To Monday 10th July
Thursday 6th July
Big Day!!! I’m a grandad. Rebecca gave birth to Andrew Colin Gascoigne, at 1.00PM. June phoned me from Glasgow where she was at Vicky’s graduation. I could hardly make out what she was saying – she was screetching so loud! We are both very pleased and happy for Rebecca and Barry – that’s the next 20 years mapped out for them! I had been forewarned, and opened the small bottle of sparkling wine I bought on the way home. Raised a glass (or two..) and said a toast to my new grandson. OK, it is before I’m 60, but I forgive you! Barry, hope you enjoy the cigar June sent you!
Congratulations to both Andrew and Vicky who both graduated today. Well done! Heard from Thomas also, he has his law degree and with Distinction. So, a real day of celebration. Since I’ve been here, I haven’t really wished to be back home, I’ve been busy with work, and still excited by everything around me. But today, I felt far away and wished I could have been closer to share it with June. I know she feels the same. Roll on December! I should be home sometime in the middle of the month.
Friday 7th July
Avia arrived this morning with her bags. I only had a few minutes and left her to get on with things. When I got back home, everything was very tidy, she had done my washing, cleaned the kitchen, and had even organised my clothes in the wardrobe! Blimey, this only costs £50 a month! She is now in the ‘maids quarters’. She isn’t too talkative, it’s a bit of a struggle, but I’m sure she will open out once we get to know each other. I did establish that her husband had been a guide at the Victoria Falls, but most tourists now go to the Zambian side (Livingstone), avoiding Zimbabwe, and he lost his job. Their daughter is eleven and is doing well at school.
Got the bed delivered, pillow, and a really thick blanket and downie cover which Avia seemed pleased with. She made a list of things I need to get…mop, bucket, rake, fabric softener, - she’ll get on with June.
At work, we prosposed earlier in the week to visit a couple of other colleges next Tuesday/Wednesday - at Selibi Phikwe and Palapye and its been approved, so will get to see more of the coutryside. It means staying one night away in Palapye.
Still no news of the car. I’ll have to go and see them again tomorrow.
Saturday 8th July
A windy start to the morning. Because it’s so dry, it’s dusty; I can imagine what it will be like in a few weeks when it blows more frequently. Avia did the ironing before leaving to spend the weekend with her husband in Matangwane. She’ll be back Monday.
Went to Auto Lot sales again, and met Zaine (not Sanni a I previously wrote), and the car is not yet fixed. He said they had been trying to contact me. They could have done a quick fix, but he wanted to do it properly (its track rod ends). I believe him, but then I would. Everyone is honest until proven otherwise. But! We agreed that, if the money is through next week, I could take the car and then bring it back when the parts arrive. Deal done for P49500 – the price on the windscreen is P51500, so another small saving on the road to being a master haggler! Hopefully, one way or another, I have the car for when June is here, which will not now be until a week Wednesday.
Met up with Alison to take her to the club. She wants to join; her husband is a golfer. The Bistro was open, so we had a late lunch there. It was very good - extensive menu. I had Impala to start, and then a lamb shank. We met Barbara, the eponymous owner of the Bistro (all these years reading the Scotsman). She is German, but lived in F’town for the last 23 years. Very up front lady - knew a lot about F’town (surprise surprise!). We had a sherry on the house! She lives in one of the oldest colonial houses in F’town - it has teak parquet flooring! Beats my vinyl tiles. She scared Alison away from a district where she had viewed a house this morning. Barbara’s story is very familiar - got here, and was bitten by the African lifestyle – she would never go home except to visit. She says Germans complain too much, here if you complained about everything that was wrong, you would go crazy she said! Alison is the same, and although she lives in Namibia, has worked in Rwanda on-and-off for the last 5 years. She has also worked in Botswana, and Zambia.
