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Bamboo - having once dated a musician who hailed from St. Catherine, Kingston, Jamaica, a big bamboo has an entirely different meaning when sung about by a large, dreadlocked gentleman, and for the benefit of all the gentlemen who log on to the GNR, my long ago love swore by a rather sticky tinned drink called "Nutriment" (available in all good Caribean Stores), to keep his teeth shiny and pelt glossy, ect ect....ciao, Meg
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Sunday, November 30, 2003 at 23:05:58 (UTC)
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It is said that the leaves of Bamboo are an effective aphrodisiac.
I have never tried the leaves, but I can confirm that
If you sleep on a bamboo bed, as you get older it gets harder and harder, and you wakke up stiff in the morning.
Now this is definitely my last posting on Bamboo -
This Month !!!
But don't knock it folks - we can all learn a great deal from Bamboo.
BAMBOOZLED
Bamboo (many genera, up to 1100 species.)
POACEAE, Grass Family
One of the most easily identified plants is tree-sized bamboo, belonging to a large subfamily, Bambusoideae, of the grass family (Poaceae).
These plants are indigenous to the wet tropics, where they form dense stands, often clones arising from a single seed or rhizome.
These large monocotyledons have stems with very long internodes, defined by an encircling leaf at each node. New, sharp-pointed shoots arises from the aggressive below-ground rhizomes, anchored in soil by adventitious roots. The shoot typically grows vertical without branches at first, and the first leaves commonly are large, triangular structures. Because the internodes may elongate rapidly, during a rainy season shoots of certain bamboos can grow 10 to 20 meters in one month! After the main shoot has reached sunlight, branches form from axillary buds located at the nodes. The second leaves often are much smaller and very different in appearance than the large clasping leaves of the main shoot.
Bamboos are of enormous importance to rural people in tropical regions, especially in southern and southeastern Asia. First of all, the main stem, which in a few species reaches 30 meters, is extremely hard. Most people would call this stem "woody," but the truth is that bamboos, like other monocotyledons, do not form true wood from a vascular cambium. Nonetheless, bamboo is called "poor-man's timber," especially in regions where the native forests have long since disappeared. The cells of the stem have very thick cell walls containing high concentration of lignin, making them hard.
Stems of bamboo are especially interesting in having hollow internodes and solid nodes. As such, these stems are beautifully engineered as posts for small buildings, bridges, rafts and masts for boats, scaffolding, ladders, roofing, and the like, and if the solid nodal plugs are removed, the stem can be used as a water or sewage pipe. Thinner poles are used for fishing rods, lance staves, walking sticks, and horticultural poles. Among crafted items are specialty pieces of furniture, such as cradles, cart yokes, musical instruments, fishing traps, bows and arrows, eating utensils, hookah pipes, trays for silkworms, coffins for cremation, polo mallets, rickshaw hoods, and trellises. For things to wear look for bamboo being used for hats, plaited shoes, umbrella handles, ornaments, and necklaces. Stems are processed to make paper, especially in India-more than 2 million tons per year (especially Dendrocalamus strictus; Phyloostachys spp. in China and Japan--and the stem has been carbonized for use as electric lamp filaments, in goldsmithery, and tabashir, a fine powder used as a chemical catalyst. Bamboo wax is melted cuticle from the stems of Sasa paniculata. A long list of medicinal uses have been tried for bamboos, including a jaundice treatment, and if your eyes are looking a little dull, try some bamboo eyeliner!
Bamboo shoots for cooking are very young shoot tips, harvested before they become woody. If you are eating bamboo shoots, you may also be using chopsticks made of bamboo or feasting on kabobs with bamboo skewers. The rhizome of Dendrocalamus hamiltonii is portrayed as a replica of a rhino horn, and, in that vein, is taken as an aphrodisiac. [Don't try this at home!]
Especially in California and Florida you will see bamboos used as ornamental plants. There are many cultivated species of the 1100 species, but most are extremely difficult to identify properly, because they hardly ever produce flowers. Bamboos are notorious for their strange flowering habits. Some have annual flowering, or nearly so, but many are termed gregarious and periodic. Of these, the entire plant flowers only at discrete intervals, e.g., 7, 11, 15, 30, 48, 60, or 120 year intervals. When flowering occurs, all clumps in a region commonly bloom at the same time, and they set seed before the plants all die, and the species must be reestablished from seed. This catastrophic death is troublesome for animals that may depend on a particular species of bamboo, such as the giant panda in China.
http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/economicbotany/Bamboo/
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Extract from:
http://www.inbar.int/publication/txt/INBAR_PR_03.htm
Utilisation
Due to its fast growth, easy propagation, soil binding properties, and short rotation, bamboo is an ideal plant for use in afforestation, soil conservation and social forestry programme. Various aspects of research on utilisation carried out on bamboos in India have been summarised by Varmah and Bahadur 1980, The traditional and other uses in India are summarised below:
Traditional Uses: The strength of bamboo culms, their straightness, lightness, combined with hardness, range in sizes, hollowness, long fibre and easy working qualities, make them suitable for a variety of purposes In the humid tropics houses are built entirely of bamboo without using a single iron nail. Large suspension bridges are made solely of canes/bamboos by the tribals. Among the sophisticated uses, the manufacture of variety of writing and other paper, charcoal for electric batteries, liquid diesal fuel obtained by distillation, enzymes and media from shoot extracts used for culturing pathogenic bacteria are important. The white powder produced on the outer surface of young culms for the isolation of a crystalline compound is medicinally useful. Tabasheer or Banslochan, is a popular medicine which is a silicious secretion found in the culms of some species. It occurs in either fragments or in masses (2 cm thick) chalky, translucent or transparent and tasteless and is used as a cooling tonic and aphrodisiac and in asthama, cough and other debilitating diseases (Raizada et al, 1936).
Bamboos are also commonly used as agricultural implements for afforestation of river banks, anchors, arrows, boats, bows, broom, brushes, chairs, chicks, containers, cooking utensils, cordages, dustbins, fishing rods, flutes, flower pots, fuel, furniture, fish traps, hedges, hats, kit frames, ladders, lamps, mallets, musical instruments, paper, pens, poles, pulp rafts, rayons, roofing, ropes, scaffolding, tobacco pipes, toys, tool handles, table mats, tubs, umbrella handles, walking sticks, water pipes and wrappers.
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Use of bamboo shoots as pickles, in chutneys etc has been increasing.
Some species have very succulent shoots which are highly nutritious and palatable. These are consumed in a variety of ways. Cultivation of edible bamboos can increase foreign exchange and therefore bamboo-shoot farms are important.
Leaves of some species form good fodder, especially for elephants.
In some species, there is a bitter element - hydrocyanic acid present in the leaves, poisonous to the animals. Bamboo seeds are used as food grains at the times of famine.
Living bamboos provide good fencing along farm houses, gardens and bungalows serving as ornamentais as well. Some of the dwarf types of bamboos are used as ornamental plants in trays and pots.
Bamboos are also used in the pharmaceutical industry. Extraction of an important drug - Taibashir from the dry-culms of some species of bamboos is well known.
The sugar silica from the culms is used as a cooling tonic and an aphrodisiac. Rhizomes of bamboo species are cut into small pieces for use as buttons.
Bamboos are also grown for afforestation of denuded lands to check soil erosion. It is a fast growing source of fuel wood for the rural people.
Bamboo charcoal is preferred in gold-smithy.
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Extract from:
http://bamboocentral.org/whybamboo.html
AN ANCIENT MEDICINE ...
Bamboo has for centuries been used in Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese herbal medicine . Tabasheer, the powdered, hardened secretion from bamboo is used internally to treat asthma, coughs and can be used as an aphrodisiac.
In China, ingredients from the root of the black bamboo help treat kidney disease. Roots and leaves have also been used to treat venereal disease and cancer.
Sap is said to reduce fever, and ash will cure prickly heat.
A village in Indonesia reports that the water form within the culm is used to treat broken bones effectively and that the tabasheer is used to promote fertility in their cows. Current research points to bamboo's potential in a number of medicinal uses.
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Sunday, November 30, 2003 at 11:52:11 (UTC)
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Tina I dont think Doug Waybush is telling all, he forgot to mention he added a little rider as below.
Tina - all I said to them was "Can I nestlè up to you ? " and would you like a liq-----uorice.
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 30, 2003 at 10:07:59 (UTC)
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Tina - all I said to them was "Can I nestlè up to you ? "
Doug Waybush [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Maryland, USA, and London, England
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 23:17:22 (UTC)
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Doug, regarding your statement, us old ones need all the help we can get ,
SPEAK FOR YOUR SELF WHITE MAN. Johnny.
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 20:32:05 (UTC)
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Doug that's what happens when you pour chocolate on your dates and Miss Manners says that attempting to string your lady companions onto pieces of bamboo is bad ton.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 18:56:58 (UTC)
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Ayub
I tried some research on the Internet and came up with the following strange statement:
"The rhizome of Dendrocalamus Hamiltonii is taken as an aphrodisiac. Don't try this at home".
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 18:50:35 (UTC)
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Ayub - the trouble with dates is that they are very sticky . Do you use the bamboo as a skewer ? I use satay , but it hasn't made a great difference to my life.
Doug Waybush [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Maryland, USA, and London, England
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 18:41:49 (UTC)
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Ayub
Don't keep us in suspense, give us the details! Does one eat the roots or does one use bamboo splints to keep it up? You are still young but us old boys need all the help we can get :-)
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 18:08:57 (UTC)
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Lets cut the jingo out about this bamboo stuff! The reason for this prolonged discussion is that the stuff is an aphrodisiac...why this reluctance to admit it!! Try it with dates...and see the difference it makes to your....life!!!!!!!!!!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 17:32:29 (UTC)
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Doug,
Bamboo torture is a whole new episode - but if you insist I will prepare a treatise on it and post it here,
just for you. You must speak to Philip for getting me started on Bamboo.
I did reply to your message about my visit to the Cape - it is Greyton - north of Caledon and Hermanus that I am going to - not Greytown near you.
Cheers Ron
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 16:58:07 (UTC)
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Ron
Is this bamboo stuff some kind of Chinese torture to revenge on us for waffling on too much about the rugby? Did you get my email about your forthcoming visit to Greyton / Greytown?
Alix and Linda
Sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to you both.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 13:52:03 (UTC)
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Jaqui
Ali is thrilled to have your package and thanks you so much for your surprise.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 02:20:49 (UTC)
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Now it can be told.
Ali was so moved by Linda's operation that she decided to come out in sympathy! Her health hasn't been good and it's no surprise her immune system is a bit low. When I spoke to her on Wednesday afternoon W.A. time in Instant Message she had been experiencing severe pains and fever left untreated which had worsened and was waiting for a ride to the doctor. Well, they hospitalised her. Happy Birthday Keys Family! I spoke to her in hospital. She's fine. Expects to be home about Monday. Big sister Alice, now 17, is looking after Jade and Leah. Thanks Alice! We send our love to you and your sisters. Their STERLING friends Rosemary and John Milton are rallying round. They keep an eye out for this family all the time.
In the middle of this her dog Rosie had her three puppies. One pup had to be hand revived and have its nose blown into by Alice but Mum and three pups are doing well. It's all go in that household!
She thanks you for your birthday messages and sends her love to all. She somehow remembered out of the blue to wish my Ted and Linda's Tim a happy birthday for their respective days.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 02:11:32 (UTC)
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Now to finish off where this all began -
When the Banboo Flowers
A truly amazing sight - and maybe only sen once in a lifetime.
I have been very fortunate to see different varieties of bamboo flower at different times and in different countries around the world.
It is my personal contention that only bamboos of the same age flower at the same time all around the world - not altogether as stated alsewhere by other writers.
However it is my experience that many trees and plants will burst into frienzied flowering if they detect and extraordinary drought - no doubt an attempt at self preservation - as the seeds may remain dormant for many years until an extended drought is broken by the fabulous smell of impending rain that all of us who have lived in Central Africa will NEVER FORGET !!!
Memory and a Brake of Bamboo
Now's the time of year for the bamboo to blossom
which of course means the season for the swarm
to reassert itself around every eave and screen door,
wings pitched to a frequency that drives the dogs
crazy, that sends the neighbor's children screaming.
Yet in those rustling stalks lies the whisper
of a mother hurrying through her list of chores;
in the hive's subliminal harmony, the ghost music
that used to shape her lips whenever she returned
the dishes to their places in the kitchen cupboard.
In a twilight which seems like forgetfulness
when the landscape loses its own contours
if you close your eyes, you'll see her once more
swinging the dull hot evening away on the porch
adjacent to that lively reproductive bamboo,
swinging and also sighing occasionally
over the complaint of the porch swing's chain,
peeling the cinder-red (or dare I say blood-red)
pomegranate resting on a dishtowel in her lap
as if this time of year specifically will last forever.
Allen Braden
www.literarysalt.com/issue1.2001/poetry_ab_bamboo.html
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 01:51:49 (UTC)
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Philip,
The Bamboo piece has been met with a stunned silence on the GNR - perhaps none ofus realized how important bamboo is to people living in equatorial climates where bamboo is the main biuilding material and source of much raw material for furniture and household utensils. It is the National Plant of Vietnam and I enclose the write up on this and some poetry on bamboo to keep the thread in the November archives. THere is even a form of poetry structure that bears the name 'Bamboo poetry" where the verses follow each other across the page separated by a hyphen to indicate the break [or node in bamboo]
Best wishes to you all,
We'll brave the deafening silent response to Bamboo thoughts from the GNR readers.
Ron
The Bamboo
Vietnamese - Cay tre
Bamboo is a plant with multiple use in Vietnam. Thanks to this plant, everything is possible in a country where nothing is easy, and where the people will not let any obstacles reject or stop them. It is the plant that lulls the life of a Vietnamese from the cradle to the tomb. Once deceased, the body of the dead person rests upon a tray made of bamboo. In a somewhat humoristic manner, J.C. Pomonti, a specialist in matters on Asia, has often labeled our civilization in his index of Le Monde newspaper as "the bamboo civilization" or "the chopsticks civilization".
It is true that there are only four countries in Asia that make up this civilization (China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam).
But in Vietnam, the culture of the bamboo is very significant.
The bamboo is quoted in poetry, as well as in proverbs and folks songs.
Friend, enjoy your life now before you become too old
The bamboo has only one growth and man has only one life
Let's enjoy springtime before it goes away
Otherwise old age will catch us on its way
It is also said in Vietnamese:
Tre già làm sao u?n
Difficult to bend a bamboo when it is old
to remind parents that it is easier to educate their children in their tender age as it is harder to do it when they grow older. In the old days, Vietnamese people used this hollow, lightweight, and sturdy wood to build partitions, fences several meters high to protect their village against robbers. In the village, bamboo gives you everything. It provides the whole house; timber for walls, partitions and floors are made of slats of bamboo. Everything in the house is made with this hollow wood (furniture, beds, tables, various accessories, etc...) even drinking glass. Split into thin strips, it is used to weave ropes and strings. One makes use of the filament of bamboo called kelates to make baskets of any kind for transport as well as the conic hat to provide shelter from rain and the sun.
One knows how to make good use of this wood to create usual tools (the water bucket, the smoking pipe etc...). Bamboo also provides food for animals and even to the villagers, who eat as asparagus, the most tender bamboo shoots.
Even the roots of this hollow wood, unearthed and dried in the sun for entire weeks, would be used at the approach of Tet as firewood to cook sweet rice cakes, or to provide heat during the cold winter months in north and central Vietnam.
The bamboo becomes thus something "sacred", intimate, and peculiar to the village. It is thanks to the hedges made with this plant that the Vietnamese village finds its tranquility and intimacy as well as its traditions and virtues. Bamboo thus becomes the guardian angel of the villagers.
That is why it is said in a Vietnamese proverb that:
The King's authority stops at the gate of the village's bamboo hedge.
Phép vua thua l? làng.
It is also why nowadays this incomparable plant that facilitated our lives for so long can only be found in the village. The bamboo and the village are so closely dependent that a comparison is made of a man followed by his shadow. That is why one finds this evocation every now and then in the Vietnamese poetry. Every Vietnamese probably has that feeling on his or her passage to his or her native village through the following four verses:
Thì bao nhiêu c?nh mo màng,
Hi?n ra khi thoáng c?ng làng trông tre
One's dream becomes reality
Upon seeing the village's gate among the bamboo trees
D?ng bu?c noi dây lòng ng?n ngang,
Ngùi trông v? B?c, nh? tre làng.
As I stop here, a feeling of disorientation falls upon my heart
Forlornly looking north, I begin to miss the bamboo hedge of my village.
To find the bamboo is to find the village.
That is why
the bamboo becomes the representative symbol of Vietnam.
http://www.limsi.fr/Recherche/CIG/ebamboo.htm
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According to Feng Shui masters,
wherever bamboo is placed,
good fortune is sure to follow
Legend says a gift of living bamboo brings good fortune,
Bamboo
Bamboo, a tall grass, flowers only at long intervals-
30, 60, or even 120 years apart. At about the same time,
all plants of the same species--wherever they are in the
world--will burst into bloom. When this happens, whole
forests die and must be replanted.
The common became precious,
said grandfather remembering
the last time the forest bloomed.
Today that old man woke up,
beat his chest, and cried.
Lovers make a bed of the blossoms.
minuscule petals collect in their hair.
The carpenter lays down his saw.
The mayor calls a meeting
and holds his head.
Everyone I know is milling
along the street by the river.
Some move into their grandmother's house;
others sleep in the open.
It is the rainy season,
the temple is crowded.
Now a man raises his fist
to his wife for the first time.
Now the boatman leaves home before dawn;
children tuck away their laughter.
Though fish leaping
in the harbor seem larger,
they are more distant.
Each fire is built more sparingly
than the last.
I have one dream
for several nights
but can only recall
the tart incense of bamboo flowers
closing on my chest
as merciless as the river
the day it closed on my brother,
his hand tangled in his sturdy net.
http://www.ibiblio.org/pjones/poetry/bamboo.html
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BAMBOOO
Knowing how to bend without breaking
and sway when earth is quaking
bamboo wisdom is deep
Knowing when to send forth roots
and focus power through shoots
bamboo strength is amazing
Hearing bamboos rustle
is perfect poetry
and touching bamboo hairs
is ultimate sensuality
How much stronger, flexible,
and wiser we could be by
learning to bamboo our being!
http://galileo.spaceports.com/~newfield/bam/bamboo.htm
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Two Tanka
From outside my house,
only the faint distant sound
of gentle breezes
wandering through bamboo leaves
in the long evening silence.
Late evening finally
comes: I unlatch the door
and quietly
await the one
who greets me in my dreams.
-- Otomo No Yakamochi, (718-785)
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Bamboo by Beth Fowler
Wednesday, October 31, 2001
. . .impressions among trees.
A Buddhist compound.
Full of gold, reds, ten?thousand Buddhas.
Among meditating nuns, incense and orchids.
A clump of mature bamboo, creaking, clacking, groaning in the Asian wind.
A natural, percussional concert.
Green bones.
www.authorsden.com/visit/viewPoetry.asp?AuthorID=1344
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About Bamboo by Early Japanese Women Poets
Hidden orchids and tall bamboo -- / they are two of a kind. / Under the window I burn incese / reading the "Women's Admonishments." / Who speaks of painting only in terms of resemblance? / The tip of my brush records the essence of winter. - Cho Koran
The first winter rain -- / the bamboo / somewhere in the dawn. - Chiyo-ni
I repeat my vow / in unchanging colors of / the ageless bamboo -- / which still creates ten thousand / generations of shadows. - Gyokuran
Tapping the gourd / every night / the bamboo is uplifted. - Chiyo-ni
One must bend / in the floating world / snow on the bamboo. - Chiyo-ni
You rose / with eastern clouds / and left. / The dew on bamboo leaves / has longer stayed with me. - Izumi Shikibu
"I only love to paint bamboo / its greenness / reflected on my garment." - Ema Saiko
Let us plant / in a warrior's garden. / May you become bows, may you become arrows / clumps of bamboo / of ten thousand years. - Takabatake Shikibu
Flowers wither, but a fresh green appears; / the change of seasons causes tears to stain my clothes. / I remember cherries and bamboo shoots prepared in a kitchen far away, my sisters and family lack one member. - Cho Koran
Veils of light mist / envelop the curving inlet / weeping willows luxuriantly green / pomegranates blossom red. / With bamboo blinds rolled up / for a time I do nothing / sitting and facing the mountains -- / the spring rain. - Cho Koran
This gentleman / grows and grows / auspiciously: / learn from him / and you will ever flourish. - Otagaki Rengetsu
("bamboo crab" is the name of a spider)
Tonight is the night / my young love will come to me: / little bamboo crab / spider's antics make it clear./ Oh, very clear tonight. - Princess Sotoshi
What are you saying? / That we can't meet -- / not even for a time / brief as the space between joints / on the reeds of Naniwa? - Lady Ise
At the sound of wind / rustling bamboo leaves / near the window / short is my nap / and its dream. - Princess Shikishi
A short night -- / outside the window / bamboo rustles / a hint of autumn / while I sleep. - Princess Shikishi
Tonight / as hail falls / on bamboo leaves / rustling, rustling / how can I sleep alone? - Izumi Shikibu
Do see the pictures at:
http://www.womensearlyart.net/reference/poets/bamboo.html
www.womensearlyart.net/reference/poets/bamboo.html
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Kusano SHINPEI
BAMBOO
1000 Bamboo trees
Cold cold rain
1000 bamboo trees
Faintly
Smoking
1000 bamboo trees
Rainbow
http://www.dadako.narod.ru/more_poetry.htm
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Spirit Of a Bamboo
I wish you, Friend,
That finest thing
That I can wish for you -
Not health, nor wealth,
Not luck, but just
A spirit of Bamboo.
Bend with the wind
And thus survive
Though storms may flatten you.
Weep not at fate,
But spring erect
As Bamboo thickets do.
Wealth may be lost,
And health may fade,
Yet you'll be wise and true
If you can bend
And you can grow
With a spirit of bamboo!
Helene B. Grouse
http://members.tripod.com/~gopald/poem.htm
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The Flow
The bamboo is green
The lotus are pink
The waterfall flows
and kisses newfound stones
The bamboo is brown
The lotus are yellow
The waterfall flows
and shapes eager stones
The bamboo is hollow
The lotus are red
The waterfall flows
and parts distinguished stones
The bamboo is green
The lotus are white
The waterfall flows
and kisses newfound stones.
Posted by kane at September 18, 2002 12:16 PM
http://www.kaneblues.com/poetry/archives/000205.html
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Here is one that has been translated into English,
it's the origin of chinese poetry.
English version
Bamboo bent;
Bamboo rent.
Pellet shot;
Pheasant got.
updates.takingitglobal.org/read-comments?UpdateID=3134
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Stephen Haven
Willow
All China a green-gold row of them.
When you walk through-
delicate, skirted, light-limbed
and yellow, swishing their loveliness
in the wind-they brush
the whole of you.
The Han are awfully dark
to love such hair: one single tree
the parasol of thousands
of years of poetry.
It is essentially
a pastoral tradition, a light
gesture in a concrete sea-
this park, these willows,
these bamboo growing near,
as if forever curtained
beneath these trees
Li Bai still sprung
pure passion from a flush of wine.
And if you listen
you can almost hear him:
bamboo, bamboo, the green shoots
of earth, heaven when they brush
these yellow skirts!
http://www.wooster.edu/artfuldodge/poetsastranslators/haven.htm#willow
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 01:38:22 (UTC)
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Alix, happy birthday mate. Sorry it will be after your birthday by the time you receive this but hope you had a happy one xxx
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 21:38:58 (UTC)
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Happy birthday Alix you thought I had forgotten didn't you,
did you give the Marula a caning today? if not give it hell tonight Love Johnny.x
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 19:12:35 (UTC)
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Bob, I read your story with mounting horror! You poor, poor things! My mom who lived in at Lusaka Boys, Miss Pamela Paget at the time, recalls similar attrocities taking place, but as a very, very junior member of staff, she was told not to rock the boat, especially when the perpetrators had important parents. She said that the kids who suffered the most were farm kids who spoke very little English, and were doubly ostrasized. Mom is actually compiling a few stories of her days at Lusaka Boys School, and I am making her write them down, as at 77 we dont know how long her memory will last! As she cuttingly points out, it is me at 40 who seems to be suffering from galloping memory loss, I remember at l3 being a sweet, compliant child, keen to study and sunny natured. She, however remembers a snarling mean teenager, who smoked (lordy), drank shandys at Lusaka Club, tried to sneak out to the discos at Munies and the Rugby club, and was thoroughly horrid! I have a l3 year old daughter, who is luckily at boarding school, so her matron and housemistress get the moody teenager, and we receive a nice child at the weekends. Please post more memories of Gilbert Rennie, Bob, I for one was fascinated, more please. Megx (for anyone following the elections in Northern Ireland, it is not looking great for the Good Friday Agreement).
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 18:47:49 (UTC)
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Happy Birthday Alix!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 18:12:54 (UTC)
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Final one. Thank you for your patience
By 1910 the railway had reached the Congo border and in 1911 the Boma was transferred to a site near the railway station. Stations sub-ordinate to Ndola were inaugurated in 1931 at Nchanga, Mufulira, Nkana and Luanshya.
Joseph Whitehead, who died on 19 July 1911 was the first to be buried at the Cemetery.
The European names given to places were different to the names used by the African inhabitants:
Bwana Mkubwa was known as Chipiri, Sakania as Luembe, Belgian Congo as Mbulumatali.
It appears from all of this that Ndola was in fact the Centre of the Universe, or the Copperbelt Universe at least.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 07:37:35 (UTC)
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I thought this would be the last one, but no such luck. Thus Ndola will be split.
EXTRACTS FROM CALENDARS OF THE DISTRICT NOTEBOOKS (Copperbelt Province), 1899 - 1964
Compiled by P M Mukula, and published by National Archives of Zambia
Ndola
Another ancient working discovered by W Collier in 1904, with development beginning in 1906. Production commenced in 1913 under the management of James Cook. The mine closed down in 1914, reopened in 1916, then closed again in 1921 and reopened in 1922.
Ndola was opened as a sub-district on 18 July 1904 by J E Stephenson and was known as Kapopo Mkushi Sub-District of the Kafue and Zumbo District. Its headquarters were at Mwembeshi River and until 1905 was part of N E Rhodesia.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 07:36:20 (UTC)
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Futi again EXTRACTS FROM CALENDARS OF THE DISTRICT NOTEBOOKS (Copperbelt Province), 1899 - 1964
Compiled by P M Mukula, and published by National Archives of Zambia
Kitwe
Nkana Mine was also an ancient working and although the date of discovery is not recorded, the original discovered was W C Winnicott sometime in 1917. The mine then changed hands a number of times, until in 1924 it was taken over by Bwana Mkubwa Copper Mining Co, with E G Broadbridge as manager.
On 13 April 1931, the Provincial Commissioner in Ndola, E H H Goodall, instructed F L Brown, District Officer to open an administrative sub-Boma at Nkana.
In 1936, Nkana became a Public Township and 'no other Government township was to be established for twenty years from 1 April 1936, within a radius of ten miles from the smelter smoke stack' Trading was to cease in the Mine township on 30 September 1937.
In 1956, when the twenty year old Closed Township Agreement ended, many commercial buildings were built. These included Afcom House
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 07:23:41 (UTC)
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And again EXTRACTS FROM CALENDARS OF THE DISTRICT NOTEBOOKS (Copperbelt Province), 1899 - 1964
Compiled by P M Mukula, and published by National Archives of Zambia
Kalulushi
In 1899, George Grey discovered the Chambishi orebody whilst on a prospecting trip. He also discovered the orebodies operated by Union Miners du Haut-Katanga and Kansanshi. Approval for the development of the Chambishi orebody as an underground mining operation was given in 1927 and in October 1930, shaft sinking began. In 1931 the mine closed.
