Northern Rhodesians Worldwide
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Message Board Archives
There are 436 messages displayed out of 58 760.
To all those coming to the Sinazongwe Soiree, please bear with me - I am panicking because I am not sure that I know where we are meeting up with everyone and that everyone knows where they are going, and since you are all enroute, am putting the information here in the hope that you stop in at an internet cafe.
Peter D - will meet you at the airport on Thursday. Haven't decided when I am leaving for Sinazongwe yet - either Thursday afternoon or early Friday morning - depends how many other things land on my desk that have to be dealt with before I leave.
Doug and Glen - I assume Sandra will pick you up at the airport and you have my phone number. Give us a call when you get to Lusaka
Kevin - I will leave a map with Craig. He will wait for you at my office (together with anyone else who is going in your car)
Philip Pain and the Happy Campers and John Milton - please phone me when you get into Zambia (Home 01 212104, Office 01 223608 or 01 235333, Mobile 096 860553 or Craig's mobile 097 577951) so that I can ensure you know where you are turning off and what time to expect you where.
Doug, Glen, John - if you contact me when you are in Lusaka, we can work out the transport logistics, but it will have to be at least three vehicles.
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Gerard van Zutphen
Was this the Ian Murphy that was a photographer?
Colin Munro
I think that was just your Valley slang, but what I can tell you is that they still seem to work with hangovers down there - it is very hot and one needs to replenish the fluids that one loses !
Doug
I will get some reflective strip for Philip assuming that he has made it that far without being hassled.
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Hi Amanda!
I too met the Chinese in Zambia. Mufulira to be exact. Like you mention, they always travelled in 3's.
On entering my shop, photographic, one of them showed an interest in a polaroid camera. After much deliberation, interpretation etc, my lack of Chinese and the various other dialects - letting me down. Need I mention more ? An agreement was reached, and the purchase made. Away went the happy trio.
Lo and behold, the next day, who should enter the shop. The 3 Chinese. Perhaps they wanted to buy more polaroid film? No! they wanted to return the camera................... more interpretation..............You've guessed it............they wanted their money back.......... fearing I would be seconded to the building of railroads....... I reluctantly handed back the money. In all fairness, I was given a rather large tin of china tea for the inconvenience caused.
Norman Kenward, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 1 June 2005 at 08:26:17 (UTC)
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Apart from having a great time at the reunion, if you do make contact with Harper or Sheila Sproule, please give them my love and ask them to make contact.
Have fun and go well.
Best wishes
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 1 June 2005 at 08:59:16 (UTC)
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Hope you all have a great time in the bush . Don,t forget to eat and drink the local food . Mapani worms , butter bums flying ants crocodile tail shake/shake chibula and keep the masess for fishing for tiger , and katchass ( distilled shake/shake 90% alcohol . Watch out for the babalass the next morning . Oh yes keep Peter away from the mbanji (dagga) as it just makes him cough his lungs out . Heather I wouldn,t like to be in your shoes organizing this get together . Oh yes I,m Peter,s little brother Hans living behind the dyke in Holland . Lived in Zambia till 66 then crossed the border and did eight years in the army 70 to 78 . Have a great time all of you and don,t forget to take some photos of Broken Hill . Dont leave your camera on the table when you,ve had tooo much to drink as its not the chuck away type as it wont be there the next day like in the Hague .
Basopa lo ndlovu , lo shumba , lo nyoka na lo mfazi ( watch out for elephant , lion , snake and women )
Mangwanani .
Hans .
Hans Dielissen, Netherlands [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 1 June 2005 at 11:05:30 (UTC)
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Sadly, Bridget, widow of Ted (Edward) formerly of Broken Hill/Kabwe, lost the battle with cancer in the early hours of May 31st.
Funeral arrangements will take cognisance of friends around the globe who wish to travel and will be announced in a couple of day's time.
In the interim, James can be contacted on 01827 707 950. Lynn is travelling to the UK tonight and can be contacted on 01827 873 048. Correspondence can be directed to Oakdene, Church Lane, Kingsbury, Tamworth, Staffs B78 2LR.
I will be happy to forward any eMail (rayw@appletiser.co.za) to Lynn.
Condolences to James, Nicky, SueSue and Lynn and also to Clive, Bridget's brother, and Anna.
On behalf of Lynn, thanks to all friends and family who have helped share Bridget's burden over recent times and especially those who brought her joy and happiness during her life.
Bridget always shared fond memories of her time at B/H Mine hospital, the Golf Club, Venus Theatre .............. and all the parties and get togethers in the UK and elsewhere over many years!
Ray Williams
Ray Williams, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 1 June 2005 at 14:19:09 (UTC)
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Thomas,
I don,t know if we are the family you are looking for. Parents, Bill and Marge, sister Pam and me, Mike. We left in '65. Mum and Dad to England, Pam to Germany and me to Joburg via Salisbury. I am now in England.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 1 June 2005 at 16:25:57 (UTC)
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I met Glen at Jozi airport ok. Jill decided not to come because of the distance or maybe because of Glen's fatal charms? We will have another chance to meet on the way back maybe. Glen is booked in at River Bend Lodge.
Anyway we are safely in Lusaka with only one terrible disaster. Glen was so busy trying to charm the immigration people out of charging him a $56 visa fee that he dropped his bottle of Klipdrift on the floor where it smashed with a loud bang. Brandy all over the floor! Glen burst into tears and since then has been calling everyone Linda. Must be the shock! I must take him to the witch doctor.
He was very down, contemplating a sober weekend, but my son-in-law runs a liquor wholesaler so the position can be saved.
We will got to the airport tomorrow with Craig and Heather to welcome Yukon Pete.
Tinker
Wish you were here buddy to help up with the Klippes & cokes.
Cheers - Doug and Glen (age before beauty)
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 1 June 2005 at 17:21:53 (UTC)
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Mike Slement & Ken Firnie
Correct, Prima Canero was a boxer & did lose to Joe Louis.
In later years he tried his hand at professional wrestling to keep the wolf from the door.
I saw him fight American Frank Sexton in Bulawayo in the 50's.
A very big man - he threw Sexton out of the ring into the first row of seats!
Doug
Don't let anymore of the amber liquid (Klippies) end up in Zambian sewers.
Get a grip on those amateur travellers!
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 1 June 2005 at 18:23:08 (UTC)
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Hey everyone,
I am new to this board, but I would like to invite everyone of Zambian orgin and just a plain old Zambian Lover to come to our Anual golf tournement being held this year in Florida........we have been holding this get together for 15 years now.......
And this year it is going back to where it all started in Florida.......
if you don't play golf, non-golfers are always welcome, and if you want to play don't feel shy because everyone sucks at it anyway........
Everyone from all Nationalities is welcome, only requirement is to have an affinity for Zambia.........
go to the website........
www.mosigolf.com to register
previous mosi tournements were held in LA, San Diego, Dallas, Tampa, Toronto, and Austin www.mosiaustin.com
Mahool Patel, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 1 June 2005 at 19:47:55 (UTC)
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One more thing I forgot to mention, this gathering is a Charity Event that has donated thousands of dollars directly to centers in Zambia......
pictures and info can be seend here.........
www.mosiaustin.com
Mahool Patel, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 1 June 2005 at 19:54:22 (UTC)
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Doug:
I AM the witch doctor. Glen better refrain from using my name in vain. Men have died for less.. grin. You should switch to Pirate's Rum and coke. Now there's a drink that separates the men from the boys. Of course, after I've had 3 of those, I don't really ask to see a birth certificate.
Have fun at the soiree and don't let any wild animals bite your bum! Unless her name is Linda.. grin.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 04:12:20 (UTC)
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Learnt this line at school , we had to sing it when the new flag was raised in 64.
Stand and sing for Zambia proud and free .
( and in the background in a deep voice )
ZAMBIA ZAMBIA ZAMBIA .
the singing didn,t go to well and the headmaster mr Brown at KG6 wasn,t to chuffed with us .
Hans Dielissen, Netherlands [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 09:50:21 (UTC)
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Doug and Glen are walking through the Zambian bush. Suddenly, a lion appears in the distance and starts running towards them.Doug (in his white track suit, of course) pulls out a pair of "Nikes" and quickly puts them on.With a surprised look, Glen (still glum faced after his Airport "loss") asks,"You don't really think you can out run that lion with those?" Doug replies, "I don't need to out run the lion...I just need to run faster than you"!! Guys...enjoy the reunion and not too much Mosi!!
Mahool,
Welcome on board!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 12:34:25 (UTC)
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Ayub: I was telling one of my boozing buddies about a similar experience. I was in the bush when a lion spotted me. I took aim and just as it lept at me, it slipped. It tried a second time and slipped again. This went on several times, until it eventually ran off. My mate said" Christ, if I were in your position, I'da shit myself". My reply was, "What d'ya think the bugger was slipping on?"
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 13:41:05 (UTC)
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I wonder how many people remember Andy McDonald
I was thumbing a lift from the south up to Lusaka in 1972 when I was given a lift from the border post by a man who seemed almost as wide as he was tall and he was not fat either .I knew at once who he was when I noticed that he had a few fingers missing and a couple of mangled ones as well
We chatted about rugby and also whether he had ever thought about leaving Zambia and going to farm in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia at that stage} I didn't mention the lion fight. He dropped me off at his farm turn- off which I think was near Choma
I have kept a newspaper cutting from a few years later but unfortunately I cut the date off
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Lion --killer murdered in Zimbabwe
A former rugby international who once killed a lion with his bare hands has been shot and killed by rebels in southern Zimbabwe.
Andy McDonald 52 and his wife Netta 47 were ambushed on Tuesday evening at the gates of their rented farm, 35 miles south of Buluwayo.
They were shot at point-blank range and robbed before their car was set on fire and their bodies burned beyond recognition.
A former Springbok rugby player McDonald later captained the Rhodesian rugby side. He made headlines 10 years ago while in Zambia by grappling unarmed with a lion and killing it
Mr McDonald recently applied for a gun licence because of the presence of dissidents in the area of the farm near the Botswana border.''
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 18:18:29 (UTC)
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Yes Mike
The family was well known to me.
Andy's father worked on Mufulira Mine.
His mother was my Standard 1 class teacher at Mufulira Government School. She was also my
Boy Cub mistress. A great person.
Andy had a brother Ian(?) who was also murdered by terrorists during a attack on a golf clubhouse in the Eastern Cape just a few years after Andy's demise.
A real giving family that suffered much sadness.
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 19:56:23 (UTC)
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John, please phone Heather or I as soon as possible. Heather is at 096-860553 and I am at 097-577951. Thanks!
Craig Hartnett, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 20:04:32 (UTC)
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hello
Lionel Kresfelder, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 20:09:07 (UTC)
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Bill
I didn't know about his Mufulira background
My late father also worked there in the mines from about 1936 to 1943. and he
always seemed to know a lot about the McDonald family
I realise now that he probably knew them
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 21:06:07 (UTC)
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I have left both numbers with rosemary milton , john left zims yesterday so is on the road. Ali
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If memory serves me correctly, the pending entry for "Chic Alachobe" is not a real person, n'est ce pas? No wonder the IP address seems to be in question. Bad boy, whomever tried that trick! He needs soap in his mouth for using that sort of language, just like I got when I was 10yrs old.. grin. I don't even remember what it actually means now, but I most certainly remember my ears ringing for a couple of days after my dad boxed them.
For all you bikers out there, you should hear the noise in Austin, Texas tonight. Over 40,000 bikers are in town for the annual bikers' rally this weekend. Riders even come from overseas to be here, so I guess it is a blast. I wonder how they get their motorcycles here. Last year, 9 of them lost their lives because they weren't paying attention on our roads, so I hope for their sake it is a safer weekend for them. Hands up how many guys landed on their poopall trying to show off in front of a chick on their motorcycles in Kitwe town when they were teenagers? You know who you are.. grin. I showed my 14yr old son my Zambian driver's licence the other night. He larfed his head off at my photo and then noticed I had a motorcycle license attached to my driver's license. Instantly I have risen to the ranks of an awesomely cool mamma!
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 3 June 2005 at 04:18:17 (UTC)
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Ali,
Thanks. No worries anymore. Haven't heard from him yet, but the reason we needed to contact him has passed, so I presume we'll see him there later today or tomorrow. Am just on my way out the door now.
Linda,
Mr. C.A. will be dealt with. This is exactly why we vet registrations before activating them.
Craig Hartnett, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 3 June 2005 at 09:15:22 (UTC)
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Craig did you get my email re your challenge ?
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As there has been so much discussion about the Chinese on the GNR lately, I thought that the following Eastern-slanted joke would amuse you all:
Stevie Wonder is playing his first gig in Tokyo and the place is absolutely packed to the rafters. In a bid to break the ice with his new audience He asks if anyone would like him to play a request. A little old Japanese man jumps out of his seat in the first row and shouts at the top of his voice "Play a Jazz chord! Play a jazz chord!"
Amazed that this guy knows about the jazz influences in Stevie's varied career, the blind impresario starts to play an E minor scale and then goes into a difficult jazz melody for about 10 minutes.
When he finishes the whole place goes wild. The little old man jumps up again and shouts "No, no, play a Jazz chord, play a Jazz chord".
A bit pee'd by this, Stevie, being the professional that he is, dives straight into a jazz improvisation with his band around the B-flat minor chord and really tears the place apart.
The crowd goes wild with this impromptu show of his technical expertise.
The little old man jumps up again. "No, no. Play a Jazz chord, play a jazz chord".
Well and truly peeved that this little guy doesn't seem to appreciate his playing ability. Stevie says to him from the stage "OK smart ass, You get up here and do it!"
The little old man climbs up onto the stage, takes hold of the mike and starts to sing.....
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!Wait for it........!
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........................................... "A jazz chord to say I ruv you..."
Linda Moult, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 3 June 2005 at 09:51:18 (UTC)
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You'll find that Chice Lachobe is arousing passions on the ex-luanshya site as well...... but they won't kick him off.... watch out for his alter ego Umfazi as well
Geraint Lewis, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 3 June 2005 at 12:25:36 (UTC)
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Dr. Calvin Rickson, a scientist from Texas A & M University has invented a bra that keeps women's breasts from jiggling and prevents the nipples from pushing through the fabric when cold weather sets in.
At a news conference, after announcing the invention, a large group of men took Dr. Rickson outside and kicked the sh*t out of him. The picture of Dr. Rickson after their treatment can be found on www.jollygoodjokes.co.za
Would our gal in Texas check this one out - grin!!
Bob Gillies, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 3 June 2005 at 15:58:35 (UTC)
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Hello to all.
Have been lurking and enjoying your postings. Thanks. The trigger for this posting is a visit I just made to my locum doctor, a recent immigrant from SA. He was telling me that the Zimbabwean Minister of Finance recently had built a grotesquly extravagent house in the most expensive region of the Cape. Go figure. This at a time when I hear that Mugabe has just turned down an offer of food from the UN for his starving population. Wickedness abounds!!!
Best wishes to all
Roger
Roger Ward, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 3 June 2005 at 17:52:19 (UTC)
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Mike, Bill,
Andy had a youger brother, Keith , who was in Dorm 4 at Gilbert Rennie with -Doug Grewar and myself during the late 50s. He was there when Andy was chosen for the Springboks as a prop. We were all chuffed that a bro was in our dorm. I think Doug was still there. I know I was. Keith was a big guy also. Andy didnt strictly qualify for the Boks as he was a Federaion person but a decision was made that players from the Fed could play so he got his cap.
The lion story is not apochryphyl..... he did do it.
I didnt know Keith had also been slain. Was that him or was there another brother?
Funny how much emphasis we place on such accomplishments. Looking back now, us Muf types were more casual about it than the Kitwe types would have been. They would have been running around in circles as so many of them still do. Eh, B.M?
;)
Bill Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 3 June 2005 at 20:05:36 (UTC)
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Bill
I have forgotten how he actually killed the lion. Do you remember how it was done? Did he strangle it or beat it to death?
I recall that his one hand was very scarred with half the thumb and first finger gone.
He must have had his hand in its mouth
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 3 June 2005 at 21:32:38 (UTC)
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Linda M
Absoruteri Ruv it!!!!!
Gail Griffiths from Lusaka and I used to go around singing Unchained Melody that way. "Ohhhhhh my ruvvvvv my darrrrrrring I hunger for you touch a roooooooong ronri tiiiiiiiii!"
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 01:09:31 (UTC)
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Bobbie:
I have just returned home from doing research for you at Texas A&M University. I saw a number of the female students there walking around in this new bra and I have to be honest and say that my first impression was that this man has made a false(y) claim, until I realized that the girls had the contraption on back to front.. grin. Inside joke if you know the reputation of Texas A&M students vs University of Texas students.
How do you get two Texas A&M cheerleaders into an elevator at the same time? Grease their hips and throw in a twinkie.
Two 18 yr olds and a 29 yr old exchange student from Joeys graduate from university in Texas. One is from U.T., one from Texas State and the exchange student is from Texas A&M. As a celebration of their accomplishments, the three decide to treat themselves to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a famous house of ill-repute. When they get there, it is late at night and the madam of the establishment is about to shut the door for the night. But they flash their bucks in her face and she relents and allows them to come in. "Three of your finest!" they demand, not knowing that poor old Van from Joeys has never had any action in his life before. "I only have two ladies left tonight. Unless you want a blow up doll," she adds with a knowing snigger towards Van who is already at the slanty eyes point just from rubbing his hand over the velvet couch..grin.
"We'll take them!" The three are each sent to a room of their own, with Van being sent to the last room down a dark hallway. (Aren't they all dark in a place like that?) After a few minutes the U.T student and the Texas State student meet up again in the dimly lit lounge to compare notes. They are having a good cackle together when next thing, Van comes tearing down the stairs with a look of utter terror in his eyes. (No, Bill Knaughty.. it is not the resurrection of BM..)
"What the bleddy hell is the matter with you?" they ask him. "Ag no man, run for your lives!!" yells Van as he streaks past them with nothing but his veldskoens on. They eventually catch up to him in Waco, where he breathlessly explains what happened.