Home about 4.00 and phoned Rebecca who is now home with son Andrew. Good to hear all is well, and good to hear her voice again. The wind has gone and it’s a balmy warm afternoon. Lots of leaves in the pool, so spent a while getting them out. I’ll have to get familiar with chlorine and other chemicals to make sure it’s hygienic, and at the right Ph values for the summer. I can now operate the filter, back flushing and rinsing! I have the barracuda working – a device that skims the bottom of the pool sucking up sand, dust and leaves that settle there. Who needs a pool boy?
I’m entered for the monthly stableford at the golf club tomorrow, so I’ll just watch a DVD on the laptop and be in bed by 9.00. Teeing off at 7.30. I bought some new powered speakers for the laptop; the ones I brought with me aren’t loud enough. The new ones have a sub-woofer and although still not as powerful as the ones at home, much better than before. Jame Blunt is belting out at the moment.
Sunday 9th July
25 points in the stableford. Not great, but my best so far. Still not got the browns worked out. Played with a Motswana, called Colin. Proudly told him I had a grandson called Colin! I wore a jumper until the 3rd hole, then in short sleeves thereafter. A beautiful, sunny, crisp morning; pleasantly warm. Absolutely great golf weather. Colin wore a fleece-lined anorak, that wouldn’t have been out of place on top of Ben Nevis, in the height of a Scottish winter! And, he had the hood up! He did take it off about 11.00AM, to reveal a thick woolly jumper underneath! It didn’t seem to hamper his game, he played good golf.
I hear lots of stories and anecdotes at the golf. Two this morning were:
1. Playing in SA on a course adjacent to Kruger national park (which is game fenced), the players (one was telling the story) were hurriedly ushered off the course – a pride of lions had been spotted ambling down one of the fairways! A case of roar stopped play?
2. A lady golfer playing in Kasane, in northern Botswana stepped up to the tee, which had an overhanging tree. She had a blood spot fall on her – a leopard was in the tree with its latest kill! The guy telling the story was really miffed – he had only ever seen a leopard in a pen, and had been on lots of game drives.
Golf, Africa style. It seems that leopards and wild dogs are at the top of most people’s list of ‘must-sees’, on game drives. Wild dogs are rare and are considered the cleverest hunters of prey in Africa. They work as a team and appear to be telepathic! I would have liked to go up to Kasane next weekend - there is a competition at the grass 9-hole course there. You have to chase the warthogs off the tees, and if you loose a ball in a water hazard then its goodbye, the hippos have the rights on lake balls!! One guy had played there when a buffalo lay dead on the course. Apparently, it had been raging about the course for a couple of days and was becoming a danger - had to be shot. (Golfers only: landing near a dead buffalo - lift and a drop without penalty – not an integral part of the course!). Can’t wait to play there! My personal experience this morning was to disturb a rabbit from the rough. OK, not exciting, but my first African rabbit!
While waiting to tee-off this morning, there was some commotion on the course. A group of about 20 people, mostly young, some just children, were running up the fairway; groups coming in different directions. Apparently, they were after a Zimbabwean, we know not for, but he was apprehended. The police took him away. His disguise had not worked – he was wearing an anorak, with Botswana emblazoned on the back and, in national colours!
I’ve also caught more of the sun to-day. There was a cool breeze later in the morning and I didn’t wear a hat. My face is bright red again - it had been a light tan. One last thought for the day – this is definitely a healthy climate (so far!). No cold aches or pains, and apart from my ankle, I feel really good and healthy most of the time. I might stay up to watch the Final tonight. Andrea Bocelli is performing for me while I wait
Monday 10th July
I did stay up to watch the final, and the extra time. I thought about phoning Thomas to find out how calm Lucia was, or not as was probably the case, but I assumed they would be out on the streets celebrating.
Took a test drive in the Honda today. CRVs are automatic, and I haven’t driven an automatic since we were in Florida years ago. If the money arrives this week, should get it Friday or Saturday.