In May 1962 it was announced that Chambishi would be worked as an open pit operation. 130 acres of bush was cleared to accommodate the pit. The African cemetery which lay within the pit area was moved to Kalulushi, with 46 graves being involved. On 20 April 1963, open pit operations commenced.
Kalulushi was part of the Kitwe District until 2 December 1955 when it was proclaimed a district. In 1953, Mr J Bentley was appointed District Officer but it was not until September 1954, that the District Officer took up residence in Kalulushi
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 07:22:29 (UTC)
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More EXTRACTS FROM CALENDARS OF THE DISTRICT NOTEBOOKS (Copperbelt Province), 1899 - 1964
Compiled by P M Mukula, and published by National Archives of Zambia
Chingola
Nchanga Copper Mines Ltd started to operate in 1927. The operation closed down in 1931 and reopened in November 1937. The first vertical shaft was completed on V E day in 1945. On 12 September 1951, the manganese claim to the west of Luano was reopened.
The first district Officers in 1931 were Messrs. Watmore and Hazel. The mines closed in 1932 and were reopened in 1937, when P J Law was posted there.
In 1946, there was a smallpox epidemic in Chingola. During the same year, the Boma was moved to its present premises on the Solwezi Road.
Chingola was established as a township in 1943 and declared a municipality on 1 January 1955.
In 1948,the mining company was compelled to burn wood fuel in addition to coal, 'making terrific inroads' into the local forests.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 07:21:32 (UTC)
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I though this was going to be the last one, but no such luck - it still won't work so this is going to come in batches as well.
EXTRACTS FROM CALENDARS OF THE DISTRICT NOTEBOOKS (Copperbelt Province), 1899 - 1964
Compiled by P M Mukula, and published by National Archives of Zambia
Chililabombwe
Chililabombwe sprang to life on 1 April 1953 when No. 1 shaft was sunk. No. 2 shaft was sunk in June 1953. At first there were high hopes for the mine and this meant extensive development in other areas of the township. Mr K E Mackay, a member of the town Management Board, was a prominent driving force.
The first District Officer was appointed on 2 March 1955, at which time Chililabombwe was still a district of Chingola.
The second-class trading area was opened before the first-class trading area which opened in November 1956, but by the end of 1957, development had reached its peak. This was followed by a recession which caused a temporary shut down of the mine on 1 April 1958.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 07:17:07 (UTC)
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Success ...
Jack Wild, Alix Key, Jody Von Weichardt, Beryl Lawrence
Best Wishes on your Birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 06:31:01 (UTC)
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Just failed again. Let me try splitting the message:
MESSAGE POSTED ON BEHALF OF BILL MACDONALD
www.Rhodesiawassuper.com
Custom embroidered Rhodesian Apparel (various Rhodesian/Military emblems to choose from) Flags, cds, maps and more.
Apox cutoff date for International Christmas orders December 2nd for Rugby Jerseys, custom apparel December 5th, other items than apparel December 8th (Africa,Asia excluded to late).
Apox cutoff date for US/Canada Christmas orders December 5th for Rugby Jerseys, custom apparel December 8th, other items than apparel December 10th
We also offer to ship to other location with enclosed card and inscription at no additional charge (available in the online checkout process under additional comments)
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 06:30:09 (UTC)
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This is a test message as for the last two days, my messages keep timing out.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 28, 2003 at 06:20:10 (UTC)
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Sad news about Winnie Durrheim - ex Broken Hill. For those who knew her and remember her, she passed away last Wednesday - 19th November 2003 - in Johannesburg. Sincere condolences to Peter, Butch and Graham (Puddy) on the sad loss of their mother.
Jacqui
Jacqui Milward (née Lackenby) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
London, England
Thursday, November 27, 2003 at 16:40:08 (UTC)
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Great news on Linda Tina, Mike give her our love and a big kiss when you see her again and tell her when my sister came out of hospital after an op she said she felt like a new man, Johnny.
----------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 27, 2003 at 06:22:41 (UTC)
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Update on Linda Hayes
Mike Hayes called me from Austin, Texas. Linda's surgery today was successful. She is in good spirits and sends her love.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Thursday, November 27, 2003 at 04:19:09 (UTC)
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Dont forget that we asked you for a pic that Craig took of you with your jeans around your ankles looking for ants it was in that list that you have lost this is just a reminder for you not to forget as you asked. Johnny.
-----------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at 23:06:46 (UTC)
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FORGOT ...
Sorry, forgot to say, which was my main reason for posting, that I had a disaster yesterday and lost a large majority of my incoming emails. I have managed to retrieve some, but if you have asked me to do something for you and I have not yet done it, please email me with the info again.
Apologies for the HTML error below - bad day.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at 15:03:28 (UTC)
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FONT SIZE="+1">Lester Heath
Best Wishes on your Birthday
KRIS MASSIE
Delighted the painting travelled well. I have the paintings hung all over my office and replace them as I sell them. That was one of the paintings I had become rather attached to so am happy it has found a good home.
MEG RYBICKI
Ralph Pecker is one of the members of the GNR - perhaps your brother would like to thank him?
DISTRICT NOTEBOOKS
I have just managed to lay my hands on one of the Calendars Of The District Notebooks which is a small book containing extracts from the District Notebooks. I'll be reading through it this evening and, hopefully, tomorrow shall post some interesting bits of information.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at 14:58:32 (UTC)
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Hello Peeps, specially my Chinas in SA - extract from The Times, Saturday, 23rd November 1963:
'Follow the Swallow to South Africa, Land of Sunny Contrasts:
. Sunshine ad lib
. Inexpensive comfort
. Warm seaside resorts
. Champagne-air mountain resorts
. Gullible trout (now we know how Sarks caught that tiger, if they were like that in '63 they must surely be throwing themselves at anglers these days)
. Glorious golf
. Photogenic wild life (Zimba the lion went through the 3 S's before he posed)
. Sparsely vehicled roads
Only hours by air: Days by sea'
Arfff, arff.
also Thursday, 7th November 1805:
'Lost - an old pointer dog, white with red spots, answers to the name of Basto; almost blind, one eye quite gone. One guinea reward plus reasonable expenses paid.'
Gill Main [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Aberdeen, Scotland
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at 12:11:32 (UTC)
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Meg
I read with interest today your posting and what happened to your brother many years ago, we too who all attended Denny House - Gilbert Rennie - Lusaka also had to endure a similar experience. The news story has broken also regarding the SA Rugby training methods and I suspect there could be a connection with some previous survivors of Denny House!!!
I can fully understand the feelings that your brother experienced for as a thirteen year old I joined Denny House and soon found out what the initiation ceremony was going to be. Fortunately there were two other lads my age in the dorm from the previous school, (Codrington located in Mazabuka) same class, so we at least knew one another. The dormitory held fourteen beds but one was a senior who would be eighteen or thereabouts. (Dorm Prefect) Thirteen of us getting to accept our situation when on the third night the double fire swing doors leading into the dorm burst open and in swarmed these big muscle guys. The main doors swung shut and were guarded and in a flash the closet new innocent sheep was grabbed for the slaughter. In a flash he was disrobed and in the buff, lifted up in the air and placed lying on his back on a bed with his legs folded over the foot of the tubular steel bed end. Magically a tin of black boot polish was brandished and willing hands smeared wet polish around to what was up to then very private parts. Those of us who were not grabbed hold of in the initial shock had staggered bemused to the far end of the dorm. Meekly we allowed ourselves to be pounced upon and dealt the same treatment. The worst was yet to come, if only we had but known. Not until all thirteen of us were smeared with boot polish between our legs, down our legs to just above our ankles, arms from above the wrist to shoulders and for good measure chest, neck, face and ears. The raiders left in a rush and we headed straight for the shower room. The two first in, went and claimed the two baths, the rest of us had four showers to share. It was then we discovered that all the soap had been purloined and lying in the middle of the floor were a couple of very hard, bristled, hand floor scrubbing brushes. All of us must have spent a good three hours trying desperately to remove polish from the areas that would show when wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts the next day, it being a normal school day. Trying to remove the polish yourself hurt more and more but in the end we all managed to be presentable although on your chest and lower regions was a different story. Mind you, none of us allowed our long socks to drift down to the ankles for a couple of days afterwards either!
Just be getting over that when wham the whole lot repeated as it was the turn of Dorm Three to vent their spleen upon us new kids.
Still, that was not the worst to happen by a long shot. It was midway through the second term and my second year so was in Dorm Two, a new lad joined us and he was straight out from ‘Pommy Land’. He never had a chance. Dorm Four organized a special initiating ceremony for this lad and on the chosen night after supper he was snatched and carried into Dorm Four. We all knew it was going to happen and the other three dorms were allowed into dorm four. I have no recollection of the lad’s name but will call him Keith.
Keith was pushed to the floor and one big older lad straddled down across Keith’s chest with his knees placed either side under the arm pits. Both arms were being held out wards again with a lad pinion them one to one. Keith’s legs where also pinned apart but that was after his shorts and underrods had been removed. In all, five of the dorm four lads had Keith immobile on the parquet floor. The only part of his body Keith could move other than his head was his eyes. It just so happened that in Keith’s vision whilst all this was going on was a lad with a strop and a cut-throat razor. He was stood side on nonchalantly giving the impression that he was not in the slightest bit interested as he worked the honed blade back and forth across the strop. Shortly afterwards another inhabitant of dorm four entered slowly shaking a tin of shaving soap making sure that Keith could see this as he moved on past Keith’s head and to the blocked from view neither regions. Unbeknown to Keith a tin of freeze spray was now produced and his manhood received a squirt. It must have sounded to Keith that the shaving foam was being applied. The lad with a great show of testing his cut-throat against his thumb slowly made his way out of Keith’s vision and kneeling on the floor out of sight the proceedings started.
“Have you ever shaved this before”?
“Cause not you idiot, I was the only one with a cut-throat”.
“Be careful you nearly sliced him”.
“Look man, I’m doing it just give me some space”.
“Hells Bells you’ve nicked him”!
At the mention of those words yet another member of the dorm produced an enamel mug half filled with tepid water and dipping his finger in allowed a trickle of water to slowly worm its way along the length of the -------!
“Now you've done it, look at the blood flowing”?
With those words it was the last straw for poor Keith, his eyes rolled upwards into their sockets and he was gone, passed out, oblivious to all around him.
I am a strong believer in Murphy’s Law for it was at that precise moment that the bell in the main corridor reverted out, summering all of us to assemble in a line. Keith was simply shoved under the nearest bed and everyone filed into the corridor. Our names were called out and we answered the roll call, someone answered for Keith and when all found present released. Gathering back into dorm four Keith was dragged from under the bed and whilst water was flicked onto his face his cheeks were being gently slapped until eventually he came round. At least the instigators were getting concerned for it must have taken a good ten minutes to bring Keith to the land of the living.
Whatever happened to any of us we never ever went and complained; it simply never crossed your mind to do so? Could be that some of the masters were also old boys! Keith accepted what happened and became one of us for the time he was there.
So Meg your brother is not alone and I think working on refuse carts is more appropiate to the luxury of mini cabs!
Bob Eglinton [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lincoln, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at 07:20:45 (UTC)
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At the request of Philip Pain and in fear of boring the pants off some of our members, here are some thoughts on .....
When The Bamboo Flowers
Philip Pain wrote:
In Northern Rhodesia there was a lot of bamboo, and after contact
and a research by Ron Clibbon-Dyer in Hong Kong an interesting
phenomenon has arisen regards the flowering of Bamboo!
I request Ron to enlighten us about the plant.
Ron go for it!
Cheers
Philip Pain
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 22, 2003
Hi Philip,
I have seen Bamboo flowering in England, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
You are right in that different varieties of Bamboo flower at
different periods which can be anything from ten years to 100
years depending on the species or variety. The smaller ones
flowering usually at the shorter time periods than the bigger
ones.
Bamboo is really nothing more than a very hardy form of grass,
and like many grasses and bananas for that matter, once it has
flowered then that particular stem has performed its one and
only genetic funtion in life and that is to reproduce. After
the seeds have set and fall there is no further use for that
particular stem and it will die off. I have witnessed entire
hillsides of small bamboo flower altogether here in Hong Kong,
and then that whole hillside of bamboo dies down all at the
same time. The new seeds take some time to develop into fresh
recognisable bamboo growth, but there is something in the leaves
of bamboo that stops many other plants growing whre bamboo has
grown - thus allowing the new shoots to develop and prosper with
very little competition. Whilst one valley may die off in one
year, the next valley may die off in a different year - this too
I have witnessed here in HK. The very large bamboos, such as those
used in the construction industry here instead of metal scaffolding
take much longer to reach maturity, but when they do the same thing
happens - those that are of the same age all flower together - very
fine filigree flowering spikes from the terminal nodes - that looks
from a distance like a fine mist around the more substantial bamboo
stems. I took a photograph of one in the morning mist on a mountain
side in North Vietnam and it looked like poetry in slow motion.
The seeds are very fine - like thin rice grains and the fine almost
weightless pollen hangs in the breeze like that of pine trees.
As for all bamboos in the world flowering at the same time - I would
only suggest that those of the same age growing in the same or in a
similar climate may be likely to react at the same time.
Bur since one so seldom sees a bamboo in flower - I can understand a
cetain degree of folk lore surrounding their flowering habits.
There is a Chinese superstition that It is bad luck when bamboo dies.
Well - I am almost certain that this derives from the fact that when
a particular clump or stand of bamboo dies that a village has used
for all its building and domestic materials for many years - then it
is certainly very bad luck to have to go and buy bamboo from another
village - until your own bamboo has grown big enough to harvest again.
A Google search on the phenomenon of bamboo flowering will probably
bring forth further illumination on the subject.
My guess is that in the 1800s just before the volcano
Krakatoa exploded and disappeared from the face
of the earth .......... The Bamboo Flowered.
You are right - that we still have to identify the tongalulu [looloo]
precisely. We live in hope - but do not hold your breath.
Best wishes, Ron
Using bamboo to build goat houses, chicken houses, duck houses and
many other domestic garden purposes.
______________________________________________________________________
Hello again Philip,
When The Bamboo Flowers!
http://www.boloji.com/wfs/wfs050.htm
When the bamboo flowers, famine, death and destruction will soon follow, goes a traditional saying in Mizoram, the tiny hill state in north-east India. Who better than the hardy Mizos would know this, considering that theirs is probably the only land on earth where history is closely intertwined with the mysterious cycle of bamboo flowering. Back in 1959, bamboo flowering in the state set off a chain of events in the rugged hilly state that ultimately led to one of the most powerful insurgencies against the Indian union spanning over two decades.
Folklore apart, scientists say that the strange phenomena of bamboo flowering, called 'gregarious bamboo flowering' because the bamboo clumps flower all at the same time only once in the plants' lifetime, wreaks ecological havoc because of two reasons. First, bamboo plants die after flowering. It will be at least some years before bamboo plants take seed again, leaving bare exposed soil - which could be disastrous in mountainous states - and also leading to food scarcity, since animals depend on bamboo plants. The second factor is that rats feed on the flowers and seeds of the dying bamboo tree. This activates a rapid birth rate among the rodents, which leads to the huge rat population feeding on agricultural crops in the fields and granaries and causes famine.
It was precisely this scenario in Mizoram in the late 1950s, when the authorities failed to respond with quick famine relief. The disillusionment and anger finally resulted in the Mizo National Famine Front, an organization created to help people get relief, changing into the Mizo National Front, an ethnic political party which involved the Mizos in a 20-year war of attrition against India which ended only in 1987 with a peace accord.
Now, the bamboo is going to flower again within the next four to five years, say experts. And this time, it's not going to be just in Mizoram, but in the huge bamboo forested areas across the other north eastern states of Tripura, Manipur and Southern Assam, an occurrence that has attracted national and international attention as well as the concern of the authorities.
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests is roping in experts, including some from the International Bamboo and Rattan Network (INBAR) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), for hectic consultations on how to handle this natural growth cycle of the humble bamboo plant which has such an extraordinary twin effect directly bearing on the socio-economic well being and a long-term ecological impact.
Today, famine may be prevented because most villages are now linked to the main government centers, and because the "Mizo experience" is always there to remind them of the political outcome of bamboo flowering. Yet, it is the ghastly prospect of having dry, rotting mass of bamboo copses covering about 18,000 hectares of the region with about 25 million tons of bamboo, which is causing much concern. The question vexing the authorities is how to harvest these resources before the flowering sets in.
A thriving economy revolves around bamboo. The pulp and paper industry, construction, cottage industry and handloom, food, fuel, fodder and medicine annually consume about 22 million tons of bamboo.
"If left un-harvested this means a loss of around Rs 12,000 million (1US$=Rs49)," said Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) R P S Katwal, at the latest round of UNIDO-sponsored expert consultations on "Strategies for Sustainable Utilization of Bamboo Resources Subsequent to Gregarious Flowering In North-East". This consultation, held at the Jorhat Rain Forest Research Institute, one of the premier forest institutes of the country, was attended by bamboo experts from all over, including INBAR expert from Beijing, Andrew Benton.
"What will be the fate of the numerous paper mills in the northeast region? People have to be made aware beforehand to mitigate the devastating consequences of the phenomenon," says Kamesh Salam, head of the UNIDO-supported Cane and Bamboo Technology Cell in Jorhat.
While there seems to be a consensus among the experts that the resources should be used before they become worthless, the problem is how to do that. Complicating the problem further is the fact that most of the bamboo is located in inaccessible parts of the hills and where it is within reach, it remains locked in a complicated bureaucratic system which has little regard for the urgency to speed things up before the cycle sets in. While the negative ecological and commercial fall out are doubtless matters of grave concern, there seems to be a distinct lack of concomitant attention to the immediate human fallout of the bamboo flowering cycle, particularly on women and children in these hills.
What would happen to common rural northeasterners who depend on bamboo for almost everything - from a raw material to build their homes to food, and as one of the few sources of cash. Bamboo rotting over hundreds of acres and the growth of the rat population will have a devastating effect on the jhum (slash and burn) cultivation on which a majority of the rural folk still depend for growing food, thus affecting the already precarious food security of the rural people.
Women, who make up the majority of the rural work force and contribute more to holding up the rural economy, will be particularly vulnerable. Their major source of money income - such as the jhum field produce, the vegetables from the wild and the bamboo shoots which they gather and sell in town markets - would disappear, at least for a crucial period of time, seriously affecting the sparse family budget.
Water, which is already a scarce resource in most of the hills, will become scarcer, the Mizoram experience shows. Experts say that during the bamboo flowering in Mizoram in the late 1950s and '60s, there was a sharp rise in temperature followed by a spell of dry arid weather, which had a direct fallout on the health of the people. Not only that, women and children who have to spend hours to fetch water will be forced to spend even more time carrying out this task.
It is only when the potential impact of the bamboo flowering cycle on the people's lives receives proper attention, that a safety net for the most vulnerable section of the population can be created. There is still time to take steps to prevent widespread disaffection which could well result in history repeating itself. But there is no time to waste.
– Linda Chhakchhuak
July 3, 2002
http://www.boloji.com/wfs/wfs050.htm
______________________________________________________________________
At 06:28 AM 11/20/03, you wrote:
From: "Philip Pain"
To: "Ron Clibborn-Dyer"
Subject: [despammed] Bamboo
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 06:28
Hi Ron,
I am sure you will be able to help me with a little research
for an article I am preraring for the G.N.R. I remember all
the work you did to try and find out what kind of plant the
TONGALOOLO was (We still don't have an answer to that one)
What I am looking for is information on the flowering of
Bamboo plants. I once came across an article that stated that
Bamboo plants only flower every 80 to 100 years and that all
the species of a particular type, no matter where they are in
the world will flower at the same time.
I don't recall ever seeing one in flower and as I have just
turned 56 I might get lucky that a flowering might take place
in my lifetime. Do you have any info. ?
Cheers
Philip Pain
___________________________________________________________________
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at 05:14:57 (UTC)
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Northerners!
How goes it?
Johnny from Scarborough,
I'm interested to know more about your son and his involvement at St Stephen's College. Who is he? Somebody recently had some badges made up. Please e-mail me, then we can try and locate a Blazer Badge. peter at smack dot co dot za will find me.
Linda,
It may be a little late but whilst you are under the spell of anesthesia remember we all love you and wish you well over Christmas, a speedy recovery and lots of hugs from your old man, Mike.
Livingstone Larkers,
You really seemed to have enjoyed yourselves, by all accounts.
Paul Webb
Almer May Circle
opp cemetry1950's to 1969
Lusaka
Paul emigrated to Tasmania in 1969 after completing his high school M levels at St Stephen's College, Balla Balla, Rhodesia. He also represented the Lusaka Otters Swimming Club during this time. He enrolled at University of Tasmania in Hobart and soon joined their 1st XV rugby team. He also toured New Zealand in 1971/72 representing UTas.
IF ANYONE SHOULD BUMP INTO HIM OR KNOW OF HIM PLEASE REFER HIM TO THE "GNR" I would be much obliged.
Hold Fast,
Peter Morris
Peter Morris [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Pinetown, Natal, South Africa
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 23:21:03 (UTC)
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Meg thank you for your interest in trying to obtain a badge for me, it would appear that Mr Morriss doesn't have any,
( interest)
Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 16:04:44 (UTC)
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Heather
Apologies for the delay in responding - I am still somewhat amazed to find myself back in the UK - my spirit is still in Australia!
The painting travelled in my suitcase, encased in bubble wrap and the original packaging! It has been beautifully framed and now hangs in my friend's home and she loves it to bits! I knew she would the minute I saw it on Kantemba.
Kris
Kristien E. Massie (née Mostert, formerly Van Woenssel) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 14:33:52 (UTC)
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JOHNNY
i will ask my other brother who now resides in Coventry in the Midlands UK, if he has any paraphanalia such as his old St. Stephens school badge. We have all his old school photos, he was o=in Lancaster House, but he had a bit of a rough time there. The prefects of his time apparantly dealt out some pretty rough justice! I still have his letters that he wrote me, part of an initiation ceremony was for lst years to have their tender bits covered in black shoe polish, (I wonder if the guys who thought up that charming "welcome" for homesick l2 yr olds are all now captains of industry, I hope that they are all driving minicabs in Bolton or Leeds or somewhere horrid, or Dublin!) Anton (my bro) said he will be eternally grateful to a certain Mr. Ralph Pecker who used to save him from being crushed on a regular basis. I will contact you directly if we still have a badge. Ciao, Meg
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 12:22:53 (UTC)
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A correction to previous message posted. I think I know part of the family.
Lynn Szeftel (née Mayoss) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 08:23:34 (UTC)
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Re; Can anyone help posted a couple days ago. I can help as I know the family.
I will email Sarah directly with the info I have.
Lynn Szeftel (née Mayoss) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 08:15:04 (UTC)
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Esther Pettersson, Tom McGarry
Best Wishes on your Birthday
The following message is posted on behalf of Chandru Krishna
Peter Bromwich
I found Amy Chua's article very interesting. I had not realized how long lasting and dominant economic minorities were.
Noreen
Great to hear from you! I will speak with you soon.
Northerners
Here is an link to an article on the importance of school lunches in Africa
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=38032&SelectRegion=East_Africa&SelectCountry=KENYA
It reminded me of the early morning school assemblies we had at our primary school in Lusaka. We would be standing and listening to the school principal when sometimes we would hear a thud and a commotion. It would be an unfortunate student who had collapsed usually due to no breakfast and who had walked a long distance to school. Our principal would remind us to eat breakfast before coming to school, although I wonder if they were too poor to have any.
Due to technical problems, it appears that I will not be able to post directly on the board until mid December
Cheers
Chandru
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 06:36:45 (UTC)
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Peter, Ray, Thanks..... Peter, Can you please email me again with your phone number again...I sort of deleted it..duh!!!
Sue and Paudie. nice to see you two back in Perth !........
Heather ....did Craig's face have that look also ????, Thanks for giving the girls a good giggle....And the bats..what a wonderful experience....my Jade just loved your account of your visit, also the photos.......she is just crazy about bats.!!!
she says thank you.......
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 05:15:42 (UTC)
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Pappy, thanks for the chuckle, you got me thinking....
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
A chicken in a Mopani tree.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Two bamboo ladders, and a chicken in a Mopani tree.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Three sticking plasters, (the ladders were rotten),
And the chicken is still up in the tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
four rubber slingshots, three sticking plasters, two ladders (broken)
And the chicken in the Mopani tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Five slingshot stones.
Four rubber slingshots, three sticking plasters,
two piles of bamboo bits, and a chicken in a Mopani tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Six snake bite shots, the slingshot hit a snake, down it fell on me.
I still have the other junk as you see.
On the seventh day of Christmas I borrowed a gun, shot the chicken out of the tree, started a nice fire with the ladders, plasters, and slingshots and had roast chicken with my new girlfriend.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 03:32:49 (UTC)
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Just before she left for the Livingstone Lark, the lovely Miss Milward emailed some friends and asked for their addresses so she could send postcards. Fantastic we thought. How great.
Man, we didn't know how great. Today the postman brings a package. Jacqui has not only included a Zambian postcard and a separate Zambian stamp in the package (nice humour Jaqui!) but a video tape of some highlights of her trip. She had been planning to surprise us all along.
You are just the best Jaqui!!!! I can't think of a nicer or better executed surprise.
XX Tina
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 02:54:09 (UTC)
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Heather Chalcraft
It was amusing to see the posting of the photo of Sue and I as "photographic attendees" at the Livingstone Lark. The photo was taken at the Banbury Bash last year by Linda Dore. The woman in the background is Laura Kyle (née Charbonnier) ex-Lusaka, wife of ex-Mufulira man Ian Kyle. They now live in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The guy next to her is Shaun Frankam, ex-Mufulira / Murundu. So both were unwitting photogtaphic attendees.
Paudie Coughlan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 02:09:43 (UTC)
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Linda Hayes
I am very pleased to see photographic confirmation that your husband Mike Hayes is NOT the same person as my husband Mike Hayes. I was starting to wonder how he managed to be in two continents at the same time!
Pappy
Your 12 days of Christmas had me laughing out loud. People came running into the room to see what was wrong with me.
Lesley Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Horsham, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Monday, November 24, 2003 at 21:17:31 (UTC)
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As it is coming up to Christmas I thought this might be of use when buying those Christmas pressys
14th.December
My Dearest Arnold,
The postman came today and delivered a partridge in a pear tree to my door.What a truly delightful gift.
Thank you darling for the wonderful thought.
With deep love and affection always,
Your ever loving Agnes.xxxxxxx
15th.December
My Dearest Arnold,
Today the postman brought your very sweet gift,two turtle doves!I am delighted-they are adorable.
All my love,
Your ever loving Agnes xxxxxx 16th.December
Dearest Arnold,
Oh!How extravagant you are!I really must protest.I don`t deserve such generosity.Three French hens!I insist,you are to kind.
Your loving Agnes xxxxx
17th.December
Dear Arnold,
What can I say-four beautiful calling birds arrived this morning.Your kindness really is too much.
Love Agnes xxxx
18th.December
Dear Arnold,
What a surprise!Today the postman delivered five golden rings - one for every finger.You really are impossible.Frankly,all these birds are getting on my nerves.
Love Agnesxxx
19th.December
Dear Arnold,
When I opened the door this morning there were actuall six bloody great big geese laying eggs all over the front step!So we are back to the birds again are we?
Where the hell do you think I can keep them all?The neighbours are beginning to complain about the smell.Please stop,as I can`t sleep at night for the noise.
Cordially yours,Agnes xx
20th.December
Arnold
What is it with you and these sodding birds?Now I get seven swans a swanning.Is this some sort of godammed joke or what?The house is full of birds shit and the racket!.......I`m beginning to be a nervous wreck.So its not funny any more.Quit sending me bloody birds.