"It went like this, you see. When I first went into the room, she was just lying there on the bed, staring at the ceiling, like most of the women I date. I tried to see if she had one of those new bras on that Professor Atkinson just invented and she was quite unresponsive, so I asked her to dance. She was just as stiff-legged as my cousin gets when we dance, so I thought I would try to warm her up. It usually works on my cousin. I whispered howzit ekse in her ear but she kept quiet, so I kissed her on the lips and she was not impressed. So I began to nibble my way down her neck. At that point, I could not resist, man, so I bit her in the boobs and sistog, before I could say I wear size 14 veldskoens, she farted and flew out the window!!"
The other two roared with laughter and asked Van what he thought about it all. Van responded, "I had so much fun, I'm going back tomorrow to see if she has a sister!"
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 04:08:00 (UTC)
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FYI, on the Luanshya board, the heinous crime committed was to post clean jokes without giving his name, rank and serial number. This raised the hackles of a few members with a low humour threshold. But for sure got a moribund board positively humming with controversy - best laugh I've had for years! Naughty of him/her to try to register here using false isp address though.
Lizd, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 10:49:19 (UTC)
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After Van left America he went on holiday to Germany. Looking out from his hotel window he saw across the road a number of men with sunglasses and white sticks being let into a house. When he asked what went on there he was told it was a brothel for the blind. So Van got a white stick and sunglasses and went in. The madam brought him all her girls who undressed for Van to caress them and choose one. In the end Van rejected all of them. Why? asked the madam. these are my best girls. Ag no , says Van they all have warts on their backs. Du aschlog, says the madam those are their prices in braille.
Bob Gillies, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 11:21:24 (UTC)
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TuHope the happy travellers are having a wonderful time - wishing i was
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Twinkie?
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 13:25:36 (UTC)
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Sorry, Mike. I dunno how. Memory is bad.
Knowing how big he was maybe he just hit it.
Sort of like the effect of a" 2x4".
Bill Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 18:02:38 (UTC)
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Mike, Bill Knott, Heather, Craigh, Doug
Andy's Father left Muf Mine in 1954 to join one of his son's who was tobacco farming in the Zimba area.
I think that this son was Andy?
I believe that there was an older/younger son Ian also on the farm.
In any event, one of Andy's brothers & others were killed in a terrorist attack on a golf club house
in the eastern cape during a golf prize giving.
Andy did kill a lion with his bare hands (albeit holding a large calibre rifle in the same hands!)
As I recall.......
A lion had been killing livestock in the area so Andy & his African assistant went off to deal with the miscreant.
They tracked the lion down & Andy mortally wounded the lion which took off into the bush.
Andy & his assistant followed a heavy blood spoor.
This streetwise lion was waiting behind a thornbush & before Andy could loose of a killing shot, the lion pounced on top of him.
The African assistant, who was also armed with a rifle, took fright & ran back to the farm to seek help.
Although dying, Mr Lion proceeded to deal with Andy:
He bit off part of ear & attempted to crush And'y's head in his massive jaws , all the while doing much damage to Andy's legs & lower body with his dew claws.
Andy jammed his one hand into the lion's jaws to protect his face & had some fingers bitten off.
Andy then decided to play dead, & the lion now weakening rapidly , moved off a short distance to die.
Andy waited a while until there was quiet, & tried to move away.
The big feline returned & attacked him again.
This cat & mouse game went on for a while.
Eventually the lion died.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the assistant had arrived & told Andy's brother the sad tale.
They took off in the landrover to find Andy.
Meanwhile, back in the slateen, Andy, covered with congealing blood & dust, was making his way back home along the bush track.
The African assistant in his nervous state was not to sure how far or where the attack site was.
In the haste & confusion they drove right past the hapless Andy on the road.
The black congealed blood & dust covered him head to foot & his rescue party thought him to be an African traveller who had fallen on bad times!
Eventually after turning back they found Andy who by that time had almost made it back to the farmhouse.
His strength & rugby prowess at executing a pushover scrum had stood him in good stead, but alas did not save his chance to play for the Boks!
Perhaps Heather & Co. during their Soiree, can verify/ expand the tale with some surviving oldtimers.
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 18:35:38 (UTC)
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Definition for Keith Binns:
A twinkie is the epitome of really nasty American junk food. It is a sort of donut thingey, normally with powdered sugar on it, I think. You find them at gas stations and other fine gourmet food establishments like that. They have normally been on the shelf quite some time, but I believe the shelf life is around 10 years so they they retain their just-baked freshness. They are about 6 inches long and I think A&M cheerleaders count them as the daily allotment of protein if they use them to scoop peanut butter out of a jar.
I am quite sure there must be another definition of the word, especially in Australia?
Liz D. My apologies if my blow up doll joke offended you. The first time I heard the original version of that joke, before I added my own slant to it, I must confess that I larfed so hard the tears were rolling down my cheeks. You are quite correct. My joke threshold is really low, but I hate to waste my sense of humour and soon I will be too old to remember the punch line to most of the jokes I know, anyway. Please scroll over postings when you see my name attached. That's the best I can offer at this point. :) Sorry.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 20:45:25 (UTC)
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Linda
I think you misunderstood Liz D. Our mate Chica has been posting jokes on the Luanshya website. Liz is not one of the people with a "low humour threshhold". She loves a good joke and thinks Chica is hysterical. Some of his jokes were ok and some of them were a bit weak. Suppose that makes me someone with a "low humour threshhold!" You've met me Linda so you know what a miserable, humourless sod I am don't you?
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 21:06:57 (UTC)
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Dear Miserable Sod FiFi.. grin
Yep, I did misread Lizd. I thought she did not like my naughty humour so I was apologizing for offending. That's the last time I grovel for a Luanshya bird.. grin.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 01:14:28 (UTC)
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Northerners
Good morning. We finally found the elusive John Milton late on Friday afternoon. Or rather he found us.
Will try to post some photos later today
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Yay! News from Sinazongwe! Definitely looking forward to the photos! Heard on the news that the sound of both raucous and contented revelry could be heard for miles. Also that hippos, crocs, zebra and other regular Sinazongwe inhabitants were seen streaming out of the area muttering: "There goes the neighbourhood!!!"
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 08:16:44 (UTC)
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Tina you brought to mind a slight variation to that old poem,
You can tell a crowd thats BOOZING
By the company there choosing
And the family of bush pigs ran away.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 08:38:26 (UTC)
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Linda,
Thanks for the translation but I thought it was Afrikaans or Chikabanga not American. Was it Oscar Wilde who when asked to compare the Brits and the Americans replied, "Two people divided by a common language"?
I have previously admitted to my lack of Chikabanga on this site but there is one Afrikaans expression which I have always remembered for some reason. When fishing with a mate I was reeling them in and he wasn't even getting a nibble. The only reason seemed to be the different baits we were using. "You choose my bait," he told me in Afrikaans. "Up yours too" I replied in English.
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 12:31:47 (UTC)
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Johnny
Too true! That will leave them just the real party animals.
Jwurg - sorry - Keith
(If your right hand slips left on the keyboard you come up with Jwurg instead of Keith). Quote is George Bernard Shaw.
And it was Homer Simpson who said: - "English - Who needs that? I'm never going to England!"
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 13:56:57 (UTC)
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Johnny,
That wouldn't be the old poem I learned at school would it?
'Twas an evening one November,
As I very well remember,
I was strolling down the street in drunken pride,
But my knees were all aflutter,
And I landed in the gutter,
When a pig came up and lay down by my side.
Yes I lay there in the gutter,
Thinking thoughts I could not utter,
When a Lady passing by did softly say,
"You can tell a man who boozes
By the company he chooses"
At that the pig got up and walked away
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 14:00:54 (UTC)
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Rubcapslock - er Tina that should be - my hand slipped, sorry! Thanks for that.
Lroyj - whoops slipped the other way!
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 14:03:57 (UTC)
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Sounds as though the place will never be the same again , brings back Happy memories of 1968 -1973 . Bill Hunt, s memories of Andy McDonald seem spot on, heard the story from the man himself ,when working in Choma for Joe Brooks of Choma Welding and Auto Repairs 1968 ,Joe ,with his son Ian now run Gwembe Safaris and Tiger Fishing ,as well as a Croc farm and various other enterprises . Does anyone know if Maamba mine is still working ? Regards to all at Sinazongwe Archie Cassells .
Archie Cassells, Scotland [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 14:04:02 (UTC)
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Keith yes thats the one but your memory is a lot better than mine i could never have remembered all that now.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 14:55:36 (UTC)
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Hi Vicks
No E-ml so I hope the board doesn't mind.
I'm your Mom's cousin.Plse let me know how you,Jackie & Barry are? Like one of those *** aweful annual letters well-to-do friends send, about whose graduated from where and whose president of wot.
So keep it simple, I read slower than Judge Squiers !!
Tons & tons
Mal
PS: Anyone out there; Keep the (old & new) Kitwe pics coming !
Malcolm Rens, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 17:45:00 (UTC)
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I just got the message below about: "The Bridge" - the novel. There is a place you can buy it now in Lusaka. Pass the word. I had received several e-mail from GNR members asking where they could buy the book. Good luck
Hi,
Greetings, "The Bridge" Novel is actually at the Book Fair at
Lusaka Museum. So I have started selling it.
All the best,
Tomaida L. Milingo
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Hi Linda
You don't have to apologise for your joke - I enjoyed it! Mind you I had to read it twice before I got it. No reflection on your joke but I am blonde so that's my excuse (best I can come up with anyway).
Like you, I got a fair few klaps for using that unforgiveable phrase but luckily most are ignorant of it's meaning and probably best kept that way - hey?
And as for being a Luanshya Bird, yes I am and proud of it - but also spent 10 years or more in Muf before moving to Kitwe in 1994, We go back there most years to visit our daughters who still live there, have spent a number of lost evenings in the MOTHs drinking with a mate of yours I suspect (Joe, son of Joe, father of Jojo - ring any bells? - amongst others). So, on the strength of that, does that make me an 'Honourary Aged Kitwe Bun'?
Fiona, low blow.
Lizd, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 19:31:32 (UTC)
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Anothe great one from my buddie Maxie.
Looking Back and Forward
> > > By Mike Beresford
> > >
> > > I was born in Africa and its seasons shaped my soul,
> > > I knew my place beneath the sun, the warm earth made me whole,
> > > Those arching skies and brilliant stars fixed my position there,
> > > That brooding space my boundary, the far horizons clear.
> > > I belonged to Africa and knew no other home,
> > > I had no wish to leave her and no wish to roam.
> > > The heat, the storms, the droughts were all familiar scenes to me,
> > > The hills, the plains, the valleys and the bronzed Msasa trees.
> > >
> > > It's tempting to resist my fate, to look back and complain
> > > At the stealing of my birthright, and who, or what, to blame,
> > > At the loss of those I loved and knew and the places I have known.
> > > Nine tenths of life is traveled but the rest is moving on.
> > > Regrets and blame are for the past and I must walk the track
> > > That takes me on this journey, where there is no turning back,
> > > I must embrace the changes that old England holds for me
> > > And see the old with eyes anew where I was meant to be.
> > >
> > > There is beauty here in England and it's steeped in history,
> > > It's the land of both my parents and my ancient ancestry.
> > > So I must look beyond the dross and open up new doors,
> > > And blend my life that's yet to come with what has gone before.
> > > I do not have to be there to hear the Hueglin's song,
> > > It lives forever in my mind where memories belong.
> > > When I sail through the sunset, the truth will set me free!
> > > ' Take me out of Africa - but leave Africa in me'
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Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 5 June 2005 at 20:27:07 (UTC)
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That's another great poem out of Africa.
Can anyone tell me what is a "Hueglin"
I cannot find it in a dictionary
Hope all the Whiffenpoofs are enjoying enjoying their Singalong Soiree'
"We're Poor Little Sheep Who've Gone Astray"
"Blaa Blaa Blaa"
The sunset halo in the picture chosen to highlight the Soiree reminds me of the Phenomenon of the "Brocken Spectre"
Cheers Ron - back in HK
Ron Clibborn-Dyer, China [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 03:28:21 (UTC)
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Only heuglin I know is the herring gull.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 04:20:14 (UTC)
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I agree.
Robert Plain, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 08:12:28 (UTC)
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Tina I have never heard that word my self it could be some local phrase for a fish eagle but I do not know perhaps we can appeal to the author to enlighten us all, his name appears at the beginning of the poem if any one is in contact with him please let us all know wht he says thanks Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 08:36:17 (UTC)
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Last September I stayed a Heuglin's Lodge, a very nice guest house in Lilongwe and a stopping point on our way to Luangwa! They advise that the lodge is named after the Robin that is often seen in the garden.
See for your self at http://www.onsafari.com/hbb_heuglin.asp
Jack Wardell, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 09:37:42 (UTC)
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Ron
It seems that a Heuglin is lots of things (gull, gazelle & robin) and that they were probably named for a German explorer & ornithologist called Theodore von Heuglin
http://39.1911encyclopedia.org/H/HE/HEUGLIN_THEODOR_VON.htm
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 09:47:28 (UTC)
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Sorry Northerners - too sozzled to do anything about the photos yesterday (or today) except dump everyone's photos onto my computer. Will try to prepare some for the web this evening and post them sometime tomorrow if the connection is fast enough.
All the Sozzlers have left (except for me) and are now on their way either back south or up to the Copperbelt. I shall be leaving here shortly to make my way over to Sinazongwe proper (as opposed to Sinasowa) where I will stay until Thursday.
A good time has been had by all.
Until later
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The Heuglins referred to in the poem is a Robin. They have a very distinctive song and are mostly heard first thing in the morning and early evening. I do not remember hearing them in Zambia but in Zimbabwe they were plentiful -- especially on the farm or in the bundu.
Cheers,
Maxie.
Maxie Lindenberg, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 10:39:12 (UTC)
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Thanks Johnny, I needed that, it struck a raw nerve that I thought was long gone.
Alec Swan, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 11:21:03 (UTC)
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Hello Craig Zdyb, (new GNR member).Welcome to the site
Your surname is not very common, not in Zambia anyway
Is it pronounced ZIB?
Did you know an Eddie Zdyb who lived in Lusaka in the sixties?
He was married to the sister of Archie Watson
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 12:26:34 (UTC)
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This bird certainly existed in NR/Zambia. It regularly woke us, very early in the morning, when we lived at Chichele. It has a very distinctive song, and I thought that it gave the lie to a quotation someone (in the mists of memory) told me, attributing it to Somerset Maugham.....
"In Africa...the flowers have no scent, the birds have no song and the women have no virtue!"
I've done a search for this quote but can't find it on Google, so maybe it was an invention of the person who told it to me.
Go well, everyone.
Rachel
Rachel Mounsey, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 14:33:22 (UTC)
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Rachel
I wondered who would write such a silly thing about Africa so I also went on a google search and found that this seems to have been written by a man called Richard Harding Davis. He was an an American and from what I've briefly read he fought in the Boer War and many other countries. I found a very similar passage to the one you quoted (tenacious bugger me).
'It's a place where the birds have no song,
where the flowers have no odor, where the women are without virtue,
and the men without honor.'
However, it seems to have been written about Honduras, not Africa. If you are interested I found it here http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/cptnm10.txt
He also wrote a series of letters and a diary, quite a few of which were written from Africa. He seems to have led a very interesting life. They can be found here
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/DavAdve.html
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 18:04:24 (UTC)
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Hi Heather
Glad that function was a success.
Is Doug on his way to Copperbelt & if so, can I contact him via email?
Thanks
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 19:41:55 (UTC)
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Bill and everyone,
I am in Lusaka with Glen after a woderfull weekend at Siansowa. A great success and a million thanks to Heather for all the hard work she put into the organisation. Also to Kevin Shone who drove us there and back. I will give a much fuller account once I am back home. I have not seen or heard a mozzie yet.
Tomorrow early we leave for the Copperbelt and will only be back by Thursday. We fly out on Saturday. The best way to contact me is to send an email to Heather or Kevin Shone and ask them to bell me, or you can call me on 09260 97 505 048. I will try to get to an internet cafe while on the Copperbelt so if you need me to do something also post it on this board.
Captain Philip Morgan and his pirate crew namely Steve, JJ and Bruce are on their way back to Eshowe. They did not realise just how big Africa is and will leave Samfya, Shiwa Ngandu and Luangwa valley to a future trip.
Yukon Petes new nickname is Orgasm Piet or OP for short. He will explain more. Glen will also tell you about his Hollywood special method of kissing.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 20:01:56 (UTC)
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My sister Pam and I are very sad to report that our father, Bill, died suddenly and unexpectedly this morning.
He worked on Luanshya Mine from 1948 until 1950. He then moved to Rhokana mine until 1958. He then set up his own business, Fillard Batteries, for which he will be most remembered. He sold this and returned to England in 1967.
The legacy he left for Pam and I was to bring us up in Northern Rhodesia, a fantastic childhood which has shaped the rest of our lives.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 20:19:54 (UTC)
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Mike
I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 22:12:46 (UTC)
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Mike
We Magees send you and your sister and family all love and support. We feel for your loss. When you feel like it, down the road a bit, please tell us about your father and his battery business and any of your favourite stories about him.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 6 June 2005 at 22:34:48 (UTC)
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Independence Dinner With Ambassador Dr. Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika
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I wish invite all members of GNR to this year's (Zambia's) Independence celebration here in Los Angeles. The Zambian Ambassador to the United States Dr. Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika has accepted our invitation to join us for the Independence celebration.
The following are the details:
Event : Ambassadors Dinner to Fundraise and Celebrate Zambia's 41st Independence.
Date: Saturday October 22, 2005
Time: 6:00 pm Reception
7:00pm Dinner
Venue: Manhattan Beach Marriot Hotel
1400 Parkview Avenue
Manhattan Beach
CA90266
Tel: 310 546 7511
Dress: Formal Black and White
Fee: USD50
Sponsorship: We are seeking a sponsor for the Ambassadors Table at $500 per seat for 10 seats.
GNR Speaker: If there is GNR who was in Zambia at Independence, and can be available to speak at the dinner, please let me know.
Films/Videos: If there is someone with pre-independence films or videos on Zambia, please let know if I can borrow them. I will pay for shipping.
Proceeds will go to support the following programs: Lions School for the Blind, Kasisi Orphanage, and Dormitory for the Handicapped at St. Clements Secondary in Mansa (Fort Rosebury).
If you need additional information, please get in touch with me.
My Best Regards to you all.