Had a chat session arranged with June, but couldn’t get logged onto Gmail, or to the blog. Yahoo works OK (well most times, although a couple of emails to June have ‘disappeared’ into the ether-net (techie joke).
Fridge arrived. Cool.
I had bought some rice and chicken for tea and showed Avia how to use the microwave. Stressed the bit about no metal, and not good for drying cats. I’m going to get a small electric cooker tomorrow, I’ve asked Avia to do some Zimbabwean dishes. Her husband, Dominic, had come to pay a visit. He helped me unpack the fridge. He is going to bring some beetroot from the farm, next time he visits. He will probably come once a week. He would like to go to America, although he actually would go anywhere, even Scotland he said. But, you know, he knows, and he knows you know, that the chances are nil. He told me he had enjoyed his job as a guide at Vic Falls and would like to go back to it when things are better. It wasn’t just at the falls, he took tourists on game drives. He recommened a hotel to stay in.
Nasa came round to get some money to finish the curtains. I said I would like to get the up before June arrives, but she said it would be a good idea to wait, and she can talk to June about colours etc. OK by me. She gave me some info on the street. Apparently there are two lawyers opposite, and a further one down the street. Directly across the road is a car dealer. But, most impressive of all, is that a Kgosi lives on the street. Now that’s royalty here. Kgosi is the Setswana name for chief. Nasa was impressed that she didn’t have to tell me what it meant. I’ve been doing my homework! In Setswana, g is generally sound as h, but when I tried to say khosi, Nasa laughed. Still got a long way to go, Setswana is a very difficult language.
An interesting headline in a local newspaper: “Man raped by menstruating woman” – best not go there. The report said the police had no clues as to the identity of the woman but they hoped to apprehend the ‘suspect’ soon. I kid you not.
An advert I saw in a free advertising sheet: “2 herd boys wanted, with wife”. I kid you not again. There are always adverts for “herd boys”, but never seen any for girls. It would be tough for Rachael and Rebecca here.
Katie Melua playing. No TV, forgot to pay the bill!
Big Day!!! I’m a grandad. Rebecca gave birth to Andrew Colin Gascoigne, at 1.00PM. June phoned me from Glasgow where she was at Vicky’s graduation. I could hardly make out what she was saying – she was screetching so loud! We are both very pleased and happy for Rebecca and Barry – that’s the next 20 years mapped out for them! I had been forewarned, and opened the small bottle of sparkling wine I bought on the way home. Raised a glass (or two..) and said a toast to my new grandson. OK, it is before I’m 60, but I forgive you! Barry, hope you enjoy the cigar June sent you!
Congratulations to both Andrew and Vicky who both graduated today. Well done! Heard from Thomas also, he has his law degree and with Distinction. So, a real day of celebration. Since I’ve been here, I haven’t really wished to be back home, I’ve been busy with work, and still excited by everything around me. But today, I felt far away and wished I could have been closer to share it with June. I know she feels the same. Roll on December! I should be home sometime in the middle of the month.
Friday 7th July
Avia arrived this morning with her bags. I only had a few minutes and left her to get on with things. When I got back home, everything was very tidy, she had done my washing, cleaned the kitchen, and had even organised my clothes in the wardrobe! Blimey, this only costs £50 a month! She is now in the ‘maids quarters’. She isn’t too talkative, it’s a bit of a struggle, but I’m sure she will open out once we get to know each other. I did establish that her husband had been a guide at the Victoria Falls, but most tourists now go to the Zambian side (Livingstone), avoiding Zimbabwe, and he lost his job. Their daughter is eleven and is doing well at school.
Got the bed delivered, pillow, and a really thick blanket and downie cover which Avia seemed pleased with. She made a list of things I need to get…mop, bucket, rake, fabric softener, - she’ll get on with June.
At work, we prosposed earlier in the week to visit a couple of other colleges next Tuesday/Wednesday - at Selibi Phikwe and Palapye and its been approved, so will get to see more of the coutryside. It means staying one night away in Palapye.