Yours,Agnes x
21st.December
O.K.Arnold boy,
I think I prefer birds.What the hell am I supposed to do with eight maids-a-milking?It`s not enough with all these birds,now I have eight cows shitting and mooing all over the house.
Lay off,smart arse.
Agnes.
22nd.December
Look shithead,
What are you,some kind of nut?Now I get nine pipers playing and,Christ,do they play!When they aren`t playing their sodding pipes,they keep chasing the maids through the cow shit.The cows keep mooing and treading all over the bloody birds and the neighbours are threatening to get me evicted.
You`ll get yours,
Agnes
23rd.December
You rotten bastard!
Now we have ten ladies dancing.How the hell anyone can call these" tarts"ladies is beyond me.They`re getting stuffed by the pipers all night,the cows have all got diarrhoea,my living room is a river of shit and the house has just been declared unfit for habitation.
Piss off,
Agnes
14th.December
Listen Fart Features,
What with eleven Lords a leaping all over the maids, and the pipers fighting them for the crumpet,and committing sodomy with the cows,the birds are all dead and rotting amongst the cow shit,having been trampled during the orgy - but not before they`d eaten my golden rings.
I hope you`re satisfied.You rotten shithouse.
Your sworn enemy,Agnes
25th.December
You stinking lousy shitfaced git,
Twelve drummers drumming have teamed up with the pipers to make one hell of a din.Both lots have been buggered by the Lords as well as the cows,and Christ alone knows whats happened to the milkmaids-they`ve probably been drowned in the cow shit by now.The only way I`ve saved myself from getting screwed to death is by hiding up that sodding pear tree,which has been so well fertilised that it`s now growing through the roof.
I send you seasonal greetings- BOLLOCKS.
Drop dead,Agnes
I appologise now if I have offended anybody(not)just thought we needed a change from the rugby,
B.M. Good luck with your treatment
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Monday, November 24, 2003 at 20:21:50 (UTC)
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Peter Morris, please let me know how I can obtain a St Stephens school blazer badge for my son who is now blind as a result of an accident he incurred during his sojourn there the info will be much appreciated, thank you Johnny.
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Monday, November 24, 2003 at 07:55:27 (UTC)
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Dear Heather you were lucky that they were not red ants as Craig would have soon had his camera out then, and as for being improperly dressed you were lucky to get the pic where I was wearing brookies, in future I would keep away from Bats if I was you as they have been known to be infected with Rabies (no kidding) great pics keep it up Love Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Monday, November 24, 2003 at 07:46:25 (UTC)
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Hi Guys,
St Stephen's College Old Boys Association are holding a reunion this coming weekend, commencing at 4.30pm Saturday 29 November 03 at Hastings Hall, City Bowl, Cape Town.
Anyone requiring more info to contact me on my cell 0825744719.
Peter Morris
Peter Morris [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Pinetown, Natal, South Africa
Monday, November 24, 2003 at 05:54:12 (UTC)
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Ooops, didn't make it yesterday:
Bill Laing, Fiona Morris, Meiles Billany, Paul Cray, Stella Robertson, Gail Kriek
Best Wishes on your Birthday
and for today:
Peter Greenhalgh, Linda Hooper, Ian Coetzee
CAN ANYONE HELP
We have received the following email from Sarah Fulguirinas (nee Johnson). If anyone is able to assist, please contact her at fulguirinas@hotmail.com
I am trying to find out more about my mother's cousins. They were apparently brought up in Zambia as both parents were qualified in mine blasting. My mother's family lost touch with them and I do not know the names of the cousins as my mother died in 1972 (she was 34 and I was 13) so I am unable to ask her. My father did not know the names of the cousins as there were many, about 60 or so, many with similar names so nicknames abounded.
Within the family it was said that Aunt Kath was the first woman in Southern Africa to gain her mine blasters
certificate. I can find no verification of this.
Les or Len KNIGHTON who married Kath nee BURTLES or any of their descendents are sought by Sarah.
Kathleen BURTLES (sometimes spelt BURTELS or BYRTELS) was born near Addo in the Eastern Cape. Her father was William Thomas BURTLES and mother Susanna Magdalena FOURIE and she was one of seven children. The names of the others were Hester, Helen, Susanna, Sarah, Miriam and William Thomas jr. (Boetie). My grandmother Sarah Athlene married a William Jacobus HEATH and moved from Port Elizabeth to Bloemfontein.
I understand that Aunty Kath qualified as a blaster and then went with her husband to work on the copper mines in Zambia. The family lost contact with each other, before I was born. My mother, Heather, was the only daughter of Sarah and Bill HEATH, she had 3 older brothers, William (Bill), Hendrik (Henry) and Joseph (Joe). Heather married Ian Paul JOHNSON from England. My father and I emigrated to New Zealand in 1973.
All this rugby talk; time to change the subject and what better way than with some bat photos. But first to tie up all the loose ends from the Reunion.
Here are the photos of the people we 'took' with us
Alix, before, during and after the bungee jump
Philip Pain
Linda and Mike Hayes
Ray Wright
Chandru Krishna
Paudie and Sue
Bruce Henley
Ian Jameson
and Johnny Green
Johnny did ask if Craig could take him along on the bungee jump as well. Craig refused as he was not suitably dressed.
Before the Lark, Steve and Margaret de Lange, together with the son and duaghter in law, Art and Kathie, travelled up to Kasanka and Shiwa. On the way, they stopped at Kundalila Falls and Art and Kathie climbed down to the bottom. This is one of the photos they took:
Peter Bennett is still travelling through Africa, but he has put some of his experiences on the web here. I should tell you something about Peter - he is too polite by far. When we boarded the African Queen for our cruise and dinner, the first thing I did was to check that everyone who was supposed to be there was there and that they had all been collected from their hotels. However, I had already phoned Peter's hotel and they had confirmed that he had been collected, so, mentally, I crossed him off the list of people to be found. On the boat, I was going around checking on all the others and only had Peter and Paddy Greenhalgh to locate and mentioned this to Jill Masterton. Peter Bennett was sitting fairly close to her, so he said 'I'm Peter'. I asked if he was with Paddy and he said 'no'. My response was 'well then you're not the person I'm looking for'. It was only a few minutes later that it dawned on me that he was Peter Bennett.
Peter, once again, my apologies.
and now to the bats.
Unfortunately some of our plans went awry with our Kasanka trip. Firstly, we were supposed to spend one night at Kasanka and then fly into Shoebill Island in the swamps from there for a night, but the pilot was unavailable so we had to give that a miss.
Then we were supposed to leave mid-Wednesday morning, but I had a few problems with putting my magazine together and despite waorking through the night on Tuesday, I still only managed to finished it at 2 pm on Wednesday afternoon. By the time we had got ourselves together, we did not leave Lusaka until after 3.30 pm. Then we needed to stop at Chisamba for a supply of biltong and dry wors, so decided that we would spend the night at Forest Inn at Mkushi rather than drive at night. So we only reached Kasanka around 2 pm on Thursday and had already decided that we would come back as far as Nsobe (just south of Ndola) on Friday, so we had to pack everything into less than 24 hours.
As we drove into Wasa, we saw a storm coming across the lake towards us. We had just enough time to have the cold box taken out of the car when the rain hit, so we quickly retired to the veranda where we waited out the storm, about 45 minutes.
After flinging our bags into our rooms, we were back in the car on our way to Fibwe which is where the bats roost during the day. I visited there two years ago so knew which path to take through the 'mushitu' to get to the bats and instead of waitng for a guide, Craig and I set off down the path.
On the way, we heard a noise in the bush and saw a sitatunga disappearing behind some bushes only about 5 metres away from us. Although we only saw the back of it, it was nice to see one so close - I have only ever seen them in the distance and usually only in the water.
On we went, climing over and under fallen down trees and through marshy ground until we ducked under the low branches of a tree and heard the sudden flapping of hundreds of pairs of wings. Looking up, we saw hundreds of bats that had been roosting in that tree disappearing, sopme slower than others. We stood still for at least ten minutes whilst the bats took to the air. It was an amazing sight, so amazing that I forgot about taking any photographs. I think Craig forget as well.
We then carried on further, but much slower, until we got to a hide with a superb view of the bats in the trees. Whilst I was waiting for Craig to climb up, I felt something take a nip out of me and looking down found my feet covered in black ants. I didn't wait any longer to follow, but of course by this time, half the ants had disappeared up my jeans, so I spent the first ten minutes either with my hands down my jeans or my jeans down round my ankles, but eventually I did get rid of them all. In the meantime, Craig had been taking a good look at the bats, but I'm willing to bet that he was also thinking about how glad he was that he hadn't insisted that I go up first.
The view from the hide was superb - all the trees around us had thick brown trunks and thick brown branches and as the time was near for the bats to start off on their evening food forage, they were very movious, flying around and then coming back to settle again. And the sheer numbers of them - one sees what one thinks is a thick tree trunk covered in bats, but then the bats fly off and all of a sudden the trunk is about a quarter of the size, and there are still more bats there.
There was one branch covered in bats which was only about ten metres away from us. This gave us a fairly close view of them, although it was difficult to photograph because one had to stand on tiptoes and peer round the leaves of another tree. Watching them launch themselves into the air was also very interesting - they pull themselves into the upright position and them push off from the tree. And the noise that goes with it - not only their 'talking' but also the sound of their flapping wings - at first we thought it was the river just below the hide, but only realised later when they settled for a while, that it was their wings. They also use their wings like arms to move around the trees.
Just after sundown, the bats take to the skies, in an endless stream, which seems to take forever (probably about 30 minutes) looking for that evening's dinner. They return to the roosting area around 3.30 am and are all safely asleep again by the time the sun rises.
The bats were noticed for the first time in 1991 and it is now accepted that this was when they started coming to Kasanka. No one is sure of the reason although it is likely that their previous foraging area had been destroyed. As a result, each year, there are many researchers here during the migration, but they have still not established where they come from or where they go after they leave. They do have solar-powered radio collars for them, but these will more than liklye not work as the bats roost during the day and the chances are that those which have been collared will not be exposed to the sun (with an estimated 2.5 million bats the chances of them being in the lower-layers are high.)
I am not a bat lover, but it was something that I would recommend and I will do it again. I was also very happy to see that there have been many improvements at Wasa Camp (where we stayed) since my last visit there.
Early the next morning, we once again set off for Fibwe to see if we could see any sitatunga. On the way there, we had a good view of 8 or so bush pig before they disappeared. I am afraid I have to admit to having succumbed to my fear of heights when I chickened out about half way up the 12-or-so metre high hide. Craig however spent some time up there and saw six sitatunga on the edges of the lake.
Since we were in the area, we decided to visit somewhere that, like Ngombe Illede, one only visits once - the Livingstone Memorial. It's no great shakes unless you include the 26 km road to the memorial site, but nice to see. On the way back, Craig commented gleefully that this was the last dirt road he would have to travel on. I burst his bubble by telling him that there was a dirt road in to Nsobe where we spent Friday evening. Photos will follow as I did not take any (long story) so have to wait until Craig's photos are developed.
FIONA GAYTHER
We ARE watching you; ALL of you and putting big black marks next to your names (grin)
ALLYSON CASH
Give me a while and I'll try to get in contact with whoever runs that web site and also ask someone in Luanshya to check things out. This may take a bit of time.
LYNN SZEFTEL
Allan Chattaway recently sent me this link to Heather's Genealogy Site. It might be of some use.
BILL KNOTT
Send me all the details and I'll see what I can do from this side. Might take some time though.
ALI KEY
Ooops ... BoerEwors
UPDATE ON CRAIG
To all of those who were concerned - last night at about 8.30 pm, I received a phone call from Craig to say that he had arrived safely in Harare without any problems, so I have temporarily put away the telephone number for the Embassy there. He also left here feeling better than he had been feeling in the morning.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, November 24, 2003 at 05:53:38 (UTC)
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Boerwors and other delights.
Ali,
I have emailed our phone number to you, and can give you the names of several places to get biltong or boerwors.
And as for the rugby(go you good things,have gone),big sobs.
Cheers.
Peter Nel [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Quinns Rock, Western Australia, Australia
Monday, November 24, 2003 at 01:59:26 (UTC)
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Ali,
Try Cape to Cairo in Wembley - opposite the Wembley Food Hall - they stock meat from Conway's Butchery, and even Dewsons in Wembley sometimes have pre-packed 'wors labelled South African Sausage which is not too bad, though heaven knows who makes it!
Good luck
Ray Wright [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Monday, November 24, 2003 at 01:04:45 (UTC)
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Lynn,
Real sorry to hear of the passing of Morris's wife and sweetie. Please pass on condolences.
As to military matters...... Hope you find your oldie's info....
I am trying to join the MOTH equivalent here in Ottawa but little luck. There is a program in this Province of 12 million whereby veterans can get a licrense plate which says VET with a poppy. I want to get one and join the Legion but....
anyone know how I can get my service number from 1963?? RRR Battalion 2 - Intake 55 from 1962-63
I recall 599... and that is all. And even that may be wrong. I've spent time on the 'net trying to get records but no luck. It - the info - may be in Lusaka archives . I googled but no luck.
Hmmm.
Any knowledgeable person know how to contact someone who can lead me to information?
Bill
William Knott [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Sunday, November 23, 2003 at 22:13:09 (UTC)
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I don’t have the skill that everyone else has in putting links into messages, so I'm afraid this is long-winded.
www.aldaily.com provides links to other sites, and at the moment, second from top of the right-hand column, is a link to a piece by Amy Chua. They add new links every day, so it might not be near the top as you read this. The trailer reads
After her aunt’s throat was slit by the chauffeur, Amy Chua wondered if he wasn’t the very same man she had stumbled on many years before... more»
The piece is fairly heavy-going, but she makes the point that if autocratic government was all that was needed for economic development then Africa would be a powerhouse. She compares and contrasts the position of the Lebanese in West Africa with the Asians in East Africa, the whites in Central Africa and the Chinese in South East Asia. There are errors of fact, in that she says there was zero intermarriage in Zimbabwe, but I found it a fascinating piece.
Peter Bromwich [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Valderrobres, Teruel, Spain
Sunday, November 23, 2003 at 18:31:50 (UTC)
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OOPS.......Boerwors.
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Sunday, November 23, 2003 at 11:57:29 (UTC)
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Northerners ..of the Perth variety....(those who live NOR )
Since I am now living north of the river.(no not the Zambezi) is there someone who could let me know where I can get Borewors over on this side ??
Craig
Bwana sweety?......it just goes to show you what an impact you have made on those wonderful kids.........
aLI
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Sunday, November 23, 2003 at 11:51:01 (UTC)
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Final word on the RWC from me.
Terrific match from start to finish and well played both teams. But whichever way you look at it, or wherever you hail from, it's clear that the best team won.
(Ali, I quite understand and thoroughly agree with your comments on the Oz "win at all costs" attitude - my 3 sons have all come through junior football here in Perth and I've tried to make them realise that playing the game, at that level at any rate, is far more important than the result. It seemed to work, too as none of them are wonderful sportsmen - just like their dad!)
Well done, and well deserved, England.
Ray Wright [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Sunday, November 23, 2003 at 11:22:48 (UTC)
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Good morning, Northeners,
Zambia did very well at the RWC despite one Captain going home early and another ending up being on the losing side in the final.Yesterday’s game defied the critics in superb style. It could not have been a more befitting finale to a great World Cup. Oh to be in England when the team arrives home.
Philip Pain(or any Moth who could help)
Need your help. I am a family member of the Kabaw Valley Shellhole here in Lusaka. I have previously written to the Moth HQ in Durban but as I am not a full Moth, they are unable to attend to my queries.
My late grandmother, Pat Mayoss (nee Dolan/Nolan) was a Moth and lived at the Moth cottages in PMB until she died. Her friend was a Mr. Dolivera also a Moth. Have only recently come across the fact that she was awarded 8 medals and my dilemma is that I have absolutely no idea what these were for. I have a photo of her and my granddad wearing their medals but the quality of the photo makes it difficult for me to identify them. Due to my parent’s breakup and subsequent divorce when I was 6, I have very little information on her life. Am also led to believe that she is mentioned in the War Museum in JNB but have been unable to trace anything in this area. I would appreciate if you could trace anything for me in the Moth records. This is especially important for me as I am compiling my family tree and anything would help. Thanks in advance.
Leslie and I have had a bereavement in the family. Our sister-in-law, Dr. Carolyn Baylies has died of cancer aged 56. She was a very courageous woman and did , amongst other things, an enormous amount of research on gender issues relating to how women cope with Aids in Southern Africa . Most of her research was carried out in Zambia and in conjunction with Janet Bujra, published “Aids, Sexuality and Gender In Africa (2000)”. The UK Guardian newspaper published an excellent obituary on her life and work on the 11th November. She leaves behind her husband, Dr. Morris Sheftel, her daughter, Hannah and her son, Andrew. May her soul rest in peace.
Lynn Szeftel (née Mayoss) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Sunday, November 23, 2003 at 09:44:34 (UTC)
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Bwana Sweety for Plesident
I am convinced that this man is will be the next president of Zambia. Wherever I have gone in Zambia, children have apparently mistaken me for him and have run after me, exclaiming joyously, "Bwana Sweety!" I have waved in a manner that would make the Queen of England proud, but this man's identity remains a mystery to me. I have asked the crack investigative journalists at "The Lowdown" to try to find out.
In other news I have found a source of wisdom here in Zambia... at the turn off from the main road to go to the Livingstone Monument. On the wall of a shop it says, "Be good, be bad, just be."
Contrary to one of the many rumours apparently circulating, I have not decided to stay in Zambia... at least not for now. With the frantic schedule to which Heather has been making me adhere (with apologies to the late Sir Winston Churchill), I have not had the time at the computer to do many non-work-related things. I am hoping for a respite over the next ten days while I am in Zimbabwe (assuming that the malaise I have been feeling the last two days is not malaria, cholera, meningitis or the result of the apparent spider bite I got a couple of days ago), but who knows what wonderful challenges I will encounter in that place. If you never hear from me again, you'll know that they were insurmountable.
Either way, I am not taking my computer with me to Zimbabwe (why give them a possible reason to accuse me of being a journalist?); since I have forgotten how to use a pen and paper or how to think without a computer, I will not be composing any missives about my visit here while I am there. If I can, I will do that while I am in the UK (visiting my cousins) or Holland (visiting the GNR's very own lunatic asylum) in early December, but don't hold your breath there either as it may be January before you see any of my thoughts on this visit on the message board, after I have dealt with idiots at American Express Bank of Canada, CIRA and Telus. That said, I hope you're not expecting anything profound!
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Sunday, November 23, 2003 at 09:06:54 (UTC)
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Way to go England!!! I left a live on-line site up so awoke to a blow by blow account. Amazing game.
HALF naked Fi? I re-scrutinized every inch of those photos you sent for clothes and other than one wet T-shirt.... I couldn't discern a jersey or a boot lace.
Fair's fair, let us know if you find some photos of the winning team.
Ali
I cannot now imagine a GNR without the colour and life you and the girls including Jade - "Bat Girl" bring to it.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 21:58:13 (UTC)
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LINDA
You've given away my secret now! While pretending to support England I was secretly lusting after half naked frogs! Just kidding. Well done England - you are responsible for my near heart attack and my sore throat. That is without doubt the most exciting sporting event I have EVER seen. I'm so happy and it's still not sunk in! Arise Sir Clive and Sir Martin! Jonny, you are already more than a knight so what shall we give him? Twice a knight maybe?
On a serious note, Linda, I hope all goes well for you and look forward to you bouncing back in the new year. Lots of love to you.
MISERABLE MO
That will teach you to be rude about our Jonny!
DES
I believe there are severe storm conditions in Sydney - that wasn't rain, it was the start of Australia's tears. A wonderful wonderful win and a dream come true.
And on that note, I will make no more ungermane comments. Luckily the Management aren't looking or we would have had a rap on the knuckles before now!
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 19:05:48 (UTC)
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Great start to a great day of sport for us
western Canadians..jolly well done England...
Well done rest of the world in beating those damn
yankees to take a nice lead into tomorrow's golf singles...
This afternoon at our beloved Commonwealth stadium
Edmonton will take on Montreal in the first ever
outdoor hockey game in the National Hockey League.The icerink is set up like a normal rink and sits
astride the half way line.56,000 tickets sold.The
weather is cooperating beautifully.Shiny big blue sky
light breeze and.................................... -21celcius.
Instead of Montreal we should perhaps have played
the Pittsburg Penguins..
It's a long way from the beach at Nkamba Bay
Kerry Rawlinson (née Van Niekerk) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 18:41:13 (UTC)
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swing low,sweet chariot........................................
Kerry Rawlinson (née Van Niekerk) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 18:30:20 (UTC)
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Johnny:
The reason I used the GNR to tell you that my emails to you are bouncing back is because I AM responding on your incoming ones (believe it or not, I am not stupid...he! he! I got the one sent today and have responded on it again. Hopefully it will go through.
Jacqui and Fiona:
Did you get any phone numbers from those Froggie Rugby Boys that you are circulating piccies of? Had to use my breathing machine for a second. Gawd love us! What hunks. I wonder if they look that good when they have their rugby kit on. Ha! Ha!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 18:22:07 (UTC)
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WHAT A FINALE!
A finale to end all finales................ !
Well done ENGLAND!
Let's hope the reception ENGLAND get next Tuesday, on their return, will match that..... which they rightly deserved...... in the Telstra Stadium.
Norman Kenward [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Worcestershire, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 17:17:24 (UTC)
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Hi all........
Rosemary and John Milton.......heartfelt thanks......you are very special people..........also beautiful and talented Tina......thanks !!!
It is now two years since I tripped over my words (I was searching for a particular website, and sort of found the GNR...what a find !!.....and now I wait in anticipation for Craig to give us his account of his visit to that special place .......hope you and Heather haven't gone too batty.......(like me , hey Tina.....in house joke folks..... giggles)......
Oh and dear Johnny hope you are dancing in the streets, congrats to the winning team......
Linda good luck........
One thing I really would love to see one day is the flame lillies growing wild........mine have sprouted wonderfully......looking forward to those lovelly blooms!!
Has anyone heard how our Dawie is doing....I do hope well.......
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 15:51:06 (UTC)
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Rugby
After several coffees, am just recovering from celebrating Australia coming second in the final. Congrats to the poms.
Paudie Coughlan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 15:31:01 (UTC)
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Rugby!
well the the world cup has come to an end, and I am glad that England has won.
What realy worries me is that I will Be "60" at the next world cricket and rugby world cup's.
It feels like yestreday that I turned 16 and have spent a lot of time trying to remember what happened on that day.
One of the incidents I remember was that my girlfriend sent me a birthday request over the radio on the Saturday morning request programme on our local radio station. (That was a flop cause they got it all wrong.) ( Vera, you out there thanks! )
Now that the world cup has come to an end I hope that we can get back to what this web-site was intended for. (To stimulate memories of days gone by and the time we spent in Eden)
Bob Gillies I agree with you I miss the Fish Eagle as do, I think a lot of our members as well.
I know I have been guilty of posting a comment on the RWC and I am sorry. ( Got caught up in the excitement )
In Northern Rhodesia there was a lot of bamboo, and after contact and a resurch by Ron Clibbon-Dyer in Hong Kong an interesting phenomenon has arisen regards the flowering of Bamboo!
I request Ron to enlighten us about the plant.
Ron go for it!
Cheers
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 14:28:17 (UTC)
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OZZIE, OZZIE, OZZIE!
ow, ow, ow .....................
BRILLIANT game nonetheless - just a shame Jonny Wilkinson didn't trip over his bootlaces.
Miserable Mo
Moira Steevens [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Brisbane, Australia
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 14:11:12 (UTC)
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Latest news just in Australia has been hit by a tidal wave. Reports in believe this to be caused by the tears from whinging Aussies.
A special word to the Austalian press -IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT???
CHAMPIONS!!
Des Kenny (formerly Crouch) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wallasey, England
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 12:17:28 (UTC)
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OK Girls its all over and you can get on with your knitting again Love Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 12:11:15 (UTC)
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You know I don't like to crow, and this time I am not going to, what a game and my view on the Aussies tenacity has changed quite a lot it could have gone eiher way right up to the last few mins and I am sure it will be a long time before we ever see a game like that again well done England and very hard luck Australia. Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 11:55:17 (UTC)
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Phew. I knew we would do it but couldn't bear to watch so have had to spend the morning keeping myself busy with other things - la lala lala. Have told daughter no.1 she can go ahead with wedding plans as soon as she likes!
Jill - I love bats, used to have nests in the oak trees in our previous garden and spent many a warm summers evening watching them swooping over the pond and swimming pool.
Lesley Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Horsham, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 11:54:32 (UTC)
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Incredible! That must be one of the finest games of rugby of all time. What a terrible pressure Clive Flatley must have been under in the last minute of the main match when he kicked the equalising penalty for Australia.
Then again in the 18th minute of the 20 minutes extra time when England was once again 3 points ahead, the pressure was on Flatley to kick the equalizing penalty. He succeeded but Johnny Wilkinson won the day for England with a drop kick in the last minute of extra time.
Wow!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 11:52:42 (UTC)
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Half time England 14 Australia 5. Johnny must be creaming himself! First class rugby!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 10:18:58 (UTC)
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Johnny:
My emails to you are bouncing back. Sorry, I am trying to respond to your email.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 07:15:23 (UTC)
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I loved the story about the zim driving license, Mugshot has a certain ring t o it! The most wonderful names currently in my address book (bearing in mind that I work with asylum seekers from roughly 26 different countries), are a Mr. Heavens Gonga, (Zim), and, sadly, now deported, a Mr. Bedridden Ugliend, (Bulgaria, of Turkish descent). I also received a letter in reply to a telephone inquiry addressed to a Ms. Meg Ravishly, (perhaps turning 40 might just be an interesting phase of my life), and I have managed to post a message without once mentioning the RWC, Ciao, Meg
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 23:20:32 (UTC)
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Love it Bill!!!!
Even English clerks are not immune. My dad was born in 1916 when his dad was recorded as being in "The South Irish Horse". I noticed on a copy birth certificate I had made that Granddad's occupation at the time of his son's birth had mutated to: "The South Irish House". No problem, Granddad would have quite enjoyed owning a pub.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 20:46:31 (UTC)
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Something other than Rugby Out of Africa!
My son-in-law applied for a South African driving licence to replace his original Zimbabwian licence which had been lost.
The local authorities advised that he first had to get a copy of his old licence from Zim.
He filled in an application form & had a new set of photographs taken.
A friend who was travelling to Zim kindly offered to deliver the application to the licencing authorities.
My daughter carefully packaged the form together with an envelope containing the photos & carefully labelled this envelope "Stuart's Mug Shots"
Stuart is now the proud owner of a new Zimbabwian Driver's Licence issued to STUART MUGSHOTS BAILLIE!
Bill Hunt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Widenham, Natal, South Africa
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 19:46:29 (UTC)
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I recieved a little note today from an ardent female England
supporter she has been researching traffic accidents and said she has come across a disturbing fact, and asks me what is the difference when an Australian gets knocked down in a road accident and when a dog gets run over on the road? she says she has found out that there are usually skid marks in the doggie accidents, True or false I dont Know.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 19:04:41 (UTC)
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I don`t know about the Aussies keeping the Poms awake all night,and I never thought that I would ever say this,but the Poms could beat the Aussies in thier sleep.
I`ve got my bottle,and I won`t be going to sleep after children in need in case I miss the match.
Is anyone doing anything for children in need?