Mwelwa Mulenga (MBA)
President
Association of Zambians in California
P.O.Box 45830
Los Angeles
CA 90045
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Well done you Super Sleuths - so the Heuglin in the poem is an African Robin with a distinctive song - now all we need is the proper Latin name and a good web-image and we will know a little more of this Cocky Lobin.
Cheers Ron
Ron Clibborn-Dyer, China [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 03:33:56 (UTC)
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So is Craig of the Jungle ever coming back or is he already swinging through the Zambian mopani trees, beating his chest and uttering strange cries, and wearing leopard spotted trunks?
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 05:33:36 (UTC)
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Hi Ron,
All my books are in boxes, but I have an old one that says the latinised name is Cossypha hueglini
This robin has a blue grey back, wings and tail and dark rufous-orange underparts and rump. It has a pronounced white eyebrow and brown eyes. It can mimic songs of other birds - and also humans!
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 05:43:20 (UTC)
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Ron
No sooner said than done! You'll find the photograph here Cocky Lobin
Message edited 2005-06-07 08:52:00 (UTC) by Management. Reason: To correct HTML.
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Hmmmm,
Well, I've messed up the HTML again - Craig, please in from the bush and fix it !!
The correct link is Cocky Lobin
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Funeral Arrangements - Bridget Robinson (nee Mann) ex Kabwe/Broken Hill
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The family appreciate the messages/telephone calls of condolences, caring and support.
Funeral arrangements as follows:
Monday June 13th 2005
12.00 Kingsbury Church, Church Lane, Kingsbury, Nr Tamworth
01.00 Woodlands Crematorium, Coleshill
02.00 Bridgets House, Oakdene, Church Lane, Kingsbury, Nr Tamworth B78 2LR, Staffs
Donations in lieu of flowers are for St Giles Hospice and will be collected by the family at Bridgets address.
(Alternatively, mail to: The Registrar, St. Giles Hospice, Fisherwick Road, Whittington, Lichfield, WS14 9LH, U.K.)
Although a sad occasion, never lose sight of the brighter times - Bridget and Ted loved a good party and always looked forward to getting together with the Zambian crowd - notorius for having an excessively good time.
A time not to just reflect but to renew old friendships.
Ray Williams, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 09:00:00 (UTC)
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Arrived back in Lusaka yesterday afternoon with Peter and John. They have just left Heather's office and are thinking of going to the Kafue Game Park on their way to Broken Hill / Kabwe and Kitwe -- at least, I think they were planning to go to Kitwe. Maybe the petrol pump in Broken Hill will keep them enthralled for a few days.
The Soirée was excellent, and kudos is due to Heather once again for the time and effort she expended in organising this event. She prepared wonderful food and arranged a tour of the croc farm, an early morning game walk on one of the islands in Lake Kariba, and a sunset cruise on the lake as well. Thank-you Heather.
Anyone considering a trip to Lake Kariba really should consider staying at Lwiimbo Lwa Zambezi Safaris Clubhouse and Guesthouse in Siansowa, which is not far from Sinazongwe itself. Hosts Gavin and Paula have a very nice retreat there.
Craig Hartnett, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 09:15:18 (UTC)
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Fiona,
Thanks for pursuing that naff quotation, I didn't remember the bit about the men.
The lovely birds of Central Africa were a special delight and bonus for living there. Who remembers the "rain bird", whose plaintiff call was supposed to herald the coming of the rains as it was a migrant and arrived just at that time. The Red-Breasted Cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius), its Afrikaans name was (or is, I suppose) "Piet-my-vrou", indicative of its call. Every year it came and sat on the top of a tall, bare tree near our house. Living where we did, we had plenty of opportunity to bird-watch.
Last year, much was made here in England of the return of the Great Bustard. They came every year to Chichele and we always made a point of going to see them. My regret is that we didn't then have the ready availability of good reasonably priced cameras.
Rachel Mounsey, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 14:18:02 (UTC)
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Oh Well done Barry,
That photo just shows that a Bird in the Hand is worth two in a bush.
My "Roberts - Birds of South Africa" says that Cossypha heuglini is reputed to be one of the the Best Songbirds in the World - with a voice of variable crescendo phrases each starting off with quiet piping notes increasing in volume and tempo and becoming more variable, then suddenly ending.
e,g. "Its up to you, its up to you, up to you, UP TO YOU, etc, or think of it, think of it, THINK OF IT; very rich and melodious; stereotyped call, don't you DO it; also sings in duet; imitates other birds' alarm calls near nest harsh tserrk-tsrek alarm call.
I see that in Africaans all Robins are called a Janfrederik
Whilst in the Cape recently I learnt that the rather similar Cape Robin has also been reclassified as a Robin Chat, but the Heuglin Robin is clearly a most amazing songbird.
Here in South China we have a Black and White Magpie Robin - Copsychus saularis that has a loud and varied melodious song and utters a long drawn-out hissing particularly at dusk.
The best songbird in these parts I believe is the Hwamei - Garrulax canorus which is described as having a loud cheerful voice not unlike that of a British Blackbird - but I think the Hwamei is a better singer.
There's a bird in Australia that makes a noise like the whistle of a Stockman's whip and it's mate is supposed to finish it off with the "Crack" of the whip. But the male is its own worst enemy as it seems to be embarassed if no female answers and so it does both calls - thus making possible sheila's think it already has a wife. So it ends up very frustrated.
It's called the Whip Bird of Course. [Sorry don't have my Australian bird book to hand for the Latin name.]
Cheers Ron
Ron Clibborn-Dyer, China [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 16:04:50 (UTC)
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Sometimes I scratch my head in disbelief. Last night on our national news, there was a segment about "noodling" being legalised in Missouri, obviously a state inhabited by the less intelligent of the American species. This "sport" was illegal for 50 yrs, but some bright spark in their state legislature has made it his cause to bring it back again. What is noodling, you ask? It is not what you think.. or I assumed.. grin.
Noodling is a form of "fishing" - with one's hand as the bait! Not just any kind of fishing. It is fishing in the dirtiest, dankest of rivers, for barbel, or catfish as it is called over here. From what I understood from watching these mumparas, one trolls through the stinking, slimey water, preferably with one's body totally immersed in the muck, and more specifically around huge decomposing tree trunks, or underwater lairs on the banks, and holds one's fingers and/or or whole arm out in front of oneself until a barbel bites it and grabs on. Never mind that there might be some other equally nasty surprise waiting there to bite you as well. Apparently the bite is somewhat like very course sandpaper and the bloodier your appendage gets, the more the barbel will latch on. Once it has latched on, the fight is on to bring it to the surface in a human/fish wrestling match. You are permitted to hold a piece of string with a rather large hook tied to it in the palm of your hand, in the hopes that you can hook it into the barbel's mouth and extricate your own hand, if you are lucky, but you also take the chance of hooking yourself in the fight. Lovely, hey? The only thing that impressed me was that a woman was the one who pulled out and wrestled a 40lb barbel while they were filming this for the news. I can just see the scene at the dinner table. "Watch out for bones, and mommy's index finger, Johnny." Ha! Ha!
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 17:47:19 (UTC)
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As long as they don't ban CA-NOODLING!
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 18:09:23 (UTC)
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Okay, one more (somewhat true) story and then I will voetsek, I promise!
This past weekend, my son's team, "Austin Blazers," was in a 3 day basketball tournament, hosted by one of the other teams playing, "Austin ATX." The venue was a brand new beautifully constructed sports complex for the disadvantaged in East Austin. (How come the rich kids never get anything like this?) The tournament was a round robin, with the winner being the team that won the most games, or had the widest overall point spread at the end of the 3 day event, in the case of a tie.
Both the Blazers and ATX are extremely strong teams and go back and forth in each tournament as to who is victorious. This particular time, ATX beat The Blazers right off the bat in the first game of the tournament, but then were soundly beaten by a team that was not strong at all. You know how that goes when one gets too cocky, right? By the time it was the final game on Sunday, it so happened that both Blazers and ATX had lost one, making it a tie, apart from the point spread. Blazers were also coincidentally playing in the last game.
Yours truly, the usually demure.. ahem.. mother of one Timothy Hayes was yelling rather loud "encouragement" to the two refs who were having a hard time figuring out what should be called as a foul, when I spotted one of the ATX boys in the stands with a medal around his neck. Not just any medal, but the medal awarded to each team player of the winning team, always at the END of a tournament. With our boys still playing, and running up the points that could easily have made US the winners, I was very surprised to see the boy with the medal around his neck. Not only that, but he was sniggering about it too. Not a good thing to do around me.
I glanced over to the trophy table and discovered that the winner's trophy was gone! Not only that, but the second place trophy and medals were gone too, having been incorrectly awarded by the ATX team manager to a team that had already gone back to their home town, we found out later!! Caught up in the emotion of the game and unable to control myself, not even stopping for an instant to ask this boy how he had a winner's medal around his neck, I screeched at the top of my lungs, "KAWALALA!" and lept from the stands to the ground, fully expecting the usual instant justice mob to follow! Oooops....
Time stood still, the game stopped in utter shock at this mad woman screaming in a language nobody understood, as I yelled to the refs and our team managers across the court that ATX had already awarded themselves the winner's trophy and medals before the tournament was even over, and what's more, had taken it upon themselves to arbitrarily decide which team was second!! All hell broke loose, with coaches, refs, parents, etc., all trying to figure out why ATX had done what they did.
Timothy Hayes is the total opposite of his mum, very quiet, shy and never one to like the spotlight on him in any way, shape or form. As the players and parents were all in the frucas, he slunk out a side door of the gym, embarrassed to the gills no doubt...
My long suffering hubby, Mike the Saint, rushed out the gym too, only to return with his favourite white jacket for me. I hate that damn thing. It is so hard to point your finger in someone's face, when you are hugging yourself... grin. Now where's the justice in that!!
The Monday morning edition of the Austin American Statesman ran this story:
Last night, an unfortunate incident took place at the A.B. Cantu Sports Complex for the Disadvantaged in East Austin. Firefighters are still trying to determine what started a blaze that resulted in the complex burning to the group. Arson is suspected. Chief Granger commented that a can of what appeared to be parafin, a lighting fuel used in some parts of Africa, was discovered in the ruins, along with the remains of a smoldering piece of 2X4 wood thought to be mopani, and with the initials, "BM" still visible.
Dubbed "Bleddy Menace", police are still trying to locate a rather rotund woman seen running from the scene moments after the blaze started.
In a related story, the teenager featured in this week's Runaway Hotline story, Timothy Hayes, is asked to call home as soon as possible.
And how was YOUR weekend.. grin.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 18:45:01 (UTC)
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Doug, Heather, Kevin Shone
Doug if you have the time & are anywhere near the Old Muf Cemetary in Marconi ave off Chaplin road (main drag leading to 'T'' junction of Kitwe & Ndola roads) could you please take a picture of the grave of Duncan Stewart -( headstone is in a form of Canadian Maple Tree.)
Thanks Doug.
Enjoy the rest of the adventure, give my regards to the Samaras brothers & please express my
gratitude for the help they have given my friend Ian Sutherland.
Heather & Kevin please pass on to Doug in case he can't get access to IT Cafe.
Many Thanks
Hamba Kahle!
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 21:18:44 (UTC)
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I will be away from predictable Internet access until the weekend of June 18th, so if anyone sends me e-mail, don't expect a reply before then. Thanks.
Craig Hartnett, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 at 21:49:48 (UTC)
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Okay, so I do have just one more thing to post today. I got this email today and larfed my head off at the grammar. I know we all know they are scams, but this was too funny not to share. It came from "Barrister Michael" in the UK:
Dear sir,
I write to solicit your assistance and support to enable me execute a very lucrative and high profiting business transaction. I am very confidence that with trust and understanding, we can be able to execute this business to our mutual benefit and believe that you will not let down the trust and confidence I am willing to repose in you. I work for an Ivorien based public international firm (AXIM RDC), I work as the corporate affairs manager. Between the 17th -19th of may, 2001 a business seminar was held in BOUAKE Cote D?Ivoire of which I attended. While in the Seminar, I was opportune to meet Alhaji C. G MUSTAPHA, the President of IVOGRAIN-SIPRA ETS.
Alhaji C. G MUSTAPHA is an accomplished and widely known and recognized millionaire farmer in this part of the region. He has farms in different countries of West Africa. But above all, he is one of the greatest supplier of cattle, beef and other diary products in this part of the coast. On getting to know my profession, Alhaji C. G MUSTAPHA took me into confidence by informing me about the purchase of a particular but very important medicine for his cattle. He informed me that he buys this product at $ 5,000.00 USD per carton, and that he mostly buys to the excess of 2000 cartons. He informed me that he was only asking me to find out if my organization could source for him a cheaper supplier considering the recent trend of falls in the general price of beef in the world market which is affecting his business. Back in my office, I discussed this proposal with my boss and he decided to handle the supply by himself.
We carried out a market research and discovered that we could purchase this medicine some what cheaper in London for $2,000.00 USD per carton. We moved proposal to IVOGRAIN-SIPRA to make the supply to them at $4,800.00 USD per carton of which he accepted. Owing to my role in the transaction, I had an agreement with my director to be receiving 15% of whatever gain is made on each supply of which he agreed. But on the completion of the supply and the receipt of the payment, my boss renegade on our agreement and refused to give me my share of the profit. Since then our relationships has been at its lowest ebb. I have since accepted it as one of life experiences, and not to be a repeated process.
However, as God would have it, recently, I intercepted a letter of request from Alhaji C. G MUSTAPHA asking my boss to supply him with 1000 cartons of the same product within the next three weeks. I ceased the letter and this letter has not and will never get to my boss. I personally contacted Alhaji C. G MUSTAPHA and informed him that I can introduce him to the producer who is ready to supply him the product at $4,400.00 USD if he will pay in advance as he usually do. He was very pleased and is right now waiting to be contacted by my partner. We will buy the medicine at $2,000.00 USD from London and sell at $4,400.00 USD TO Alhaji with him first paying 50% of our quoted price in advance which is beforehand. I will be entitled to 20% of whatever profit we make after the deduction of all expenses and my partner's 60% share.
If you are interested and is capable of handling this supply with me, kindly get back to me urgently through my e-mail so that I can furnish you with the contacts of both our primary source in London and that of Alhaji C. G MUSTAPHA. Kindly be notified that at no point in time should Alhaji C. G MUSTAPHA suspect that you are not the producer of the medicine and we should never allow him know the contact of our real source in London as not to allow him by cut us to deal directly with them.
I hope to receive your response and I thank you in Anticipation of your cooperation.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Igbaji.
PS If we play our cuds right, we will make enough money.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 04:40:37 (UTC)
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Bill, I have just phoned Doug, he is in Kitwe and will be going to Muf later this morning. Your requests have been passed on and he will see what he can do.
Orgasmic Pete, Doug, John & I will be having a mini reunion tonight at the Ndola Boat Club. John flies out tomorrow from Ndola airport and the others go back to Lusaka.
We all had a brilliant weekend thanks to that organiser of note, Heather.
Kevin Shone, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 06:27:31 (UTC)
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Not to forget Glen also coming tonight and it is OP flying out tomorrow. Lots of weaker brain cells disposed of over the weekend, unfortunately they don't regenerate as fast as they used to.
Kevin Shone, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 07:15:03 (UTC)
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Linda
I'm pretty certain that same lady was a 'guest' on Jerry Springer's show!
I know when I see your name I'm guaranteed a good laugh - thanks for not disappointing me!
June Ross, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 09:03:06 (UTC)
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I AM TRYING TO TRACE THE PRESENT WHEREABOUTS OF HENNIE AND ABE BEKKER ORIGINALLY FROM MUFULIRA
Nigel Thompson, Thailand [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 09:11:52 (UTC)
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Does anyone know where I can find Cheryl Cole from Ndola. I last had contact with her in the late 1970's in Johannesburg and I last heard of her in Natal, South Africa. I do not know her married name.
Martin Yodaiken, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 16:49:24 (UTC)
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This was sent to me by a lady and i think it is worth sharing.
Old age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body--but I don't agonize over it for long.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but
looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to overeat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read until 4 am, and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50's & 60ies, and if I at the same time wish to weep over a lost love, I will. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten - and I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the
years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. I can say "no", and mean it. I can say "yes", and mean it. As
you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer the question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. For the first time in my life, I don't have to
have a reason to do the things I want to do. If I want to play games on the computer all day, lay on the couch and watch old movies for hours or don't want to go to the beach or a movie, I have earned that right. I have put in
my time doing everything for others, so now I can be a bit selfish without feeling guilty.
I sometimes feel sorry for the young. They face a far different world than I knew growing up, where we feared the law, respected the old, the flag, our country. I never felt the need to use filthy language in order to
express myself. And they too will grow old someday.
I am grateful to have been born when I was, into a kinder, gentler world.
Yes, I like being old!
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Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 17:06:58 (UTC)
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Really pleasant and thoughtful posting she sent you Johnny. Thanks for posting it.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 17:25:08 (UTC)
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Nigel Thompson
Hennie is in Canada since 1978 & has a very successful recording studio.
You can track him down with Google.
I emailed him some time ago & he responded immediately!
He has Abe's address as well.
I had their addresses but my hard drive crashed & lost the lot.
Good Luck
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 17:54:45 (UTC)
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Kevin Shone
Thanks for passing on the message to Gruesome!
Best regards
Bill
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 17:58:56 (UTC)
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Hello Chriszelda Ihmann
Welcome to the site
.Is Siavonga near Sinazongwe?
Did you happen to run into any of the GNR heavy mob in the last few days?
Your husband can only be the Peter Ihmann of Gilbert Rennie and Denny House fame, a man of great exploits on the sporting field. Did he ever work for the Shapiro Milling Company in Lusaka?
I last met Peter at a wedding in Mazabuka in the late sixties. George (Memba)Reeves was also there
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 17:59:22 (UTC)
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Nigel Thompson
Try
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 at 18:17:22 (UTC)
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Message edited 2005-06-10 07:15:00 (UTC) by Management. Reason: To remove e-mail address.
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The news has been full of all sorts of interesting snippets this week. Last night I heard that a study was recently conducted on 500 women in London and it was determined that their ability to achieve an orgasm was directly related to their genes. I dunno.. call me forward thinking if you like, but it seems to me that they might achieve more success if they tried unzipping the dang things.. ha! ha! No wonder so many of them left the clinic with pursed lips and a dour expression on their faces.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 9 June 2005 at 12:40:24 (UTC)
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Linda
I saw that too - it reminded me of the old joke:
"How do you tell the sex of a chromosome?"
