I Dream Of Africa

Where to begin?

While I was born in the north of England, I consider myself an African. My parents relocated to South Africa in 1962 in search of a better life for us all. I was only three years old at the time and am the youngest of three siblings. Most of my memories of those early years come from the many old black and white photographs and cine films that my father was so fond of taking and that I now keep in a box under the stairs.

Our first home in Africa was in a small town called Newcastle in what is now known as the Province of Kwazulu-Natal. My father was a Civil Engineer and had been employed on contract by a British company called Woodal Duckham to build the coke ovens for the local steel industry. Looking at the old photos I see a small town with wide roads and low single story buildings. The roads are flanked by trees and many of them are only dusty gravel. It looks dry and rather uninspiring but I do vaguely recall friendly neighbours and a great community spirit.

Around 1964/5, when my father's contract came to an end and he took on a job with a local company, we moved to the bustling city of Johannesburg. It was here that he fulfilled a lifelong dream to build his own house in what was then a small and undeveloped suburb called Parkmore.  It was a very  open and friendly neighbourhood in those days with dirt roads and no fences between neighbours. We children had a pretty free life, wandering around the area at little risk and concern to our parents. There were lots of open fields around us and a river at the bottom of our road that all the children in the neighbourhood used to play and fish in. Some of my happiest childhood memories are of the times 'camping' out in the bush for the day with my best friend Mandy and my black labrador Sammy when we used to cook sausages on sticks over an open fire - they always tasted better burnt on the outside, raw in the middle and covered in ash! Parents were so much more laid back in those days - I can't imagine anyone giving a couple of 10 year olds a box of matches and a packet of sausages to play with these days?

Towards the end of 1969 we moved once again - this time to what was then known as Rhodesia. My father had suffered a major heart attack the year before and it was felt that he needed a less stressful job and life than the very busy city life of Johannesburg offered.  If it hadn't been for the fact that Rhodesia was at the beginning of an escalating civil war over independence, I expect the choice of new domocile would have made more sense but never-the-less, I have only good memories of my teenage years.

In 1980 Rhodesia became Zimbabwe and my first son was born. In 1982 my father died from a massive heart attack and stroke with my first marriage breaking down shortly afterwards. I re-married in 1985, my second son came along in 1987, followed by a beautiful daughter in 1989. By then we were living on our own smallholding just outside Harare where I bred Arabian horses, had a few cows and chickens and grew a few vegetables. Life was good until Robert Mugabe sanctioned the land grab and the country errupted in violence, anger and hatred.

As the violence grew, it was decided that we would move to Zambia where my husband was already working on the second year of a road building contract. My mother had died the year before in 1999 leaving me feeling pretty desolute and bleak so I was happy for a change of scenery - at the time we believed it would only be a temporary move but as it turned out we ended up in Zambia for 8 years. Returning to Zimbabwe was not an option as we not only lost our home but also our permanent residence status due to our British(ness)!

So here we all are in Eastbourne in the UK! Who would have thought it likely?  We've been here a year now and I am quite enjoying it but still . .  there are times . . .  when . . .

I dream of Africa!

I Dream of Africa . . .

Some time ago I left my home,
far away in the African sun.
I boarded a plane for a foreign land,
my new life had begun.

But still some nights as I drift away,
I hear a cricket's call.
My mind wanders off to another place.
to Acacia trees, proud and tall.

I dream of my home in Africa.
Of a place so wild and free.
I remember well my garden,
in the shade of the giant fig tree.

It's not that I regret my new life,
or wish to be somewhere else.
It's just that I dream of Africa,
of a wild and untamed place.

Welcome to Mozambique

Most famous for its beautiful sandy beaches and sparkling blue sea, Mozambique has so much to offer the discerning tourist. From scuba diving to horse back riding, there is something to suit everyone.

For the seafood junkie, you'd be hard pressed to find better on offer. You could even go out and catch your own!

The Okavango Delta - Botswana

The Okavango River rises in the Angolan highlands and flows over 1,000 miles, passing through Namibia before entering Botswana and forming the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is a 15,000square kilometer, rich and varied habitat for thousands of mammals, birds, fish and other animals. It sustains tens of thousands of delta residents and a growing ecotourism industry.

This vast inland delta, one of Southern Africa's most enigmatic river systems, lies like an emerald jewel on the edge of the great Kalahari desert, an astonishing maze of papyrus lined waterways, meadows and woodland rich in birdlife and game.

There are so many different options for touring this amazing part of Botswana - it really is the experience of a lifetime.

The Bull Elephant

He stood alone in the evening sun,
beneath the baobab tree.
Lifting his trunk in a lazy arc,
his eyes carefully watching me.

His gray ears flapping, his head alert,
listening for every sound.
Thoughtfully chewing a leafy twig,
his foot lifted just off the ground.

In awe I watched, and he watched me back,
not in fear but in mutual respect.
As the sun slowly sank and the sky grew dark,
his wrinkled frame left a last effect.

Tourism in Zimbabwe

Sadly the word 'Zimbabwe' has, in the past ten years, become more associated with political strife than for its beautiful tourist spots. This is very unfortunate because Zimbabwe truly has some of the most beautiful  landscapes in Africa.

Lake Kariba has a remarkable history. Built in 1958, it typifies human endeavour and determination on a grand scale, thus creating one of the biggest man made lakes in the world.

Still one of the main supplies of electricity to several African countries, Kariba has become better known as the playground for those interested in all types of water sport - from fishing for the mighty Tiger fish to water ski-ing . Or you could choose to do a spot of  game viewing from the decks of a well equiped houseboat,  gently  bobbing on the water.

Truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring places in Zimbabwe.

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and unspoiled holiday destinations in Africa. With its amazing sandy beaches and crystal clear water, this natural fresh water lake offers all manner of water sports for the enthusiast.

Whether you just want laze about and catch a suntan or enjoy the adventure of a more proactive holiday, the Lake has so much to offer as a top class tourist destination.

Namaqualand

I have always had a soft spot for the dainty yet hardy Namaqualand daisy!

One of the many wild flowers that cover the arid landscape of Namaqualand after the Winter rains, this georgeous bright orange to varying shades of golden yellow daisy makes a startling statement in a garden planting.

Many thousands of tourists travel to this part of South Africa just to see this amazing and spectacular display of wild flowers that carpet the desert landscape every year.

A must see if you plan to visit South Africa on your travels!