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 19:01:05 (UTC)
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A few years ago Naas Botha the famous Springbok Rugby player was passing a block of flats that had caught fire. A woman was leaning out of a third floor window screaming, with her baby in her arms. Naas ran over and told the woman to throw the baby down to him. He caught the baby perfectly. The highly impressed crowd gave a big cheer, and Naas got so carried away that he kicked the baby into touch!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 18:14:10 (UTC)
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Roll on the end of this RWC! It has taken so much GNR space the eagles have vanished and I miss them, good luck to whoever wins this strange game where the ball doesn't even bounce properly and you make progress by kicking the ball off the field, still it's a good excuse to drink beer with your mates, thinking of you all tommorrow.
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 16:25:46 (UTC)
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Newsflash!
There is unlikely to be a French Rugby Team next World Cup!
Le Spokesman for the French team said that all the players had such lucrative contracts for hairspray commercials, playboy calendars, art films and recording contracts that it was getting impossible to get them to return phone calls let alone turn up for practice.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 15:14:51 (UTC)
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The betting is open on whether a scrum will develop on the GNR before the rugby final. It all looks very polite at the moment.
Also on when Mugs will actually be nudged into exile by Mbeki and Obasanjo and where it all goes from there.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 14:49:25 (UTC)
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Des et al..
I agree with you regarding the Australians..I have lived here for over 17 years, and I still find it very hard to support them in their sporting ventures, with one exception......when Sydney won the right to host the Olympic games....
My girls are Australian born but they have learned through me that there are other countries in the world who can better the Aussies......and they don't
have to rely on the media who are very very one eyed.......but it is like that state to state, even the children are taught that "you have to win at all costs"......as a supporting parent I saw the ugly parent syndrome whilst scoring for my daughters cricket team...(she played for five years...and her best bowling figures were 4/6 ).I have always encouraged my children to play to enjoy.....that is my final say about the world cup..except..........watch out the next world cup...........ribbbbit ribbbbit.........(giggles)
Linda.. GOOD LUCK .......LOTS OF LOVE AND WISHES..........Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 14:44:30 (UTC)
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DES
Well I am an Australian and I'm not one bit impressed with intention to keep the England side awake all night. That's the Aussie tabloids for you! Fortunately it will take more than a bunch of idiots to stop the England side. It seems to be a case of "we'll win by fair means or foul" and it's embarrassing. Fortunately, I imagine that the Australian side are more professional and wouldn't condone that sort of behaviour and would want to win on their merits. But hopefully they won't.
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 14:04:34 (UTC)
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Well as the world cup draws to an end, we are now trully seeing who are the true sportmen of the world.True the Australians have great sports people but Sportsmen, give me a break. Johnnys recent posting is vindicative of the mentality of the Australian public and moreso their media.
Win or lose England will walk away victorius in that everyone else except the Australians wanted the Australians to lose.
Australia have already won the World Cup as the out and out supreme whingers of the planet.
Everyone , with the exception of Australians should go out and celebrate now, purely for that fact that they are NOT AUSTRALIANS.
What a SAD Buch of creatures they really are.
Des Kenny (formerly Crouch) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wallasey, England
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 13:13:28 (UTC)
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How low can you go?
On the news this morning it was reported that an appeal had gone out to all or any Aussie fans in Sydney to congregate outside the Poms hotel and keep sounding there car horns all night tonight to deprive them of sleep.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 11:23:13 (UTC)
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And Lindy Loo huge hugs for your surgery and I will continue this in email to you.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 04:08:17 (UTC)
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What about the bats Jilly?
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 04:05:48 (UTC)
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ALYSON CASH
re : sending books to Zambia
I visited a snazzy, giraffe printed background site, purportedly for books for Luanysha Library, and I am still no wiser as to whether it is "legit", (if it is a business, then it is much more wholesome than the "please send me details of your bank acc. and one thousand euros so we can process your share in l6,000,000 dollars! Yes, you Mr Meg Rybicki have been chosen for your humanitarian gestures, and we in turn, are going to help you!" Thanks everyone who emailed me with suggestions and advice on shipping the books, (which I am storing in other half's work shed, and causing the once blissful McAuley marriage serious problems! Actually, serves him right coz he doesnt like rugby), we are actually holding a benefit gig in early December, and might use the money to ship the books ourselves. Thanks again, Meg
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 00:42:35 (UTC)
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Well, I can see the attraction of participating in sport if that is your thing but watching people running around after balls is like christmas shopping - I have never been able to work out the point. Having said that...I understand that both my daughters are going to marry Jonny Wilkinson. Hopefully not concurrently!
I remember one afternoon during a physics lessons at Muf High when our very droll Irish teacher - Mr. Brown I think - told one of my classmates (possibly Ricky Riciak) that if he didn't sit down and shut up he would drop kick him across the quad so fast he would leave a grease mark on the opposite wall. One of those moments that has stayed with me forever.
Lesley Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Horsham, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 22:53:51 (UTC)
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Lesley,
It looks as though the whole entourage on this message board are sports freaks, but, take heart there are only about 50 hours to go and this year's RWC will be wrapped up. I am sure there will be a few comments after, but it will soon subside.
What are you interested in discussing? How about straw coloured bats visiting Kasanka annually en masse? Personally, I find that fascinating, but I don't think the rest of the GNR commentators would be at all interested - perhaps I am wrong?
Craig,
Are you STILL jolling? When are we going to hear your thoughts about Zambia? Or are you going to stay in Zambia forever? Your fellow Canadians. Art and Kathie de Lange are back home and I await their thoughts on their African Adventure - they visited some awesome places.
Linda,
Good luck with the surgery. I know all will go well and you'll be bright-eyed and bushy tailed for Christmas!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 21:55:00 (UTC)
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Ok everybody..lets see if you can predict the score on Saturday. I reckon there will be a difference of 12 points between the two!! Home advantage might be the determining factor. After the trouncing England got at the hands of Sri Lanka at cricket this week and the exit of Scotland and Wales at football last night....and Australia winning the cricket final against India on Tuesday....omens are not looking good but lets all live in hope. We Islanders need something to cheer us up!
By the way Chris Tamm..I did play rugby for North Wales at schoolboy level when I was a boarder at Lindisfarne College, Wales in the 70's..so I think I do know something about the game. But then at that time there was a lot of flair with the likes of Barrie John...Williams'...and others.. who played some wonderful attacking Rugby for Wales. Am I right in saying that Woodward just made a comment insinuating that England will play "boring" rugby on Saturday! Lets hope not.
Anyway in our days in Zambia we could always rely on Nchanga Diggers to provide the flair!!!!!
Everybody..put your feet up and enjoy the game. May the best team on the day win!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 19:45:13 (UTC)
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NEW RULES FOR THE WORLD CUP
In response to a number of moaners (particularly Australians!) , and in an
effort to even up the teams, the IRB board of Celtic and Southern
Hemisphere delegates has proposed the following changes.
1. Whereas general matches are decided by number of points scored, England
must not only score more points but also run in a superior number of tries
to be awarded a victory.
2. Games in which England score more points than the opposition in the
Southern Hemisphere shall be considered void. (This is a recent amendment,
replacing the long-standing law that games won at Twickenham are void. The
older version was found inadequate to the developing situation. This law may
be subject to further revision at the end of June.)
3. Games in which England score more points than the opposition with Jonny
Wilkinson on the pitch shall be considered void.
4. Games in which England score more points than the opposition and in which
any England player, supporter or indeed national offend any player,
supporter or national of the opposition or for that matter any other
country, by so much as a poorly timed sneeze, shall be considered void.
5. Games in which England score more points than the opposition and the
opposition are at the beginning or end of their season shall be considered
void.
6. Games in which England score more points than the opposition and the
prevailing weather conditions bear so much as the faintest resemblance to
that in which England players normally play shall be considered void.
Otherwise called the "Maori Rule".
7. Games in which England score more points than the opposition and a member
of the opposition is sent off or sin-binned for foul play shall be
considered void. To play against fewer than XV men is un-sporting, whatever
the reason. Should England have a member of their team sent off or
sin-binned, refer to law 4 above.
8. Games in which England score more points than the opposition, but in
which the opposition score last, the opposition are deemed to have finished
the game the stronger and are therefore deemed the winners. ..... Otherwise
known as the "Wellington Rule" see also "Moral Victory".
9. If England selects Martin Johnson in their side, they will be deemed to
have brought the game into disrepute through violent conduct. The opposition
will be awarded the match and Johnson will be banned for six weeks.
10. If any England player, official or supporter ever suggests that, in a
game that they won 'won', England was the better side and deserved to win,
the game shall be considered void.
11. Similarly, if any England player, official or supporter ever suggests
that England might win their pool in any Rugby World Cup, they will be
accused of insufferable arrogance, bringing the game into disrepute and
England will be thrown out of the aforementioned tournament forthwith.
12. Games that England lose shall be considered Tests, whatever the nature
of the game, opposition or composition of the England XV, and shall count in
the Test statistics of played/won/lost. In the (unlikely) event of England
winning a game it shall be considered at best a friendly an international
and counted as such.
Laws 1 to 10 inclusive have no relevance in the event of England scoring
fewer points than the opposition, nor should they be applied in any way to
the circumstances or behaviour of the opposition.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 19:01:07 (UTC)
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Dear Ms. Dore,
Do not forget to write , in black marker " This side" and also, " not here dummy, there" before you go in the theatre.
Owie.
I hope they know that a 2 x 4 and one B.M is awaiting if someone screws up.
All the best.
Bill
William Knott [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 19:01:01 (UTC)
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John Evans
The southern hemisphere didn't complain about the drop goals in the last world cup but the 'poms' whinged like hell! Now the boot is on the other foot and it is all OK? ha! ha! Don't get me wrong - I am not complaining at all - I think Chris Tamm 'took the words right out of my mouth'!
This has to be a first for me - I will be cheering for England this weekend! All my other teams have fallen by the wayside and besides I like Jonny Wilkinson. And didn't someone say he has a Zambian connection? That makes it germane. Go Jonny!
Jacqui Milward (née Lackenby) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
London, England
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 16:53:02 (UTC)
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Ooooh, a very brave comment, Lesley. You may be drop kicked at this point for it. he! he! Topics go in cycles. Just wait it out like some of us have to do, or introduce something else.
I know this is tres early, but I will be out of it for quite a while due to surgery next week, so I am taking this opportunity to wish all my friends and fellow GNR members a very Happy Christmas. Be happy, enjoy life, and I wish you all the very best for 2004.
And now I'm going to duck from the barrage of insults to follow from all of you who have no life outside of rugby at the moment... He! He!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 13:31:03 (UTC)
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Is all this rugby stuff germane??? It is certainly boring......zzzzzzzzzz
Lesley
Lesley Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Horsham, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 08:54:16 (UTC)
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Ron that was well worth sharing,and the home truths I hope will sink in to the heads of the Aussies and stop all the whinging, and all the rumours about how they are going to take Johny out in the first quarter of the game I woul'd remind them of that gem,
For when the one great scorer
Comes to write against your name
He'l write not how you won or lost
But how you played the game
----------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 07:04:19 (UTC)
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Hi Chandru,
Tried sending you an email but received an "undeliverable" response.
Yep, my dad was the local vet in Choma, Kabwe and Lusaka. Your folks and mine knew each other from their Nigerian days. Please let me have your tel# so that I could call you.
Best wishes,
Noreen D'Cruz [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Toronto, Canada
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 04:34:14 (UTC)
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I wonder if anyone knows whether this website is legitimate? I think people would be willing to bear the cost of mailing books if it is for sure that they will actually reach someone and will not be sold for profit.
http://booksforzambia.com/
Allyson Cash [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Washington, United States
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 03:45:38 (UTC)
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I have not seen any of the Rugby as I have no TV reception up here in the Hills of South China, but I
have been following the humour, the banter and the serious discussion with interest.
If anyone has a video of the highlights - I would love to see it when all is over.
This rather lengthy piece has reached me via Singapore. but I think it may be worthy of sharing for those who have been discussing the way Rugby is devloping.
Best wishes, Ron
Whingers of Oz keep myth alive and kicking
THERE are 134 million sheep in Australia and they can't hear themselves bleating for the noise of the nation's rugby fans in the build-up to the World Cup final. For God's sake, Australia, you get three points for a penalty goal. Now get over it.
They won't, of course. It's the ace up their sleeve, their little insurance policy in case the match goes to form in Telstra Stadium on Saturday and Martin Johnson is handed the Webb Ellis Trophy at the end. This way, Australia retains bragging rights whatever the result. Score more points and the cup is theirs by definition. Score fewer and they will claim England's victory is an unfortunate side-effect of an outdated scoring system that gives Jonny Wilkinson's left foot ideas above its station. Plus the pitch, the referee, the weather, the usual, you know. It was all against them.
Even if England win five tries to nil, playing running rugby beneath a cloudless spring Sydney night sky, there will still be an Aussie escape route. The investment of the Rugby Football Union will equate to arrogant, posh Poms buying the cup. So a history lesson is required. A tiny reminder of how quickly English rugby has gravitated towards the brink of greatness.
In 1987, when England travelled to the first World Cup, rugby was strictly amateur and even the Five Nations Championship was classed as unofficial. "We merely play a series of matches against our friends" was the party line from headquarters. On leaving for Australia, Mike Weston, the England manager, was handed £20,000 to fund players' allowances and extras and had to dash to a bank in Sydney every Monday morning to withdraw the necessary amount. By contrast, three of the competing nations - Australia, New Zealand and France - were already professional in all but name.
England lost to the Wallabies in their pool and Wales in the quarter-finals. That was only 16 years ago. So, while RFU investment outstrips that of its rivals going into this tournament, English rugby is really playing catch-up for the years when rugby was being funded and moved on in the southern hemisphere at a pace.
The first World Cup was won by the All Blacks, for whom Grant Fox, their goalkicking fly half, scored 126 points, a World Cup record. Strangely, statistics like that have not been getting much of an airing lately, either. To read Australian commentators, this kicking lark is an entirely English invention and until Clive Woodward's team came along nobody had considered scoring with a dropped goal, making it all the more surprising that when South Africa defeated England 44-21 in the previous tournament, Jannie de Beer, the Springboks fly half, kicked a record five of them. Perhaps he was just confused.
You don't see many statistics out here at all, actually. The Aussies like the broad brush-strokes of a stop sign super-imposed over Wilkinson on a T-shirt. Stop him and you stop his team, they say, as if that wasn't also true of Pelé, Diego Maradona, Fox or Michael Lynagh. When Pelé was kicked out of the World Cup in 1966, Brazil failed. Shorn of Maradona's genius, Argentina have never been the same. And guess how many times the All Blacks have been world champions since Fox retired?
Statistics are not wanted as they expose the myth. In this tournament, the penalty count reads England 19, Australia 17 - a mighty six points' difference. In the past four games between the nations, the Wallabies have scored one try more than England. In their last meeting, England won the try-count 3-1. How did Australia progress to the previous World Cup final? Thanks principally to a dropped goal by Stephen Larkham in extra time.
I'm sorry, my television must have been on the blink when the Wallabies were repeatedly surging over the tryline on Saturday. I only saw the single try from an intercepted pass in the Australia 22. And even if all kicked goals were worth one point each, England would still have beaten France 8-6 the next day, such was their superiority.
Lawrence Dallaglio was yesterday asked to express numerically the number of points from tries he thought England would get if the opposition stopped committing penalty offences against them. He may as well have been asked to express it through the medium of jazz dance for all the sense he made of the question, but the observation is a salient one. The reason that penalty goals are worth three points is because devaluing them would halt running rugby for good. As it was, the French went in feet first on England twice and got away with it. Had an Englishman been as cynical as Christophe Dominici, the inquest would still be going on.
There is a lot of guff talked about running rugby in the southern hemisphere, as if the way the game has evolved in the north came from choice, not necessity. In November 2002, Australia lost 18-9 to Ireland in Dublin in conditions that racing folk would describe as bottomless. Unsurprisingly, Eddie Jones, the Wallabies coach, made that the excuse, but there is a serious argument here, too.
The most pure rugby does not function well in conditions that are standard north of the equator. There will be exceptions, like the mercurial Welsh of three decades ago, but players of that calibre come along once in a lifetime. Mere mortals have to play the hand they are dealt. English rugby, like English cricket, is hidebound by English weather. Fortunately, in rugby, we have found a player who has turned a hindrance into an advantage.
From starting the tournament asking of Wilkinson and England, "Is that all you've got?", Australia has decided that even that is too much and wants the England fly half handicapped. Rule changes will be demanded if England win this World Cup, it is claimed. A catch-all clause forbidding the award of the cup to anyone wearing a white shirt would be more sincere. Unless it's the plucky Namibians, of course. Bless 'em.
The bottom line is that Australia need to take the high moral ground and pretend to be keepers of Webb Ellis's flame because, deep down, they fear they are not as good as they once were and are about to lose to people they hate (even those who began the tour dismissing the Pom-bashing as typical banter have been taken aback by the incessant nastiness of the attacks).
To lose to England would represent a near state of emergency in a country defined by sporting prowess. When Pat Rafter was defeated in an epic Wimbledon final by Goran Ivanisevic in 2001, one Australian newspaper wrote that their man was the real winner for the sporting way he accepted defeat. OK, for an Australian not to throw his toys as well as his loser's medal out of the pram must have been a rare sight, but it said much about the psyche of the nation.
To hand the World Cup over to the Poms in Sydney would be a nightmare as great as discovering that your main contribution to popular culture in the past five years is Holly Valance. Sorry, cheap shot. But I've just read the messageboard on the Sydney Morning Herald's Rugby Heaven website and I think I'm due.
English rugby is as boring as English weather, opined one of the more literate contributors. We'll see. But just because our land doesn't burst into flames every five minutes doesn't mean our rugby players won't ignite when needed on Saturday. English wind-up merchants would grin widely at a 3-0 win. But, grudgingly, this time we may have to settle for more.
_________________________________________________
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 01:15:05 (UTC)
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Biltong....
After 36 years out of Zambia and 25 years in Chester, I had forgotten the delights of biltong.
Shock! Chris Austin in Northgate Street sells biltong! He says that there are a shedload of bokkies in Chester district and they buy it in huge quantities.
All those years and it was on my doorstep!
Rugby......
I don't remember the southern hemisphere whining about the Springboks knocking out England with 5 dropgoals last World Cup. And they call us whingers! Go Jonny Go!
Clive Puttock.....
Welcome to GNR. Last I saw of you was at Woodlands Primary in 1964. Have you kept in touch with Pierre Ferreira, Craig McDougall, Derek Hodgson, etc? I lost touch when I left in 1967.
John Evans [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Chester, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 22:30:42 (UTC)
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erm Jill, I think that joke was orginally about the Springboks (well it was last time I saw it)
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 22:19:04 (UTC)
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I find myself in a most difficult positon. I agree with Chris Tam! A drop goal is not as easy as Jonny makes it look and I see nothing wrong with the scoring the way it is. The points system should be in accordance with difficulty and a drop goal is not something many players can do. The point is, Jonny might look like a kicking machine but he wouldn't be able to do what he does without the TEAM setting it up. Stop knocking they guy. He is the most dedicated rugby player in the world AND has again been made, for the second time in a row, International player of the year. Anyone who thinks he's a boring player is not looking at the rest of his game. He is not just about kicking -watch the guy play and see how he is in there, tackling at every opportunity and totally unafraid of getting into it. He is a complete all rounder - dedicated and totally professional
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 22:15:55 (UTC)
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I have read a lot about the Rugby on here and it sounds like a bunch of whiners about the kicking game. I say if you have a strength use it. Did not the Kiwis use Jono lumu to steam roller over everyone. England has a good kicker and a strong pack use it. As for the complaints about the game been spoiled by all the kicking by the English well I say carry on. Who’s complaining either the Aussies or those who say lets have a class game. Aussies all your whining is because you guys have no kicker in his class as for a class game, well the English fell for all this in 1991 and lost in the finals to the Aussies. I say do not listen to them carry on guys. As to the future of the game lets look at the quarterfinals for the 5 world cups, top eight, most of the time bar Canada (1991) Fiji (1987,99) Samoa (1991,95,99). This is a game made up of countries that are professionals and amateurs. I have forgotten the other whiners, those who don’t like the thought that a team from the Northern Hemisphere is going to take the cup. The kicking game has been a thorn in the side of Rugby for years not just this world cup.
In football they have the extra time followed by penalties. There are a lot of draws that I see over the weekends and we know how boring this is. At least we have a result.
Michael Laatz [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Littlehampton, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 22:12:50 (UTC)
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Hi all you rugby fans!
The England team's training session was delayed today for nearly two hours at Telstra Stadium.
One of the players, while on his way back to the dressing room happened to look down and notice a suspicious looking, unknown white powdery substance at the end of the field.
Coach Clive Woodward immediately suspended practice while the Police were called in to investigate.
After a complete field analysis, the Police determined that the white substance, unknown to the players, was the try line. Practice was resumed when the officials decided that it was unlikely that the team would encounter the substance again.
Enjoy the game - I agree - let's hope it's a cracker - a bit of sparkle would be great.
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 20:57:21 (UTC)
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Dear Bill I am looking forward to having one of those famous tassels hanging off my wall but I am afraid the only thing I can send you if we lose is a pair of her old knickers (unwashed) but the chance of that is very slim, Regards Johnny. I think we may be putting a bit of a strain on my old mate Charles who also used to sneak a peek when she went to that town we used to stop at to put petrol in on the way south, as a matter of interest I have just recieved a message from Australia from a lady clairavoyant who says that it is in the crystal ball that the pommies are going to triumph.
Adios Amigos.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 20:13:27 (UTC)
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Johnny
I'll tell you what......In the unlikely event that the "Boring Whites" beat the Ozzies, I'll send you one of Pamela's (of tassle tossing fame) unwashed tassles!
May the most exciting team win for the future of sporting rugby & the pleasure of all serious paying spectators.
regards
Bill
Bill Hunt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Widenham, Natal, South Africa
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 18:56:49 (UTC)
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Zumla posts
ust to add to all the Rugby comments. I also believe that England rely as much on Wilkinson's peg at Rugby as they do on Beckam's right peg to win matches. It demeans the game of Rugby. About time the laws were changed. A try should count for 12 points; plus three for a conversion. I shudder to think what will happen if Wilkinson has an off day in the final! And to think that the England coach has admitted picking a defensive team adds to the predication that England will try to play boring rugby and rely on penalties. Lets hope the Wallabies counter this move with some sparkling Rugby..otherwise the game will not only be a bore but will have a negative impact on the game's long-term future!
You do not seem to have a very deep understanding of the game. The primary reason for King Johnny's success is the fact that he plays behind one of the finest packs of forwards in the game. Not to take one iota away from JW's brilliant boot skills, he is able to drop the ball because his pack gathers the ball and leaves him room to perform. And penalties are a very integral part of the modern game. Personally, I can find little wrong with the scoring system right now, but if I had to come up with one change, I might propose an increase in the drop goal from 3 points to 4. It is a very skillful part of the game, and perhaps worth a point more than a place kick penalty.
As regards the Welsh, I attended a 5 nations test in the "old" Cardiff Arms Park in February 1978, when Wales played Scotland. I was guest of a company chair who owned 6 debenture seats in the main stand, about 10 rows up from the halfway line, in the main stand when it was brand new. I was surrounded by Welsh, and was made particularly welcome because I was Rhodesian. Wales won the game 15-12 in very inclement weather. The singing was magnificent. 55,000 drunken Welsmen appeared to have just the greatest time and got no sense of what was to come in Brisbane some 25 years later (and what my Pommy friend here keeps on telling me from playing at County Level until just a few years ago). But then Wales were not playing England, and at that time in their rugby history, was on top of the game. They Lions teams in that decade comprised mostly Welsh players. (Barry John, Phil Bennett, JPR, Gareth Edwards, and on and on. Perhaps my Brisbane experience was a flash in the pan, but not when I listen to others who have more exposure than I.
Rugby, the game they play in heaven!
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 18:13:56 (UTC)
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Meg, You mention Robert Luke, has he a brother Harold? A Harold Luke worked with me in Kitwe in 1968/9 and went to Cape Town, I have not been able to locate him, thanks if you can help.
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 17:25:11 (UTC)
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Just to add to all the Rugby comments. I also believe that England rely as much on Wilkinson's peg at Rugby as they do on Beckam's right peg to win matches. It demeans the game of Rugby. About time the laws were changed. A try should count for 12 points; plus three for a conversion. I shudder to think what will happen if Wilkinson has an off day in the final! And to think that the England coach has admitted picking a defensive team adds to the predication that England will try to play boring rugby and rely on penalties. Lets hope the Wallabies counter this move with some sparkling Rugby..otherwise the game will not only be a bore but will have a negative impact on the game's long-term future! Guess whoever wins, we Zambians will be happy as there seems to be a Zambian connection in both sides!!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 14:52:16 (UTC)
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Heather
I'm always happy! And not a worry about missing my birthday - at my age it's good to skip a few!
Barry Woodrow [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Reykjavik, Iceland
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 13:36:31 (UTC)
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BIRTHDAYS
Sorry, I've been slack again - away and then back straight into a deadline. But my magazine has now gone to the printers, so I have got ten minutes to breathe before Craig and I go off to Kasanka to see the straw coloured fruit bats
There have been many birthdays while I was slacking off:
Ray Wright, John Thixton, Terry Grammer, Margaret Goodhew, Tony Johnson, Ted Mills, Alison Duckham, Mark Sturgeon, Carole Evans, Edite Pearce, Jan Coetzee, Sally Bunce, Rick Rosewarne, Rob Mingard, Angela Getty, Harry Taylor, Anton Taylor and
Ian Craft
And I feel particularly bad about missing Barry Woodrow and Des Kenny's birthdays. Sorry - I hope they were happy.
And for today, birthday wishes go to Robert Luke and Philip Pain.
Now I'm going to get super efficient and do the birthday for while I'm away
Gareth Walters and Edward Wells for tomorrow, Robert Lewis for Friday and Alastair Honeybun for Saturday after which I should be back.
MEG RYBICKI
Tom McKenna? I don't know, I might. But if I don't, I know I'll be able to find him. Can you email me on Monday to remind me to see what I can do.
If we can't find him, there are plenty of places I give the books to. However, the problem will be the cost of freighting them over here - that is always the hiccup.
Outta here.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 12:30:23 (UTC)
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Recent Site Updates:
November 19th, 2003:- Added several new links to the links page that will be of interest to some members.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 10:22:11 (UTC)
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With no malice what so ever.
-----------------------------------------------------
A guy walks into a bar in England with a dachshund under his arm. The dog is wearing an Australian rugby jersey and is festooned with kangaroos.
The bartender says, "Hey! No pets are allowed! You'll have to leave.."
The guy begs him, "Look, I'm desperate! We're both big fans, the TV's broken at home, and this is the only place around where we can see thegame."
After securing a promise that the dog will behave, and warning him that he and the dog will be thrown out if there's any trouble, the bartender relents and allows them to stay in the bar and watch the game. The big game begins with the Aussies receiving the kickoff. They march down field,get stopped at the 22, and kick a penalty goal.
Suddenly, the dog jumps up on the bar and begins walking up and down the bar giving high-fives to everyone. The bartender says, "Wow, that is the most amazing thing I've seen! What does the dog do if they score a try?"
The Aussie replies, "I don't know, I've only had him for three years.."
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 10:11:54 (UTC)
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Des
Happy birthday for yesterday, hope that you had a great day.
And to all you scorpions out there happy birthday whenever your birthday was or is. We are the best.
Kevin Shone [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ndola, Zambia
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 09:31:59 (UTC)
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I'm so pleased to hear of the genuine pleasant experiences of George etc when watching Wales either at home or away but somewhat disappointed in Chris' experience.
Many, many years ago I took my then new wife to the Arms Park to watch Wales vs Scotland, she redolent in the biggest Scottish thistle imaginable. She got a huge load of banter but was treated with respect and friendliness - to the extent that she was offered several hip flasks of Scotch. I wasn't, but I guess she's prettier than me!!