"Take its genes down!"
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Aha.!!!!
After I picked myself off the floor from cackling, I suddenly realised something.
B.M. is ALIVE and hiding in Texas somewhere. Evidence of this strange sighting is validated by the strange report from one L.H. about a ball game.
B.M. of infamy, was sighted running (flying on a stick shurely?,,,Ed.) from a gymnasium.
Ha.
A case for a writer of tales, methinks.
Now that evidence is to hand, may the dear readers of this site go and search! Calling all Texan/Zambian/GNRers!
Seek and ye shall.........
I pledge to pay the first person to report a real sighting of B.M.- of- infamy, the munificent sum of 5 Kwacha - which I have kept lo, these many years.
Bill Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 9 June 2005 at 14:58:46 (UTC)
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Send me a few addresses of the London Ladies, I'll try my best to raise a few smiles.
Sincerely,
Lothario Casanova Fernie.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 9 June 2005 at 16:03:42 (UTC)
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Mike, I see you mention Peter. I corresponded very recently with Dan Rankow as we were both in the same class as Peter at Rennie. We both wondered where he was and what he's doing. He was the brain of the class, 2 foot taller than me and a deep voice, we think he's a nuclear scientist or something. Any news? I see George Reeve was also mentioned, last I heard he was in motor spares in Benoni here on the East rand, but quita a few years ago, I did bump into him a long time ago here, still the same heavy built guy.
Bob Gillies, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 9 June 2005 at 16:30:19 (UTC)
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Bob
I knew you were in the same class as Peter.I suppose I should have referred to him as a top sportsman and academic. I last spotted him at Shapiros Milling in 1972 but perhaps he was a customer and not an employee
New GNR member Chriszelda Ihmann's husband is Peter and I am quite sure it's him.
He could be working on a nuclear replacement for the Kariba Wall in case it collapses
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 9 June 2005 at 17:50:06 (UTC)
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Bill
Glen has got a couple of good pictures of the grave and will forward to you.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 9 June 2005 at 17:59:28 (UTC)
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What a lovely posting, Johnnie. it makes me feel humble.
love
Laura
Laura Bannister, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 10 June 2005 at 00:21:11 (UTC)
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Laura pleased you liked, Love johnny.x
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 10 June 2005 at 07:15:17 (UTC)
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Hi Johnny
I am new to the GNR but loved the message you posted - thank you!
Catherine Bryan, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
[ Website ]
Friday, 10 June 2005 at 11:51:25 (UTC)
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Thanks so much Doug for making time to find & photograph the site.
Much appreciated.
I owe you one!
Go easy on the Captain's & have a safe trip back.
Best regards
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 10 June 2005 at 17:14:21 (UTC)
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Glen Drake
Thanks for the photos you took.
If I ever meet you I'll buy you a double Klippies & coke to compensate for the nervous accident at the immigration!
Thanks again Bill
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 10 June 2005 at 17:33:59 (UTC)
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Humble apologies to Politburo members for breaking a cardinal rule by including email address on message board.
Please don't send me to CT land!!!
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 10 June 2005 at 17:41:32 (UTC)
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Catherine welcome to the clan hope to to hear from you often on here love Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 10 June 2005 at 20:52:40 (UTC)
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Back in the land of the living.......at last !!!!
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Hi all .............I'm back....after a nightmare of sorting telephone problems....arggggh..
Anyway what a way to return though...........some exciting news arrived through a phone call on Thursday,................ Ishar , the Women's Health Centre I work for applied for a government (Federal) grant back in April...... and the news is WE WON........what this means is we can now fund a program to help the new African migrants ( women and children) settle in Perth (we will provide Health care, education programs etc)...This is going to be an exciting journey for Ishar, it means expansion and also a real challenge for us because in Perth there is no real organisation to cater for these people who have not only fled wartorn countries, but have been in refugee camps etc and to arrive in a strange country where customs, religions and also everyday needs etc are so different .........SO??..............Congratulations to Ishar........
oh and it is great to be back on my favourite road again.!!!!
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Re: Back in the land of the living.......at last !!!!
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Ali
Ishar is a dynamic organization run by great people with huge hearts like Shobhana and please congratulate them and wish them all success. Another extremely exciting part of this is that they have the funding to take you on full time at least for a year.
Love and all the best
Tina
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 11 June 2005 at 05:46:19 (UTC)
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I was introduced to a very good looking demure young lady recently and she happened to be passing my flat door as I was was returning from shopping and of course never one to miss an opportunity to converse with a a beautful woman I invited her in for coffee which suprisingly she accepted, after the usual pleasentries I asked her what had brought her to live in my home town as I had acertained at our earlier meeting she was new in town, she replied the usual trouble a man, I commiserated with her and said it must have been serious for her to have left her home town to relocate here she replied it was serious as far as I was concerned I discovered he was being unfaithful to me, as I was raising my coffee to have a sip it was very hot, she came out with an expression I had never heard in my life before she continued, yes she said he woul'd shag a trapped rat I am still a little warm around my lower torso where most of the coffee ended up, but after she had departed I was laughing for 10 mins.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 11 June 2005 at 06:13:06 (UTC)
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I have just arrived in Frankfurt via Joburg from Ndola.
Had a MOST fantastic time visiting Lusaka, Kabwe, Kitwe, Luanshüa and Ndola.
Between Glen, Doug and I we have in the neighbourhood of 1,600 photos so no doubt once sorted out üou will see lots of them!
Heather was FANTASTIC in all the organisation she did + A BIG THANK ÜOU HEATHER!!!!!!!!!!
Excuse the funnü spelling + Kraut keüboards....
Orgasmic Pete
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 11 June 2005 at 06:25:16 (UTC)
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I am very interested in mammal-like reptile fossils found in the Karroo deposits found in the Luangwa Valley. If anyone has any information, books, papers, museum annals or maps on the subject I would be very interested.
On the subject of maps, I am looking certain of the 1:50,000 maps that cover the area from the northern-most part of North Luangwa National Park to the southern-most part of South Luangwa National Park, if anyone has any for sale. I can give specific map numbers if required.
Many thanks, Steve
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Steven
This sounds fascinating. Would you tell us what you know about this subject yourself? Thanks.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 11 June 2005 at 15:26:41 (UTC)
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Happy 20th Brthday Chris have a wonderful day...............much love from us in Perth.....Ali, Alice,Jade, Leah , Rosie and Taali
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Many happy returns of the day dont get to much, regards pal Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 11 June 2005 at 19:54:36 (UTC)
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There is unfortunately another side to growing old which I see every day. On one side of me there is a complex of forty odd sheltered flats for, say seventy to eighty year olds, who are basically unable to be left to fend for themselves, especially at night, whilst on the other side there is a sixty roomed-home for eighty to one hundred year old inmates who require more intensive medical care, etc., not to put to fine a point on it.
Although, compared to many countries in the world today, these people are extremely fortunate to have such facilities; the word "dumped" by invisable sons/daughters, son-in-laws/daughter-in-laws, is the only way to describe it. I know this, as I hear it everyday in life, over and over again, the next generation are far to busy chasing money, status and careers to have time for even the most fleeting visit, which means so much to the old and lonely.
Perhaps going for a walk in the snow, as the eldery Inuit did, is not the best solution but it at least saved the long drawn out lonely, forsaken time in those God-waiting-rooms of the condemned, awaiting the executioner. Just a blink of time ago we were subject to the rule that nothing dies of old age in the jungle, (dont take out a retirement policy ), evolution has so many hiccups on its way!
Coming to a cinema near you soon. Dont miss it! I'd prefer to! Sorry, you cant, your in it! Growing old is just not nice, I'm off to drown my sorrows now and forget about tomorrow! I apologise for the dampner on the mellow fruitfulness of being old, I just can't see the point!
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 11 June 2005 at 23:36:45 (UTC)
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Steve & Anna,
I have had a look at your web-site and read about what you are doing at the Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust in Luangwa.
http://www.chipembele.org/index.htm
What a Great retirement project - I wish you well in your efforts.
Sorry Cannot help with Karoo fossils, but there are plenty of us GNR fossils here on this site.
Cheers Ron
from the Temple Garden in HK China
Ron Clibborn-Dyer, China [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 01:00:39 (UTC)
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I never check my yahoo mailbox so this has been there since late April. Posting now on behalf of Meg.
"Dear Tina, I cannot post on the GNR anymore, dont know why, but I am invalid. I need some information urgento, could you be a darlin and post for me, my brother Ed was recently in Zambia celebrating his and Alan Watsons 50 th birthdays together, and he went back to Woodlands School, met the Head ect. The Headmaster of Woodlands, a Mr Ndlovu, (he might be the deputy), urgently wants a potted history of the school. My mom ;;who taught there for years is going to write one, but could you ask others on the GNR who attended or taught at Woodlands for their histories, dates, teachers and pupils names, famous pupils ect, and they could email them to me, or to Ed, whose email must be in the membership list, also, Woodlands is desperate for some computers, they would appreciate 2nd hand computers, and it would be a great gesture if we could get something going here, please email me back and let me know if you a. got theis message, and b. will post for; me. thank you so much, love and hugs Meg"
If you have Woodlands history for Meg, email Tina for Meg's email address or contact her via the GNR.
Thanks
Tina
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 06:00:25 (UTC)
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Ali, Alice,Jade, Leah , Rosie and Taali
Thanks!!!
Johnny
I've never found enough so what is too much?
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 06:05:57 (UTC)
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Colin,
Read your message and sadly mostly I concur with you. Who needs old age. The human dilemma, when should we die. While we still are okay, or suffer perhaps for years in misery. A few little stories about old age.
These are the opening lines of a poem I penned some years ago inspired by a young friend.
"Don't waste your young years in crying
When your eyes only glisten with tears
For time is constantly flying and suddenly old age appears"...................
Another -
Oh time you ceaseless thief
Stealing my life from me...............
(Have to try and remember the rest, written down somewhere)
I recently bought a small book from the Art Gallery shop about old age. I bought it because of this one particular cartoon that really made me smile.
There are two old ladies standing at the bus stop, one in sensible shoes and hairstyle, simply dressed, round glasses, hair in bun, handbag draped over her arm and an umbrella clutched in her hand. Next to her a funkily dressed old lady with a mass of curls, faux fur short jacket and leggings. She is saying to the other old lady "I used to be old too once but it wasn't my cup of tea."
I read the rest of the book and the mood turns sombre.
Ashley Brilliant (real name) writes more or less 17 or less words quotes which disguise truths in humour accompanied by simple little cartoons. In this one you see an old lady sitting sadly alone with next to her a telephone. The quote "Forgotten but not gone". In another one there is an old man standing there. The quote "Remember it takes 9 months to make a baby, it takes 70 years to make an old man".
Dylan Thomas "Don't go gently into that dark (good?) night/Rage, rage against the going (passing?) of the light."
My underwater instructor in the Bahamas Fred Baldasare when I was much younger is still alive and well today, in his early 80's still strutting his stuff in Coco Beach, Florida.
The ex world champion breathhold diving Jacques Mayol who I knew very well in the Bahamas committed suicide at his villa on an island in Italy (hanging) because he was depressed that at the end of it all was just old age. He was 78. I think it was December 2001. He had become quite famous around the world and I believe would have wanted for nothing. They have built an underwater statue in remembrance of him.
My son's father in law Nick, 85 and still hard at work. Does everything himself, from building drains to painting the whole house, inside and out and has a keen sense of wit. And being Russian, vodka is his tipple, and in no small way.
And here in Australia we have had some amazing old diggers from the 1st World War. One just recently died at 104. And their minds were clear as bells.
Then there is Bob Hope and the Queen Mother and George Burns, John Guilgud, Peter Ustinov, Picasso and Michaelangelo(?? spelling). A recent book I read recently "How to be 70" by a well known English comic whose name slips my mind at the moment.
My daughter's friend's mother suffering from early onset dementia, age 64. Rita Hayworth had the same thing.
I guess old age and dying is the luck of the draw as is being born and living.
Just a few stories about age, there are a million more.
I never wanted to get old, but here I am on the brink and I mourn the loss of youth and vigor. I don't think I am brave enough to get too old. I have no one who is willing to carry me to the top of a mountain and leave me there, but you never know.
So, cheers for now,
Regards Evelyn
Evelyn Carra, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 07:54:49 (UTC)
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For goodness sake. What is wrong with all you people out there -find and read this poem by Jenny Joseph:-
WARNING
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me,
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves.......etc
and remember :
Age is a quality of mind.
If you've left your dreams behind,
If hope is cold,
If you no longer look ahead,
If your ambition's fires are dead,
Then you are old.
But if from life you take the best,
If in life you keep the zest,
If love you hold,
No matter how the years go by,
No matter how the birthdays fly,
YOU ARE NOT OLD!
Rachel Mounsey, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 14:15:12 (UTC)
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A National Health poster showing a newborn baby held up by the feet by doctor.
"The first seconds of life are critical"
Graffitti artist's addition: "The last few are pretty dodgy as well mate!!
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 14:15:44 (UTC)
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In a Fortune Cookie: "You're getting old when it takes you all night to do what you used to do all night".
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 15:24:49 (UTC)
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Rachel
You are the poster child for optomistic, fulfilling, exciting older age. Johnny and Maxie are prospective candidates but they are youngsters.
Health, quality of life, family/community support and freedom to make some financial choices appear to be the pivotal criteria for being able to experience a quality life. Attitude, guts and filling your life with the possible actions and activities, here as everywhere, make magic happen.
That said, there are harsh realities. My dad used to say old age is not for wimps. He lived with vascular dementia which, in appearance, is the same as alzheimers. It is terribly distressing and humiliating for the sufferer and can be unbelievably wearing and irritating on those helping them through the day.
Most old age homes are by nature large nurseries or day care centers (well, all night and all day care centers) with quality and caring attention ranging from one end of the spectrum to the other. A common complaint is always being a bit hungry. Residents don't always eat properly at meals and forget snack times and homes have budgetary considerations and not enough staff to chase up all residents at all times.
Those of us who have the heart know there is a need for love and outreach to the lonely. Having said that, we might also prepare ourselves that such a commitment is full of moments of joy but is frequently NOT a joyride.
Still, ultimately, when something fills us with cautionary feelings like the approach of diminishing powers, we could try to face it full on, dispassionately and actively think over the unsavoury possibilities and plan for it as best we can - ahead of time.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 16:37:09 (UTC)
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Well I am safely back in Vryheid City and have been reading through the month's postings. Glen is at River Bend Country House near Fourways, Joburg that is run by Des and Paddy Gallotti ex-Mufulira.
Mike E
Sorry to hear about your Dad's sudden death. You can take some condolence from the fact that if you have to go, suddenly is the best way.
Roger
Re the Zim Minister who built the house in Capetown. Mugabe arrested him after the story appeared in the SA Sunday Times and is still in jail as far as I know.
Bill
I talked to Lighty Samaras and passed along your message about Ian Sutherland. On Wednesday when Glen and myself were having lunch in the Mona Lisa, a new restaurant in Parklands, Kitwe, we met the wife's of Tucky and Lighty together with Mrs. Solly Barnard who used to be Mrs. Klopper. Peter Klopper her son was a great pal of my brother Keith. Unfortunately he was killed many years ago in a road accident in the Luapula province.
Nigel
Re Hennie and Abie Bekker from Mufulira, I cannot recall them but I see Bill Hunt has helped. I am happy we have at least one GNR man left in Thailand. Geraint has returned (exhausted no doubt) to the UK.
Bill
You must have heard the story about the Lady who put her hand up the Scotsman's Kilt to find out if the story of no underpants was true. She found out it was true and cried out, "That's gruesome!" The Scot replied, "Yes Lady, and if you tickle it again it will grew some more!"
Mike S
Siavonga is fairly close to the Kariba dam wall being accessed from via the Chirundu road. Sinazongwe is way up near the top end of the lake and is accessed from the Livingstone road turning off just before Choma. We were actually at place called Siansowa which is about 115 Km from the turn off. It took us about 5 hours drive from Lusaka.
The speed limit in Zambia is a pathetic 100 kph constantly interspersed with 80 kpm, 65 kpm and even 50 kpm sections where the police lurk with speed traps. Poor old Kevin got nailed just near Chilanga for a couple of k's over. In RSA they would have just given a warning but the Zambia police are very hungry for money. There are also police roadblocks everywhere, which serve absolutely no purpose apart from harassing travelers. Most of the police were pleasant enough and waved us through with a smile but one asked to inspect our passports. He didn't even look at the picture page so he obviously had no idea what he was doing. The exception was at the Kitwe / Mufulira / Chingola road junction where Glen very nearly had his camera confiscated by the police because he took a photo of some militarily strategic chickens without asking their permission. I will explain more later when I have recovered a bit. Also some more stories.
A million thanks to Heather for all her efforts and hard work in making sure we were well fed, well boozed and well entertained. This Lady realy is a dynamo. Thanks also to Kevin for his generous hospitality. What fine people! Twa totela sana sana Mukwia!
Cheers
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 20:41:44 (UTC)
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About this old age thing,I might be talking old hat.but the way |I see it the 60s have a lot to answer for.In the old days if we were say 40 or 50 we would be wearing suits ties etc,sitting in pubs,having a chat with the boysand smoking pipes,etc.But now we do not know where we are suppose to be or who we are suppose to be.Old age what the F-ck is that.
Pappy Papier, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 21:06:16 (UTC)
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This is the story of how Glen Drake nearly had his goose cooked by snapping security point chickens.
Driving from Mufulira to Kitwe on Wednesday we arrived at the T-juction with the Kitwe to Chingola road. There was used usual police roadblock at the junction but we pulled off and parked on the side of the road, for Glen to get out and take a picture of Sabina Burns old trading store. He then turned around and took a picture of some caged chickens at the side of the road and climbed back into the car. I pulled back on the road and drove the few meters to the roadblock.
A police officer stopped us and asked me who had given us permission to take the pictures, as it was not permitted to take photos of security installations. One scruffy varmint in plain clothes went to Glen's side and stared hysterically screaming that the police should confiscate Glen's camera.
