)
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 09:58:25 (UTC)
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Nicola Havard, David Thomas
Best Wishes on your Birthday
LARKERS DRIVING UP FROM SA
My parents arrived back on Saturday from a trip to SA. There was a big queue at Kasungula, so be prepared for delays although they should not be that bad by the end of this week. My parents eventually decided to go through Zim rather than wait in the queue and possibly have to spend the night at the border.
Please remember that you need to be in Livingstone by 4 pm, at the latest, on Friday if you do not wish to miss the dinner on the African Queen.
JOHN STEERS
I assume you have arrived in Lusaka by now. Please give me a call on 096 860-553 or 235-333 so that we can liaise on where and when to meet on Thursday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 09:38:36 (UTC)
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Good morning campers, a golden oldie for you this morning but maybe a lot of the lighties have never heard it.
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Jean and Joan met at the entrance of there high rise flats, they were both ladies of easy virtue, and Joan said the lifts are still broken down from early this morning,Jean said dont tell me I have been up and down those 55 steps to my flat today with 30 different men, and Joan said OH your poor feet.
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Have a nice monday Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 05:42:52 (UTC)
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Hi all you lurkers not going to Livingstone
Time is running out to get your pictures to Heather
for display at the Lark.
Cheers
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Monday, September 22, 2003 at 04:23:32 (UTC)
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LUSAKA CONVENT GROUP
(S'cuse the shout, just want to make sure you see this).
Did you go to Lusaka Convent? Would you like to reunite with people who did and help search for classmates? Email me!
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Good to see the poetry of the Pioneers of the Empire is still getting a good workout. "And what do they know of England that only England know?" Eh Fifi, Ron?
Bon Voyage to all Bashers and Bashettes. You must be so excited!!!! And the rest of us are excited for you. XXX
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 21:50:46 (UTC)
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OOOOOH!
Getting ever-so excited!
Always wanted to do the Kazungula Ferry - only now it's much more scary - but still on track! I am taking my water-wings and hunting knife - gotta "Be prepared"!
Next Friday - over on the ferry!!!
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 20:51:40 (UTC)
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Katanga
Interesting book on the history of Katanga:
http://kolwezikat.free.fr/Publications/Kat2.rtf
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 20:04:46 (UTC)
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Cape to Cairo railway
A great personal story from 1920 - naw, not me!!!
http://www.empireclubfoundation.com/details.asp?SpeechID=2562&FT=yes
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 20:00:05 (UTC)
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Otto:
I sent you the email I have for Vic Bekker. Hope it works.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 19:54:51 (UTC)
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Doug Grewar
This evenings TV3 show "Going Nowhere Slowly" featured the ferry (obviously shot before the accident). Make sure your vehicles are not parked halfway onto the drop ramps to squeeze an extra car onto the ferry, as was the case with the TVs crew's car. Also make sure you have someone riding shot gun to deal with any hungry crocs following the craft! Have a great time with all the GNRS - I am sad that I could not make the trip.
Best wishes to all attending.
Bill Hunt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Widenham, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 19:26:10 (UTC)
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I received a e mail from Vic Bekker but i do not have a e mail address for him. Vic please let me have it Otto thanks.
Otto Bousema [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Port Elizabeth, E.Cape, South Africa
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 16:05:41 (UTC)
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Dave
Geweldig!! No need for words, thanks.
jane
Jane Todd (née Zwanenburg, formerly Bye, Kelly) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Shatti Al Qurm, Muscat, Oman
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 11:36:08 (UTC)
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N O R T H E R N E R S!
If you follow these links you'll come to something quite African, and quite special. I recommend it.
1. Go here to start.
2. Click "Les collections" in the left margin.
3. Click the green rectangle to the right of the "Insolite !" label.
4. Click each photo to appreciate the specialness of Africa
Geniet!
Dave Cooper
Founder of The Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 09:19:22 (UTC)
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Jane
That reminds me of a little controversy in the Cape vineyards recently... it was found that the way grapes were harvested in a particular region, a small endangered chameleon was included. There was an outcry, not so much as the wine having chameleon in it, but more rightly that the chameleon would vanish. I am not sure how this was resolved. But now, anytime I drink wine, I think, how do they make sure that there isn't anything else in the harvest in any wine from anywhere? Do you just swallow and not think about it?
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of the Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 08:41:34 (UTC)
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Some time in the second half of 1970"s the by now Zambia Breweries invested in a ploy to Zambianise the beers known as Castle and Lion. I think it came up in a general vote to call them Mosi (o tunya) and Mchinga. In the copperbelt Mchinga was not always available and everybody knows about the Mosi shortages, floaters, even toothbrushes and pieces of a wig have been reported, parafin smelling beer, after muchinga boys had used the empty bottels for selling parafin and usually with no label to tell you if it was indeed a Mosi.
Anyway, still the best Liquid Gold in the world!
greetings to the larkers and have plenty of them!
jane
Jane Todd (née Zwanenburg, formerly Bye, Kelly) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Shatti Al Qurm, Muscat, Oman
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 06:34:51 (UTC)
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Good morning campers, this little gem was reputed to have come from the lips of what was the driest little comedian in the world now deceased George Burns.
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Do you know what it means to come home at night to a woman who'll give you a little love, a little affection, a little tenderness?
It means you're in the wrong house.
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Have a fun filled day Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 06:18:20 (UTC)
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Right you are Fiona
Go to the top of the class
You have earned your star
and go far you must
but not too far I trust
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 02:56:44 (UTC)
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Fiona,
A little stronger than that...
"...rape! murder! it's just a shot away! just a shot away!"
GIMME SHELTER, Let it Bleed which had to played loud whilst as stoned as they were making it.
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of the Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 22:07:44 (UTC)
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It's just a shout away. Do I get another gold star?
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 20:32:07 (UTC)
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Doug
"It's just a link away, link away, link away!" (sung to which Rolling Stones hit?)...
You can find the words and mp3s of
La Katangaise , La Zaïroise, as well as the Debout Congolais on the Lubumbashi website. The Lubumbashi website is linked from our GNR.
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of The Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 19:22:55 (UTC)
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Doug
I bet you can find a version of the anthem on the web. I noticed the same infatuation to so-called "beer" on this Congo ex-pat site as there is on the GNR website. There are lots of photos of Simba in all its evolutionary manifestations. There is also the grand tradition of Belgian "beer"-making... although, I doubt they carried the "trappist" and "wittebier" traditions on in Katanga --- the weather and ambience are not quite the same as sipping on a wittebier in a cosy pub in Belgium on a cold and snowy night!
Hartelijke groeten...
Dave Cooper
Founder of the Great North Road website
Dave Cooper [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Amsterdam, Nederland
Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 19:08:39 (UTC)
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Ron - Wow! For once I am at a loss for words!
Natal is often referred to as "The Last Outpost ( of the British Empire)" although timewise I guess Hong Kong would beat us.
Philip,
As for pouring a case of Castle into the Zambezi to appease Nyami Nyami I suggest we do this in the Irish customary way, after it has passed through us. Heather can organize us into teams so we can march to the river bank and deliver our offering in sequence.
Dawie,
Can you remember the Katanga national anthem. They used to sing it to a blare of bugles and a thump of drums, " Vive! Vive |
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