Its many years since we've been able to go to any Welsh games in Cardiff, having spent all of our married life in Africa, but we still get a huge thrill when we go to the Welsh games. I can honestly say that I have never ever experinced what Chris had in Australia - to go to the Prince of Wales or the Royal after a Cardiff international is an experience that many of my English friends from university still recall, even though we go back some 30 years.
There is animosity towards England in sport from the collective Celts - Tony O'Reilly once said that an Englishman was necessary to unite the Kingdom and that remains true to this day.
I've tried shouting for England but the word keeps getting stuck in my throat so I guess it's physiologically impossible to be an English supporter if you're Welsh.
If Chris wants to experince the English at home, go to the West car park of a Twickenham game and see what hangs out there.
There are always some bad elements in any sector but to denounce the whole nation as hooligans on and off the pitch is a little ripe.
Chris, you've had some bad press on this site in the past - passop you blicksem!!
Here's to a good game on Saturday
Jeff Davies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Johannesburg, South Africa
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 08:40:38 (UTC)
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Rugby fans
Chris, I attended the Scotland Wales game at Murrayfield in March, I was in the company of a Welshman and a NASA female astronaut (this was her first experience of rugby), we were surrounded by Welsh supporters. I had an absolute ball, the banter (craic for Meg) was brilliant, the astronaut was really impressed by the friendliness of rival supporters, 'ah that's rugby' I explained. Our Welsh companion replied 'unless they are bloody South Africans' he went on to tell us that he had been at a boks match at the Millenium Stadium where boks supporters had booed all the way through the Welsh National anthem, one of them had even mooned during the anthem!
I think the behaviour that you witnessed is disgraceful, however, it is of no surprise to me, the hatred that many Welsh and Scots have for the English cannot be understated, God Save the Queen is the National anthem for all Brits, in truth it is the National Anthem of the English, when the National Anthem has a verse which includes the words 'rebellious Scots to crush' it is difficult to convince all of the natives to get up and belt it out with gusto.
Since I came here as a young hippy I have become a veteran of Scotland England matches at Murrayfield, I witnessed increasing animosity towards the English but feel that it is now on the decline. I have an accent which most Scots think is English, I have stood in packed pubs in Edinburgh before, during and after internationals with England, only a few times have I felt uncomfortable, I don't think a Celtic supporter in a Glasgow Rangers pub would be able to use a low intensity word like 'uncomfortable', so despite the low lifes', rugby still wins in my book.
I will support England on Saturday, after all the Maxwells' were the leaders in 'proud Edwards army' just don't tell my kids or my friends!
Just to keep it germane, I have announced to everyone at work that Zambia will lift the cup on Saturday, they think I've lost it, but one way or the other it's going to be George or Jonny.
George Maxwell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Edinburgh, Scotland
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 07:11:34 (UTC)
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Meg writes:
am I alone in thinking that the Welsh played with respect for the "game",; they played exciting, courageous rugby, and my man of the whole RWC is Charvis.
I used to agree with your suppostions Meg, but a pommy mate here, who used to play at County Level in Engalnd, continually tells me that that is not the case. They are total hoodlums - on and off the field.
I have just returned from Brisbane where I got to watch inter alia, the England/Wales quarter final. I was sitting on the halfway line, 6 rows up, surrounded by Poms to my left, right, and front, and by a row of a dozen or so Welsh in the row immdiately behind me. The Pom anthem came first, and the Welsh refused to even stand up. I looked at one square in the eyes, and he responded sheepishly (no pun intended) that he would not "stand for this bunch of pricks". During the game, when Wales played (uncharactaristically of late) well especially in the 1st half, their comments were extremely nasty, gross, and very out of place. When Johnny started his kicking spree in the second half, the comments got worse.
When one must bear in mind that these particular supporters must have had some reasonable means (a few weeks in Aussie, game tickets etc. is not cheap) they were lower than most life. They certainly knew the tecnical side of the game, but as sportsmen supporting their country, they were a serious embarrassment.
My Pommy mate here was not at all surprised when I told him my experience.
England by 10 points this weekend, and New Zealand by 20 over the Frogs
PS - I travelled on the same plane from Sydney to Brisbane as the Welsh team. I got to shake Charvis by the hand and wished him well. It seems he listened - at least in the first half of the Q/Final
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 04:22:28 (UTC)
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hey robert...that's new..a whingeing canadian...
thanks for not insulting my south african wife....
to answer your questions....what's a word processor...?
we all play under the same rules....?
yeah right.. tell it to the boat guys trying to get into oz...
oh and by the way do not speak ill of the dead....
yes...
kd lange is dead..
apparently they found her face down in rikkie lake...???
i have reassessed the limey game plan...
they will win by one try
after 98 phases of play..
and johnnie will score it...
ciao
Kerry Rawlinson (née Van Niekerk) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 04:07:13 (UTC)
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Having grown up in a rugby mad household with big brothers playing rugby at St. Georges and St. Stephens (Bala Bala) respectively, am I alone in thinking that the Welsh played with respect for the "game",; they played exciting, courageous rugby, and my man of the whole RWC is Charvis. My husband detests rugby so I will be watching the final with my next door neighbour ( a Mr R. Evans, guess his nationality), and supporting, Im afraid, England, (message to my big bro Ed, we are half English after all, stop sulking about the Boks, England did something right to reach the final!)
HEATHER do you know of an Irishman called Tom McKenna who works with street orphans in Lusaka, I am trying to get a box number or contact with this man, as my youth group have collected barely used junior readers, and maths books, as our national schools recently changed their curriculum, and instead of dumping them, we would love to see them in use somewhere. Ciao, Meg
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 00:56:30 (UTC)
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Hey, Geoff
Don't word processors in Canada have upper case? I thought it was only kdlang that dropped hers (ie her capitals, not drawers).
We all play under the same Rugby rules - so quit whingeing - a Northern Hemisphere trait?
(I do agree about the loss of amateur status in sport, though, and generally).
Regards
Robert Allan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Melbourne, Australia
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 22:39:59 (UTC)
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Lookingt for Jas and Ethel Watson and family
Please send e-mail to
aless1@hotmail.com
Essie and Alex
Let us hear from you.
Alex Lawrence [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Marlow, United Kingdom
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 21:04:44 (UTC)
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Happy Birthday Des! Have a good one!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 19:03:42 (UTC)
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england in a cake walk....ok by 10 points
no offense meant to any one but i do believe it
was the southern hemisphere teams in cahoots with kerry
packer or whoever that decided to change all of the rugby union laws
to make the game more tv freindly and eventually proffessional..
(or was it because it suited the dry southern hemisphere conditions).
the kicking game is a result of too many law changes as is the stupid
tackle, line up across the field - tackle line up across the field - tackle,
line up across the field.....oh that was great rugby...17 phases of
tackle, line up across the field....
why don't we go back to good old rugby...
elbowing in the lineouts instead of 'boosting,'
head butting in the scrums instead of collapsing them,
stomping in the rucks instead of 'delicately using the soles of ones
boots to lever a prone player away from the ball',
pulling the maul down instead of having 8 players bound up in front
of the ball carrier but blatantly offside....the ball carrier should be at the front dammit,
big ugly cotton shirts instead of gear from " victoria's secrets"...
and how about going back to being born in your own country to be eligible to play,
god help us...fijian scotsmen, irish japs, welsh kiwis or the other way around not to
mention guys who can't make up there minds who they are - like campesi
i would imagine a kicking game in the final...england are strong enough to
create a pocket in which wilkinson can operate with his boot,and the ozzies
will repond in kind....they will have no choice
such a shame that the greatest game in the world has been reduced to this
good on yer georgians,namibians,etc for showing up and adding some class
to a tournament strangled by a bunch of overpaid meat heads
(or is it the body hugging designer gear that makes them seem that way)
and finally this is geoff writing so don't send the abuse back to kerry
thanks a lot
l
Kerry Rawlinson (née Van Niekerk) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 16:38:40 (UTC)
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DES
Happy birthday to you you! Hope you have a great day.
Now you're older than me again!!
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 10:41:05 (UTC)
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Sorry Dessie?
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 07:50:00 (UTC)
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Arthur you will have to have a word with that sister of yours those Aussies have got her brainwashed and just remind her where she was born, and who is Kessie?.
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 07:48:06 (UTC)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY DESSIE!
Hope you don't cry too much when the Wallabies trash the poms in the RWC this week-end. Apart from that, hope all your other dreams come true.
Lotsa love n hugs,
Mo
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Moira Steevens [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Brisbane, Australia
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 01:40:52 (UTC)
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Hilry,
How right you are! The tears will be shed by all those visiting Poms who've spent a small fortune with BA or Qantas getting here, only to watch their team be soundly beaten by a team that plays proper rugby, not a form of glorified soccer. And all those stay-at-home Poms watching the match on TV will be crying in their beer too. Poor Jonnie, he may have more than a few cracked ribs by the end of this week!!!
Go, Wallabies!!!
Ray Wright [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 01:22:42 (UTC)
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Gordon
re Kansanshi mine advert:
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose!
A mite tempting, even at my age.
It's the old photos that get me in - nostalgia of course.
(see my archived photos of Solwezi, Kansanshi and Mutanda of last year- July I think)
... and remember Nchanga Leach plant: Eric Plumridge, Charlie Wason, Arthur Webster , Gordon Cowie and all the others.
Regards
Robert Allan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Melbourne, Australia
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 23:34:55 (UTC)
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Oh and one more. Let's not forget Denise Crouch (Healey) is Austin Healey's mother, Des Kenny is his uncle and Lynda Kenny (Kruger) is his Aunt.
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 23:23:45 (UTC)
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Talking of Zambian rugby connections, don't forget that the greatest man of all, our Jonny Wilkinson's mother is also a Zambian. And of course, Corne Krige, but we won't mention that!
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 23:18:15 (UTC)
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Ray
You didn't tell me about the Zambian born George Gregan. However, I am glad we are clear who is going to win!! There will be a few tears in Oz that day!!!
Hilry Wilson (née Cartwright, formerly Wright) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ayr, Scotland, United Kingdom
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 22:03:42 (UTC)
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I apologise if I am breaking the message board rules in raising a potential business opportunity. I am not seeking to sell however, so i hope this is Ok.
My colleague and I have a successfull website marketing and selling on line high quality craft products based here in the UK. We would be interested in hearing from anyone in Zambia that may be able to supply suitable goods. I remember from my time in Zam there are all sorts of great locally produced goods that would sell well here.
if you are interested please contact me and we can discuss over e-mail potential opportunities. it would help if you had some experience of exporting and some time to devote to sourcing goods.
regards to all
I loved the Agincourt reference to the rubgy I think we will get a hell of a game Saturday whatever team you follow.
Paul Madgin
Paul Madgin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Brighton, United Kingdom
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 15:43:23 (UTC)
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Hi
Have just apent a relaxing few days in Amsterdam with an old school friend - Lilian Van Iersel. She and her mother lived in Ndola for years before moving to Holland. Her mother Willy is now married to terry Jones, also ex-Ndola. Terry is the father of Peter Jones who owns "The River Club" on the Zambian side of the Zambezi. Neither Willy or Lilian are geared up as yet to get onto the GNR but they send their regards to everyone who remembers them.
I was also going to have a beer with Mr Cooper - but he ended up in the UK at the same time that I was in Amsterdam! - Dave will e-mail you later to tell you how the weekend went.
So back to reality now and looking forward to Saturday to watch England triumph over Australia!!!
Bridget Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 13:45:20 (UTC)
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Johnny,
I loved your little poem. The Aussies vs New Zealand game was great but England vs France was a tad boring. We wanted scrums, crooked line outs, mauls, etc. not soccer! However, it's just really been great to watch rugby again. We're really starved of it here in the West.
My emails to you keep returning, unsuccessfully. Have you changed your email address?
Our internet police have really messed up my days now, but please stay in touch.
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 08:44:31 (UTC)
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To Dawie and all the others,
Just come across an advert for a Senior Maintenance Supervisor for an exciting NEW Copper mine in Kansnahi near Solwezi.
Things seem to be looking up in Dawies' old stamping ground.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST QUANTUM
Minerals Ltd
Senior Maintenance Supervisor
FQM Kansanshi Mining - Process Plant New Project Opportunity - Zambia
First Quantum Minerals is developing an exciting new copper mine in Kansanshi, near Solwezi in Zambia's North Western Province. Start up is scheduled for the final quarter of 2004. The plant will treat 6 mtpa of ore through two separate oxide and sulphide processing streams. Following conventional crushing and grinding, sulphide ore is directed to flotation, thickening and filtration to produce saleable sulphide concentrate, whilst the oxide ore is treated by leach, CCD, SX-EW stages to produce copper cathode for sale.
Kansanshi Mining now seeks to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced maintenance supervisor to this challenging role. After a brief period in the Perth office, the successful candidate will relocate to Johannesburg for 6 months where he/she will coordinate new and refurbished equipment QA, before moving to site in mid 2004.
The successful candidate will be responsible for day-to-day management of plant maintenance in the crushing/ grinding/flotation areas and/or in the leach/CCD/SX-EW areas. Candidates with extensive supervisory experience in similar operations and with previous overseas experience will be well regarded. Other key attributes of the position include:-
• A strong background in training and development of National employees
• Proven track record in promoting a safe work culture amongst employees
• A strong focus on maintenance planning and spares
• Proven track record in workshop and maintenance organisation
• Experience of equipment maintenance in acid or hazardous chemical environments
Qualifications in an engineering discipline or other appropriate technical areas, with suitable experience are required. Maintenance management qualifications would be highly regarded.
This position will appeal to self-motivated candidates with high energy levels and a 'make it happen' attitude. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as are leadership qualities and a strong commitment to achieve departmental goals.
The position is residential, and company furnished single and married accommodation is provided. A competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience will be negotiated to attract highest calibre candidates.
Please apply online at http://www.beilby.com.au/ quoting reference number 10896. For initial enquiries or
for any assistance you may need in making your application, please call Roger Simpson, Vic Bullo or David Kular on (08) 9323 8888.
Beilby
The Beilby Employment Network
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regards
Gordon
Gordon & Irene Dixon (née Wilson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 07:21:32 (UTC)
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Ok, Catbird Doug, now that was FUNNY.
Artie, Arturo de Sarky, Sarkissimo, yes, but is it "Art"?
This lad in no way a dead parrot. It is evident to any of us ladies that have met him at the Bashes that he has "luuuvly plumage". Evidently a grand lad in both form and function.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 01:04:24 (UTC)
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Johnny:
It was Agincourt all over again...
the French knights stuck in the mud with the rain in their teeth, while the English archer(s) in the form of Johnnie Wilkinson shot his arrows overhead in the form of an accurately aimed football, right over the cross-bar-again and again.
Next Saturday is the final that had to be...come on you Poms, the Wallabies are waiting for you...
Remember 1991.
Bob Allan
Melbourne
Robert Allan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Melbourne, Australia
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 00:53:04 (UTC)
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Tina ... "Desolé...Les Français!!! Art is nice but function is better"
Leave poor Arthur alone ; he's shagged out after a long squawk ....
Doug Waybush [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Maryland, USA, and London, England
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 23:59:03 (UTC)
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I rekon the Poms will win the world cup for sure,but then I said that about the AllBlacks and the Frogs,lets hope I`m consistant.ha!ha.
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 22:10:46 (UTC)
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No Johnny, I won't change. I am delighted with the result. I seriously thought that it would be France and New Zealand and I am more than happy to have been wrong. In future I'll trust my heart and not my head. I thought I was going to have a a heart attack this morning with the excitement. England all the way. Heyyy the Frogs have croaked!!!
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 22:05:06 (UTC)
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Theres a little bar in Paris
Where the Frogs cry in there beer
They wail about the wind and rain
That brought about there fear
And of that English Johnny
That made them all look queer
The first five minutes of the game they thought they were in heaven
But then the pox it struck them down
And they lost 24 to seven.
Annonymous.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 21:56:40 (UTC)
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Ron,
Thnx - I shall try and work it out - but skies are overcast here, though no badly needed rain has fallen in any quantity.
A really sad game today - spoilt a lot by the rain, it was like watching tennis - and I hate tennis. Consolation- South Africa won the World Golf Championships today!
Johnny, at least the French scored one try - the Poms - just like the "joke" you sent me, relied on the boot of your namesake. I admire Doug for watching the whole game - for me it was a thundering bore - it beats me that all 24 points can be scored by one person - what a negative way to play what should be an exciting game. Anyway, I couldn't give a fig who wins next Saturday - I think I shall go and get a life again, instead of watching footie.
Good luck to all those who actually care who wins this RWC!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 21:49:46 (UTC)
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Bill I hope what you said about cracked ribs isn't true but if it is I'm sure they will give him a rib transplant before next Saturday.
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 21:31:11 (UTC)
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You are all very quiet not sulking I hope.
That Scottish traitor from over the boarder has been very quiet since the result, Fiona I suppose you are going to change your alliegance next Sat are you?
WE ARE HE CHAMPIONS. (I HOPE)
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 21:24:55 (UTC)
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Kitwe 24 France 7
I believe English coach Woodward has emailed Zambian President for a Kitwe replacement for Jonny, who I believe has cracked ribs!
It looks like head to head Zambians for the final!!
Bill Hunt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Widenham, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 17:16:48 (UTC)
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Desolé...Les Français!!! Art is nice but function is better.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 15:05:00 (UTC)
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Rugby - So much for the Pope's Blessing !
shame I don't have TV reception.
that's why I watch thr stars.
Jill,
For meteor viewing times in Africa you can calculate the answers yourself with the handy Leonid Flux
Estimator - Just fill in Capetown - thr only SA city
listed and double check the times shown against a city shown on the list to make sure its right and not during daytime.
See:
http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/estimator.html
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 13:22:07 (UTC)
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You all know I do not like rubbing salt into open wounds and that I dont like to crow over an opponents defeat, but I must admit to a little rejoicing this morning and to all the girls who were infatuated by the frogs good looks they did not look so glamorous as they came off at fulltime, but it was only as I expected and now all I have to do is transfer that virulent pox on to the Aussies before next Sat morning 8.45 AM GMT kick off, see you all there Johnny
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 11:23:20 (UTC)
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Johnny
French 7, Wilkinson 24, 3 drop kicks and 5 penalties. This was football not rugby. At least the froggies scored a try. The English only started playing rugby in the last 5 minutes.
The Aussies will try to take out Wilkinson in the first 5 minutes of next weeks game and then England will have no chance!
Cheek in the tougue - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 11:17:33 (UTC)
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Jilly , Doug and to all the the frog lovers,
They dont like it up them you know!
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 11:00:16 (UTC)
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LATEST SCORE
POMS 18 FROGS 7 YAHOO JOHNNY
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 10:42:36 (UTC)
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Ron,
Don't we get leonid showers in Africa? There's no mention of any sites for viewing?
ALL the teams in the semis are wearing the same skin tight, unfair clobber - the Frogs just look the best in theirs.
The Aussies were awseome yesterday - really picked up their game 150%, most impressive - they left the All Blacks choking - again. Fiona, it looks like it's going to be an England Australia final, but I am still supporting the French at this stage.
Bye,
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 08:33:38 (UTC)
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2003 Leonid meteor showers
ARE YOU WONDERING...
What is the best location for viewing the 2003 Leonid meteor shower?
What night do I need to go out to see the the shower from my hometown?
How active is the shower expected to be?
Now, you can calculate the answers yourself with the handy
Leonid Flux Estimator
See:
http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/estimator.html
13-16 Nov 2003
I stayed up for three nights - the first night clouded
over and we only saw one flash through the clouds about
2:30 a.m.
The second night was clear, but I couldn,'t keep my eyes
open and kept falling asleep on my garden daybed.
Last night I got up at midnight and lay on a matress on
the flat roof until it clouded over at 1:30.
I was rewarded with one single trailing flare at about
1 a.m.
Nothing near as good as the coloured display we saw two
years ago 2001 - that's simply the best I have ever seen.
Now for 19th November I need to be up at 3-5 a.m. in Hong Kong
_______________________________________________________________
Leonid meteor rates for selected cities: Nov. 19, 2003
City Local Time Maximum number of Leonids in 15 min.
New York, NY 2:30 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 17
Miami, FL 2:30 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 14
Chicago, IL 1:30 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 13
Dallas, TX 1:45 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 9
Denver, CO 0:45 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 7
Los Angeles, CA 0:00 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 3
Caracas, Venezuela 3:30 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 17
San Juan, Puerto Rico 3:30 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 18
Bermuda 3:30 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 19
London, England 5:45 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 7
Paris, France 6:30 a.m. (Nov. 19th) 6
________________________________________________________
Who's right? See for yourself.
Be outside when the time comes, looking up.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/10oct_doubleleonids.htm
___________________________________________________________________
For more info See:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=2003+Leonid+Meteors&btnG=Google+Search
__________________________________________________________________
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 06:47:27 (UTC)
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Hi All
For todays game.
Brave English
On a tour in Southern France, the Pope took a few days off to visit the
coast for some sightseeing. He was cruising along the beach in the
Pope-mobile when there was a frantic commotion just off shore. A
helpless man, wearing an English rugby jersey, was struggling
frantically to free himself from the jaws of a 25 foot shark. As the
Pope watched in horror, a speedboat pulled up with three men wearing
French rugby jerseys. One quickly fired a harpoon into the shark's
side while the other two reached out and pulled the blue semiconscious
English fan from the water... Then, using long clubs, the three beat the
shark to death and hauled it into the boat. Immediately the Pope shouted
and summoned them to him. "I give you my blessing for your brave
actions. I heard that there were some bitter hatred between French and English rugby fans, but now I have seen with my own eyes
that this is not true." As the Pope drove off, the harpooner asked his
buddies, "who was that?" "It was the Pope" one replied. "He is in direct
contact with God and has access to all of God's wisdom." "Well" the
harpooner said, "he may have access to God and his wisdom, but he
doesn't know anything about shark fishing. Is the bait holding up OK or
do we need to get another pommy?"
Cheers
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 05:03:24 (UTC)
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E-Bay item - interesting.
Take a peek at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3566258446
Additional info:
The pages are not numbered, but at a rough guess I would say about 200. The book is divided into eleven chapters containing a total of 424 procedures, and a list of 69 appendices. I cannot find a mention of Broken Hill in the list of contents.
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 20:24:14 (UTC)
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I thought you would Johnny. Matron says don't get overexcited with the full moon approaching and keep taking your medicine.
May the best team win as long as it isn't the French heh heh.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 17:12:06 (UTC)
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What good news the Aussies beating the Blacks, that subterfuge they had planned of allowing a sheep to wander onto to the pitch to distract them must have worked, but of course they will have to think of some other ploy when they play the pommies, and it will have to be good to do them any good, I see for the FROG match our coach has imported 12 can can dancers to perform on the line at the pommie ends of the pitch but I am sure it will not distract the Frogs when and if they get in to our half as according to my correspondent they are not particularly interested in girls for all there good looks, but we will see, A POX ON THEM I SAY. Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 16:22:14 (UTC)
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Dear Doug and Ray:
Sorry I have not been on the GNR in a few days so was oblivious to the baiting. You are both naughty boys. BM has responded to you both in private, as per the terms of her demise. I would run while you still have the chance. Any form of contact with her is like an open invitation to e-stalk in her mind, and she is oh so good at that, as you both already know. I do my best, but I suggest a restraining order or size 16 shoes and start running now. May the force be with you... he! he!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 14:43:02 (UTC)
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Zambian born George Gregan has just led the Oz Wallabies to a wonderful win over the All Blacks.
Despite your feelings for those strange Froggie fellows Ali - with their oh-so-faux accents and unfair shiny slidy shirts - I do think the finals will be yet another Ashes clash between the Poms and their favourite love-hate opponents, the Aussies. And there's no doubt who's going to win, is there? I'm tempted to ask whose side you're on anyway!!! Where's your patriotism?
As for Linda, I think BM's just trying to keep too many balls in the air - and she's lost her touch!
Ray Wright [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 12:32:21 (UTC)
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Have just read Tina's suggestion for getting rid of seagulls in Aberdeen and have come to the conclusion that if she is right I know where there is a big house full like her.Johnny.
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 11:21:23 (UTC)
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Ps - BM probably has better ball handling experience than the Boks!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 10:11:39 (UTC)
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Johnny
If Ali keeps on kissing Kermits and turning them into handsome princes, maybe we must retaliate by sending a certain Texan Zambian lady of 2 x 4 fame to France to kiss all the handsome princes and turn them back into froggies. Can you imagine Beauteous chasing the French team around the field? That should put them off their game and give the Poms a chance. Or even better give BM a place on the English side, maybe the hooker?
With cheek in tongue - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 10:08:23 (UTC)
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Solving the Scottish Seagull Problem.
This message written in magic ink that only Gill Main can read, (so the witchdoctor who sold it to me said or was it my local politician I got this batch from along with that firm assurance ....?)
Gill
I know how we can make a mint and solve the seagull problem. Shhhhhh! Don't tell the others or they'll want to tell the Scottish authorities first.
First you lure the seagulls to a bay, right? Then you start talking about all the baygulls at the bay. The remaining seabirds mishear this and converge in a feeding frenzy on the bay, looking for all the "free bagels" you are talking about. Before they discover their mistake there are no more seagulls. Problem solved, ker-ching! sound of a cash register opening to pay us! Planning of many trips to Africa and spending sprees!
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 05:09:50 (UTC)
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JOHNNY
I suppose I am the biggest traitor, being an Aussie and wanting England to win. I really hate what the Aussie press are saying about the England team. They aren't arrogant, just very dedicated and damned good rugby players. It doesn't reflect what Aussies say about them at all, but I guess it sells newspapers
GILL
Yes, granted. The FWOGGIES are definitely the best looking team, but I still don't want them to win. But I think they have a good chance :-(
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 20:45:56 (UTC)
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Mwizinge
Thanks for sharing your friend and mentor with us. I've been looking at her achievements via the web. What a lovely person to have know. I can't say it all any better than Gill!
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 18:35:15 (UTC)
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Fiona dont listen to these traitors from over the border the FWOGGIES may have the looks but that is going to be no help to them when we get them out there on the field a pox on them I say.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 17:41:02 (UTC)
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Sorry Fi-Fi but I think the fwoggies have the edge.
Will never be able to look at a banana in the same light ever again!
Strange but true - The Times, Political page, Scotland - 'Plans to feed contraceptive pills to Aberdeen's burgeoning seagull population are to be considered by city officials'. Apparently our seagulls are very aggressive - too much Scotch I say. Prior methods have included removing nests from buildings and towing a rubbish-filled barge out to sea to lure them away from the city, unsuccessful - say Dah!! Eeehhh, you have to laugh.
M Tembo
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What a lovely tribute - don't have any regrets, life is too short and am she would have agreed with me. Just remember the good times.
Gill Main [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Aberdeen, Scotland
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 14:10:28 (UTC)
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Mwizenge
Heartfelt condolences on the sad loss of a wonderful friend.
Jacqui
Jacqui Milward (née Lackenby) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
London, England
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 14:08:02 (UTC)
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Heather
I am at work and my mobile is with me all the time. I am sure it is too late to meet up now as I think you will be flying out tonite but please call me on my mobile if you can.
Jacqui
Jacqui Milward (née Lackenby) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
London, England
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 14:04:03 (UTC)
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Heather you may have to contact Jaqui at work she may be house minding at the moment but not sure. Johnny.
Get youself up to me while you are here.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 10:21:47 (UTC)
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Seymour Ferreira
I am in London at the moment but when I get back to Lusaka, I shall contact Gerard and get Noreen's contact details for you.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 09:55:31 (UTC)
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Hi,
I am trying to find anyone who has Noreen Fagan's e-mail address.