Glen said there was no way he was going to hand over the camera so the varmint then demanded that he should remove the film so it could be developed to see if we had taken photos of the police. Glen explained that there was no film but only a memory chip and took it out to demonstrate. The varmint, who must have been CID or security branch, then grabbed the chip and said it was confiscated. Things were starting to get ugly. I told the police that I wanted to pull the car over and park it so that we could get out and discuss things. I told Glen just to keep cool and we could sort it out.
By the time I had finished locking the car they were all over on the other side of the road at the grass shack that served as their office. Glen was busy demanding the chip back as we had got many pictures on it including the grave requested by Bill Hunt. When there was a break in the commotion I explained to the chap who seemed to be the senior that this was a digital camera and if they put the chip back in they could see all the pictures on the screen at the back just like television. Glen had to run through the last 10 pictures about 3 times before they were convinced that there were no pictures of police.
The situation started to cool down especially when I suggested we all go to see their CO to sort out the problem. They were obviously worried that he might take too big a bite out of the bribe it seemed that they were trying to scare us into paying. The varmint, now clutching at straws, asked why didn't we get permission from the chickens before we took their photos. I told him it was because I could not speak chicken language. At this everybody was happy and they were now our best friends.
Just as we were leaving they said, "Please take our photos"!!!!??? The mind boggles! Now they want their photos to be taken!!! Glen said OK and whipped out his camera. I just grabbed him just in time and dragged him off to the car, before we got into more kak. All's well that ends well!
More later -
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 21:24:46 (UTC)
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Rachel, you go girl!!
I was listening to the radio on the way to work this week. I listen to a very uplifting Christian station called KLOVE. They were discussing a couple in the USA who were celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary!! 80th!! Can you imagine that? He was 106 and she was 102.
The husband said they were as happy together at their advanced ages as they were the day they said, "I do!". When asked about the secret of the longevity of their marriage, the husband answered, "All you need to know are two little words." When asked to elaborate he simply said, "The two little words that keep a marriage alive are, Yes Dear."
The lady interviewing him laughed and asked if he was telling the truth. His response was, "Yes dear!"
Isn't that darling? I would love to meet that couple.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 12 June 2005 at 23:53:47 (UTC)
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Now I would love to see that breed of Chicken..........giggles, that was funny, thanks Doug ...........ali
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Hi this is the first time I have tired to make contact with anyone from the good old days. If anyone has any photos of my old school I would love to see them. I left L'stone in 1966 and I am hoping to go back in May 2006 for a few days would love to know if anyone has been in L'stone resently and if so what is in store for me.
Regards Sally Howlett (nee Smit)
Sally Howlett, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 09:57:10 (UTC)
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Glen
The mind boggles! As a fan of the Muppets I have visions of you chatting up these birds (chickens) and offering to take their picture while posing as a Hollywood talent scout. Then along comes another Muppet character dressed in rags rather like Animal on the drums, ranting and raving and threatening all kinds of dire things. Meanwhile Fossie Bear (Doug) moves in and calms things down.
Seriously though it must have been a harrowing experience somewhat akin to my encounter with the charcoal burner in 2003. What a pity that these folk are so desperate or short sighted that they cannot see that their actions are endangering Zambia's fragile tourist industry.
I'm glad that you and Doug came out of it unscathed. I await with great interest all the pictures of the chickens and your version of the encounter penned with your very own rapier like keyboard!!
Cheers
David Gray, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 11:07:03 (UTC)
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David
Lovely images. The Great Gonzo going: "Hello girls! Can I take your picture?" and the chickens all clucky and flirty. Fozzie the stand-up bear. Now Miss Piggy aka The Flower of Mpullingulegu Province could have "Hi-Yaaaaa'd" her way through things with her two by four, had she been there.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 14:01:58 (UTC)
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Well....at least the stone I dropped into the pond caused some ripples! I do like being Devil's Advocate.
Friends, I don't live inside a rosy bubble, unaware of the world around me. I know that there are thousands -nay, millions- of elderly people who endure privation, degradation and isolation. There are also millions of younger people who have to put up with the same conditions.
I may join them in the future, but meanwhile I'll appreciate and enjoy the benefits I am lucky enough to have NOW.....a loving family, a few friends, insatiable curiosity and sufficient material assets for myself and for some aid to others less fortunate.
Some good weather would be a bonus!
Go well.
Rachel Mounsey, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 14:54:06 (UTC)
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Now that we are rambling about aged, -us- I thought to myself : "When was the last time I actually got a letter, in the mail, in an airmail envelope, from anyone?".And the answer was....... not since I sent one. About 15 years ago.
So
Is that because I am ancient or just now electronically addicted?
Will mail one myself today.
Bill Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 15:22:30 (UTC)
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Wednesday 1st June
I met Glen Drake at Jozi Airport and we flew to Zambia for the Sinazongwe Soiree reunion. Sandra met us at the Lusaka Airport.
Thursday 2nd June
Sandra lent us her car and we drove to Lusaka airport where we met Heather and then Peter Dielissen when he flew in. We all went to O'Hagans Irish Bar at Manda Hill shopping centre for a few coolers. Heather left us there to go back to her office and later I took Peter and Glen for a Lusaka tour, down the Great East road and along Cairo road.
We parked the car and got out at the south end roundabout to look for the building that Chinyerezi had asked me to snap a photo of. Unfortunately all of the building names have changed so we decided to photograph all the buildings in sight.
Glen then decided to march down as far as Lusaka Hotel with Peter and I following in his wake. Glen was surrounded by a veritable swarm of hawkers who had decided that because of his ample girth he must be a very wealthy man. It reminded me of a Sherman tank plowing through the massed ranks of the wehrmacht. The hawkers largely ignored Peter and me, maybe because of our somewhat slimmer builds. They probably though we were 'poor whites'.
We ran into a bad traffic jam on our way up King George Avenue towards the High court. Glen said it was worse than anything in Los Angeles. After the High Court the traffic jam eased off and we drove up the Ridgeway passing State house to Woodlands, then through Kabulonga and back to Sandra's house in Rhodes Park. We all met up together with Heather, Craig, Sandra and Anthony at Lusaka club for an enjoyable dinner.
Friday 3rd June
We met Kevin Shone at Heather's office. Kevin has been kind enough to let Glen and I join him and Craig for the trip down to Siansowa, that we now find is our real destination. There were many unmarked junctions in the road, and even with Craig navigating from a map Heather had drawn; it was no easy task to find our way. Kevin is a very good steady driver and we arrived safely after about a 5-hour drive. Kevin refused to let us fill the tank with fuel and later refused to let us fill him up with alcohol instead and insisted on paying his rounds. A very generous man indeed!
We found Heather and her daughter Lou-Anne at Siansowa busy organising mountains of food and fridges, freezers, cool boxes and zinc baths full of beers, cold drinks, and bottled water. The accommodation consisted of a 2 houses with electricity, plenty of water and amazingly enough, satellite TV. There were acres of green lawn with shady trees in front sloping down to the shores of Lake Kariba. There were many islands that we could see in the lake, which is of course like an inland sea.
Philip and the Eshowe team namely Bruce, Steve, and JJ had already arrived and set up their tent on the front lawn next to the swimming pool. We were all there with the exception of John Milton from Perth who had flown into Harari where his son-in-law lent him a diesel bakkie to drive up.
We had visions of him stranded between Harari and Sinazongwe with an empty fuel tank. Even if he did arrive, surely he would go to Sinazongwe, which is about 1.5 hours drive from Siansowa. At that moment John arrived in a cloud of dust. We were astonished! Livingstone and Stanley could not have done better!
I had somehow got John Milton mixed up with John Steers the lawyer also from Perth who attended the Livingstone Lark. When I asked John if he was a lawyer he made me go and wash my mouth out for using bad language :-)
After greeting everyone, we all sat down around a table on the stoep. Heather put a sack of biltong and a sack of dry wors on the table, enough to feed the whole Bemba nation for 27 days, and told us to help ourselves to the beer. No arm-twisting was required! A notebook with a page for each visitor was put on the table and we each kept a record of our own consumption, to be paid for later. This is an excellent idea and worked well.
Heather had put a tasty chicken stew in the oven and called for a volunteer to cook the rice. Philip, who is a good cook, volunteered and Heather and Lou-Anne disappeared to Sinazongwe for the night and left us to get on with it.
After a few beers when the BS was flowing freely Glen renamed Yukon Pete as Orgasmic Pete. This was because Peter told us that whenever he got on a plane he always spoke to the hostess in a French accent whereupon she would have an instant orgasm and give him a free upgrade to first class. Apparently this system worked in various situations and after Pete told his third story about giving sundry ladies orgasms Glen renamed him.
Then Glen told us about his 'Hollywood Special ' style of kissing. Apparently when he was in his mid-teens he would watch the movies and study the actor's seduction techniques. He came to the conclusion that the idea was to suck all the air out of the Lady like a suction pump. One night he inveigled one young lady out to Mindola dam and throwing her at 45 degrees over his left thigh like a Spanish dancer, proceeded to try his 'Hollywood Special.' After a few moments the girl was turning blue for lack of oxygen and Glen was seeing stars so he dropped her. The good ending to the story is that she proceeded to show him how to do it properly, and since then he has never looked back.
Now that does not sound all that funny, but after several drinks, with a live demonstration including all the suction pump noises, it had us all in stitches of laughter.
We finished the night at the nearby club bar.
To be continued.........
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 17:47:59 (UTC)
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Now we know why the Chicken crossed the road!
To have its photo taken by Glen Drake!
Thanks so much, Glen & Doug, for fulfilling all my requests.
Just glad you did not land in the slammer for your troubles.
Look forward to see the next episode of Glennerver & Grewsomemore's Travels.
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 17:59:28 (UTC)
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The Seven Ages of Man
by William Shakespeare
from As You Like It
The Seven Ages of Man
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms;
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well sav'd, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 19:23:49 (UTC)
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Found this and it is worth sharing with other soul mates
Written By Michelle Frost
Within my soul, within my mind,
There lies a place I cannot find.
Home of my heart. Land of my birth.
Smoke-coloured stone and flame-coloured earth.
Electric skies. Shivering heat.
Blood-red clay beneath my feet.
At night when finally alone,
I close my eyes - and I am home.
I kneel and touch the blood-warm sand
And feel the pulse beneath my hand
Of an ancient life too old to name,
In an ancient land too wild to tame.
How can I show you what I feel?
How can I make this essence real?
I search for words in dumb frustration
To try and form some explanation,
But how can heart and soul be caught
In one-dimensional written thought?
If love and longing are a "fire"
And man "consumed" by his desire,
Then this love is no simple flame
That mortal thought can hold or tame.
As deep within the earth's own core
The love of home burns evermore.
But what is home? I hear them say,
This never was yours anyway.
You have no birthright to this place,
Descendant from another race.
An immigrant? A pioneer?
You are no longer welcome here.
Whoever said that love made sense?
"I love" is an "imperfect" tense.
To love in vain has been man's fate
From history to present date.
I have no grounds for dispensation,
I know I have no home or nation.
For just one moment in the night
I am complete, my soul takes flight.
For just one moment.... then it's gone
and I am once again undone.
Never complete. Never whole.
White Skin and an African soul.
Oh so true!!!
Elona Sinclair, Netherlands Antilles [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 20:21:24 (UTC)
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Hey looks like Doug and Glen and the gang sure had a great time over there. Man I sure missed out but !!!! maybe next time. As for (glen) he always had his way with Chicks. Lets have some pictures EH?. I love to see some pictures of the copper belt.
Heather thanks for doing for them what you did.
Chris Drake(Glenny Boys) Boet
Christopher Drake, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 20:50:50 (UTC)
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OP must indeed have a velvet voice. As one who spent some time as a trolley dolly out of Gatwick, one was immersed in passenger care and - I'm sorry sir, that is MY seat you are patting to get my attention and you do not have a ticket for that seat. I have to admit the only thing that got me truly orgasmic was the idea of getting off the plane at the end of the flight, having a good nap and going out for the evening somewhere more inspired than The Bell at Horley.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 21:23:48 (UTC)
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It should be added that The Six Bells at Horley is actually a beautiful and historically interesting place, well worth a visit if you haven't been there.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, 13 June 2005 at 23:43:50 (UTC)
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Thanks. I enjoyed this so much that I 'googled' Michelle Frost and found a very interesting Rhodesian site of poetry from various sources. http://wwwDOTrhodesiaDOTcom/docs/poems/contentsDOThtm
Ron - I am sure you'll get lost for hours...
Sue Coughlan, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 01:10:29 (UTC)
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Well said Eve - keep on writing - its always interesting
Thanks
Esther
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 02:46:15 (UTC)
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There seems to be too much sweet reason and acceptance of old age.
Dylan Thomas wrote:-
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
This is an extract from 'The Straw Men' by Michael Marshall:-
"When I get to their age, I'll resent young people too. I resent them already, in fact, the slim little fresh faced assholes. I don't find it surprising that super-old people are so odd and grumpy. Half their friends are dead, they feel like sh-t most of the time, and the next major event in their lives is going to be their last. They don't even have the salve of believing that going to the gym is going to make things better, that they'll meet some someone cute in the small hours of a Friday night or or that their career is going to suddenly steer into an upturn and they'll wind up married to a movie star. They're out on the other side of all that, onto a flat gray plain of aches and bad eyesight, of feeling the cold in their bones and having little to do except watch their children and grandchildren go right ahead and make all the mistakes they warned them about. I don't blame them being a little out of sorts. I'm just surprised more oldsters don't take to the streets in packs, swearing and raising hell and getting drunk. With demographics going the way they are, maybe that's going to be the next big thing. Gangs of octogenarians, taking drugs and running amok. Though walking amok is more likely, I guess - with maybe an hour of dozing amok in the afternoon."
Mike Wilson, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 06:39:17 (UTC)
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Mike - I'm picturing the scene - a 'gang' of 80 something old thugs, shuffling around in their zimmer frames, forgetting to even take drugs! Of course at that age (yes, even at my age) the drugs are mostly legal and prescribed!
I thoroughly enjoyed your addition to the subject and if we can remember that age is really just a number I trust we will all cope! After all, consider the alternative!
Elona - how wonderful to see your name on the board and what a wonderful poem - thank you!
Doug - your diary has, so far, made excellent reading. Many thanks for sharing the experience for those of us who were not lucky enough to be part of it. I look forward to more of the same! I'm certain I'm not alone when I say we want some pictures!
June Ross, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 09:48:18 (UTC)
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I have finally finished preparing the photos for posting, but now have to write the code so just hang in there - they'll be posted just as soon as I have half an hour to concentrate on it.
In the meantime, I am back down at Siansowa with a group of thirteen teenagers having some R & R after writing their 'O' level exams !!
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I like that old homely: " Live like you'll die tomorrow. Learn like you'll live forever".
Charles Cartmill, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 12:28:06 (UTC)
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Did you manage to take a snap of the Broken Hill petrol pump for Arthur?
My sister and B_in_law spent last week at Vic Falls for the Nomads Golf Tournament and on one of the less active days my little sister went on an elephant 'safari'. As the "ellie' ambled along her 'mahout' pointed to a troop of baboons cavorting in the trees and said: "Baboons on trees say we're also now Africans". The anagram was a veiled reference to the regard the local Africans held for their wealthy neighbours. Apart from that single incident with tribal overtones they had a super week at a 5* venue. I was amazed to hear them talking of spending two and a half million dollars (Zims) on a meal for 6 people -- but a quick calculation proved it cost less than R150 (ZAR) a head. Now that's pretty scarey inflation!
Charles Cartmill, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 12:36:42 (UTC)
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Good grief!! US$21.00 for a dinner for 6!! You couldn't even get away with that at McDonald' s here.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 12:52:58 (UTC)
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Doug, your diary's great! Making me really jealous.
Charles, I like your attitude to aging - what's that?
I am sitting in my studio loft at the game farm. It is winter here, time to thin out the game on the farm. The capture team have built funnels with shade cloth and hessian right opposite our house and are rounding up eland with a little helicopter that seems to be able to do anything, go anywhere - even between the acacias! Like most folks I've seen it on the telly - but I never imagined how amazing the pilots were in order to round up the animals into the funnel. They also use sirens. I am sad that the animals are so traumatised but there is too much game on the farm and too many males to females ratio - so some of them have to go. Quite an amazing sight, though! No more tame telly for me!
love from Jilly - Out IN Africa
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 14:42:31 (UTC)
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Ja BM,
My B_in_L is 6 ft 5 and a half - with an apetite to match. Big Macs count as starters - if you could get him to try one.
Another interesting point. My sister wanted a "flip over the Fall's" but the Zim chopper was in for maintenance so she went on a Zambian flight. There obviously is a good business relationship between the Vic. and the Livingstone sides. She also wanted to do a bit of white-water rafting. Unfortunately the organisers couldn't get enough people together to make it possible.
Charles Cartmill, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 14:51:47 (UTC)
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Hey Jill,
I'm available - I need fresh biltong and I'll 'work for free'.
Charles Cartmill, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 14:55:41 (UTC)
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Saturday 11th June
On the Saturday morning I got up around 6.30 and took my camera to snap the sunrise over Kariba but the sun was already up. Philip and Steve were coming back into camp and said they had caught the sun just as it came over the horizon.
The weather was pleasant at around 24c warming up to maybe 29c as the day progressed. Heather was still away so John decided to cook up some scrambled eggs for us all for breakfast. Others joined in and cooked bacon, sausages and toast. By the time Heather arrived at 9.00 we were all well fed.
Chris our Zambian Tour Guide arrived and introduced himself. We later found out that he had a degree in indigenous forestry. He was a good and interesting speaker. He took us for a tour around the crocodile farm that with 90,000 crocs is one of the worlds biggest.
We started in the hatchery. Some of the eggs are gathered from wild nests but most are produced by the stock of breeding crocs that are kept in dams. There is an agreement with the Zambia Wildlife Authority that if the crocodile population of the lake goes down the farm will return 10% of their production to the wild. In natural circumstances the survival rate of young crocs is less than 10% of the eggs laid whereas in the hatchery it is over 90%.
We then went to the feed mixing plant. Here they cook maize pips, kapenta fish and dried fish from Namibia, mix them with various additives add put them through a pelletizing machine. The soggy pellets are then fed fresh every day to the crocs in the growing pens. Sies, what a pong!