Still no news of the car. I’ll have to go and see them again tomorrow.
Saturday 8th July
A windy start to the morning. Because it’s so dry, it’s dusty; I can imagine what it will be like in a few weeks when it blows more frequently. Avia did the ironing before leaving to spend the weekend with her husband in Matangwane. She’ll be back Monday.
Went to Auto Lot sales again, and met Zaine (not Sanni a I previously wrote), and the car is not yet fixed. He said they had been trying to contact me. They could have done a quick fix, but he wanted to do it properly (its track rod ends). I believe him, but then I would. Everyone is honest until proven otherwise. But! We agreed that, if the money is through next week, I could take the car and then bring it back when the parts arrive. Deal done for P49500 – the price on the windscreen is P51500, so another small saving on the road to being a master haggler! Hopefully, one way or another, I have the car for when June is here, which will not now be until a week Wednesday.
Met up with Alison to take her to the club. She wants to join; her husband is a golfer. The Bistro was open, so we had a late lunch there. It was very good - extensive menu. I had Impala to start, and then a lamb shank. We met Barbara, the eponymous owner of the Bistro (all these years reading the Scotsman). She is German, but lived in F’town for the last 23 years. Very up front lady - knew a lot about F’town (surprise surprise!). We had a sherry on the house! She lives in one of the oldest colonial houses in F’town - it has teak parquet flooring! Beats my vinyl tiles. She scared Alison away from a district where she had viewed a house this morning. Barbara’s story is very familiar - got here, and was bitten by the African lifestyle – she would never go home except to visit. She says Germans complain too much, here if you complained about everything that was wrong, you would go crazy she said! Alison is the same, and although she lives in Namibia, has worked in Rwanda on-and-off for the last 5 years. She has also worked in Botswana, and Zambia.
Home about 4.00 and phoned Rebecca who is now home with son Andrew. Good to hear all is well, and good to hear her voice again. The wind has gone and it’s a balmy warm afternoon. Lots of leaves in the pool, so spent a while getting them out. I’ll have to get familiar with chlorine and other chemicals to make sure it’s hygienic, and at the right Ph values for the summer. I can now operate the filter, back flushing and rinsing! I have the barracuda working – a device that skims the bottom of the pool sucking up sand, dust and leaves that settle there. Who needs a pool boy?
I’m entered for the monthly stableford at the golf club tomorrow, so I’ll just watch a DVD on the laptop and be in bed by 9.00. Teeing off at 7.30. I bought some new powered speakers for the laptop; the ones I brought with me aren’t loud enough. The new ones have a sub-woofer and although still not as powerful as the ones at home, much better than before. Jame Blunt is belting out at the moment.
Sunday 9th July
25 points in the stableford. Not great, but my best so far. Still not got the browns worked out. Played with a Motswana, called Colin. Proudly told him I had a grandson called Colin! I wore a jumper until the 3rd hole, then in short sleeves thereafter. A beautiful, sunny, crisp morning; pleasantly warm. Absolutely great golf weather. Colin wore a fleece-lined anorak, that wouldn’t have been out of place on top of Ben Nevis, in the height of a Scottish winter! And, he had the hood up! He did take it off about 11.00AM, to reveal a thick woolly jumper underneath! It didn’t seem to hamper his game, he played good golf.
I hear lots of stories and anecdotes at the golf. Two this morning were:
1. Playing in SA on a course adjacent to Kruger national park (which is game fenced), the players (one was telling the story) were hurriedly ushered off the course – a pride of lions had been spotted ambling down one of the fairways! A case of roar stopped play?
2. A lady golfer playing in Kasane, in northern Botswana stepped up to the tee, which had an overhanging tree. She had a blood spot fall on her – a leopard was in the tree with its latest kill! The guy telling the story was really miffed – he had only ever seen a leopard in a pen, and had been on lots of game drives.