I see that Gerard (her brother) has registered as a member but his e-mail address does not work.
Can anyone help?
Seymour Ferreira
Seymour Ferreira [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Singapore, Singapore
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 04:12:48 (UTC)
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I was a guest speaker today at a conference arranged by the Reception and Integration Agency, a division of the Dept of Justice, this particular department fund NGO's with the support and integration of asylum seekers in direct provision (ie. living in hostels, not allowed to work, and in receipt of l9 euro a week), to cut a long story shorter, a lovely lady called Pia Prutz Phiri from the UN Refugee agency for the EU made a formal address to the conference, with great dignity. She is Danish, and a lawyer, and majored in African studies, and lived in Kenya, then Zambia (where she became Mrs Phiri! and Zimbabwe). We mournfully agreed that Ireland in winter, and in particular a place called Monaghan, where the conference was being held was truly the pits of the earth, and she asked how I got over being homesick for Africa, so I told her about the GNR, and the fantastic photos of Zambia that have been posted over the last couple of months, and how at the click of a mouse, Zambia can literally come alive on ones computer screen. So folks, the GNR is now known about in exalted circles, a representative from the UN to boot! Sorry if I have offended any Irish natives by dissing Ireland in the winter, but it was a truly horrid day today! Ciao, Meg
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 01:07:40 (UTC)
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Last night there was a call from Michigan to our house. A woman had been found dead in her home apparently killed by an intruder in Okemos just East of Michigan State University campus. The 66 year old woman was Dr. Ruth Simms Hamilton, my Master’s thesis and Ph. D. dissertation advisor when I was in Graduate School at Michigan State University from 1977 to 1987. Her home address listed in the news story, 4415 Seneca Drive, was so familiar when I remembered all those student get-togethers at her house, and post cards and letters I sent to her over the years. I knew her home phone number by heart. I was stunned. Last night was not a good night for me. This is the woman who was not only greatly respected in her field of African Studies and African Diaspora, but she was my mentor; my hero. She had turned a rough wide-eyed graduate student, who thought he already knew almost everything, into a decent scholar and good writer. What she had done for me, and perhaps hundreds of other graduate students, was invaluable. I will mourn her tragic loss not just now, or the next few days, but for the rest of my life. It’s a burden that I don’t quiet understand since I am not the one that created humans to be mortal. The last ten years may have been rough on her as her husband had died a slow death from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ALS or "Lou Gehrig's Disease". He had also been a respected Prof. of Chemistry at Michigan State. Before he died, she often joked in her numerous public lectures, that she “stole” concepts from chemistry from her husband and infused them into her sociological ideas.
If I had had full knowledge of who she was when I first set foot into the Soc. Dept. at MSU, I probably would have been too scared to have her be my advisor and chair of my thesis and dissertation. It’s so true that sometimes ignorance is bliss. Her reputation in the department was legendary among graduate students. If you made it with her, it meant your work was good. After my Masters Thesis with her, I had a choice of switching to another advisor for my Dissertation. Some might have thought I was being masochistic or glutton for punishment. But I wanted the challenge and I wanted to be the best I could be when I was finished with the program. My wife would attest that it wasn’t easy. But I came out of it a much better scholar with tremendous confidence.
Ruth Hamilton insisted on excellence. I always insist on excellence from my students. Some of my students to day, needless to say, sometimes think I am just being too picky when I insist on this high standard. There are so many things that I reminisced about last night about her kindness, sense of humor, her confidence, hard work, and the ground breaking work she did as Director of the multi-million dollar African Diaspora project that took her all over the globe over so many decades. She was frequently out of the country. And then now that she is gone, there are countless regrets; this last summer, I was in East Lansing and I was going to call her to try to get together with her which I always did. But then the huge power black out changed everything. I never got around to calling or visiting her.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 22:38:04 (UTC)
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Kevin
Sorry, I didn't forget your birthday - just didn't manage to get to a computer. I'll phone you on Saturday when I'm back.
Jacqui Milward
Tried to phone you today, but didn't manage to get through. Will try again tomorrow.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 22:32:29 (UTC)
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Kevin,
Otto's in Botswana at the moment, but will pass on your message. He really liked it up there in Zambia (as opposed to 'down south') and I think the trip was successful. Hopefully we'll be seeing a lot more of you. You MUST come over to see us at Christmas time, seeing as you'll be here.
Johnny and Fiona,
- English Father, Afrikaans mother, Zimbabwean hubby - how does one choose a team to support? I go along with Alix - the French certainly are the sexiest looking side - and for a girl that's really important - why else do you think we watch rugby? And their all blue kit is ze zootiest - n'est ce pas?
Viva La France!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 20:52:00 (UTC)
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Thoughts ramble as the wind howls outside with rain and wet white stuff flying past the window.
The Rugby World Cup : imagined phrases---------
Australia - " Good on ya, ya bludgers"
New Zealand - " At least we're not them Ozzies"
England - " Jolly good shew chaps, anyway."
France - " A bas les maudits anglais, tabernacle"
USA - " Eh, what's rugby?"
Canada - " Oh well, it was too warm for us"
Georgia - " Better than guarding Schevardnadze"
Fiji - " Bula, y'all, tourists"
Argentina " They are, like, so ours too, OK!"
Also rans - ' Nice holiday that : too bad it's over"
Bill
William Knott [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 20:12:16 (UTC)
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Merle Dodsworth - I'm alive and kicking - cant wait for you to get in touch - Clive
Clive Puttock [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Burnham on Sea, Somerset, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 20:08:34 (UTC)
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Dear Jilly and Doug just a little more salt,
Rudolf Straeuli was invited to the Cinderella fancy dress ball, and went dressed up as a pumpkin.........Why?????
>
> He was hoping that at the stroke of midnight he would turn into a coach...
---------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 14:22:34 (UTC)
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I mean Banana!!
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 14:16:47 (UTC)
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When Britain's Mrs Thatcher heard Canaan Bana wanted to visit the UK she asked if he was coming alone or would there be a bunch of them - genuine.
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 14:11:48 (UTC)
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THANKS.....
to all those who wish Leah a happy birthday ........she thanks you......
Johnny
My Ancestry comes from my Great Grandmother, who was born in France and emigrated to South Africa, and lived in Northern Rhodesia/Zambia......she is buried in the Aylmer May Cemetery.
As for the Frogs winning the world cup.........they are the only prince charmings in the competition...so what can I say ....!!!!!!
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 13:39:56 (UTC)
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Good afternoon campers just a little lesson on living dangerously. Johnny.
> >A cowboy walked into a barber shop, sat on the barber's chair and said, "I'll have a shave and a shoe shine." The barber began to lather his face while a woman with the biggest, firmest, most beautiful breasts that he had ever seen knelt down and began to shine his shoes. The cowboy said, "Young lady, you and I should go and spend some time in a hotel room."
>
>She replied, "I'm married and my husband wouldn't like that."
>
>The cowboy said, "Tell him you're working overtime and I'll pay you the difference."
>
>She said, "You tell him. He is the one shaving you."
-----------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 12:44:39 (UTC)
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Robert
Thanks for reproducing a fascinating account.
Amazing how great good intentions, some of them realized, and also strong destructive tendencies reside in the same person. It's no mean thing to have been credited with brokering the 87 Unity Accord ending the Matabeleland massacres and interesting he went on to work on brokering peace in Liberia.
Ta muchly!
Happy birthday Shoeshiney One.
Love you Leah Key!!! I see Mum has loaded you and your sisters on her back like baby possums and moved. Not everyone gets to move for their birthday. You must be very special!
My computer has problems - something is heat-shorting out and letting me back in at strange times after it cools down, and my internet cafe's browser is not compatible with my main ISP so if any of you suddenly see mail from the name of a Lusaka suburb and subject line plaintively assures you it is from me, believe it. If it turns out to be from Lagos and wanting money I refuse responsibility.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 10:23:13 (UTC)
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Thanks all for your birthday wishes, had a quite relatively sober night saying farewell to a friend of mine who has been transferred to Nigeria.
Beth
I was in Johannesburg over the weekend but remembered you had posted some days ago that you were away. I will be down for 2 weeks over the Christmas period and we can arrange something then if you are not one of the thousands that move to the coast over that period.
Otto
Sorry that I was not here, could have shown you the night life of the city??? I hope that you had a successful trip.
Heather
Heather darling, WHERE ARE YOU? I am beginning to think that there is more to you than meets the eye.
Kevin
Kevin Shone [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ndola, Zambia
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 07:15:57 (UTC)
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Alix you canot claim frog ancestry just because your mother believed all that Baloney about if you kiss me I will turn into a prince, she must have been on something, Love Johnny.
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 07:09:40 (UTC)
|
This is for star gazing night birds
As the sky is very clear - if anyone wants to come meteor watching after
midnight tonight at the Temple of Hidden Peace & Tranquillity then let
me know early. Bring very warm clothes, sleeping bag and a flask of hot
soup to share. The temperature will be between 10-13 C.
Hot tea and coffee will be on tap.
The last viewing here was the best we have ever seen with colouful trails
across the night moonless sky.
Tonight there will be a moon.
If you cannot come here - then watch it from wherever you can get a clear
view of the night sky.
There will be another Leonid shower on 19th November for other parts of the world.
Best wishes, Ron
__________________________
The Leonid meteor shower is coming Tonight 13/14 November 2003
Bill Cooke of the Space Environments Group at the NASA Marshall Space
Flight Center explains: "Normally there's just one Leonid meteor shower
each year, but this year we're going to have two: one on Nov. 13th and
another on Nov. 19th."
Both are caused by comet Tempel-Tuttle, which swings through the inner
solar system every 33 years. With each visit the comet leaves behind a
trail of dusty debris--the stuff of meteor showers. Lots of the comet's old
dusty trails litter the mid-November part of Earth's orbit.
"Our planet glides through the debris zone every year," says Cooke. "It's
like a minefield. Sometimes we hit a dust trail, sometimes we don't."
Direct hits can spark a meteor storm, which is defined as more than 1000
shooting stars per hour. "That's what happened in, for example, 1966 and
2001," says Cooke. "Those were great years for Leonids."
"This year we're going to brush past two of the trails--no direct hits," he
says. Even so, "we might have a nice display."
The first shower is expected on Nov. 13th around 17:17 UT. For about three
hours centered on that time Earth will be close to some dust shed by
Tempel-Tuttle in the year 1499. Sky watchers in Alaska, Hawaii and along
the Pacific rim of Asia are favored. They'll see anywhere from a few to 40
meteors per hour--"if they can avoid the glare from that night's gibbous
Moon," cautions Cooke. A good strategy for moonlit meteor observing: travel
to high altitudes where the air is clear or stand in the shade of a tall
building or hillside.
Leonid meteor rates for selected cities:
Nov. 13-14, 2003 City Local Time Maximum number of Leonids in 15 min.
Los Angeles, CA 5:15 a.m. (Nov. 13th) 3
Seattle, WA 5:45 a.m. (Nov. 13th) 3
Fairbanks, AK 7:00 a.m. (Nov. 13th) 10
Honolulu, HI 5:30 a.m. (Nov. 13th) 9
Tahiti 5:00 a.m. (Nov. 13th) 6
Tokyo, Japan 2:30 a.m. (Nov. 14th) 18
Christchurch, New Zealand 3:30 a.m. (Nov. 14th) 1
Sydney, Australia 3:30 a.m. (Nov. 14th) 9
Hong Kong 2:00 a.m. (Nov. 14th) 8
Beijing, China 1:45 a.m. (Nov. 14th) 10
Manila, the Philippines 1:45 a.m. (Nov. 14th) 9
Table notes: Values listed in the 3rd column are the maximum number of
meteors an observer with perfectly clear dark skies might see in a
15-minute interval around the shower's peak
Source:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/10oct_doubleleonids.htm
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 04:40:45 (UTC)
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Jilly, Dougie, Johnny .....etal
I am throwing in my wager...The Frogs ........
after all do I have frog ancestry.................
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 01:07:03 (UTC)
|
Kevin.....A very happy birthday and many more to come.
from Lyn and Gordon Foster (West Indies)
Gordon Foster [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Antigua, West Indies, Antigua
Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 01:04:35 (UTC)
|
Here is a British news report on the death of a famous Zimbabwe figure:
Canaan Banana
(Filed: 12/11/2003)
Canaan Banana, the colourfully-named former president of Zimbabwe who died on Monday aged 67, became his country's first black head of state in 1980 following the bloody and prolonged war of independence that toppled Ian Smith's white-only regime; but his career ended in disgrace 18 years later when he was convicted and jailed for sodomy.
Although not well-known outside Southern Rhodesia before independence, Banana had had an honourable career as an opponent of the Smith regime, and as a radical theologian. He served as the country's president, a largely ceremonial position, from March 1980 to December 1987, when he was effectively forced out by the increasingly autocratic Robert Mugabe, who took over as executive president, after serving as prime minister.
Banana might have expected to spend the rest of his days as his country's respected elder statesman, but his retirement was rudely interrupted by a sexual scandal which led to his trial on charges of sodomy.
The story broke in February 1997 when a former bodyguard, Jefta Dube, who was on trial for murder, pleaded in mitigation that he had been systematically raped and sodomised by Banana over a three-year period when Banana was president, and that he (Dube) had been taunted by the murdered man as "Banana's wife".
Banana had allegedly spotted Dube playing for the police football team, the Black Mambas, in late 1983 and invited him to join his household. Dube described how Banana drank, danced and played cards with him before drugging him and raping him on the carpet of the State House Library.
Dube had complained at the time to the country's police commissioner, but was told that nothing could be done. When he asked Banana to stop, Banana refused, telling him: "I am the final court of appeal."
Banana denied the allegations, claiming that the charges had been trumped up by his opponents. But by May, Dube had been joined by a veritable army of accusers, including dozens of former students of the University of Zimbabwe (where Banana had been Chancellor from 1983 to 1988), several members of the State House football team, the Tornadoes (who testified that their patron's fascination for scoring extended beyond the pitch), and assorted policemen and air force officers. There was, in addition, testimony of sex with cooks, gardeners and several aides, a jobseeker and a hitch-hiker.
Homosexuality is regarded as beyond the pale in Zimbabwe and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. In 1995, President Mugabe had famously described homosexuals as "worse than pigs and dogs" and urged Zimbabweans to turn them over to the police. Banana's arrest contributed to growing public disillusionment with the regime, since rumours of Banana's sexual profligacy had been rife in the capital for many years and it was generally assumed that Mugabe must have known, but had done nothing to stop it.
In 1998 Banana was found guilty on 11 charges of sodomy, attempted sodomy and and other "unnatural acts" with men. The case took a further dramatic twist when, shortly before sentencing, Banana went on the run to South Africa after receiving a tip-off that Mugabe intended to have him assassinated. After meeting Nelson Mandela, he returned to Zimbabwe, where he was sentenced to 10 years in jail, of which nine were suspended.
Canaan Sodindo Banana was born on March 5 1936 at Esiphezini, in Essexvale District, near Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia. He was educated at a mission school, followed by Tegwani Teacher Training Institute and Epworth Theological College, where he was ordained as a Methodist minister in 1962.
He worked at various missions and was chairman of the Bulawayo Council of Churches in 1969-70 and of the Southern African Urban Industrial Mission from 1970 to 1973. He alarmed the authorities by publishing his own version of the Lord's Prayer, encouraging Africans to resist white supremacy.
Banana spent a year travelling in South-East Asia and Japan (where he took a diploma at Kansai Industrial Centre). On his return he became an active nationalist, joining the newly-formed African National Council (ANC), of which Bishop Abel Muzorewa was president. He became its vice-president and campaigned for the rejection of the agreement between Rhodesia's prime minister Ian Smith and Sir Alec Douglas-Home during the Pearce Commission inquiry.
In 1972, Banana accompanied Muzorewa on a visit to London to press for another constitutional conference. In consequence, Banana's passport was confiscated on his return, and he fled on foot to Botswana in 1973. He ended up in America on a three-year scholarship and studied for a master's degree in Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC.
On his return to Rhodesia in 1975, Banana was arrested at the airport and jailed for leaving the country without a passport. On his release in January 1976, he flew to Bulawayo but was kept under house arrest. Later in the year he was allowed to join Muzorewa's team at settlement talks in Geneva, during which he defected to Robert Mugabe's Zanu (the Zimbabwe African National Union).
On his return to Rhodesia in December 1976, he dismissed Muzorewa as "irrelevant and gullible" and the following year established the People's Movement to represent the internal wing of Mugabe's party. He was again detained, but was released shortly before Lord Soames arrived as Governor in 1979.
Banana became first president of an independent Zimbabwe on April 18 1980, when he received the constitutional instruments from the Prince of Wales. As a former political detainee and a member of the minority Ndebele people, he had impeccable political credentials, and was the only person nominated by Zanu.
Banana used the presidential platform to attack the churches for their mealy-mouthed approach to the liberation struggle, and in 1980 called for a "radical transformation" of the content of the Christian message: "When I see a guerrilla, I see Jesus Christ," he declared. Later, he suggested that the Bible should be rewritten to make it relevant to people in post-colonial societies.
In September 1980 Banana was an intermediary in talks about merging Zanu-PF and Joshua Nkomo's Zapu and was credited with brokering the 1987 Unity Accord which brought to an end the Matabeleland massacres in which Mugabe's army is thought to have killed an estimated 20,000 civilians.
Banana had some difficulty investing the office of president with the required aura of reverence and in 1982 a law was passed in Zimbabwe forbidding jokes about the president's name, though it continued to invite cheap jibes, illustrated later in such headlines as "Man raped by Banana" and "Mugabe Slips on Banana".
Banana took a great interest in raising chickens at Mrs Banana's farming co-operative in the grounds of State House and acquired his own farm just outside Harare. He sent Prince Charles a poem for his wedding, and wrote five books on theology and politics. His other interests included refereeing football matches, conducting a choir, and playing tennis and Ping-Pong.
The loss of office in 1987 was not without its compensations. Banana retired that year on very favourable terms, with a tax-free pension for life of £25,443, lifetime immunity from import duties, and with a secretary, two security guards and a vehicle allowance.
Thereafter he served, in 1989, on the United Nations commission of eminent churchmen investigating business in South Africa. At the end of 1991 he was one of a group of Commonwealth "Eminent Persons" which observed Codesa (Convention for a Democratic South Africa). He also played an active part, on behalf of the Organisation of African Unity, in seeking to broker peace in Liberia.
After the scandal broke, Banana lost his university chair of theology, religious studies and philosophy, was stripped of his clerical rank by the Methodist church in Zimbabwe and was dropped by the OAU. When, as president of the Zimbabwe Football Association, he went on to the field to meet the players he was booed by the crowd.
Banana was convicted by Zimbabwe's high court, but served only six months of his sentence in an open prison that allowed him to make shopping trips to the capital. He continued to protest his innocence, describing homosexuality as "deviant, abominable and wrong", and denouncing the charges against him as "a mortuary of lies".
He married, in 1961, Janet Mbuyazwe and had three sons and a daughter. After standing by her husband during his trial, Mrs Banana left Zimbabwe for Britain, where she claimed political asylum.
Robert Allan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Melbourne, Australia
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 23:40:58 (UTC)
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OH JILL!
How could you? The Frogs?? And this from a girl who was born in London? I'm SO disappointed in you! My heart says England v Australia in the final but my head says New Zealand v France. Please let me be wrong and GO ENGLAND!!!!!
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 23:04:31 (UTC)
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Jilly now you have changed your allegiance to the Frogs I will have to change my morning chant to A VIRULENT POX ON THEM. -----------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 21:53:48 (UTC)
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Hi All
www.nrzam.org.uk has been updated.
Bob Eglinton's section has some more pictures from his childhood on the Central Research Staion at Mazabuka.
Regards Ian
---------------------------------------------------------------
Larkers
Many thanks to you for sharing your wonderful experience with us through text and photos. Very much appreciated!
Regards Ian
Ian Singer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 21:52:36 (UTC)
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Kevan I think that Doug in his confused state is getting mixed up with his name for a maths course with that hit of the Beatles,
Kumon Kumon Kumon Kumon PleasePlease Me.
---------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 21:45:37 (UTC)
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Kevin,
Happy Birthday!
Johnny,
The SA loss in the quarter finals was nothing short of a disgrace - I don't mind losing - but just going through the phases with no 'GEES' was unforgiveable. I am trying hard to still support, but I am bitterly disappointed - my kids' first team would have shown more spirit. Now you know what I mean by RIP Bokke.
Rest in Peace? Rise if Possible - is it Possible?
Now I am supporting the Tricoleurs - don't tell them, maybe I am a bad omen!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 20:27:58 (UTC)
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Happy Birthday Kevin and thanks again for your help in Zambia. The name of that maths course is Kumon.
Happy Birthday Leah!
Johnny, you are really rubbing the salt in! I agree with you about a pox on the froggies, however. Thanks for all the funnies you email me, to make me forget about the boks.
The Nigerian scammers have got a new twist. I am receiving email from "Jane Mupesa", the wife of a murdered MDC official who wants to share US$25.5 million with me. Also a similar scam written all in French. A pox on them too!
At last the rains have come in Vryheid. We have had 88mm (3.5 inches for the decimally challenged) in the last 36 hours. What a relief!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 18:57:55 (UTC)
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Happy Birthday Kevin and many happy returns!
Jacqui xx
Jacqui Milward (née Lackenby) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
London, England
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 15:59:18 (UTC)
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Dear Kevin
Happy Birthday. Hope you have a good one my friend.
Love
Fiona
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 12:34:15 (UTC)
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Many Happy Returns Kevan Enjoy your birth day Johnny.
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 10:54:36 (UTC)
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Good morning campers, you all know I do not like rubbing salt into wounds but I could not resist sharing this with all our readers a very poignant little court case that took place in Joburg recently it should bring tears to my mate Dougie's eyes also to Jilly Masteron who is a staunch supporter, I am on my Knees every day praying that my boys survive this week end, and always finish with these words A Pox On The Frenchmen. Johnny.
_____________________
A seven year old boy was at the centre of a courtroom drama last week when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him
The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge awarded custody to his aunt. The boy confirmed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and refused to live there. When the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents the boy cried out that they beat him more than anyone. The judge dramatically allowed the boy to
choose who should have custody of him. Custody was granted to the Springbok rugby team team this morning
as the boy firmly believes that they are not capable of beating anyone.
--------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 07:57:05 (UTC)
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DEAR LEAH
Many Happy Returns Of The Day, you are catching up with your dear sisters quickly only a few more to go and you will be overtaking them, look after your mum now you are a big girl and lots of love Johnny.xx
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 07:40:09 (UTC)
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Leah (Lizzie) ..........
A very happy birthday to you....you are now double numbers ! 10 candles today !
lots of love from
mom, Alice, batty, fat rosie and the cat with the tatt.Bella !! (all melting in the 40+ degs.....and it is still only spring......)
and
Kevin Shone..........
HAPPY BIRTHDAY .......
lots of wishes to you
from Ali and the girls......
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 02:24:55 (UTC)
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Acknowledgement:
I sent the last message just before I checked for the author on the web - it was of course Larry Vaincourt whose web-site is shown below.
The original poem has the word Legion in place of the antipodean RSA for the 'old soldiers association.
http://www.vaincourt.homestead.com/Common_Soldier.html
WELCOME TO RHYMES & REFLECTIONS
The Humor and Writings of A. Lawrence Vaincourt
This site is dedicated to Larry's home-grown isdom, wit and reminiscences in poetry and prose.
_________________________
Barrie asked where I find these gems.
Well some I search for and some are sent by friends around the world. I have a small private poetry list on the Topica web-site.
If anyone is interested in joining the free poetry list let me know.
or If anyone is interested in joining the Kipling Society [UK] for 20 odd quid a year just look it up on the Web or let me know.
Best wishes,
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 01:21:50 (UTC)
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Hakuna Matata! Very cute.
Banana Bob. Didn't they write "Never on a Sundae" for him.
You can kiss me on a Monday
A Tuesday a Wednesday
The music will not fail.
But when I stoop to spike your drinkie
It's kinky and finky!
That's when I go to jaaaiiiil!
Hakuna any more I think.........
I don't know much about him and that far off time of the beginning except didn't he have pretty good intentions as an interim leader? I just don't know...
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 01:14:32 (UTC)
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Yet one more Remembrance Day Special 11th November whilst it is still Nov 11th in the New World.
This one points the finger to those politicians who start the wars and sit back while braver men and women go out and fight them - not for the politicians - but for the lifestyles of their families and friends.
As Tina points out - just such as [silent] war is taking place in Zimbabwe right now.
____________________________
Just a Common Soldier
He was getting old and paunchy, and his hair was falling fast,
as he sat around the RSA telling stories of the past,
of a war that he had fought in, and the deeds that he had done.
In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes, every one.
Tho' sometimes to his neighbours his tales became a joke,
all his soldier mates they listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
and the world's a little poorer - for a soldier died today.
He'll not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
for he lived a very ordinary, quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
and the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in State
while thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life story from the time that they were young,
but the passing of the soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
a man who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife
goes off to serve his country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives;
while the ordinary soldier who offers up his all,
is paid off with a medal, and perhaps a pension, small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was long ago
that the "Old Bills" of our country went to battle, but we know
it was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger with your enemies at hand,
would you want a politician, with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend his home,
his kin and country, and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
but his presence should remind us, we may need his like again,
for when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldiers' part
is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honour while he's here to hear the praise
then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say:
"Our country is in mourning - for a soldier died today".
[Author presently unknown]
______________________________________________________________________
With thanks to Brian & Elizabeth R. in W. Australia for sharing this.
______________________________________________________________________
(RSA in this poem means the New Zealand Returned Services Association,
similar to the RSL - Returned Services League in Australia.)
______________________________________________________________________
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 01:02:01 (UTC)
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Heeellppp.
Craig, Dawie - this is killing me - the windows media section - place a precorded cd in - how the Hell do you print off the index that appears???? Do I have to export it to other Heineken places or what? It will not print screen. Please assist.
From your stupid but loyal follower of the GNR.
Gill Main
Gill Main [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Aberdeen, Scotland
Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 22:39:23 (UTC)
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Tina
You remember the old song, 'Yes, we got no bananas'. Well, Canaan Banana the first president of Zimbabwe, who was jailed for sodomizing his bodyguard, has died.
Also Matata Tsedu the editor of our 'Sunday Times' has been fired, so we have also got 'Hakuna Matata' (no problems - from 'The Lion King' ).
I got a blast from the past today. I got a phone call from Andy Rossous, from Australia who is visiting relatives in Joburg. We worked together on Mufulira Mine 40 years ago. Enjoy your holiday, my friend.
Glen Drake, who was my neighbour in Chibuluma when we were schoolkids 45 years ago, will be visiting Breyten later this month. Breyten is only 130km from Vryheid so we should be able to meet up.
It is amazing how the GNR can bring back old friends.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 18:12:19 (UTC)
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Erm....(to use a wonderful lead in of Fiona Gayther's)
Now that we've read the Absent-minded Beggar, below,
There's an ex-Lusaka teacher on Harare's harrassed streets
And she takes the funds as far as they will go
To the poorest ones for whom a can of catfood is a treat.
Or a gran with guts and ten orphans in tow.
She is just one of many who go out and fight the fight
And she's even put her safety on the line.
She's been in the Charge Office. She begins to know it well
So the light of human rights will somehow shine.
She is merely one of many, though the tale I tell is true.
And we cannot, may not, turn our heads away.
While we give, then stop frustrated -
It is up to me and you and all the other humans we can sway.
To many of you who read this site I am just teaching granny to suck eggs. You know it all and then some!
Seems we already give til we bleed, but you know there are many ways to help. They are often simpler and gentler than we suspect. Ways to garner visibility to make world governments openly focus on: "The Invisible Country in Africa". They are thanked hugely for all the aid they slip in without taking a strong stand but gosh, we require a bit of backbone from them too.