Before taking us into the growing pens area Chris asked us to keep our voices low and not make any sudden movements as these would upset the crocs and they would go on hunger strike for weeks. The more they eat, the faster they grow, so a hunger strike obviously costs profits. There were rows and rows of these large growing pens with hundreds of 2 and 3 year old crocs in them. There is a pond of water in each pen in which the crocs can take a swim but they seem to spend most of their time catching a tan.
The pond water is changed daily and the pens are cleaned out and disinfected for disease control. In one pen there was a Zambian wearing only a pair of shorts cleaning up the stale food with a big scraper. This is then fed to the adults in the breeding dams. As the cleaner moved along the crocs snapped and snarled at him. He just booted them out of the way with his bare feet or tapped them on the nose with his scraper. I asked Chris if this rough treatment would cause them to go on hunger strike. He replied that as it was a daily event they were used to it. The cleaner then grabbed one of the crocs that was nearly a meter long and put it on top of the wall for us to inspect and take photos with.
Our next stop was at the skin salting areas where we found some women pounding salt with the traditional pole and mortars. Chris also explained to us the various slaughtering methods. Most of the skins, around 30,000 a year are exported wet to Singapore, while the meat is exported to the EU.
We then got onto a truck with benches on the back to visit the big daddies and mommies at one of the breeding dams. There were about 300 biggies in this dam. We followed the feed truck, which was loaded with chunks of the carcasses of crocs that had been killed and skinned. Cannibal mom and dad were going to be fed with their children. It's what happens in nature. Crocs will eat one another quite happily. (I will diplomatically refrain from any lawyer jokes at this point). We drove to several points around the dam and as the chunks of meat were thrown on the ground the giant lizards came crawling out. It was like Jurassic Park 4. We all stayed on the truck and watched the monsters crunching and then swallowing down the chunks of flesh. Some of the bigger ones were too lazy to walk out and they waited for the smaller ones to come back to the water with some meat and then tried to steal it from them.
On Saturday evening we went up to the bar for a gorgeous braai that Heather had prepared for us. Glen was brave enough to try the croc tail, but I stuck to pap en wors. We met some of the locals and Gavin the chap who runs the lodge with his lovely Italian wife.
Sunday 12th June 2005
Chris the tour guide arrived at 6.30 to collect Craig, Peter, John, Glen and myself for a trip to one island for game viewing. We all got into a very unstable (it seemed) banana boat, like a large canoe with a small outboard motor, for the trip to the island. These fiberglass banana boats were produced by the fisheries department to stop the fishermen cutting down big trees to make dug out canoes. However there were plenty of dugouts still being used.
On the island walking was very tough. We started off in a lot of small rocks that were hidden by grass, a real ankle breaker. These collapsed several guys but luckily no one was injured, not even me with my Wednesday legs. I had visions of all us old farts, including Peter after his heart op, struggling to carry Glen back to the boat if he got hurt.
We then progressed to bigger rocks like an army obstacle course. She-ite! Why didn't I stay in bed? Finally the island, which was really the top of a submerged Kopje, flattened out a bit. We headed east towards the rising sun, placing our feet carefully between the rocks and ducking and diving to avoid the hanging thorn branches. We circled the island walking maybe 5 or 6 km and finally saw a few Impala and a wild croc. Good exercise!
Shortly after we returned to base we all headed for a big pontoon boat to have a picnic lunch on another island. This was a much nicer island being small and flat with sandy beaches, where we found Hippo tracks. Just as we arrived a giant croc slid off the beach into the water. We settled in a shady place under the bushes. There was a bar on the pontoon and we kept the barman busy running up and down while we feasted on all the goodies that Heather and Louanne had prepared.
We all got back on the pontoon to go for game viewing on yet another island. The pontoon moves quite slowly and rods were supplied for the fishermen to try their luck. John can tell you all about the one that got away. We anchored close to the game island and saw wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra, and a nice herd of Eland. It was dark by the time we returned to base and the goggas were thick around the pontoons headlights. Our happy day was rounded off with some more drinks and biltong.
It was at this point that Heather caused an uproar by announcing that the Swedish Ladies Volleyball team was booked into the lodge in 2 weeks time. Our lecherous crew were most upset that it couldn't have been co-incided with our soiree.
I never saw a mosquito for my whole stay in Zambia but the guys in the tent had a few.
When Heather posts some pictures you will see what I have been describing. A picture is worth a thousand words.
To be continued.......
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 17:51:28 (UTC)
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Your encounter with the Keystone Cops brought to mind the story of two Copperbelt Merrymakers that journeyed across the Congo border to stock up on the famous Congo Simba Beer.
After spending time in the Mokambo town waterhole filling their belly tanks with the good brew, they loaded the car boot with cases of Simba & wended their way to the Congo side Mokambo border post.
A submachine gun wielding gendarme waved them down at the boom.
He indicated that he wanted to examine the contents of the boot.
The more aggressive of the two travellers took exception to this,
exclaiming "What the hell do you want? We have bought beer in the Congo & are taking it to Northern Rhodesia. We are not smuggling the stuff into your bloody country!"
His frantic companion said quietly thru clenched teeth " Joe calm down, just do what he asked. You know how unpredictable these buggers are. Thats a bloody mean weapon he's got in his mitts!
The boot was opened & the lawmaker said " No beer allowed to leave Congo"
This was too much for Joe & he started to rant about civilian rights.
To cut a long story a bit shorter, they ended up sans beer, sans wallets, sans watches & sans shoes in the borderpost clink!
They spent 2 days & 2 nights in the filthy cubbyhole.
They were only released (sans all possessions) after they managed to get a message (written on a piece of toilet paper) delivered to the Northern Rhodesian Border post some 200m away by the kind hand of a black man who was visiting a friend in the same cell.
I guess this is where the saying evolved " What do you call a man carrying machine gun?"
Answer : "Sir?"
Border immigration & custom officials are never endowed with humour senses & are often corrupt! Africa I Love it!!
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 20:16:12 (UTC)
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Thanks for your serialised diary - just like the Saturday matinee Republic serials at the old Astra, I can't wait for the next episode! Keep up the good work!
Cheers
David Gray, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 at 20:50:35 (UTC)
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Northerners
The long awaited photos of the Sinazongwe Soiree. The photos were taken by various people - Doug, Glen, Peter, my daughter, Louann and myself. More will follow in a few days.
Enjoy!!
Oh .... and one of my stupid poems. Soiree !!
The fun for me started on the 3rd of May
When Craig arrived for a two-month stay
Although there was much work to be done
After winter in Vancouver, he needed the sun
I had promised we would do a Livingstone trip
But I almost had to pull out my whip
To get him away from his desk fror a while
To get him to relax and enjoy the lifestyle
That was when he got a large knob
..... on his elbow, which started to throb
The result of a scratch on a loose screw on a chair
Where it had been before, we know not where.
At Lusaka Airport, I met Glen and Doug
So nice to give them a kiss and a hug
We were there to meet Orgasmic Pete
And welcome him to Lusaka's beat
Then we were off to a pub at Manda Hill
They're very lucky we're not there still
GDP were then off to the city
Which visit I missed; such a pity
Whilst there, they were approached by Body Reform
Their subsequent modelling caused quite a storm
Glen and Doug took a trip back to their childhood
That they've never grown up is well understood
That evening we all met for dinner
At the Marlin Restaurant, a real winner
Just after five on Friday morning
OP and I set off, half asleep and still yawning
Heading south along the Great North Road
My car was carrying quite a load
We were getting things sorted, still
When in drove Bruce, Steve, JJ and Phil
- our four from behind the Boerewors Curtain
They were enjoying the Mosi, that is for certain
Kevin, Craig, Doug and Glen were on their way
But would the elusive John Milton make it that day?
But in he drove; his way he had found
The noise of his vehicle was a welcome sound
The next few days went by in a flash
As does every GNR bash
Tour the croc farm; take a sunset cruise
A walk on the islands; too much food and booze
Phil told them all of something, very small
Others reflect, they have the same problem, one and all
Sunday afternoon out on the lake,
Craig, why can't you keep awake?
Steve and Bruce, four canes with one coke?
The next morning, it was no joke!
When the boat gear broke, as these things will,
We relied on Phil and his mechanical skill
And our intrepid bush walkers
We thought they were just talkers
Up and out before the sunrise
Enjoying the Zambian early morning skies
The fruit from the Marula tree
It was good to pick up, eat and see
A chameleon that took a free boat ride
Returned to a tree by the waterside
Monday morning was a mad rush to pack
And then we were on our way back
Time to leave this country of heaven
'til the next Zambian Reunion in 2007
Message edited 2005-06-17 14:14:00 (UTC) by Management. Reason: To fix broken links.
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Soiree, a few typing errors which can't be corrected until Craig gets back to Lusaka from Harare on Wednesday. Here they are again.
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Thank you so much for letting us share your fabulous journey Doug. What you have now is worth millions - and I'm not referring to the sale prices in the photos.
It seems none of it would be quite as enjoyable without Heather. Did I understand correctly that she even prepared your food? I am in awe! How she finds time and the energy to do all she does as well as have a wonderful family and run a successful business, is amazing.
Bouquets to you Heather!
Sue Coughlan, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 at 01:29:32 (UTC)
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To all those who remembered to take photos amongst all your amazing experiences - thank you, thank you, thank you. It's wonderful to be able to share your adventures. I just wish I knew who you all were - marry names to faces. How about a photo of when you were young - when we might have known you - so we can connect the dots?
Heather, simple thanks seem inadequate.
Sue Coughlan, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 at 01:33:26 (UTC)
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Heather
Love your poetic Soiree Saga and the stories and personalities illustrated by the pictures. Craig's "Bite Me" shirt shows up well. I'm guessing the red T-shirt says: "Remove Before Flight"?
It was obviously a magic weekend. Been great to have the journal of our correspondent in the field (and in the bar and on the Lake) Ace Reporter Doug Grewar. Looking forward to the travel accounts of Captain Morgan and his pirates and Jannie Miltoen via Harare and also Craig after his trip there.
(In Zim, with all the burning out and bulldozing of homes in mid-winter I imagine the sadness is almost too much to bear). But more about that another time when we are not speaking of this happy weekend in Zambia.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 at 05:05:22 (UTC)
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Mchunga Mcholda
Re recent postings
I am so glad for Rachel and of course you are quite right, our attitude goes a long way to how our lives are. My stepmother is another amazing woman. I have always admired (and envied in lots of ways) her wonderful attitude to life, I really cannot begin to list her excellent qualities. And her life has not been a bed of roses either. She has told me more than once that every moment is another bonus. I am also pleased to say that her life now is making her very happy. She is one of those people who shine and should be around for ever.
As for the wearing purple poem. I think a lot of us would be very familiar with that famous bit of prose. In fact my own purple story ensues.
Some years ago my daughter in law gave me a lovely purple and black top which became my most favoured item of clothing every winter. Anyone who had not seen me in it before (many times) would always make some complimentary remark about it. And once some young thing asked me outrightly (is there such a word?) whether I was a lesbian. When I said no and why she said that purple was the lesbian clan's favoured colour. Yet another thing I hadn't known. What's more, wash and wear and no ironing, what more could you want. Then in the winter of 2001 an ominous happening came about. I suddenly developed an inexplicable and unbearable itching across my shoulders (at the back) and down to the most inaccessible part of your back for scratching. I visited doctor after doctor. I was carefully examined with a powerful magnifying glass, given a prescription for scabies cream (wasn't that, but used it in any case), anti allergy pills etc. etc. Had an allergy test which indicated I was reacting strongly to something, but what. So tried eliminating this and that. To no avail. I scratched my back till it bled in spite of the difficulty of reaching the worst spots. I fumigated my place from top to bottom and once in sheer desperation had a shower with Handy Andy the household cleanser.
And so the winters came and went and were most dreaded by me. I finally was given a prescription for a steroid cream which offered some relief. However I was very frugal in its use because of a remark by my son in law Erich who is a doctor. He said, "Ah but the trouble with steroids is they will help you walk to your grave." I thought the remark quite funny and came up something like this.
The funeral's at three
I'll see you there, I'll walk
We'll have a drink
A toast for you and me
We'll have a laugh and talk
And then I'll lay me down
Contented I will be
Words to that effect. But he also said something else, "It could be something you are wearing regularly which is not agreeing with you" looking pointedly at my purple top. Of course I was not going to accept this because it was my favorite top. And so I persisted for another 2 winters and suffered accordingly. Winter has just recently begun here and on went my favourite. Within the next week the first signs of the dreaded itch reared its ugly head. I took my top off and have not and will not wear it again. The itch has subsided and I hope it was just that. So Rachel (big smile) could be I shall have to choose another colour for my old age because to tell you the truth I have certainly been put off purple. How about red with a sky blue hat?
Regarding the subject heading I have chosen, I hope the following might amuse anyone who reads this post and I would think it is somewhat germane to the GNR.
My daughter, her friend, her two children and I went as is our wont sometimes in the middle of a work week (why not, because we can) to a nearby seaside town called Sandgate. I struck up a conversation with a lady sitting on a bench. I'll tell you her name -- Pat Tate -- because she said many times she had been told that people said it was easy to forget her name because it was too short. So I have made a point of remembering it. My companions strolled nearby. The subject of age came up and I asked Pat how old did she think my daughter was because she looks so young for her age (not like me -- I remember when I was 27 a woman said to me she couldn't believe I was so young -- which made me feel a whole lot better about life in general and another occasion in 1988 when I was doing an IT course at a local college, one of two sisters in the same course said to me they had been discussing my age. She went on to say, "How old are you really Evelyn? From the back you look like a young girl buuuuut ......!" So there you have it). Pat made a very accurate calculation but as Katherine (my daughter) and friend and children came much nearer and at the exact time I asked her what was the name of her little dog, she leaned forward on the bench and conspiratorially whispered "Mchunga". I was quite surprised she seemed so Aussie and said, "That sounds like an African name." She urgently said, "Nooo, much younger!" We really had a good laugh. I think the dog's name was Tiger. Needless to say Sandgate is now Mchunga and Redcliffe, further away, is Mcholda. A few weeks later on another visit to Mchunga Jacob my little grandson (4 ½) and I walked far out during the low tide and came across an isolated sand bar. As Jacob is into pirates as are most little boys at some time I asked him what we pirates should call this island we had found. He replied Mchunga. And so we all know what we are talking about.
A few more things on old and old things. Recently Jacob and Katherine were walking along a nearby street and there was a discarded old sock. Jacob said they should get it and bring it to me because I liked old things and used them as ornaments. Again, not long ago we were driving somewhere and Jacob at the back began to ask what ages we all were. How old was his mother, how old was I, how old was his dad. We mentioned all the ages and it turned out that I was the oldest. He was quiet for a brief moment and then piped up "Then Babba (Russian for grandmother) you are the winner!" Howzat? Followed closely by, "Drat, I wanted it to be one of my guys." Laugh, it really is the best part of being older. Being a grandparent and being allowed to be an integral part of my grandchildren's lives and being physically and emotionally able to do so. On another occasion my grand daughter (my son's child) also at the age of 4 said to me "My other babba is old too, but not like you, she is much, much older." (She is exactly my age.)
No I don't think I am watching my children and their children do the same things wrong as I did. Another Ashleigh Brilliant observation, "Have you ever thought that perhaps the only purpose to your life is as an example to others how not to live?" That's me. Had and still have enough vices. My children don't and if I live long enough hope to instill that in my dear grandchildren too. I will be the one to suffer from my excesses not them. Laugh. In mitigation though it must be said that I still regularly stand on my head as part of an exercise routine I do although what good it is doing is debatable.
Here's a thought that has just come to mind, Women get older because that's the way it is, men get older because they think they'll still be handsome and sexy. Laugh. On another occasion I will tell you a poem I wrote sort of relating to that.
Perhaps it might not be suitable right now, some of the men might take umbrage.
Linda, smile, have heard that one before from my son. In his version of a happy marriage the necessary words are, "Yes dear" and "I'm sorry". Laugh. I think a woman would be more inflamed at hearing those words all the time than a good standup fight.
Pappy, hmmmmmm? I wonder what the little women were doing while the men lingered in the pub (my above referred to poem has a pub setting).
Well I think for now have waffled on enough.
One more thing -- the Zambian Reunion -- seemed like real fun was held by all. I enjoyed the written accounts and photographs, thanks.
Regards
Evelyn
Evelyn Carra, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 at 06:13:21 (UTC)
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Dear Evelyn i would desist if i was you from the standing on your head part of your daily discipline as it is oviously intoxicating you with the exhubrance of your own verbosity.
kidding loved it all Johnny.x
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 at 07:11:15 (UTC)
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Heather , you are one amazing lady, how do you do it..............Thanks for posting the photos, I just wish I will either win lotto or meet a rich man (hahahaha!!) so I can get to the next Bash in Zambia.......glad you all had a wonderful time .
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Sue,
When I post the next lot of photos, they will have names attached to them so that you know who is who. This will be in a few days time, when I am back in Lusaka
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Heather, you are one amazing lady putting the story and the photo's together so soon after the event. I take my hat off to you. I too would like to put names to the faces. I would love to have been there and I am determined to save my pennies so that I can come to the next bash. All that talk of biltong, boerewors and Castle lager (or was it Lion) is almost too much for me.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 at 17:49:07 (UTC)
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A few things I omitted from the previous diaries: -
Heather found a young snake in the kitchen on Saturday morning.
Glen found a chameleon on the pontoon and released it on the sandy island.
The sex of crocs is controlled by the incubation temperatures. 32c gives females, while higher temperatures will give males. As the young crocs have to be kept at the same temperatures for the first year in the nursery, females are preferred.
This is because water temperatures of 32c don't require much additional heating beyond the natural sunlight. The nursery pens are covered in clear plastic like greenhouses and also have thermostatically controlled extraction fans that come into operation if the temperature rises too high.
Monday 6th June
We had a good breakfast and Heather supplied us with more biltong and dry wors for padkos (road food).
