When the going gets tough...

It can be a bit tough when a wife goes back to old blighty leaving her husband to choose what to wear in the morning all by himself.

The other two golfers were Tom and Kamal. Can you see how happy they look? That's because they both beat Lawrence by miles.

This Bird Has Flown

Molly is in flight right now as I post this blog. But we saw her off in style! The ladies of Kabwe were out in force on Saturday night, pulling shapes on the dance floor - even formation dancing as you can see from this pic..
Priscilla and Roshni (pictured here) were instrumental in turning Raj's balcony into a highclass disco complete with decorations and fantastic Zambian music, thanks also goes to Maggie and the Belgian girls.

And of course Raj - what a legend! Every guest was treated to the most delicious chicken and steak complete with all the trimmings. It was a great party, a good time was certainly had by all, apart from the dogs who were scared off by the fireworks.

Molly with friends Josephine and Rose aka Red Rose from the holy hip hop crew. Josephine along with Priscilla got major cred points with the menfolk when the tequilla was brought out! Incidentally I saw Molly cheating and throwing her shot subtely into a nearby flower pot but that's just our little secret.

On Sunday, we were going to take Anna and family to the zoo and botanical gardens but sadly it rained like stink all day long so we just had to stay indoors and play with a balloon. It has just been Anna's fourth birthday and here she is resplendent in her party outfit.

Hanging out on our last night at Pioneer camp. They ran out of small huts so we got upgraded to a whopper family sized barn, and enjoyed a whopper family sized boerwors sausage for dinner.

Waterfooling

This great bird (what is it, does anyone know?) is our new neighbour on the farm, swooping down on unsuspecting mice (and us)

Waterfall time comes again to the farm!
Maggie, Priscilla and Roshni keepin it cool

Central Casting shots for our 2

Self portrait with beard

Mr and Mrs Mudface enjoy the natural jacuzzi facilities

Molly's leaving do had Harriet strumming to the guitar and Bea just laughing

Lawrence was allowed to come as an honourary guest, to ensure all the Mosi beer got drunk, along with Francis

Everyone in time honoured Zambia tradition had to make a speech and here is Rich

Loz does Neil Young esque album cover look? Gwapo looks embarrassed.

Tazara Railway

Lawrence traversed the great Tazara Raliway route on the way back from Dar in Tanzania- for 48 sweaty hours - til he reached Kapiri Mposhi, just a few miles from our home in Zambia. Communist grandeur sets the scene on arrival in every station: This is a bridge, and a cloud, and a train

Lorenzo en route!

Morning stretches, somewhere near the border

Soldiers hitching a ride

Rainy season welcomed the arrival of Zambian territory!

Lawrence travelled with half of the peace corps stationed in Zambia- and here descending in one of his new bearded friends

Dar Es Salaam

Beautiful Dar-Es-Salaam was the venue for Molly's conference with young African leaders from all over- being able to watch the sea from the conference window was amazing- if slightly agonising- in 40 degree heat! Raj travelled with Lawrence to join Molly for the last weekend, and taste the local delicacy of fresh coconut milk. Unfortunately Raj face planted his...

Moz n Loz BeachSide....

A dhow setting out to catch fish

Nat from Uganda on an idyllic island near Dar

Raj posing on his private speed boat- why wait in line, when you can hire one for the day?

Cyclist taking the easy way out in maniac Dar traffic

Birthday Bloggage

It's Raj's Birthday! We celebrated by a group trip to Nsobe, with canoeing, massages, an addictive traditional game involving black seeds and plenty of healthy competition... Mini Raj- better known as his nephew Priank came with us, along with the lovely Maggie, Roshni, Tom and Segun

Back at the ranch- if we don't appear bang on time for the daily walk, Cuba sulks on the doorstep til we pay him some attention

Molly basking in some not very rainy season like sunshine on the farm

Whenever we stop for a rest we get the slobbery greetings from not one but 3 dogs

Meat and (no) Veg- a typical Zambian dinner which is carnivore tastic- if you look carefully at the rice you can spot a pepper hiding

Sunset in Lusaka, caught on a massive truck departing for the Copperbelt

January Jamboree

This is a picture of Tobacco drying in sheds. On the right is the Lucky Strike Shed then next to it is Silk Cut (ultra mild), then it's Pall Mall menthol and right at the end there is Golden Virginia. In the forefront of course is Marlboro Man... and dogs.

This is part of the set background for the new breakfast show that just started on Muvi TV, designed by Lawrence. Munzye presents the fashion and entertainment section. Austin Powers eat your heart out!

This lady sells delicious pineapples. By the way, it's a fruity bonanza here at the moment. Molly even made Mango flapjacks on Sunday and stuffed a roast chicken with Mango stuffing! Both rather scrumptious.

Molly and Lawrence out on a walk, tobacco leaves in the background. What you don't see is our toes just loving the warm muddy puddles.

Lawrence loves posing in the new shades.

Guapo doing his stealthy look in the long grass at sunset.