Durban Reunions

After 5 months in Zambia we have embarked on a fairly long journey back to Canada visiting family and friends along the way.

First stop is Durban, South Africa where we are staying with Gaye and Peter Goodridge. Gaye and Jenny were at high school together at Eveline and it was through Gaye that Jenny and Gordon met back in 1974 ! Gaye and Peter were at the Eveline reunion in France in April so Jenny had seen them there but Gordon had not seen Gaye since 1988 and never met Peter before ! In the photo below we are celebrating at a Portugese restaurant called Mozambik in Ballito.



We also caught up with Gordon's aunt (Rita's sister), uncle and cousins who also live in Durban and who we had not seen for 20 years ! From left - uncle Pat, Jenny, Cai, cousin Chris and his wife Roseanne, Rita (also visiting), and cousin Marion.

August 17 - Saying of the Week

Cai is speaking very well - long sentences, clear diction and amazing comprehension. The other day he said to me "I've got a snotty nose. Do you have a kleenex ?"

Zambian Bird List

Here's a list of birds that have been seen around the farm house or with-in a 20km radius while we have moved through the area since late March. Many of them are very common but several have never seen before, so quite exciting. Likely some of the more unusual ones are wintering in Zambia before moving south again for the summer.

The list will be updated as new sightings are made with the more recent ones at the top of the list :

Stonechat (July 10)
Longbilled Crombec
Miombo Rock Thrush (July 1)
Bluegrey Flycatcher (June 30)
Yellowbellied Sunbird
Tropical Boubou
Viloetbacked Sunbird (June 29)
Greyheaded Bush Shrike
Chispot Batis
Blackheaded Oriole
Black Flycatcher (June 28)
Namaqua Dove
Green Spotted Dove
Yellow White Eye
Fortailed Drongo
Blue Waxbill
Cape Turtle Dove
Swainsons Franklin
Pied Crow
African Pied Wagtail
Helmeted Guinea Fowl
Heuglin's Robin
Blackeyed Bulbul
House Sparrow
Lilacbreasted Roller

Victoria Falls Fun

During her recent visit to Zimbabwe Jenny took a week-end break at Victoria Falls with Carol.

Above : viewing the Falls; Below : enjoying dinner at The Boma Restaurant

Above : going for an elephant ride; Below : feeding their "steed" after the ride

Sunset Shadows

Cai and Bumpa watching the sun set with some interesting shadows on the garden wall

Bronwen's Zambian Outfit

The headmaster of the school and his wife were very taken with Bronwen and all her efforts in connecting and working at the school and in the community. So before she left Zambia they took her to a tailor in Kapiri, had her measured up and this traditional Zambian outfit made for her. They had a matching one made for their own daughter, who Bronwen had interacted with, as a reminder of their Canadian "daughter" !

Watermelon and Campfires

In the abscence of a supply of grapes Cai has been quite happy to have watermelon instead. A good thing as they are in season right now and a large one can be bought for the equivalent of $ 1.20 !

We have been enjoying lots of campfires in the evenings around the fire pit built by the Taylor team.