The Eshowe team, Captain Morgan Philip and his pirates have realized how big Africa is and have decided to forget about the Copperbelt, Samfya, Shiwa Ngandu and cross country to Luangwa South game park because of the time and distance involved. On Saturday they reduced it to Luangwa via Lusaka and then back to the Falls. On Sunday they changed this to the nearer Kafue National Park. On Monday they decided to forget Kafue and head straight for home. I hope the guys will make a future trip to all the places they missed and allow adequate time to do it. They were they first to leave in their convoy of two 4x4 bakkies.
Then Kevin with Glen and myself in convoy with John with Peter and Craig headed for Lusaka. Heather stayed behind with Louann and a couple of her workers to pack everything up.
We stopped at Tooters in Monze at the Golden Pillow Motel for a coffee. In Lusaka John and crew headed for Heather's house and Kevin, Glen and I ended up at O'Hagan's in Manda Hill once again. Manda hill is a modern, clean and very nice shopping centre on the Great East road. A little further along is another new complex with shops, cinemas and many restaurants. My daughter Sandra rescued Glen and myself from O'Hagan's and we spent the night at her place.
Tuesday 7th June
We headed for the Copperbelt in Sandra's car that she had lent me. Our first stop was the famous petrol pump at Broken Hill / Kabwe. We stopped and took photos but as Glen was trying to get back into the car a pickpocket tried to hustle him. Luckily he got a fright when I screamed 'Voert Sek' at him and didn't manage to steal anything.
We drove on through Ndola and Kitwe to our second stop, Kalulushi, where as teenagers Glen and I were neighbors. The roads so far had been excellent but the Kitwe to Kalulushi road was quite badly potholed. As we entered the town I said to Glen, "I hope you can remember where the houses were?" He replied that he did not and was relying on me, so it was the blind leading the blind. Remember that neither of us has been to Kalulushi for nearly 50 years. The street names have all been changed which adds to the confusion. We found the mine club and found what we thought were the houses but cannot be sure. Then we drove to Mufulira to spend the night with my first wife Elizabeth.
Wednesday 8th June
I drove Glen to Murundu plots to see the ruin of my California Motel, and Bonanza Ranch and Lake Farm. We also wanted to reach to Mokambo Border Post but the road was blocked by yet another roadblock so rather than waste more time we turned around took a tour through Mufulira. Finally we went to the graveyard to get a picture of Duncan Stewart's grave as requested by Bill Hunt. After much searching of the overgrown graveyard we were about to give up when Glen spotted the headstone. He took some pics and we headed on to Kitwe.
On the way we had a bit of fun at the roadblock with the strategic chickens and paranoid keystone kops as previously reported. Don't laugh too much! It happens all over the world. In England a man has been arrested for telling a mounted policeman that his horse was gay! In Nigeria police have arrested a bull that gored a taxi driver to death while he was taking a leak at the roadside!
We toured Kitwe taking pics of the mine offices, hospital, cinema, club, pool and so on. Glen then decided he wanted to visit Kitwe Boys High, his old school. He met the headmaster and was asked to speak to 2 classes (just like Dave Grey). Glen had picked up this funny way of talking with an accent like the uneducated type of Zambian. He gave his speech saying that he was proud to be a graduate of Kitwe Boys High. When he said, "I was a Zambian, I am a Zambian, and I will always be a Zambian!" in his new accent he received applause and cheers. The Headmaster was moved to say, " And do you hear, he hasn't lost his Zambian accent!" Glen was so impressed with his public speaking success that he is thinking of coming back to Zambia and standing for election to be a member of parliament!!?? :-)
After a very large, good and tasty lunch at the Mona Lisa Restaurant we headed for Ndola to the Michael Angelo guesthouse where Kevin had made a booking for us. There we met John and Peter. The weather was so warm that we had a dip in the pool before Kevin picked us up for dinner at the Ndola Dambo boat club. We enjoyed a good meal and a few drinks before all heading back to M A to continue the party.
Thursday 9th June
Drove back to Lusaka and rested. On the way we were overtaken by a ministerial convoy with police escort at about 150 kph. They obviously don't respect their own laws, which seem to be only for the proletariat and the malungus. The minister had probably flown back as this convoy kept stopping to buy things at roadside markets and then overtaking us again at high speed on continuous white lines in the face of oncoming traffic. Everybody just had to get out of the way of these arrogant pigs.
Glen demanded to have kapenta and nshima for dinner, so Sandra had a meal prepared with all the Zambian dishes, such as pumpkin leaves, etc.
Friday 10th June
Glen liked the kapenta so much that he had a kapenta and cheese toasted sandwich for breakfast. Personally I cannot stand the little smelly fish.
We drove out to see the plot I had bought for Sandra from Mr. George Bender, Heather's father. After checking the plot we went to visit George Bender at his farmhouse. George is one of the old timers with a lot of interesting stories to tell. I could have spent days listening to him. He was chairman of the Commercial Farmer Bureau at the time when the Joshua N'komo's Zapu people were running around attacking white Zambians and causing a lot of problems. He went to the minister of agriculture and demanded to see President Kaunda. When he finally got a hearing he told KK exactly what was going on. After that Kaunda often called him in because he said that could rely on George to give him the unvarnished truth. He was later honored by KK appointing him to be a member of the National Ethics Committee. I hope I have remembered that name correctly.
Kevin, Heather and George. These are the type of people who are an asset to any country. They are there to stay and help build the country, not to make a quick buck and run, like many of the vultures that Africa attracts today. They have all been through tough times, especially during the time of the Rhodesian war and I take my hat off to them for sticking it out.
Saturday 11th June
Heather took Glen shopping in Kamwala to buy some African Chitenge cloth for his lady friend in California.
Sandra dropped us at the airport and we flew back to the City of Gold, Johannesburg or Joburg or Jozi or whatever. It's all over before it started. Woz we really there? Heather gave us Cd's of photos that she accumulated from us all, so we can have a reminder.
Today in Vryheid
Happy back home in the crystal air and brilliant winter sun of the highveld, but the temperature here is 17c while it is 27c in Lusaka today!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 at 18:28:33 (UTC)
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Heather, Kevin, Craigh & Helpers, thanks so much for giving all ex NRs such royal treatment during their time with you.
Also many thanks for the usual magnificent photo record.
Hopefully I might make the next trek!
Best regards to a All.
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 at 20:08:55 (UTC)
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The Wisdom of Youth (us codgers should try it!!)
Live like you never need money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like no one is watching!!!
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 at 20:14:52 (UTC)
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Hey Dougie ye it was about 50 + years ago wow that was a long time hey. But I do remember where our house was, as for the name of the st well I forgot that. But I do remember it was the same St, the front of the Club was. We live just down the road as you came out the front you turned right. (right ?). Was about the 4th house down amounst a lot of tree's.
I remember the Club well as your dad (great guy ) managed it. He never let you Keith and Glen myself in as we were to young. Booze was sold. Remember all the neat Braii's we had , I remember the day my Step father brought home his first ever new car. A Vauxhall it was red boy was he proud.
As for the rest of the Copper Belt Boy I wish I could have seen Kitwe.?.
Being with you in Muff as well ,just to see the tears running down your cheeks.
Chris Drake (Tinker)
Christopher Drake, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 00:34:52 (UTC)
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I mchunga den u
U mcholda den me
Although I frighten myself looking in the mirror these days
*Snigger*
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 06:00:20 (UTC)
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Thanks Doug for Lusaka Pictures and the Diary of your visit to Zambia
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Doug
I enjoyed the pictures and you account of the events on your reunion event. Some buildings I could easly remember some I could not recognise but was good information about the changes that have taken place along Cairo Road. I hunted for Commercial Building but I am not sure I could see anything ressembling them But I had a view of Cairo Road. Thanks. You are a star.
I read all you dispatches with great interest. fancy not remembering where you used to live. Is fifty year a very long time then!!! I do not recognise this Manda Hill, you were refereing to. I remember Chelston. Cairo Road used to have some really lovely Gardens on the middle bit. I could not ascertain this from your pictures. Please comment. I saw some new tall buildings.
Sounds and looks as if you people had a good time. Where is this famous Kabwe Petrol Station? I should know it. Please say some more about the Califonia Motel?
I shall go back to the pictures again and again to see if the memeory has improved. My wife who has never been to Zambia is going to read your diaries with interest. My family and I may be going to Zambia in August this year.
You have no idea how grateful I am.
Natotela nganshi mukwai
Chinyerezi Chintu, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 08:00:57 (UTC)
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I too would like to know which unknown face goes with each very well known name. It would be too much for Heather to revisit every photo and add identity captions so maybe the guys can do it themselves. What I suggest is that they nominate a particular photo for example one of the ones at Marlin Restaurant and then say it's me (Doug) with the mineral water, me (OP) with the tomato juice, me (Glen) with coke etc..
??? !!! ???
OK, let's have another suggestion . . . .
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 09:57:05 (UTC)
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Endita Mukwai ba-Chinyerezi
A pavement shaded by the trees has replaced the flowerbeds along the centre of Cairo road. It is of course over the famous old big drain so we were a bit worried whether it would take Glen's weight without breaking :-)
The Broken Hill petrol pump is on the right hand side as you cross the railway line into Kabwe. There has been a great deal of jesting between supporters and detractors of the town in past postings about BH / Kabwe consisting only of 1 petrol pump and 2 shops. I am sure Charles Cartmill the ex-Mayor / District Commissioner of BHK will soon post from Capetown to assure us that BH / Kabwe is very modern. The famous pump actually work by electricity nowadays. Charles is also the Ambassador of BHK to the GNR.
California Motel was one of my projects. I had come to the conclusion that to make money you must start a business that is suitable for the country that you are in. Go with the flow in other words. Having studied Zambians for many years I found that they excelled in 2 things, namely drinking and smashing cars. As I knew nothing about panel beating I decided to build a motel. I modified my house on Plot 7 into the bar (important things first) and started building a 14-bedroom block. The bar went well but I ran out of money to finish the bedrooms, so I sold it to my brother in law Fred Rumsey who got a loan. He was then interned in one of Kaunda's political concentration camps and the motel went back to the bush. Even after Fred was released he never bothered about restarting the place or repaying the loan so it was probably repossessed, and today the best thing would be to bulldoze the remains as it is beyond repair. Very sad after all the effort we put into it and we did have many happy days there in my youth.
Tinker
I guess the above story must be what you are thinking of, when you mention tears down my cheeks. Not any more, I am quite happy in my new life, and I have seen Mufulira and Murundu many times over the years.
However it was all new and very novel to Glen who was on his first return trip since he left in 1964 some 51 years ago. It was an added pleasure for me to see his reactions to the various changes. He was disappointed at the way many things had deteriorated compared to pre -- 1964. I explained to him that things were far, far worse 15 years ago and if you compared it to that point things were really improving. The various business people that we met also witnessed this to him. Generally there is an air of optimism.
As for the Kalulushi house we went just where you said, but we could not say which one it was exactly.
Next reunion you must spend some of your stash of gold and join us. This applies to Bill Hunt and Mike Edwards also. Remember guys, you can't take all that loot with you.
Glen gave me a bell from port Elizabeth where he is visiting Uncle Arthur and Aunt Stella before heading for Oz.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 14:06:06 (UTC)
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Masvingo (Fort Victoria) - A deadly human anthrax outbreak has resurfaced in Gutu district in with five cases having been reported and one death so far. Anthrax is a most deadly disease, far worse that the plague; its spores can remain active in the ground for over 20 years.
``Operation Murambatsvina'' (drive out rubbish) began May 19 and has now moved to Victoria Falls. After destroying all the informal housing, Mugabe's thugs started raiding businesses and looting fridges and TV's from private homes.
{The name muramba tsvina is interesting. The Matabeles used to insultingly refer to the aMashona people as aMatsvina or rubbish people -- Doug.}
Extracts from statement by Jack Straw -- British Foreign Secretary.
"THE most recent events in Zimbabwe are of grave concern. Over the last three weeks the Mugabe regime has launched a brutal crackdown on some of the most vulnerable Zimbabweans, including inhabitants of urban shanty settlements and informal traders. Over 30,000 have been arrested, with over 40,000 households (approximately 200,000 people) affected with their homes and businesses callously destroyed.
Harare - President Robert Mugabe grabbed an Air Zimbabwe jet that Zimbabwe's national soccer team was to use to fly to Algeria later today for a African Cup tie, to travel to China.
Bulawayo - Satellite television owners raided in blitz by Police demanding to know the source of their subscription funds that have to be paid in foreign currency.
Johannesburg - Jacob Zuma, a staunch supporter of President Robert Mugabe's government was yesterday fired as deputy president of South Africa after he was implicated in a corruption scandal.
This last item is good news, both because it removes a corrupt VP and it also removes a pal of Mugabe. Otherwise Zuma was not a bad guy he just allowed himself to be corrupted by the Indian mafia. He was one of the few Zulus in a Government dominated by Xhosas.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 14:10:27 (UTC)
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Keith
I am not looking at any photos right now but if you mean the initial ones at the airport and Lusaka itself Glen is the big guy,Peter has long curly hair and round glasses,Doug is the distinguished looking elder statesman and the young lady is obviously Heather.
If you look at the archives Sept 2003 there are a number of picture with names from the Livingstone Bash
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 18:09:54 (UTC)
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Keith
In Heather's photo posing go to: -
Then we were off to a pub at Manda Hill
They're very lucky we're not there still
The first pic thereafter is numbered lusaka 1020, from left to right are: -
Glen, Heather, Doug, Peter at O'Hagan's in Manda Hill shopping centre.
After, "A walk on the islands; too much food and booze." find: -
guesthouse 002 John Milton (Oz ex- Kitwe) trying to fish.
friday 007 ltr Kevin Shone (Ndola) Philip Pain (Eshowe, ex-Kitwe)
monday 003 shows us all in a group with Heather and Louann. The big guy front centre is JJ from Eshowe.
then
small 005 is Bruce (Eshowe ex-Kitwe)
small 006 is Steve (Eshowe)
small 008 is Craig (Canada ex-Zim now promoted to Zambian)
Craig of course is the man who very generously hosts this site.
I hope this helps.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 18:36:44 (UTC)
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In that last posting "Heather's posing" should read "Heather's posting,"
before Johnny gets the wrong idea!
Mike
I can see you are a great diplomat. You are hereby promoted to the UK ambassador to the GNR :-)
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 18:42:16 (UTC)
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Doug
I haven't been to Lusaka since 1975 and I was very impressed with the photos including the airport. I was startled by the description of Manda Hill with its many restaurants and can remember when restaurants in Lusaka could be counted on one hand. Does anyone know if the Rendezvous (near the Post Office) is still in existence?It was more of a cafe.
That famous old drain in Cairo road was quite dangerous and more than one car ended up inside it. They must have had problems hauling them out is it is quite deep
You and Peter had your photos taken with a tower topped by a statue (it looks like one anyway) in the background. Where were you?
You mention Bruce from Kitwe.If it was Bruce Henley I remember him from the Lusaka Boys .He was a very good footballer and a year above me but I played in one house match with him.
He was blocking shots in our goalmouth and also trying to score at the other end while the rest of us ran around like headless chickens
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 20:09:56 (UTC)
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Doug,
You have me worried when you write:
The Broken Hill petrol pump is on the right hand side as you cross the railway line into Kabwe.
I lived in Broken Hill for fourten years and could swear Dulys was on the left hand side, as you enter Kabwe over the railway line -- but then maybe my memory has become muddled, due to the advancment of age!!
Your entertaining writings, Heather's delightful poetry and the many photographs have brought back many memories. Thankyou to all concerned for sharing it all with us.
Cheers,
Maxie.
Maxie Lindenberg, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 00:54:33 (UTC)
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House of the Rising Sun and Half Mast Trousers
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Am I having a senior moment or wot?*@#
I just turned on the TV to the sound of Eric Burdon belting out House of the Rising Sun on a pledge drive show for public television here. He looked around 65 yrs old and the rendition had changed up slightly from the version I am familiar with, but it got me thinking about someone on the GNR a while back saying he lived in Kitwe at one stage. Was I dreaming that? I know he lives in California now, but wasn't there some discussion about him on the GNR. Help an old lady out here, please?
On a different note, picture this:
My husband is 6ft 3ins tall and weighs around 210lbs. His trouser size is 38in waist and 36in inseam. For those who are in the metric system, that is bleddy tall and (somewhat) hunky, with really long legs. He had to leave at short notice yesterday to go to California on a last minute business trip for his company, out there to make a good impression with a client. He phoned me this morning to tell me that he had jumped out of bed in his hotel room, still bleery eyed from the time change and leaving Texas at 5:00am yesterday and having to go straight to a convention upon arrival. He hastily grabbed his suit pants and attempted to pull them up. They stopped dead at the knees.. Ag no man, he thinks. I must have gained some weight since I last wore these trousers. But wait... oh nooooooo. These are not my pants! These are my 14yr old son's size 30in waist and 30in inseam pants. Crikey!! What a crying shem and what a predicament to find oneself in, not so?
I could hardly contain myself from laughing on the phone and had to bite my tongue as I responded with a sympathetic "I wonder how that could have happened??"
Never one to lose his cool, what did he do? He ironed his jammies bottoms and did his best at the meeting. Ha! Ha!
And the moral of the story is? Don't mess with your wife when she is screaming KAWALALA at her son's basketball game because revenge is sweet.. grin.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 02:52:46 (UTC)
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Linda
Glen met Eric Burdon at a concert in California and posted a picture of them
together. It is in the archives somewhere not more than 18 months ago at the most.
Glen lives in California and used to live in Kitwe but you would know that.
I think you are dreaming..
I saw an article on Eric recently and he said he travels all over the world playing their most famous song ' House of the Rising Sun' but he does not get a penny in royalties from it because the drummer, whose name escapes me at present, did the dirty on him
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 06:58:33 (UTC)
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Northerners...
Just got back home and will over the next few days write up my trip report. I too had a MOST fantastic time!!!
The Duly's petrol pump in BH is on the left hand side...
Doug - please send me your mailing address - I have your photo CD.
Glen - yours is in the mail.
Thanks again Heather!!!!!!
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 08:17:22 (UTC)
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Doug
I now know what you mean by the Petrol Station in Kabwe. We used to call it Duly Motors. I think they did everything to do with Motor Vehicles. I am now confused as to whether it was on the Left or Right as you entere Kabwe from Lusaka. I would favour Left. Colour of blue comes to mind.