Readers of the Cathy Buckle letter at http://africantears.netfirms.com/thisweek.htm
know there are a ton of email link for aid and information. Just follow a few and ask questions. There are also sites spearheading electronic human rights activism.
Incidentally while there is a foreign exchange crisis in the country there are still savvy organizations with long experience getting aid through.
If you are a churchgoer - W.O.Z.A. - Women of Zimbabwe Arise! - is having a national day of prayer on November 15/16 and looking for world solidarity. Tell your church, your prayer and women's groups. It's all visibility. Could be used for a spin off for some donating too.
Zimbabwe Council of Churches called
16 November - NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
For peace, justice and prosperity."
If anyone is interested in an informal brain storming email connection - casual, no pressure, just with the aim of coming up with simple ways to help visibility to the problems in Zim in our local areas, email me.
Thanks for letting me bend your ears. Said all I need to say. Gone.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 17:23:17 (UTC)
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RON in HONG KONG,
Thanks Ron, Where do you keep finding these literary gems??
REgards barribee.
Barrie Braidford [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 17:12:58 (UTC)
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This day 11th November 2003 - a Day of Remembrance
I have spent walking the hills with three dogs and
wondering why the World has not become totally sick
and tired of War.
I have in my posession one of a limited number of clay match-holders
that were sold in 1901/2 to raise money for the forgotten survivors
and widows of the last Boer War - it bears a Kipling Poem "The absent
minded Beggar" in a facsimile of Kipling's own handwriting, a famous
picture of a British soldier titled "A Gentleman in Kharki" with
bandaged head holding his rifle and bayonet at the
ready with a pith helmet on the ground with the shadow of a skull
inside it - by the famous artist of the time - K C Woodville - and
sponsored by Usher's Whisky distillery of Edinburgh.
Lest we Forget here is Kipling's poem about the Boer war survivors
The Absent-minded Beggar
WHEN you've shouted " Rule Britannia,"
when you've sung " God save the Queen,"
When you've finished killing Kruger with your mouth,
Will you kindly drop a shilling in my little tambourine
For a gentleman in khaki ordered South?
He's an absent-minded beggar, and his weaknesses are great -
But we and Paul must take him as we find him -
He is out on active service, wiping something off a slate
And he's left a lot of little things behind him!
Duke's son - cook's son - son of a hundred kings
(Fifty thousand horse and foot going to Table Bay!)
Each of 'em doing his country's work
(and who's to look after their things?)
Pass the hat for your credit's sake, and pay - pay - pay !
There are girls he married secret,
asking no permission to,
For he knew he wouldn't get it if he did.
There is gas and coals and vittles,
and the house-rent falling due,
And its more than rather likely there’s a kid.
There are girls he’s walked with casual.
They’ll be sorry now he’s gone,
For an absent-minded beggar they will find him,
But it ain’t the time for sermons with the winter coming on
We must help the girl that Tommy’s left behind him!
Cook's son - Duke's son - son of a belted Earl
Son of a Lambeth publican - it's all the same to-day !
Each of 'em doing his country's work
(and who's to look after the girl?)
Pass the hat for your credit's sake, and pay - pay - pay !
There are families by thousands, far too proud to beg or speak,
And they'll put their sticks and bedding up the spout,
And they'll live on half o' nothing, paid 'em punctual once a week,
'Cause the man that earns the wage is ordered out.
He's an absent-minded beggar, but he heard his country call,
And his reg'rnent didn't need to send to find him!
He chucked his job and joined it - so the job before us all
Is to help the home that Tommy's left behind him !
Duke's job - cook's job - gardener, baronet, groom.
Mews or palace or paper-shop, there's someone gone away!
Each of 'em doing his country's work
(and who's to look after the room?)
Pass the hat for your credit's sake, and pay - pay - pay !
Let us manage so as, later, we can look him in the face,
And tell him - what he'd very much prefer
That, while he saved the Empire, his employer saved his place,
And his mates (that's you and me) looked out for her.
He's an absent-minded beggar and he may forget it all,
But we do not want his kiddies to remind him
That we sent 'em to the workhouse while their daddy hammered Paul,
So we'll help the homes that Tommy left behind him !
Cook's home - Duke's home - home of a millionaire,
(Fifty thousand horse and foot going to Table Bay !)
Each of 'em doing his country's work
(and what have you got to spare?)
Pass the hat for your credit's sake, and pay - pay - pay !
Best wishes
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 15:34:16 (UTC)
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Another Remembrance Day poem from a more recent event - the Battle for Hong Kong Christmas 1941
My Passage Out to Sea - Alan Potter
The following poem was written in the Shamshuipo
Prisoner Of War camp Hong Kong by Lieutenant Alan Potter, of the First Battalion, The Royal Scots, who fought in the 1941 battle for Hong Kong.
My prison window opens out,
upon a vista wide.
An island-studded harbour
with hills on every side,
and right ahead, aye calling me,
an open passage to the sea.
My prison house is fenced around
with lines of knotted wire,
and weaponed guards keep vigil there
to foil my heart's desire.
'Tis naught, for fancy lets me free
through yonder channel out to sea.
When morning breaks along the hills
and floods the bay with light,
I rise from my dream-haunted bed,
and first direct my sight,
where running tide goes flowing free,
through that blest channel out to sea.
And when the sun's flaming ball,
stoops westward to his bed,
and Tsing-I Isle stands castle-like
against the flaming red,
and sunset streams beckon me
to sail that passage out to sea.
When night enshrouds the silent camp
and slumber holds me fast,
'Midst all the dreams of distant ones
that conjure up the past,
the constant vision comes to me,
of that near channel out to sea.
Though comfort small this place affords,
my constant joy is found,
in all the sweep of hill and bay,
that rings our camp around.
And for supremest luxury,
I have my passage out to sea.
In self-same manner is our life,
in narrow limits cast.
In action cramped, with vision wide,
our mortal days are passed.
But freedom for eternity,
waits through that channel out to sea.
Alan Potter left Shamshuipo camp in 1943 as a POW on board the Lisbon Maru bound for Japan.
The ship was torpedoed near Shanghai and Alan was not amongst the survivors.
He had finally found his passage out to Sea.
Temple Poetry: Message #48 - Aug 27 1999
With thanks to Phil Bruce for bringing this to our attention. Phil has an interesting Web-Site well worth a visit.
www.raxrlx.com
Suggested reading:
Prisoner of the Turnip Heads by George Wright-Nooth.
Banzai You Bastards by Jack Edwards MBE.
Not the Slightest Chance - the Defence of HK 1941 by Tony Banham.
The Fall of HK - Britain, China & the Japanese occupation by Philip Snow son of the writer CP Snow [a very good read - full of new information]
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Monday, November 10, 2003 at 07:22:36 (UTC)
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Good morning campers just a clip I saw this morning that amused me I hope it does you. Johnny.
Police in Radnor , Pennsylvania , interrogated a suspect by placing a metal colander on his head and connecting it with wires to a photocopy machine. The message "He's lying" was placed in the copier, and police pressed the copy button each time they thought the suspect wasn't telling the truth. Believing the "lie detector" was working, the suspect confessed.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Monday, November 10, 2003 at 07:11:46 (UTC)
|
Pappy:
Are you getting my emails. I have been sending you info and email addresses for people you are looking for but I never get a response from you??
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 23:51:57 (UTC)
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Well it looks like it could be the Frogs and the All blacks
in the final,don`t think much of the way the rest are playing.
I rekon the Frogs are a good outside bet.They were 11-1 at the start,wonder what they will be now.
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 15:52:33 (UTC)
|
More poetry for Remembrance Day
The Last of the Light Brigade - 1891 Rudyard Kipling
There were thirty million English who talked of England's might,
There were twenty broken troopers who lacked a bed for the night.
They had neither food nor money, they had neither service nor trade;
They were only shiftless soldiers, the last of the Light Brigade.
They felt that life was fleeting; they knew not that art was long,
That though they were dying of famine, they lived in deathless song.
They asked for a little money to keep the wolf from the door;
And the thirty million English sent twenty pounds and four!
They laid their heads together that were scarred and lined and grey;
Keen were the Russian sabres, but want was keener than they;
And an old Troop-Sergeant muttered, "Let us go to the man who writes
The things on Balaclava the kiddies at school recites."
They went without bands or colours, a regiment ten-file strong,
To look for the Master-singer who had crowned them all in his song;
And, waiting his servant's order, by the garden gate they stayed,
A desolate little cluster, the last of the Light Brigade.
They strove to stand to attention, to straighten the toil-bowed back;
They drilled on an empty stomach, the loose-knit files fell slack;
With stooping of weary shoulders, in garments tattered and frayed,
They shambled into his presence, the last of the Light Brigade.
The old Troop-Sergeant was spokesman, and "Beggin' your pardon," he
said,
"You wrote o' the Light Brigade, sir. Here's all that isn't dead.
An' it's all come true what you wrote, sir, regardin' the mouth of hell;
For we're all of us nigh to the workhouse, an' we thought we'd call
an'tell.
"No, thank you, we don't want food, sir; but couldn't you take an' write
A sort of 'to be continued' and 'see next page' o'the fight?
We think that someone has blundered, an' couldn't you tell'em how?
You wrote we were heroes once, sir. Please, write we are starving now."
The poor little army departed, limping and lean and forlorn.
And the heart of the Master-singer grew hot with "the scorn of scorn."
And he wrote for them wonderful verses that swept the land like flame,
Till the fatted souls of the English were scourged with the thing called
Shame.
O thirty million English that babble of England's might,
Behold there are twenty heroes who lack their food to-night;
Our children's children are lisping to "honour the charge they made--"
And we leave to the streets and the workhouse the charge of the Light Brigade!
Temple Poetry: Message #69 - Sep 05 1999
_________________________________________________
The Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Lord Tennyson
The Charge of the Light Brigade
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre-stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Alfred Lord Tennyson
Contributed by my sister Eleanor in the Andes
Comment:
When Ron & Eleanor were at their first school, Brooklands in Cobham, Surrey, Sir Guy Gaunt visited the school to tell all the children about the charge of the Light Brigade.
Everybody was made aware of ther 'bravery', but nobody was aware of the hard times that fell upon the few survivors until Kipling made it public knowledge.
Temple Poetry: Message #68 - Sep 05 1999
__________________________________________________
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 15:42:19 (UTC)
|
The Somali truck drivers, and the men who used the Kafue Hotel, got off lightly, methinks.
I was told the story, from an impeccable source, so it must be true, of the young man who arrived in Northern Rhodesia many years ago fresh-faced for an assignment. He was posted way out of the way in a town smaller than Kafue, and after a hard day’s driving he got there. He went to the only hotel and asked for a beer. Then another. And another. And he realised his bladder was full. He asked the hotel owner where to go and the man pointed out a couple of buckets in the corner of the bar. He felt rather self-conscious as he peed, especially when the only other customer in the bar, an elderly grizzled prospector, heard the splashing sounds, and went to the other bucket. As that other man started to empty his bladder the barman pulled out a gun and shot him dead.
The new young man was shocked. “Why for you did such an appalling thing?” “Because if I've told him once, I've told him a thousand times. Not…to use..the ladies.”
Peter Bromwich [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Valderrobres, Teruel, Spain
Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 10:53:42 (UTC)
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This is the 123rd Anniversary of the execution of Irishman - NED KELLY.
Today we have witnessed another execution by the French:
France 43 Ireland 21
Norman Kenward [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Worcestershire, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 09:49:00 (UTC)
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Go, the Wallabies. Pity about the Scots!!
And today we'll see who the real opposition are, without wishing to be too unkind to our brethren across the Tasman. We may after all be in the final together.
Cheers all.
Ray Wright [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 07:10:14 (UTC)
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Hi All
to those who have remembered Rememberance Day comming up on the 11th. of November.
May I join you.
Dedicated to a Kitwe Boys High Old Boy and a good mate who died in Rhodesia,
"John Jack" R.I.P.
We Will Remember Them
In Flander's Fields
In Flander's Fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarse heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In flander's Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To them from failing hands we throw
The Torch: be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flander's Fields.
John McCrae
As an active M.O.T.H. I would like to share this with you.
When you go home, tell them of us, and say
"For your tommorrow, we gave our today".
Their gift was great, but you must give
A greater to complete the plan,
They died, now you must nobly live
To make man brother unto man.
I shall pass through this world but once,
Any good thing that I can do
or kindness I can show any human being,
let me do it now and not defer it,
for I shall not pass this way again.
In True Comradeship Mutual Help And Sound Memory
Yours under the Tin Hat
Philip Pain
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 05:49:46 (UTC)
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This day of days again we keep -
In memory of those who sleep....
....They died in war that we in peace
May live and love, that war may cease.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 01:49:02 (UTC)
|
They shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 22:56:37 (UTC)
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Bokke R.I.P.
Linda, I will wait, at least I know you're getting my mail.
It was so lekker to look at Otto's video of Kitwe and Chingola! He went to the Polo Club, but alas, failed to video the stables - which is where I spent my life in Zambia - no - not the club house! I wonder why everyone supposes that? On the plus side, he did take some pictures of horses grazing on the polo field - weird - that area used to be like sacred ground when I had my horses there!
I am trying to keep awake to watch the lunar eclipse, but I am battling - anyone got any matches to hold up my eyelids?
Good night,
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 22:12:34 (UTC)
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OK, so I'm Pollyanna, but couldn't you, like Paudie with Ireland, celebrate the Boks coming second? Ducking and covering....
Alice Honey, late but very fond birthday wishes. Happy Birthday to all out there who have just had cakes on fire thrust before them.
Those of you who won't have a ton of rainy clag over your heads like us, enjoy the lunar eclipse.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 20:39:55 (UTC)
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Can anyone help me to contact Tommy Knowls one time working for N.R.G. mech. workshops, last heard of in South Africa
Paul Ferguson [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Leintwardine Herefordshire, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 16:32:48 (UTC)
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Disaster! A poor show by the Boks!
Oh Well! Back to tiddly winks!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 13:53:50 (UTC)
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Des you are right,the Boks were crap,don`t worry Grant you still have the AllBlacks and France,Oh!and the Aussies to support,but I must say it`s very hard to disagree with Des,as much as I would like to,but unless Johnny Wilkenson breaks his legs I have to agree with him.
Grant keep in contact as I would like to contact Margie Travis (Rosson) Lyn Murry,Les Ingham,Ian Coetzee,Campbell and the rest of the owns.
Ali Marsh, I was half right in my estimate,I was let down by the Boks,but as I said I am not very good when it comes to these things.
Any ways I`m still going to have my bottle of whiskey today,ha!ha!
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 13:13:41 (UTC)
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GRANT KNOWLES
I take it you will now be supporting a proper team (England).
Will someone please advise Corne Krige that the NZ forward's ankle is not a trampoline (dirty little git). They got what they deserved. Nowt. I'd like to say how well SA played but I'd only be lying
Des Kenny (formerly Crouch) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wallasey, England
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 09:37:29 (UTC)
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Today's birthday wishes are to Charles Bellow, Gryneth Thomas, Maureen Harrison, Fred Potgieter and Trevor Turnbull
Amanda McIntosh
One of Stewart Gore Brown's relatives was Governor or something like that in NZ although I did not think it was his father, more like an uncle.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 08:45:45 (UTC)
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Bob:
You are absolutely correct in your answer except that you had to figure out I would be wearing a red dress too. If that part is over your head, figuratively speaking of course, then you could ask Johnny Green to explain it to you.
Jilly:
I am not ignoring you. Hoping to answer a backlog of emails this weekend.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 01:01:15 (UTC)
|
Doug what has made you so confident of a win tommorrow is there a blind team playing in the tournament?
You will note I like to live dangerously and if the Aussies win tommorow and the Boks win there game I am certainly going to get some S -- thrown in my direction, but you will always see a Green smiling, Adios for now Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 00:59:03 (UTC)
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Reading the paper filling in time unti the big Match - and which side does one cheer on - I came across a coincidence. Sir George Carlton Gore was Govenor of NZ in the 1880's (?). One of his descendants has just present some of his papers, including letters signed by Queen Victoria to our National Archives. The interesting part is that they were found in " his son's mansion in Africa during restoration". I wondered if anyone knew more?
Talk of Denis and "its a goal" brought back memories. A couple of years ago a NZ broadcaster called Ian Johnstone, who had been a DO in Northern Rhodesia returned to Zambia to make a documentry. He had known Dennis Liwewe in the old days and part of the programme was with him in the commentary box and yes a goal was scored. Not a dry eye in the Wiggins family.. Unfortunately somone recorded over the video and we were never able to get a copy but for a few moments we were all back in Lusaka. Great stuff
Amanda
Amanda McIntosh (née Wiggins) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Auckland, New Zealand
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 23:23:47 (UTC)
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Barrie
Glad you enjoyed it! The most hilarious stories are based on the truth. Somewhere in the past I posted the story about my brother-in-law Freddie painting the walls of the pit latrines behind his bush bar near Chisali, with whitewash laced with chili powder. This was to stop the Somali drivers on the hell run (who were muslims) from smearing their mess all over the walls instead of using toilet paper. This resulted in some highly agitated Somalis.
Ali
Please give Alice Happy Birthday wishes from Africa.
Almal
Work at Capetown rubbish dump came to a halt today when the scavengers (pc ecological recyclers) reported to the overseer that one black plastic bag was ticking and might contain a bomb. The bomb squad was called and upon opening the bag found a vibrating dildo still switched on. The overseer had a problem trying to explain to the scavengers just what this thing was for. This was in today's press.
Johnny
It's d-day for the Boks tomorrow. Do or die!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 19:33:31 (UTC)
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Linda, I knew you'd get it being non metric. However if you had the 2x4 and I had the size 16 shoes the answer would be 2 steps as I would never get a chance to reach 20mph with you after me!
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 15:43:37 (UTC)
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Hi to everyone from the other side of the globe,
Graham, Fiona,Graham, Debbie, Chris, Ada,Gary, Natasha & Scott thankyou all so much for coming to our leaving do. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves.
We have been here in Brisbane for 10 days now & it is just brilliant. Lovely people, fantastic weather (in the pool everyday so far) what more can I say. It's going to be a strange xmas in the sunshine.
Arty,
sorry you couldn't make it , thanks for putting the photos on you are a star.
Heather,
I haven't got a clue whats going to happen to accent now. Only time will tell.
Cheers for now
Mark
Mark Powell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Brisbane Qld, Australia
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 11:41:42 (UTC)
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While I am on the board I thought I would take this opportunity to remind all the Aussie supporters that are going to watch the game tommorow either live at the ground, or like me on the box, to take a copius supply of handkerchiefs with you, Regards to you all Johnny.
---------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 07:30:08 (UTC)
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Dear Alice Many Happy Returns Of The Day and just think next year at this time you can sink a Vodka and lime Legally
Tons of Love Johnny.xx
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Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 07:21:21 (UTC)
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Hi again All
there is still a problem with my link, the problem I found was that you must spell KIDS with a Z. so now this link will work
GO FLY A KITE
Cheers
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 05:32:37 (UTC)
|
Hi All
looks like a problem with my link, try this one:-
GO FLY A KITE
Cheers
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 05:18:58 (UTC)
|
HI ALL,
Pappy you are right, that is why the sticks were so prized, better than trying to cut straight pieces of bamboo.
All you Grandparents out there,
When last did you teach your grandchildren something that is educational? I challange you to teach them to build a KITE. (Teach them and don't go to the toy shop and buy one.) I bet most of you will not get the thing to fly as you have forgotten how to make one that flys.
For those of you who have forgotten I have done a little research and you can find instructions here:-
GO FLY A KITE
I would love to hear of your results.
Cheers
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 04:56:05 (UTC)
|
Bob Gillies:
The answer to your question is four and a half pounds.
Here is one that you can figure out for me. If a lady has a 2X4 in her hand and a man wears a size 16 shoe, how long does it take for her to catch up to him if he runs at 20 mph. (Johnny Green, don't cheat and give him the answer...)
Pappy:
The last news I had of Tony Edwards was that he was farming in Zambia.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 04:43:52 (UTC)
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"The Blonde Bombshell"
17 years ago a scrawny red head made her presence on this earth, now she has blossomed into a beautiful young lady... Happy Birthday Alice.
Lots of love and hugs
from
mom, Jade, Leah, Rosie, and of course the Cat with the Tatt ! Izabella.........
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Friday, November 07, 2003 at 04:27:46 (UTC)
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DOUG GREWAR, as a retired electrical maintenance supervisor, your story about the phantom pee ers had me and my sons in hysterics, It could have killed him you know.
Im still giggling writing this. We also had a good bonfire night, ending with what has now become a family tradition, PHILIP you might like to try this(if you havent already done so). Save the biggest rocket until last, push the stick so far into the soil so that it cant possibly take off, dont warn the innocent bystanders, and light it. As it roars it suddenly dawns on people that it isnt going anywhere and that the top of it will soon explode, this is when panic sets in among the onlookers and the severe giggling starts with those in the know. The explosion at ground level is much more severe than a quarter of a mile up in the sky, I know it is Dangerous, but boys will be boys!!!! and any way I showed them how to do it!!!.
Regards barribee.
Barrie Braidford [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 22:25:17 (UTC)
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Dear Charles I have been neglecting to enquire after your health I hope you are making progress with that back of yours I have been fortunate in my lifetime never to have suffered any back problems (touch wood) but I have ovserved friends who have and know how painful it was for them, I have had a lot of pc trouble and have lost all my addresses so when you feel able please send me a message so I can get you back on my list, as I said I hope you are on the road to recovery your old Buddy Johnny.
---------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 19:53:22 (UTC)
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Bob you forget I`m from Glasgow,we have a saying here
duck there`s a brick,who cares how much it wieghs,all I know is that its bloody heavy when it hits you on the heed,ha!ha!
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 18:07:51 (UTC)
|
Northerners,
Here is a link to a news article on today's BBC website about lead poisoning in Kabwe
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3241037.stm
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 17:11:31 (UTC)
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One of Nature's Quieter Answers to Guy Fawkes Day. (Can't have major solar flares every day).
November 8, as a little extra, there will be a lunar eclipse visible in some part, one way or another to most readers. As they say in the entertainment papers: Check local times and listings.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 16:31:20 (UTC)
|
Philip
I too remember the fireworks display on the island at Mindola Dam with the reflections on the water - a spectacular sight. We spent many happy week-ends there as my parents were keen fishermen. We children also had our own fishing gear and couldn't wait for our trips to Mindola (we lived in Bancroft).
Betty Mahady (née Horn) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 16:15:24 (UTC)
|
Pappy, I have not seen Tony Edwards since outside Le Coq D'Or in Salisbury in 1973 when he thumped a dent in a Peugeots wing for hooting at him crossing the road without looking. I have not heard of Jill or Les. We cannot get the answer to this question locally as it is not metric, maybe you can help :
If a brick weighs a pound and a half and half a brick, what does a brick and a half weigh? The prize is a sporran made of the delicate part of a blesbok.
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 16:07:24 (UTC)
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Johnny
You left out Jack Balls, who when asked by the new teacher for his name said' Jack to my friends and Balls to you!"
Jilly
I hope your birthday went with a bang and you have many more!
Arthur
Any news about our Fuhrer? I hope he is recovering well from his op?
The Traditional Doctors Association of Limpopo Province, today announced that they would no longer give muti to criminals to prevent them being convicted in court. The announcement was welcomed by the South African Police Service.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 15:05:01 (UTC)
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We used the rocket sticks to make kites.
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 13:59:49 (UTC)
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Morning campers I am afraid the Quality of the following is a little below my usual imput but If you are young at heart you may have a smile or a Giggle at them.
--------------------------
TEACHER: George, go to the map and find North
> > > > > America.
> > > > > > STUDENT: Here it is!
> > > > > > TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?
CLASS: George!!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > SUBSTITUTE TEACHER: Are you chewing gum?
STUDENT: No, I'm Billy Anderson.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > TEACHER: Alfred, how can one person make so many stupid mistakes in one day?
STUDENT: I get up early.
> > > > > >
TEACHER: Didn't you promise to behave?
STUDENT: Yes, Sir.
> > > > > > TEACHER: And didn't I promise to punish you if you didn't?
STUDENT: Yes Sir, but since I broke my promise,
I dont expect you to keep yours.
> > > > >
TEACHER: Tommy, why do you always get so dirty?
STUDENT: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground
than you are.
> > > > >
TEACHER: In this box, I have a 10-foot snake.
SAMMY: You can't fool me, teacher....snakes
dont have feet!
> > > >
HYGIENE TEACHER: How can you prevent diseases caused by biting insects?
STUDENT: Don't bite any.
> > > > > >
TEACHER: Ellen, give me a sentence starting with "I".
ELLEN: I is....
TEACHER: No, Ellen, Always say "I am."
ELLEN: All right... "I am the ninth letter of the alphabet".
> > > > > >
TEACHER: Max, use "defeat", "defence", and
"detail" in a sentence.
MAX: The rabbit cut across the field,and defeat
went over defence before detail.
> > > > > >
MOTHER: Why on earth did you swallow the money
I gave you?
JUNIOR: You said it was my lunch money.
> > > > >
TEACHER: If you received R10 from 10 people,
what would you get?
SASHA: A new bike.
> > > > > >
TEACHER: If you had one rand and you asked your
father for another, how many rands would you have?
VINCENT: One rand.
TEACHER: (sadly) You don't know your arithmetic.
VINCENT: (sadly) You don't know my father.
> > > > > >
TEACHER: If I had seven oranges in one hand and
eight oranges in the other,what would I have?
CLASS COMEDIAN: Big hands!!
> > > > > >
BOY: Isn't the principal a dummy!
GIRL: Say, do you know who I am?
BOY: No.
GIRL: I'm the principal's daughter.
BOY: And do you know who I am?
GIRL: No.
BOY: Thank Goodness!!
----------------------------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 08:53:08 (UTC)
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Hi all well-wishers,
Sorry I didn't get through to you yesterday - but I have the same problem as Doug - reloading xp - still haven't got any email addresses back up, but Kai will try again today (I hope).
Thanks Linda, Ali, Pappy and Ron for your private emails - they were read at about midnight! Doug, yes I am a fireworks day babe - and even born in London - always did have a good sense of occasion, what can I say?
Jeff, I know what you mean - the best birthday present I could have is for the Boks to beat the All Blacks!!
Anyway everyone thanks for the happy birthday messages, and I hope you will live forever Johnny cos I really giggled at your corny jokes!
BTW - Otto's at Nkana Mine today - he's taken the video camera, so hopefully he'll find the Polo Club and the old house in Freedom Avenue....(Wish I was with him!)
Love from Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 06:57:26 (UTC)
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More growing up in Nkana /Kitwe
Hi All,
well the 5th. of November is here again funny how time flies.
This day was always a very special day for our family as it was my sister Lena's birthday and was always celebrated with a "BANG"
In my early childhood this day was celebrated at my sister's house at 59 Central Street and then later in Garneton when thy moved there.
My brother inlaw Joe Windell was a foreman at the Cobalt Plant and every year would invite all his friends and their families to his place for a party. This was great as all the people attending would bring all their fireworks along with them and put them all in one big box. (Fantastic for the kids.) The only problem with this system was that all your eggs (fireworks) were in one box. On two consecutive years we had disaster strike. The first occasion one of the grown ups using a match to search for a particular firework dropped the match into the box. Boy! were the results spectacular, as the fireworks started to go off my eldest brother Alf and Joe grabbed the box and ran towards the bottom of the yard to save the house, unfortunately they only got about half way when they had to give up, but instead of placing the box on the ground they tossed it in an attempt to get it as far away as possible. When the box landed it fell with the open side facing the braai area. What a spectical, out of the mouth of this man made volcano came sky rockets skimming along the ground, the famous roman candles spitting fire balls, jumping jacks and catherin wheels doing their thing. This was amazing to watch but the best part to watch was the grown ups, women screaming and trying to get their small kids inside the house, with two ladies stuck in the door while trying to get through at the same time. The men were standing by the braai doing a hop scotch with drinks in their hands, trying not to spill a drop ( I must have learnt something that evening as I have on occassion tripped with a drink in my hand and not spilt a drop).
