It must be time for a new blog entry.
Since we last wrote, we went on holiday to Zimbabwe. It was fantastic. So fantastic that we nearly decided to miss our flights home. So fantastic that we are planning on showing the Jesus movie on our roof (using the projector from work and some loud speakers) every night to co-incide with the call to prayer.
We had a great time in Harare catching up with old friends, eating bacon, drinking South African red wine, buying appliances (cue Hot Club Sandwich) and eating bacon.
We spent the second week in the Eastern Highlands with some good friends at a cottage called Loudwaters. No internet, limited cellphone network and lots of peace and quiet. The only noise, as the name suggests, is the steady, calming sound of the stream that flows next to the house ( with some cameot preformances by one Peter Raymond Simpson).
During the week we managed the odd outing to Troutbeck, Lepoard Rock and the obligatory visit to Tony's for coffee and cake. Otherwise, we spent most of our time migrating between the verandah and the fireplace depending on the very changeable weather. It was a week of great company, good conversation, amazing food and plenty of bacon. What else could we have asked for?
Thank you Jono, Kath and Peter (and Kath's grandparents) for being such generous hosts. We really enjoyed our time with you.
On my last night in Harare, our friends (David, Andrea and Lawrance Whatman) organised a 'blessing and braai' at their home so that my good mate Farayi could get a chance to give his long overdue wedding speech. It was a wonderful night and we were both humbled by the friendship and support of our Zimbabwean friends. If the Jesus movie thingo goes to plan, we might see you soon?
With a heavy heart, a humidifer and a Singer sewing machine (you can find them for $180 near Shinda Corner on Harare Street) 'he' headed back to the mine in Siberia. In the words of the seven financially indebited dwarfs, I owe, I owe, so often to work I go....
The most important purchase in Harare was that of our three month old golden cockerspaniel. He has a slightly politically incorrect name (Rhodes) for a Zimbabwean dog but we promise you he's very cute. If you're even remotely connected to the internet you'll see that 'he' and 'she' have both been busy turning Facebook into 'Doggybook'. Given we have endured most of you turning Facebook into 'babybook' we thought you too would want to see endless photos of our adorable and highly talented little guy...
I told you our boy is highly talented. Rhodes can piddle and diddle in four different places on the floor before you've had time to even locate the paper towel and the bucket. It also turns out that he may be a vegetarian. Much to our consternation, he refuses to eat either chicken or tuna. So much for the raw diet we had designed for him. Rhodes obviously didn't get the memo. He is more into kibble.
For two middle-aged individuals who like their Friday and Saturday morning sleep ins, having to take Rhodes outside at 6:30am each day for a spot of fetch, and the obligatory piddle and diddle session, has not been very much to our liking. By this morning 'he' was ready to put an ad on the local Facebook page for a cute little puppy with a serious attitude and a loose bowel.... Thankfully 'she' is a little more patient than 'he'.
Our landing back in Siberia has been smoother than that of Ethiopian airlines ( their pilots mostly come from the airforce where they don't do finesse). 'He' is busy with work and chasing after the endless piles of piddle and diddle.
'She' has done more than her fair share of the parenting and at the same time may have found herself some meaningful employment and some new friends. I'll let 'her' tell you more...
For both of us there is the shared optimism and feeling that perhaps we have turned the corner. What was once strange, new and exhausting has become more familiar. Perhaps this place, with its endless heat, dust and crazy drivers is starting to feel a little like home.... Who knows? We might even delay the premier of the movie night a little bit longer....