Golf, Africa style. It seems that leopards and wild dogs are at the top of most people’s list of ‘must-sees’, on game drives. Wild dogs are rare and are considered the cleverest hunters of prey in Africa. They work as a team and appear to be telepathic! I would have liked to go up to Kasane next weekend - there is a competition at the grass 9-hole course there. You have to chase the warthogs off the tees, and if you loose a ball in a water hazard then its goodbye, the hippos have the rights on lake balls!! One guy had played there when a buffalo lay dead on the course. Apparently, it had been raging about the course for a couple of days and was becoming a danger - had to be shot. (Golfers only: landing near a dead buffalo - lift and a drop without penalty – not an integral part of the course!). Can’t wait to play there! My personal experience this morning was to disturb a rabbit from the rough. OK, not exciting, but my first African rabbit!
While waiting to tee-off this morning, there was some commotion on the course. A group of about 20 people, mostly young, some just children, were running up the fairway; groups coming in different directions. Apparently, they were after a Zimbabwean, we know not for, but he was apprehended. The police took him away. His disguise had not worked – he was wearing an anorak, with Botswana emblazoned on the back and, in national colours!
I’ve also caught more of the sun to-day. There was a cool breeze later in the morning and I didn’t wear a hat. My face is bright red again - it had been a light tan. One last thought for the day – this is definitely a healthy climate (so far!). No cold aches or pains, and apart from my ankle, I feel really good and healthy most of the time. I might stay up to watch the Final tonight. Andrea Bocelli is performing for me while I wait
Monday 10th July
I did stay up to watch the final, and the extra time. I thought about phoning Thomas to find out how calm Lucia was, or not as was probably the case, but I assumed they would be out on the streets celebrating.
Took a test drive in the Honda today. CRVs are automatic, and I haven’t driven an automatic since we were in Florida years ago. If the money arrives this week, should get it Friday or Saturday.
Had a chat session arranged with June, but couldn’t get logged onto Gmail, or to the blog. Yahoo works OK (well most times, although a couple of emails to June have ‘disappeared’ into the ether-net (techie joke).
Fridge arrived. Cool.
I had bought some rice and chicken for tea and showed Avia how to use the microwave. Stressed the bit about no metal, and not good for drying cats. I’m going to get a small electric cooker tomorrow, I’ve asked Avia to do some Zimbabwean dishes. Her husband, Dominic, had come to pay a visit. He helped me unpack the fridge. He is going to bring some beetroot from the farm, next time he visits. He will probably come once a week. He would like to go to America, although he actually would go anywhere, even Scotland he said. But, you know, he knows, and he knows you know, that the chances are nil. He told me he had enjoyed his job as a guide at Vic Falls and would like to go back to it when things are better. It wasn’t just at the falls, he took tourists on game drives. He recommened a hotel to stay in.
Nasa came round to get some money to finish the curtains. I said I would like to get the up before June arrives, but she said it would be a good idea to wait, and she can talk to June about colours etc. OK by me. She gave me some info on the street. Apparently there are two lawyers opposite, and a further one down the street. Directly across the road is a car dealer. But, most impressive of all, is that a Kgosi lives on the street. Now that’s royalty here. Kgosi is the Setswana name for chief. Nasa was impressed that she didn’t have to tell me what it meant. I’ve been doing my homework! In Setswana, g is generally sound as h, but when I tried to say khosi, Nasa laughed. Still got a long way to go, Setswana is a very difficult language.
An interesting headline in a local newspaper: “Man raped by menstruating woman” – best not go there. The report said the police had no clues as to the identity of the woman but they hoped to apprehend the ‘suspect’ soon. I kid you not.
An advert I saw in a free advertising sheet: “2 herd boys wanted, with wife”. I kid you not again. There are always adverts for “herd boys”, but never seen any for girls. It would be tough for Rachael and Rebecca here.
Katie Melua playing. No TV, forgot to pay the bill!
posted by George Herd at 10:32 AM
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