That Great North Road would plough on through the middle of the town on its way to Kapiri Mposhi. In the middle of the town on the left was a restaurant. What was that BHers?? I believe another road rising from the way of the Elephants Head passing by Boons Bar would join the Great North Road at the restaurant???
As you very well know my family still live in Kabwe: on a farm near what was then Palmgorve Motel. You did not mention The Ploughmans Arms, on the Great North Road, thirty or so miles from Lusaka and say twenty miles before Landless Corner. It was or still is on the right as you motor to Kabwe.
The Drain on Cairo Road??
Rendevours, I remember that as a haunt for teenage apamwamba kids. I would be seen being banjaxed in the Dogbox, Que Inn or Lusaka Hotel trimming my weekly university grant to a more practical balance (nil)before leaving.
Memories
Chinyerezi Chintu, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 10:32:23 (UTC)
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The following message is posted on behalf of non-member Dave Spencer. Please contact him directly as described below if you can help him. Thanks.
Can anyone please help me find a way of obtaining CD's or MP3's or even tapes of any of Wrex Tarr's records?
Please Contact: Dave Spencer (South Africa): dcspencer@sdachurch.co.za, +27 11 856 4468 Phone.
If you can help Dave, please contact him directly at dcspencer@sdachurch.co.za. Thanks very much.
Craig Hartnett, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 13:02:02 (UTC)
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Mike,
I suppose that they were not called "The Animals" for no reason. That drummer must have been a right one running off with the copyright.
Kevin Shone, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 13:06:44 (UTC)
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Chinyereze,
Yes it was Duly Motors, and yes it was painted blue and white and a further yes, it was on the left hand side of the road.
Broken Hill actually had five petrol stations and garages. A block up from Dulys and next to Standard Bank on the left was Grace Motors, at the end of that block, also on the left was the Rio Restaurant - a popular meeting place for everyone in the town.
In the next block on the right was Sandemans Garage -- think it had another name as well -- and at the top of the town on the corner of Maxwell Street was Border Motors. Turn right into Maxwell and on the following corner on the left was Gerlan Motors.
All of these garages had petrol stations, kiosks, showrooms and workshops.
For many years, unmanned petrol pumps (hand operated) stood on the edge of the pavement next to the road, almost opposite the Rio Resturant. Relics of all that was left of Proctors Garage.
How well I remember the Palm Grove Motel, south of Broken Hill on the Lusaka road. In it's hey day in the early sixties it was a great place to take the children to over the weekend.
Broken Hill has always taken a knocking as far as joking goes but it really was a great place to live in and had all the facilities enjoyed by the Copperbelt town and Lusaka..........why we even had a bioscope and a BIG fig tree! What more could you ask for?
Cheers,
Maxie.
Maxie Lindenberg, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 13:36:58 (UTC)
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The Ploughman's Arms is still there but the Palm Grove Motel is gone.
I lived in Broken Hill for between 1960 and 1964 and visited often until 1967. Unfortunately of all the places we visited in Zambia it has gone down most.
The roads are almost gone - they have not been maintained I guess since 1964. You have to drive in the ruts. Most towns in Zambia were relatively clean except for Kabwe. Garbage is piled everywhere and a lot of these were smouldering.
Broadway looks awful. What were lawns in front of city hall is now dust as well as the area around the big tree.
The area from the great north road to the station is like driving through a garbage dump.
In contrast, Luanshya looked beautiful. Although some of the roads were bad most were pretty good. The downtown area was spotless and in the suburbs most houses were really well looked after with hedges neatly clipped.
Ndola was in excellent shape as well. Again a very clean downtown area and generally a well maintained suburbia.
Kitwe - ugh... Not as bad as Kabwe but very dirty and run down. The mine club and the beautiful bowling lawns have all gone to pot. The Rhokana office building and grounds are a beautiful oasis in the middle of this mess.
Lusaka has become a typical big city. Traffic jams and lots of people. Also most houses are walled in for security reasons unlike most other towns we saw.
Did not see any crime and generally felt pretty safe once we got used to the police roadblocks everywhere. Were always waved through except once when we were asked for insurance papers - unlike Glen and Doug who must have looked like criminals, hee, hee.
I found the people very friendly without exception. John and I were never hassled and we never saw any beggars anywhere.
Everything is dirt cheap compared to the western world. In US dollars: A Castle or Mosi = 80 cents, a great steak dinner $6, cigarettes $1.20, Diesel fuel about $1/litre, parking for two hours downtown Ndola 20 cents AND you get a receipt....
Everyone we encountered from the smallest piccanin to the old Madela's spoke perfect English. Very few seem to remember the colonial days and Kaunda is (rightfully) blamed for all of Zambia's current woes. History too has been revised - was told several times the only good thing Kaunda did was bringing the mines to Zambia...
HIV/Aids is carried by about 50%+++ in the urban areas and 25%+ in rural areas. I was told by a local doctor that the average life span has been reduced from 59 years in the early 70s to 35 years today. For women it is even worse with the current life expectancy being 29. This has an enormous impact on the economy and productivity in Zambia. Lots of adverts everywhere about preventing the spread of Aids.
Even though there is an anti corruption commission it is virtually powerless and corruption is widespread. In my personal opinion Zambia will always be a third world country as long as it is allowed to carry on.
I was told the average wage for the labourer type jobs is $70 - 100/month. There is tons of wealth around though. Lots of new cars and 4x4s on the road. The electronics store in the mall had half a dozen 50" LCD/Plasma TVs blaring away.
The expats seem to be treated well. I found no racial tension and VERY surprisingly was still addressed as Bwana many, many times by the blue collar folks.
The lodge was great fun as Doug has told you.
In a nutshell - will most definitely go back for a vacation but very happy to reside in Canada.
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 14:27:49 (UTC)
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Peter,
I cant dispute that Kabwe is unlikely to win many plaudits as the "best kept town" but I am surprised when you suggest that the Palm Grove is no more. It was certainly there a couple of years ago and, if I was smart enough I would post my photo of the sign which reads "PalmGrove IRISH BAR". It was apparently thriving then, but of course, it could have shut down since.
Jack Wardell, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 14:56:31 (UTC)
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Maxie
You are dead right, not left! The pump is on the left hand or port side. No wonder I was always in trouble in the Army! I always get mixed up between left and right!
Mike
It is indeed Bruce Henley. He and Philip Pain are old Zambos. Steven Barrat and Johnny Jeweskawich were first time visitors.
Philip
It would be interesting to hear what Steve and JJ thought of Zambia. Tell Bruce he must read Mike's posting.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 17:41:50 (UTC)
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Jozi -- SA Home Affairs officials have interviewed Wesley Snipes the US actor after he was found traveling on a fake South African passport. Later he was allowed to leave for Kenya.
Durbs -- The first of the sardine run has reached Durban. It is approximately 40km long 4 km wide and 40 meters deep. Maningi fishes! The biggest shoal on earth!
Mbabane - King Maswati III married his 12th wife only a month after marrying number 11. Yes dear, yes dear, yes dear, yes dear, yes dear, yes dear, yes dear, yes dear, yes dear, yes dear, yes dear, yes dear!
Durbs -- Sipho Ngomane a Swazi from Nelspruit has won the 80th Comrades Marathon run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. There are about 1.5 million Swazis resident in South Africa and only 1 million in Swaziland itself. This dates from the time the Boers grabbed large section of Swaziland and a border dispute still exists.
Pretoria -- Rain Queen Makobo Modjadji, of the Balobedu people in the Limpopo province has died of an unrevealed disease at the age of 28. Apart from ruling over the Balobedu tribe, the Queen is also considered to be a rainmaker. This is very important in drought prone southern Africa so let's hope they install a new Rain Queen quickly!
Durban -- The ANC Premier of Kwa-Zulu Natal Sbu Ndebele had to be escorted by his bodyguards from Princess Mogogo stadium in KwaMashu yesterday as he was stoned by ANC youths, who were angry at the firing of Vice-President Jacob Zuma for corruption. I bet that put a damper on his Youth Day celebrations!
Blantyre -- President Binga wa Mutharika of the impoverished country of Malawi has decided to copy King Maswati III and buy himself a Mercedes Maybach 62 limousine. 60% of Malawi's 11 million people live on less than $1 a day.
Durbs - The Boks play the French tomorrow. Forecast temperature 26c.
Lusaka is 25c today while Vryheid is 17c.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 17:47:06 (UTC)
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Mike
The column with the statue on was at the South End Roundabout. I don't know what the statue was because there was a lot of traffic plus fountains between us and it.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 18:06:13 (UTC)
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it is Maxie Harwoods BIRTHDAY to day SHE KEPT IT VERY QUIET.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 18:09:39 (UTC)
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I think the statue at the South end of the road was the independence statue of a man breaking the chains that held his wrists together I remember just before it was unveiled by Kenneth some had peeped under the sheet covering it and some one had daubed with white paint a vandalism that said These boys will break anything.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 18:26:21 (UTC)
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Kevin
I am not sure where 'The Animals' name came from but they were Geordies from Newcastle upon Tyne, N.E England
The drummer was Alan Price a name I should have remembered as we frequented the same pub in London for a short period about 25 years ago although we never actually met or spoke to each other
He left the group in the early seventies and I think that this was when Eric realised that he had no stake in the song
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 18:30:02 (UTC)
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Hello all
Regarding the Animals the original line up was as follows
Eric Burdon vocals
Hilton Valentine lead guitar
Chas Chandler bass guitar
Alan Price keyboard
John Steel drums
In Kabwe in the early 70s there was a garage on the right hand side (when going north) called CDC, sold farming stuff as well.
Regards Mike.
Mike Fancourt, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 20:57:28 (UTC)
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Johnny,
The statue depicts the begining of Zambian "Independence" and the ending of slavery in general.I remember in the eighties some demented sod did the same thing (urinated) at the base of Winston Churchill's Statue in London.You think it could be the same moron?
Doug,
I suppose the King of Swaziland is setting a good example.Best to marry in numbers rather than sleep with numbers and increase the risk of HIV. Swaziland now has the highest percentage of HIV (as a percentage of population) in the World!!
Mike/Chinyenzere,
I recall the Cafe you mention.It was opposite OK Bazaar and I used to frequent it regularly. In there were some one arm bandit machines and other similar machines! Milkshake was good!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 21:22:35 (UTC)
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Mike F
It appears I was wrong about the role Alan Price played in the group but he was definitely the person that old Eric claimed stole his birthright
Price had very distinctive features and stood out in a crowd.
Ayub
The Rondezvous did make good milkshakes
It was owned by a Greek Cypriot family, Mr and Mrs Alexander and it was still operating in 1975
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, 17 June 2005 at 21:58:09 (UTC)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAXIE
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 03:04:38 (UTC)
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Oh dear, NOTHING HAPPENED, well one more try and b-day hugs anyway
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Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 03:07:49 (UTC)
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MUM YOU ARE THE BEST PERSON IN THIS WORLD :)
WE LOVE YOU MUM
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Thank You Maxie
You have a better recollection of the Town Centre. Now we know kabwe was not a one petrol pump town. Thanks for that.
Mike Slement
I realised as soon as I saw your dispatch that my spelling of the Rondezvouc was off key. It was at the Rondezvous that I first encountered "Baby Charm" as a mild alcoholic drink usually by teenage girls on a date. I suppose considering the age of the patrons milkshake had to be pretty special at the Rondezvous.
Ayub / Johnny (especially Johnny)
Unless they have moved it since, the statue you may be refering to, was at a huge roundabout near the Secretariat and the High Court.
Your story about someone discharging their urine at the base of the statue does not sound likely. Sorry John. Me thinks:- Who saw this person? Me thinks:- If the person did it in the dead of the night whose forensic experties were expended in establishing the presence of such human discharge at the base of that most revered edifice.
As to the words Johnny report to have been dabbed, in white paint, on the same statue ,it may have for ever remained a secrete between the police and the perpetrator. Do not tax your brain about it any more Ayub. Sorted.
Doug
You had me non- plussed ( which is not too difficult) when you said to Maxie " You are dead right, not left, the pump is on the left or portside" Anyway Doug do they use terms like portside in the army?
Your news from Africa made for depressing reading. I reckon you are having the blues after the excitement of the Zambian Visit. You had been known to sing the praises for serial husbandry.
On a serious note the sad truth stands out on HIV/AIDS and the exccess of some leaders. Some how you shot wide off the goal posts on Mugabe. No direct hit, especially after the widely reported demolitions of shanty towns in Harare. This used to be done with great regularity during the Aparthied Regime in South Africa. Sadly lessons must have been learnt. You are not going soft on the Comrade. You do not seem happy about the sacking of Zuma who is also allegedly a friend of Corade Mugabe. I am pulling your leg.
Peter Dielissen
I am intrigued by your account of your Zambian visit. Do'nt get me wrong I do not dispute the account. I am intrigued by the bad things you noticed and the good things that you approved. Doug and Glen seem to have gone to the same places as you. There is a common theme in both your accounts. There is also a very different hue. Interesting
Unless I am mistaken Zambia as I know never had a serious racial problem and expartriates as you call them were never under any threat at anyone point. Although a lot was expected or imagined. True the colonial sytem came to an end and life would change as previleges would cease to the expartriete in one sense. Foreigners with skills and economic power to yield still continue to have a better than average life in Zambia even today.
Shalenipo bonse
Chinyerezi Chintu, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 09:01:40 (UTC)
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Children and their kind hearts................
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Thank you Jade.............xxxx
everyone I have just viewed the message board ..........a beautiful surprise....feeling a bit down , and Jade comes along and leaves a message on our dusty GNR........without letting on to me..................and who says Teens are ratbags. :0)
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Hello to all of you Great North Roaders
I am sadly leaving South Africa for England in a few weeks time (my husband has decided it is time for us to go!!).
Are any of you residing in the Lincolnshire area? I would love to make contact with some old Zambians when we get there.
Looking forward to hearing from someone.
regards
Debby Scarff (nee Brooke)
ex Chingola
Debby Scarff, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 14:22:05 (UTC)
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Chinyerezi
There seem to be a number of stories regarding KK unveiling that statue
The version I heard at the time was that when they started raising the National flag during the ceremony they found that the Zambian flag had been switched for the South African one
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 14:45:31 (UTC)
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Mukwai ba-Chinyerezi
We only used Port in the army when we ran out of Beer and Brandy. This right / left thing is a problem. I was driving one day when the navigator said turn left right here! After we got the car out of the drain he explained that he meant turn left just here.
As for bad news from Africa, we have plenty of good news; the sardine run, Mbeki's stance against corruption, 8 South Africans in the top 10 at Comrades Marathon, the winner being a Swazi South African etc. On top of this the Boks held the French to a 30:30 draw today. There is a rematch in Port Elizabeth next Saturday.
I think your Baby Charm must be Babycham. Good name though. As the Yanks say 'Candy's dandy but liquor's quicker!'
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 18:46:44 (UTC)
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Bangladesh beat Australia at cricket today! England must be relishing playing the Aussies over the next few months!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 21:16:49 (UTC)
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I have recently stumbled across this site and naturally I am now keen as mustard to know if Brother Celestine was in fact (as rumour had it) molesting Michael Stanley, "Butch" Fraser, Molyneaux, "Bokoms" Brown, Wezi Kaunda (RIP) and that American kid with the crewcut whose mother taught us French and who was fond of saying, "You're as slow as mollases in January."
And isn't it time that somebody fessed up for raising Eullalia Johnson's voluminous bloomers on the flag mast day before end of year break in '64? I got six for that (and 2000 demerits) since after they lined up the usual suspects and Schutz promised to keep us from going home until somebody (i.e. Grondas) confessed.
And is it true that the same Brother Peter left the order and joined the CIA last seen giving cuts to inmates of Abu Garbou (sp?) in Iraq.
And can anyone verify that Father Norbet bought a Harley and started the Kitwe chapter of the Hell's Angels?
Hello you ous, it's Grondas. Back again to add some spice to your semi retired lives as I once did to your fledging oh-so-full-of-hope-and-sparkle teens.
Write!
S.G.
Stan Grondas, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 23:02:24 (UTC)
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Inga was really touched when I read her what you said about her. She made me read it to Cal.
It was very sweet :)
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 19 June 2005 at 01:03:46 (UTC)
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Doug's mention of the sardine run kindles happy memories of a beach holiday at Isipingo, south of Durban. It was 1950, I was nine, and we were living at Kongwa in Central Tanganyika. My dad, a keen but frustratingly inept fisherman, had read an article about the sardine run and the wondrous catches to be had as the big fish followed the sardines in to the Natal beaches. Instead of going for our traditional holiday in England he rented a beach bungalow at Isipingo (straight out if Summer of '42) and we sailed on the BI ship, The Aronda, from Dar es Salaam to Durban. We were going to get fit and bronzed in the South African sun, and live on fish. The sardines were there alright, and so were the big fish, but we weren't catching any. The damned South Africans who were fishing alongside us--no doubt veterans of many a previous sardine run--were pulling in plenty. They would cast into the deep with a nonchalant flick of the wrist, sending their bait hundreds of metres out into the Indian Ocean, and moments later they would be reeling in another one for the record books. But not us. We didn't get any. Not one! Not even a sardine. In the end dad got fed up and we went to stay at a resort in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, well away from the sea where there weren't any fish to tease us. While we were in Durban dad bought an old Hudson Commodore 8, a monster of a car, and decided that we would drive home to Tanganyika. That was to be my first experience of the Great North Road though I came to know it well in later years when I was serving in the NRP at Nakonde, on the Northern Rhodesia/Tanganyika border. In 1950 the drive from South Africa to Tanganyika was something of a foolhardy venture. Once you crossed into Southern Rhodesia the road was mostly unsealed except for tarmac strips in the centre, and we had a very old and overloaded car. There were five of us (my parents, my grandmother, my brother and me) our luggage and several jerrycans of fuel. The Hudson was a thirsty beast and in those days petrol stations were few and far between. After we crossed the Limpopo we drove through a bushfire that had already jumped the road a couple of times. Scary! We made it safely and dad later related the adventure in a book he wrote called Lightest Africa. It was a long dusty, drive for a fish we never even caught but it was worth every minute of it for the experience.
Adrian
Adrian Begg, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, 19 June 2005 at 04:02:34 (UTC)
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After Adrian's lively account I went looking for this book with the intriguing na | | |