The whole episode probably lasted for about three minutes and an additional few with the occasional squid going off. We kids were amazed by the display with lots of " WOW! did you see that," but it soon dawned on us that Guy Fawkes had come to a sudden end for us.
I remember getting up early the next morning and searching the area for any crackers that might have survived the previous evening only to find a few dew soaked squids.
At the second incident the following year it was decided to put all the fireworks into a plywood tea box and place this in a safe place away from the house. Alas, this was to prove a flop as in those days it was quite common for people to throw crackers to each other, with the result that one ended up in the box of fireworks. Although this display was also spectacular with everything out of the top of the box including sky rockets going in the right direction, it was very disappointing for the kids.
Thinking back on those days I recall a couple of firework displays which have been filed in MY DOCUMENTS in my brain. The one was at Mindola dam. Here the display was set up on the island across from the angling club. ( The island was the one which had the long rope swing tied to a branch of a tree which grew on the island. ) This display was fantastic in that it was all reflected off the water. Realy beautiful.
The second display which comes to mind is the one that was organised behind the M.O.T.H. club in Kitwe. Here the display was set up on the top edge of the Kitwe slimes dam overlooking the the club grounds. This one was great as you had an unobstructed view of the show and all the fireworks had a good height advantage.
I know we now have the displays of the kind Disney World presents but to me these were better as seen through the eyes of a young kid before T.V.
I remember the day after Guy Fawkes all the young boys would be searching the yards and lanes for sky rocket sticks and arriving late at the M.O.T.H. club some boys came off the slimes dam with the biggest sticks I had ever seen. What did we do with these sticks?
I can't remember but I know they were highly prized.
Cheers for now
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 05:27:54 (UTC)
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This Poem is dedicated to all November's Birthday People
The Wind
The Wind's Message - Banjo Patterson
There came a whisper down the Bland between the dawn and dark,
Above the tossing of the pines, above the river's flow;
It stirred the boughs of giant gums and stalwart ironbark;
It drifted where the wild ducks played amid the swamps below;
It brought a breath of mountain air from off the hills of pine,
A scent of eucalyptus trees in honey-laden bloom;
And drifting, drifting far away along the southern line
It caught from leaf and grass and fern a subtle strange perfume.
It reached the toiling city folk, but few there were that heard --
The rattle of their busy life had choked the whisper down;
And some but caught a fresh-blown breeze with scent of pine that stirred
A thought of blue hills far away beyond the smoky town;
And others heard the whisper pass, but could not understand
The magic of the breeze's breath that set their hearts aglow,
Nor how the roving wind could bring across the Overland
A sound of voices silent now and songs of long ago.
But some that heard the whisper clear were filled with vague unrest;
The breeze had brought its message home, they could not fixed abide;
Their fancies wandered all the day towards the blue hills' breast,
Towards the sunny slopes that lie along the riverside,
The mighty rolling western plains are very fair to see,
Where waving to the passing breeze the silver myalls stand,
But fairer are the giant hills, all rugged though they be,
From which the two great rivers rise that run along the Bland.
Oh! rocky range and rugged spur and river running clear,
That swings around the sudden bends with swirl of snow-white foam,
Though we, your sons, are far away, we sometimes seem to hear
The message that the breezes bring to call the wanderers home.
The mountain peaks are white with snow that feeds a thousand rills,
Along the river banks the maize grows tall on virgin land,
And we shall live to see once more those sunny southern hills,
And strike once more the bridle track that leads along the Bland.
Temple Poetry: Message #33 - Jul 04 1999
http://topica.com/lists/templepoetry/
To subscribe:
Best wishes, Ron & Veronica
We will be pretty much out of touch in Greyton South Africa for Christmas
Ron Clibborn-Dyer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hong Kong SAR, China
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 02:08:55 (UTC)
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Johnny - thanks for the giggles!! I needed the laugh and your timing is perfect.
Meg and all the other GNR November babies - Happy Happy Happy Birthday.
Larkers - not enough stories for me to live vicariously thru! Postings and pics please (does sound as if y'all had a great time tho).
Question to all - considering how "globally aware" the world is supposed to be - are you still getting silly questions about having lived in Zambia?
Well back to lurking for me.
Juliana Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Nashville, TN, United States
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 20:10:18 (UTC)
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Sorry! Please ignore my previous message! I have found the lost addresses. Shit unhappened! I think I am ready for the compost heap.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 19:57:24 (UTC)
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I have had to get my windows xp pro reloaded and in the process have lost my address book. Can my friends send me an email so that I can rebuild. As they say "shit happens."
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 19:18:31 (UTC)
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Bob you are right,it would be an insult to wear anything under your kilt.
Aye I,ve been down Sauchihall street often,Buchannan street is the new in street.
Have you seen anything of Tony Edwards and Jill.If you have I would like to contact them.
Has anyone heard from Les Ingham,I would like to contact her as well
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 17:14:53 (UTC)
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Heather & all, Is anyone on the site a Rotarian? I am and we are very involved in the Aids problem in SA. I find recent interesting GNR entries about Aids, particularly on the need for nutrition. I have info on an excellent vitamin/mineral powder formula which can be mixed with milk or water and given to those so ill they cannot chew solid food but can be fed with this e pap. Designed to be highly effective in areas where cooking facilities are less than basic.Do you want more info?
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 16:36:29 (UTC)
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TO JOHN RANKIN Hi John please let me have your e mail address, I knew your mom and dad well.i will write to you when i rec your mail regards Otto.
Otto Bousema [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Port Elizabeth, E.Cape, South Africa
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 16:30:37 (UTC)
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Jeff,
I am at a loss where your sources come from but I know that in the UK screening is very water-tight especially after there were problems in the eighties with "infected" blood seeping through the system. I do know that in Zambia there have been regular instances of blood transfusions resulting in HIV infections. same problem in East africa. As for South Africa..all I can say is that it has a monumental HIV problem and I am glad that more emphasis is being put on tackling the problem.
Heather,
What I meant was that what KK did was to be bold and admit that his son's death was a result of this disease. I do agree with you that the problem has been tackled late. The costs of HIV drugs has been a big issue lately and Pharmaceutical Multinationals are to blame for the astronomical prices they charge;although recent news suggests that the costs will decline in the near future. Unfortunately the prices of Medicines charged by Multinationals generally are high .For example when I was in Zambia recently the price of the anti- biotic ,Amoxycilin (21), was less than half of what is being incurred by the NHS (about £8) in the UK. The Medicine available in Zambia being manufactured in India..the maximum retail price in India being less than 10p! so somewhere along the way we are all being ripped off!
As to the question of aid generally....it is the same problem all over the Third World. Half of it ends up in someone's pocket ....or in in the case of consumer goods ..on shop shelves! Recent reports suggest that Billions of dollars earmarked for reconstruction in Iraq have gone missing!
We come back to the well known phrase "Bamba-Zonke!"..and it applies to Multinationals too!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 16:27:28 (UTC)
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Jilly
Your birthday is on fireworks day? Many happy returns.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 14:12:21 (UTC)
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Pappy, I contacted Karl today, he has started with a new company, he said there was not enough activity for him in Sundra. I told him you are Scottish now and he wants to know if there is anything worn under your kilt, (this is traditional) I said no, it's probably still all in good working order. have you been down Sachie Hall street yet? I send you a good genuine scots geeting, get some one to translate"
Lang may yer lum reek, yer peet hae aye a dottle, jingling geordy in yer pooch an' whisky in yer bottle, cheers
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 13:29:49 (UTC)
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Campers I have not had a lot of laughs for you lately but I hope these little jokes will make up for my lapse
johnny.
. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?
>
>Unique Up On It.
>
>2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?
>
>Tame Way, Unique Up On It.
>
>3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest?
>
>They Take The Psycho Path
>
>4. How Do You Get Holy Water?
>
>You Boil The Hell Out Of It.>
>
>5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall?
>
>Dam!
>
>6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
>
>Polaroids
>
>7. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work?
>
>A Stick.
>
>9. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
>
>Subordinate Clauses.
>
>11. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?
>
>Spoiled Milk.
>
>12. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?
>
>Frostbite.
>
>13. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?
>
>A Nervous Wreck.
>
>14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?
>
>Anyone Can Roast Beef.
>
>15. Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs?
>
>Right Where You Left Him.
>
>16. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?
>
>Because they Have Big Fingers.
>
>17. Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive?
>
>Because It Scares The Dog.
>
>18. What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic?
>
>Sanka.
>
>19. What Is The Difference Between a Harley And a Hoover?
>
>The Location Of The Dirt Bag.
>
>20. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down?
>
>Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat.
>
>21. What's The Difference Between a Bad Golfer And a Bad Skydive
>
>A Bad Golfer Goes, Whack, Dang! A Bad Skydiver Goes Dang! Whack.
>
>22. How Are a Texas Tornado And a Tennessee Divorce The Same?
>
>Somebody's Gonna Lose A Trailer
> -------------------------------------------------
>The observant among you will have noticed I edited a couple out because they were to corney
> ------------------------------------------------------
>Now, admit it. At least one of these made you smile !!
--------------------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 10:27:28 (UTC)
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Hi Jeff...
You wrote "Your chances of having infected blood on transfusion are greater in North America/Europe than SA" I find this hard to believe but then you never know....
What is your source please?
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 09:13:24 (UTC)
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Here are the official birthday greetings for yesterday:
Norman Browne and Doron Grill
and for today:
Jill Aplin, Christine Birnie, Helen Chileshe, Roger Pinder and Richard Eaton
Ayub Ismail Zumla
Sorry, but KK did not confront the problem of HIV/AIDS head on. Before his son died in, I think, 1987 there was a complete blackout on anything to do with HIV/AIDS thus losing us many years of educating people about the disease. When the blackout was finally lifted, all education was carried out by volunteer organisations with their limited budgets. In Chiluba's day, although there was official recognition, it was not enough for Chiluba to even show his face at the ICASA conference which was held in Lusaka a few years ago. It is only now, more than twenty years later, that we are starting to get on track, but there is still too little being done. Many lives have been lost unnecessarily and they will continue to be lost because many people do not have access to affordable drugs. But even without drugs, proper nutrition could prolong their lives. Unfortunately, many people do not have even one square meal a day. Yet we have countless seminars, funded by donor agencies, about all manner of things, including how to improve nutrition. But none of this gets out to the people who need it. AID as well as AIDS is what is killing Zambia.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 09:04:55 (UTC)
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first posting, but comments from Ayub could not go unchallenged.
Africa has an Aids problem undoubtedly and yes, it has taken the ANC government far too long to acknowledge the cause, impact and effect of this disease on the community at large.
But for learned individuals to spread panic and dismay by their posting is unfair - South Africa has one of the most advanced systems for blood screening in the world. Your chances of having infected blood on transfusion are greater in North America/Europe than SA. What is of greater concern in SA is the health risk posed to healthcare workers on treating accident and emergency patients.
So to all you SA residents, you don't need to prepare your own personal blood bank but the same cannot be said for residents in US/Europe. Please don't present SA as a backwater of the global community - we have enough problems trying to beat the bloody All Blacks on Saturday without any further issues to contend with.
Cheers.. Jeff Davies
Jeff Davies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Johannesburg, South Africa
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 08:29:20 (UTC)
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Dear Jungle Jilly,
Enjoy yourself silly!!!!!
And all other GNRers of all birthdates for whom I haven't written a silly verse or will forget to -
Your birthday is special just like you!
May each one be great fun!
WayHayyy and WooHoo!
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 05:49:08 (UTC)
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Dear Jill Many Happy Returns Of The Day and may you live for ever and may I never die. Johnny.xx
---------------------------------
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 05:26:22 (UTC)
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I wanted to be the first to wish you Happy Birthday on the GNR, Jill, but it looks like Ali beat me to it.
Hope you have a fabulous day and get spoiled rotten.
Thanks for so many years of friendship. You are a super star.
Your friend from the Yellow Peril days!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 05:22:06 (UTC)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY ...JILLY......
Hope you have a fantastically happy day...
lots of wishes and hugs...from
Ali and the girls..
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 04:21:58 (UTC)
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Tina...thanks for your kind message.
Meg..I checked your brother's site..wonderful! I hope they all manage to find a cure for HIV; otherwise 75% of the population (aged 20-35 in South Africa) will be wiped out soon! Zambia also has a high HIV infected population. Unless leaders realise the enormity of this problem; Southern Africa will be in crisis sooner than later! Problem is that when one reads about officials passing away in these areas the message in the press is always."died after a long illness".."died suddenly"..when everyone knows its due to HIV! in this respect I salute Dr.Kaunda..who confronted the problem head on when he declared his son (who passed away some years back) had died of aids. This is unlike the present South African President who unfortunately for so long would not accept the causes and ramifications of HIV.
You also have to be careful with blood in hospitals there...God help accident victims ,who so often are given emergency blood transfusions..in most cases "infected blood". So anyone living in Southern Africa..here is some piece of sound advice...keep your own blood bank! It could come in use someday!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Tuesday, November 04, 2003 at 15:49:29 (UTC)
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Kingfisher Golf Tournament
The annual Kingfisher Golf Tournament will be held on 28th November at the Kyalami Golf Club, Johannesburg. Colin van der Merwe is organising the event.
This event raises funds for Paul Fisher who became a quadraplegic as a result of a motorbike accident in Chingola in the late '80s.
Anyone interested in getting a 4-ball together and playing should fax Colin within the next week or so. Email me for the fax number.
Regards
Mark Sturgeon [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tuesday, November 04, 2003 at 06:50:03 (UTC)
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Hello Meg (formerly Margaret?) Rybicki
Working on the principle that one never hears from your siblings on accomplishments, I thought you would like to know that your brother has his photo in the UCT News Alumni August issue. Headed "One for the Birds" The consortium of talented folk have received a R4.3 Million grant and are obviously doing great work.
I had some difficulty guessing who your brother was in the photo. There were two chaps. Neither had a beer in hand but one was good looking... must be a Rybicki!
Cheers
Ron Sayer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, November 04, 2003 at 05:11:56 (UTC)
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Ahem, that just happened to be the name of the horse Noah fancied in the 3.15 at Turfontain. (The original Garden of Eden was in Zambia so when Adam and Eve were kicked out they wandered down to South Africa). Japheth, a direct ancestor of Chris Swart, was on the Ark and took the bet, many begattings ago. Racing was cancelled due to rain but no one told the horse. We understand he has just come in.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Tuesday, November 04, 2003 at 04:15:15 (UTC)
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Doug Grewar - I thought Noah fancied the Ark Angel Gabriel ?
Doug Waybush [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Maryland, USA, and London, England
Tuesday, November 04, 2003 at 01:35:55 (UTC)
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I think you must be refering to the story about the owner of Kafue Hotel, who in the 50's was having trouble with the health department, because his bar patrons were too lazy to walk the length of the backyard to the outside PK, and kept peeing against the outside wall of the bar. The place had a terrible smell and the health officer was threatening to close him down.
Despite all his threats and pleas and notices all over the place the patrons ignored him and continued their dirty habits. Finaly his patience became exhausted and he had an electrician friend of his rig up a trap, whereby a sheet of flat iron was placed next to the target wall, covered with a thin layer of sand and connected to electricity.
Sure enough shortly after sundown there was a terrific scream and uproar from behind the bar. The manager went to see what had happened, a bit worried in case somebody would charge him for damages. He asked one of the crowd who were milling around in the dark what had happened. The man told him that Smitty has gone out for a pee and had been bitten by a snake. Where, asked the manager? Right on his John Thomas, was the reply! Thereafter the problem of the phantom pissers ended!
Johnny
Re Noah's Ark. Who was Joan of Arc? Noah's chick! Then his son wanted to go fishing. Noah said, take it easy with the worms, we've only got two! Acknowledgements to "my cousin" Barry Hilton.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Monday, November 03, 2003 at 18:32:15 (UTC)
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Alright, alright, it's my fault, but I'm away and these birthday messages are not computer generated, they are human generated:
Happy Birthday on the 1st to Debbie Radford, Margaret Black, David Sydenham, Laura Thomas, Hugo Theron and Meg Rybicki.
Happy Birthday on the 2nd to Penny Birtill, Margaret Franklin, Frank Burchill, Jorgen Petersen.
And Pappy, also to you but this is very strange - when I printed out the birthday list on Friday your name was not there.
And Happy birthday today to Mark Powell and Kitty Mackenzie
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, November 03, 2003 at 07:35:54 (UTC)
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Happy 40th Meg !!!!
Don't worry , they didn't forget you .... it just needs a $50 bribe .
Doug Waybush [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Maryland, USA, and London, England
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 23:51:25 (UTC)
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HAPPY!
HAPPY!
MEG and PAPPY!
LOVELY GIRL!
and
LEKKER CHAPPIE!
Ayub, your brother's research and breakthrough at University of London and in Dallas, plus his starting an AIDS research facility in Zambia and Meg your bro. and sister-in-law's research in S.A. are truly amazing. We see the tip of the iceberg of members and their families here on the message board.
Lurk .....
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 23:43:56 (UTC)
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I know what you mean Meg.Happy Birthday to you for the 1st.and me today.Thanks guys,you have made this own very happy.
Bob Gillies,Chris Forde and Doran,will contact you soon,just been to busy at the mo.
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 22:32:28 (UTC)
|
AYUB
My big bro, Prof. Ed Rybicki, and my sister in law, Dr Annelise Williamson are at present doing major AIDS research at UCT, and have also done pioneering research and work towards a vaccine for the papiloma (sic) virus which results in the unecessary deaths of so many young women from cervical cancer in Southern Africa, and of course around the world. He has his own website, so if you type Rybicki, prof. Ed, (ex Zambia!) into a search engine you will find his personal and university web pages on virology, and AIDS, (plus a really cheesy picture of him posing with a bottle of Castle in his back garden in Pinelands). Ciao, Meg (ps how long does one have to be a member to get a happy birthday greeting on the message board, I eagerly logged on Sat lst Nov, having hit the big one, 40, and didnt see my name up in print. So I shall post a birthday greeting to myself, Happy birthday MEG!
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 22:16:44 (UTC)
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A pioneering study on HIV has just been published in the November issue of Lancet. The results of this study by researchers from University College Hospital, London and University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, are a major breakthrough in the area of HIV research. It has been extensively covered in the media here. Anyone interested should write ZUMLA CD4 in Google where you will find is a list of articles covering the research.
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 21:39:46 (UTC)
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Ohhhh bugger, I should have read it through before I posted it. Sorry about the errors!
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 20:51:29 (UTC)
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DOUG GREWAR
Just listening to your explanation, I can hear you talking as you did on the most entertaining journey from Livingstone to Lusaka. The long trip was same so much more interesting, listening to your and Dave Gray's stories. I wish I'd had a tape recorder, particularly when you were telling the story about the guy who got fed up with peeing on the wall outside his bar. It's a story worth retelling if you have the energy. It think you did post it a long while back but for the benefit of the newer members it would be good to hear it again - be prepared to cry with laughter folks!
Fiona Gayther (née Ferguson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tytherington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 20:30:56 (UTC)
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Thanks for explaining the chuckle Doug G and for the lovely informative answer.
Sunday Paper courtesy of the two Dougs, Sports, information and funnies.
My family is dragging me out to: "get a life offline, woman!" Time to return to lurking.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 20:19:48 (UTC)
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Tina
Jou ma's Samoa. It's a word play on the Capetown skolly greeting, "Jou ma se moer" which in direct translation would mean your mater's womb. Among the more affluent skollies they say, "Jou ma se porshe".
Although in Afrikaans it is swearing, in English it sounds rather silly. Rather along the lines of "Jou blixem" which in English only means "You lightning." This of course arises from the ancient Germanic curse, "May God strike you with thunder and lightning!" Or the cockney, 'Gor blimey!" which used to mean, "May God strike me blind if I am telling a lie."
Even in these days, especially in rural areas of the Northern Province (now Limpopo) of South Africa old women are accused of being witches who cause people to be killed by lightning. Several are killed every year by mobs of superstitious people. So you must be careful before you call someone a 'blixem'.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 19:31:07 (UTC)
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Thank you Doug for our Sun-day supplement.
You furnish unvarnished this naked tail for our gRATification. Even so you could be telling us a whisker.
Looking idly for Zambian furniture I find no rattan or wicker but that there is at least one exporter of Zambian furniture and crafts in Lusaka, and comments about Tonga craftmanship. What one business person may do others may emulate. Zambian furniture even won awards at a pan-African convention in 2000. There's reference to "big five" furniture - relief carved cabinetry with elephants and lions etc.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 17:23:14 (UTC)
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Doug how can your buddy be sure it was the sun that soothed them? it might have been the rattan bed that did the trick. Regards Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 16:25:12 (UTC)
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Tina - very interesting about the wicca furniture . I have a friend who studies rodents ; and he discovered that exposure to the sun calms them down . So he built a sunbed for them to lie on which he made out of rattan.
Doug Waybush [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Maryland, USA, and London, England
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 15:10:30 (UTC)
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Jou Ma.....
Looks like there might be a good pun there. Hopefully it may be explained on the GNR. Please attempt an explanation for the "Taal Challenged"
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 13:28:14 (UTC)
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Somebody from Capetown said after the Bok v Samoa game, "Jou ma's Samoa".
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 10:51:50 (UTC)
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Dear Linda I know of a cheaper and less painless way of ridding facial hair than using sharpened bones, it is to smear condensed milk on your upper lip and let the cat lick it off try it, love Johnny
I don't charge for advice.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 07:46:28 (UTC)
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There was a wonderful programme on New Zealand TV at lunchtime today entitled "Hippo Beach", which I gather is somewhere on the Lulangwa River. It was narrated by Stephen Fry. What a beautiful part of the country it is, and what funny creatures hippos are. If anyone gets the chance to see it, I can highly recommend it.
Just thought - NZ is usually last on the list to get programmes like that, so you have probably seen it already.
June
June Dobson (née Jocks) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 02:50:50 (UTC)
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Brasso:
This one's for you....
I was getting my hair cut today when the hairdresser bent down and said softly in my ear, "Mrs. Hayes, I just wanted to let you know that I now do moustache waxing as well, for only $20.00" After a momentary flush of embarrassment, I recovered quite nicely by asking her to bend back down and I whispered back into her ear, "I think $20.00 is quite exorbitant, my dear. I know a gentleman from Africa who can do it for half the price and all he needs is a sharpened bone and a large bag of charcoal..." Needless to say, she had no clue what I was talking about... Ha! Ha!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 02:44:21 (UTC)
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Here is a great link on the Northern Lights in the last few days:
http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish/aurora_reports_around_world.html
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 00:54:43 (UTC)
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Doug,
We had a goodly down pour of rain here in Midrand tonight - nothing in Joburg, though. Hope you got some rain in Vryheid.
It's very difficult to predict how the Boks will play next Saturday, but I think they are looking better than the Aussies at this stage. They can beat the Men in Black - but will they have the same good muti as today? I hope so! They had the Samoans flumoxed.
And those of us who live north of the Jukskei River are also rejoicing in the Blue Bulle win over the KZN Sharks - Bulle!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 22:31:48 (UTC)
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Anyone living in the UK might be interested to know that South African biscuits (Bakers Marie, Tennis etc) are being sold dirt cheap at Morrisons Supermarkets. The "buy one, get one free" offer means that Marie biscuits are 33p a pack and Tennis 38p! Much cheaper than in Zambian Supermarkets! So go get them before the offer ends!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 22:01:47 (UTC)
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Those Seorf Efrikens are really all over the park nowadays. They have flashes of playing top quality rugby, only to be overlayed by some of the most ineffective kick and skop. When will they settle down - one way or the other?
Today I leave for Brisbane to attend the 2 quarter final matches there next weekend. My money will go on the Blecks Vs Lillywhites in the final, a tough and ugly match, too close to call. But it is quite possible for the score to be tied at the end of extra time, in which case King Johnny will drop the Poms into rugby history. In the meantime, I forecast the Seorf Efrikens will have their clocks cleaned next week in Melbourne.
Enjoy the games
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 20:11:55 (UTC)
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You see Johnny sometimes the African muti does work. All we need to do now is get the rain making ceremony right, as we badly need rain.
Can you recall Wrex Tarr's Fanagalo story about the white witchdoctors rain making system. He tells how they put some sticks in the ground and one man stands there while another throws stones at him. Then the mukulu inganga throws up his arms and shouts, "Howzat"? and the rain pours down non-stop for 3 days.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 17:28:52 (UTC)
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Jill
Sue is celebrating the Aussies winning, and I'm celebrating the Irish coming second.
Paudie Coughlan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Midleton Co Cork, Ireland
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 16:38:37 (UTC)
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Jilly, Dougy yes it appears you were lucky that there witch doctor was on the booze last night and failed to put the hoodo on the boks and lets be honest your witch doctor must have been all fired up to attain a score like that. Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 16:04:03 (UTC)
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Johnny,
60 - 10 to SA is lucky - guess our muti was strongest - and Corné played a monumental game - and the Irish nearly beat the Aussies!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 13:20:25 (UTC)
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Firstly - U.S. residents - If anyone wants flame lily seeds I have quite a few. Email me if you do.
The rest of this is about halloween so pass on by if uninterested.
Sue - In answer to your question on the GNR just before the new month, about halloween fun - We took my son over to a friends in a really atmopheric neighbourhood where they have a big tradition of putting on a show for the kids. We hung out with our friends while the teens had the best time. They deliciously scared the older trick-or-treaters before moving on to a teen party. Chris's mate Nick sat up in a fake coffin as the kids came by and my very tall son dressed as a Nasgul, hung out in the bushes with a couple of girl zombies (and an inordinate amount of giggling emanated therefrom!!!) before leaping out to clutch at passers by with long dead-white fingers.
Oh - one of their neighbours with druidical tendencies wants to start manufacturing garden chairs and tables. It's true! They're going into the wicca furniture business.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 07:31:55 (UTC)
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Yes Doug we will see who has the most powerful witch doctor today I believe both sides have one, as they were a former colony of ours we treated them gently, the captain was heard to say before the game commenced Queen Victoria very good man. You will be lucky ( maybe) Regards Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 06:40:03 (UTC)
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Peter G
Thanks for the info on Peter Bennet. I hope Arthur will be able expand a bit more on Peter's current activities as soon as he gets a break from fishing. As far as I gather Peter is on a trans-african odyssey. Sounds interesting!
Well now the Lark is over and we are finally coming down to earth in our somewhat boring normal lives. I am sorry I did not have more time to talk with the many interesting people who were there. Oh well, we still have the message board, thanks to Arthur, Dave, Craig and Heather. Alphabetical order!
Ali
In Europe it is Ladies first, but in Africa it is Men first! Why? The man has to walk in front because he may encounter danger such as a Lion. You will see this among elder Zambians, even in town on a wide pavement where a woman will walk behind the man and not beside him. For the same reason the woman will carry all the luggage (katundu) while the man will only carry his weapon. While Europeans might see this as chauvanistic, Africans would see it as being chivalrous.
This is not to say that women have no rights. They are, as always, the neck that turns the head (of the household) whatever way they wish. Many Zambian tribes are matriarchal and have female chiefs. In Swaziland the only person who has as much, if not more power than the King is his mother, the Indlovukazi (elephant woman).
Johnny & Chris,
The Boks play Samoa today. Samoa gave England a run for its money. They are no push over.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 05:34:01 (UTC)
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A NEW MONTH, A NEW MESSAGE BOARD
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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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